The SD Association is a global ecosystem of companies setting industry-leading memory card standards that simplify the use and extend the life of consumer electronics, including mobile phones, for millions of people every day. During an exclusive interaction with NCN Magazine, Mr. Kazunori Nakano, Board of Directors & Marketing Committee Chair, SD Association shares insights on India’s potential, SD Express innovation, and global membership growth.
Could you share a brief background of the SD Association?
The SD Association was established in the year 2000 by industry giants SanDisk, Panasonic, and Toshiba—today known as KIOXIA. Over the years, we have grown to include over 750 global member companies. Notably, 50% of our membership is from Japan, with the rest spanning across Europe, the US, Taiwan, China, and only a few—about 4 to 5—from India.
How has the SD Association engaged with the Indian market over the years?
We’ve made consistent efforts to connect with India through workshops and events in cities like Bengaluru, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. While these initiatives have sparked interest, growing membership in India has remained a challenge. Nevertheless, India continues to be a strategic market with tremendous potential for future growth.
What are the current membership options in the SD Association?
We offer two types of memberships.
- Executive Membership is priced at $4,500 per year. It includes full voting rights, decision-making privileges, and even opportunities to participate at the board level.
- General Membership costs $2,500 annually and allows access to member meetings and technical documentation.
Both tiers are valuable platforms for companies seeking to shape the future of SD technology.
What technological advancements is the SDA currently promoting?
One of our latest innovations is SD Express, which is designed for next-generation applications, including gaming machines and high-speed data recording. We’re using global workshops to promote this technology and demonstrate its real-world impact—both in B2B and B2C contexts.
Has the ‘Make in India’ initiative shown results for SD card production locally?
We began supporting the ‘Make in India’ vision over a decade ago, exploring partnerships and educational initiatives. While we had some early collaborations, like with Smile Electronics, local production didn’t fully materialize then. However, we are now seeing promising developments—Sahasra is manufacturing SD cards in India, marking a strong beginning and opening doors for more local engagement.
What are your plans for India moving forward?
India remains a top priority. We are optimistic about the growing infrastructure and ecosystem readiness. We aim to revisit India soon to strengthen collaborations and attract new members who can actively contribute to the SD technology space.
Covered By: NCN MAGAZINE / SD Association
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