One of the things clients often call out about dealing with ASL is our fantastic team and how they help their businesses and go ‘above and beyond’ when needed. We think our team and approach is one of the things that makes us a bit special!
We thought it would be fun to introduce a few of the people behind the scenes.
In electronics manufacturing, delivery reliability is rarely determined at a single point. It is shaped by hundreds of small decisions made every day, from how parts are picked, to how discrepancies are handled, to how finished assemblies are presented before dispatch.
At ASL, that responsibility sits in part with the inventory control team.
Sonu Kumar Gupta, Inventory Controller at ASL, works across inward goods, stock control, cabinet preparation, and dispatch. His role connects purchasing, planning, production, and logistics, supporting delivery certainty and quality across complex, often time-critical builds.
Originally from Nepal, Sonu holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from India. Since relocating to New Zealand, he has completed further study in operations, production management, and project management, giving him a strong grounding in both technical systems and manufacturing workflows.
Sonu’s day-to-day responsibilities include:
Some elements of the role are consistent: parts picking, stock management, and material movement happen every day. Other tasks vary depending on production flow.
With his strong background in mechanical engineering and operations management, Sonu occasionally supports engineering teams with quality-related checks.
“Sometimes engineering will ask me to look at wiring or metal parts, whether things look right or if something needs attention.”
While not his primary role, this additional perspective provides another layer of quality awareness during late build stages.
Sonu sees cabinet close-up as the final quality checkpoint before products leave ASL. This final stage involves carefully checking wiring, securing panels and fittings, and packing each cabinet to ensure it is protected during transport. These steps play an important role in how a finished build is received by the customer and reduce the risk of transit damage, rework, or quality concerns on arrival.
“The technicians assemble and test the cabinet. My job is to make sure it’s tidy, clean, and presentable. Often the next person to see it is the end customer.”
Sonu describes the culture at ASL as one of the strongest he has experienced in New Zealand.
“It’s the best culture I’ve seen. Everyone is cooperative and helps each other. It’s a mix of people from all over the world, which makes it a good place to work.”
That support is particularly evident during busy periods.
"There have been weeks where we have a large volume of cabinets that need closing and packing on Friday morning. The production team and logistics team always help so we can meet the dispatch deadline."
Beyond day-to-day work, Sonu notes that ASL also recognises the importance of supporting people personally, not just professionally.
“People understand each other here, not just at work, but when personal commitments arise as well.”
For Sonu, that combination of practical teamwork, inclusion, and mutual respect has made ASL a place where he enjoys coming to work and continuing to build his skills.
Sonu is fanatical about table tennis, playing from the age of eight and representing Nepal at the Asian Championships and on the World Junior Circuit.
“Now in Canterbury, I play twice a week in the winter and summer leagues. Apart from table tennis, I like to walk on the beach and have a beer with my friends.”
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