SFO Technologies, the flagship company of the Kochi-headquartered NeST Group, has partnered with US-based Smart IOPS to produce specialised AI data storage hardware at its Kochi facility, marking a major step forward for local high-tech manufacturing.

Through the tie-up, SFO has integrated Smart IOPS’ proprietary ‘TruRandom’ controller technology into its production lines, the company said in a press release. This will allow SFO to build high-performance solid state drives (SSDs, the fast, reliable storage components needed to run heavy artificial intelligence workloads, data centres, and supercomputers), the statement added.

While India’s electronics industry has grown through device assembly, making AI-grade hardware requires far greater precision, complex circuit design, and intense thermal control. SFO’s local manufacturing of these drives signals a shift toward producing critical computing tech right from Kochi, the release said.

“We are proud to partner with Smart IOPS in bringing advanced storage technology manufacturing to India, aligning with the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative,” said NeST Group chairman N Jehangir. “This achievement reflects SFO Technologies’ commitment to pioneering advanced design and manufacturing, while supporting India’s emergence as a trusted global hub for AI infrastructure.”

Smart IOPS cofounder Radhakrishnan Nair said manufacturing the controller in Kochi will show that India can provide the reliable, high-precision supply chain essential for world-class AI computing.

The partnership strengthens India’s role in the global semiconductor ecosystem while giving international tech companies a dependable manufacturing base in Asia, the press release added.