Video Interview: Silicon Craft Technology CEO Bodin Kasemset

Summary

In this interview, Bodin Kasmet, CEO of Silicon Craft Technologies in Thailand, discusses the company's journey and expertise in RFID technology, especially its focus on animal identification (ID). The company, founded in 2002, has grown to become a leader in RFID products, serving markets worldwide. Bodin highlights the critical role of RFID in animal ID for pandemic control and food safety. He also discusses Silicon Craft's expansion plans, including innovations in industrial IoT, NFC, and sensor technology. The company aims to double or triple its revenue by tapping into new markets, particularly in the animal ID sector.

Takeaways

• 😀 Silicon Craft Technologies (Sencraft) is the only Thai semiconductor company specializing in RFID products, founded in 2002. It has been listed on the Thai Stock Exchange since 2020.
• 😀 The company initially focused on animal identification (ID) products, with significant success in this market due to government regulations and the need for pandemic control in the livestock industry.
• 😀 In 2024, 57% of Sencraft's revenue came from animal ID products, which are essential for tracking animals on farms, preventing pandemics, and improving food safety and productivity.
• 😀 Sencraft's RFID technology extends beyond animal ID, playing a key role in industrial IoT applications by offering customized systems for factory automation and supply chain management.
• 😀 The company operates as a fabless business, relying on subcontractors and partners to develop its products and scale quickly while leveraging external knowledge and capabilities.
• 😀 Sencraft's RFID solutions are designed for data collection and integration, helping customers improve productivity and efficiency in various industries, including agriculture and factory automation.
• 😀 The company has 170+ employees and aims to expand by doubling or even tripling its revenue, with a focus on international markets such as Australia, the US, and South America.
• 😀 In addition to animal ID, Sencraft is exploring new opportunities in sensor technology, such as NFC-enabled glucose monitoring and water quality detection, leveraging RFID for data collection.
• 😀 Sencraft is incorporating more environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations into its technology, aiming to minimize waste and improve sustainability through its products.
• 😀 Thailand's semiconductor ecosystem offers a favorable environment for businesses like Sencraft, with skilled labor, stable infrastructure, and government support encouraging further investment and development in the sector.

Q & A

What is Silicon Craft and what do they specialize in?

Silicon Craft is a Thai company, specializing in RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology. They design and produce RFID products, with a focus on animal identification (ID) and industrial IoT solutions.

How long has Silicon Craft been in operation, and what significant development occurred in 2020?

Silicon Craft has been operating for almost 22 years. In 2020, the company was listed on the Thai stock market under the name SICT.

What was the initial focus of Silicon Craft when it was founded?

When Silicon Craft was founded in 2002, its initial focus was to design ID chips for animal identification, a project funded by a Thai government grant.

How does animal ID technology help in controlling pandemics and improving productivity?

Animal ID technology helps control pandemics by tracking and identifying animals to prevent disease outbreaks. It also enhances productivity by allowing farmers to monitor the movement of animals, feed, and other materials, ensuring safe and efficient operations.

What percentage of Silicon Craft's revenue comes from animal ID products, and why is this sector important?

In 2024, 57% of Silicon Craft's revenue came from animal ID products. This sector is critical because it enables governments to control animal diseases, supports farm management, and helps ensure food safety.

What is Silicon Craft's role as an RFID partner for system integrators and developers?

Silicon Craft partners with system integrators and developers to provide RFID solutions for customized applications in various industries, including industrial IoT, factory automation, and animal ID systems.

How does Silicon Craft handle the supply chain despite being a fabless company?

Silicon Craft leverages the fabless model, which allows them to work closely with partners and subcontractors. This flexibility enables them to quickly scale up and create new solutions without being confined by in-house capabilities.

What are Silicon Craft's future revenue goals, and which markets are they targeting for expansion?

Silicon Craft aims to double or even triple its revenue in the near future. They plan to expand in animal ID, which is driven by government regulations, as well as in sectors involving data, AI, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) initiatives.

What innovations is Silicon Craft exploring beyond traditional RFID technology?

Silicon Craft is exploring innovations such as integrating sensors with RFID technology, developing NFC-based solutions for IoT applications, and creating wireless, battery-less sensors that communicate with smartphones for a variety of uses, including measuring water quality and glucose levels.

How does the ecosystem in Thailand support Silicon Craft's growth in the semiconductor industry?

Thailand's stable infrastructure, skilled workforce, and government support for the semiconductor industry create a favorable environment for Silicon Craft. The country has long been a hub for electronic manufacturing, and the government is actively promoting investment in the semiconductor sector.