This interview features Mr. Kazushige Koshika, President of  TOPPAN Technical Design Center Inc.

Tell me a bit about your background? How did you first get started with TOPPAN Technical Design Center Inc.?

I had been involved in semiconductor design businesses for many years. Through my previous experience, such as launching an Indian design partner company, restructuring the business after the collapse of Lehman Brothers, and starting an ASIC turnkey business, I learned the importance of keeping an eye on the entire business, not just focusing on technology.

Tell me about TOPPAN Technical Design Center?

TDC (TOPPAN Technical Design Center) is a fabless semiconductor company centered on semiconductor design, and provides comprehensive support for prototyping, manufacturing, testing, and mass production management.

We don’t have our plant, but by working with our manufacturing partners inside and outside Japan, we value our involvement in the support for the commercialization of our customers’ product.

When did you start TDC ? What were you doing before that?

I joined Toppan Printing (currently TOPPAN) in 1988 following my experience in a previous career. Then, I was transferred to TDC when the design business division was spun off. I proposed a plan in 2012 to organize an ASIC turnkey business, which is now one of our core businesses, and the following year, the device OEM department to handle the ASIC turnkey service was established.

As the first department head, I worked to launch and expand  the business.

What problem did you see that needed to be fixed? What is your approach to solving that?

Although the turnkey business itself began around 2000, it remained in the red for a long time and had not been sufficiently developed as a business. So, we set up an organization to provide comprehensive support, ranging from design to manufacturing, quality and mass production, and recruited engineers with advanced expertise and extensive experience in each field from TOPPAN nationwide.

How has the role/offering of TDC changed during the recent years?

The contract works we previously received were mainly partial design services, but now we are receiving more inquiries on seamless support for prototyping, to manufacturing, packaging, testing, and volume production management. In short, the roles of our company are expanding from simply undertaking a design process to offering comprehensive support for helping customers realize their products. Over the course of time, we have polished our technological strength on digital design, analog design, analog-mixed signal according to the changes in the market needs, and expanded the scope of our turnkey services to MCUs, SoCs and power semiconductors.

Which market segment seems promising to you? And why?

I believe there continues to be significant potential in sectors, such as industrial equipment and energy-related areas where a stable, long-term supply and high reliability are required. So, it is important to focus on selecting not only cutting-edge performance but also technology suited for applications and to create longer-lasting products.

What is a typical customer for TDC?

Many of our customers desire to mount unique semiconductors on their own product, but it is difficult for the company alone to take on the comprehensive process from design to manufacturing and volume production. Such companies (customers), regardless of their sizes, value their clear vision to “realize their ideal product.”

Customers are focused on time-to-market, first-time-right, price, etc. Do you see a change in customer behaviour in recent years? Where is the focus today and why?

More and more customers are prioritizing stable supply, in addition to quality, prices, and delivery. Further, customers are now placing greater importance on whether it is a partner that, when a problem occurs, they can promptly share the information and work with to solve the problem.

What are the 3 top things you wish your customers would do better (or different)?

First, to consult us at an early stage, from the concept planning. Second, to clarify the priority order among performance, costs, and delivery schedules. Third, do not hesitate to honestly and promptly share the challenges they face or their concerns with us.

Are you currently hiring? What type of jobs?

Yes. In addition to semiconductor design engineers, we recruit staff capable of supporting the processes from developing a product to volume production, including manufacturing management, quality assurance, purchase, and project management. We are also seeking people capable of working with overseas partners and customers.

What is your #1 advice for people who want to work for TDC?

I hope our staff to take an interest not only in their own area of expertise but also in how the technology fulfills (leads to) a product and value ultimately. They may face a difficult situation until a product is surely commercialized, but I’m sure that proactively tackling each individual challenge and seeing the challenge through will become their valuable asset later on.

How do you keep yourself energized and engaged during the day?

Talking with various people inside and outside the company and knowing new ideas and information gives me energy. I find it fascinating that I can see new job opportunities and future possibilities through meeting with people and having conversations.

How do you spend your time outside working hours?

I spend weekends playing golf or making a travel plan.

As I live apart from my family for work, it’s difficult to travel with my wife so frequently, but we go out together if we are both available. Now I’m thinking about travelling across Switzerland by train and then continuing on to Italy.