Siemens sets up a Graphics and Engineering Centre of Competence in India

Siemens Building Technologies Private Limited has set up a Graphics and Engineering Centre of Competence (GECC) in Chennai.

This is the first competence centre of Siemens Building Technologies in the Asia Pacific region and signifies the strategic importance of India in the Siemens' global network. The GECC will provide engineering design services for the Indian market and also for the Asia Pacific Region, and thus serve as a key contributor in Siemens' global value chain.

Mumbai : Siemens Building Technologies Private Limited (SBTPL), a subsidiary of Siemens Ltd. has announced the setting up of its first Graphics and Engineering Centre of Competence (GECC) in India. This new GECC will provide engineering design, software configuration and graphics development services that will be delivered remotely for building automation projects of Building Technologies in the domestic as well as Asia Pacific markets. The centre will also have capabilities to provide need based, on-site support.

The new competence centre will enable Siemens to improve the quality and speed of delivery of their building technology solutions, ranging from general offerings to specific energy efficient, green technologies. In the initial phase, the GECC will have about 30 engineers and the employee strength will be ramped up in line with business demands.

Commenting on setting up a GECC in India, Mr. Andreas Schierenbeck, CEO, Building Automation Business Unit of the Building Technologies Division said, "To set up our GECC, India emerged as the preferred destination principally because of its inherent strengths including talented manpower and an efficient cost proposition. Our aim is to build a world class engineering development centre in India that will own and drive outstanding engineering developments for the building automation and management systems."

Mr. Schierenbeck further added, "Despite the current economic slowdown, the building technologies market still holds a tremendous growth potential. Across the world, customers are looking for innovative solutions that reduce energy consumption in buildings and also minimize CO2 emissions. We are confident that our GECC in Chennai will help us meet demands in emerging markets for green technologies. Siemens Building Technologies Division is one of the major companies worldwide to provide end-to-end innovative building technology solutions from a single source."

Mr. Anand Mecheri, CEO & Managing Director, SBTPL says, "We are happy that India will serve as a base for Siemens' new Graphics and Engineering Centre of Competence. With India's rich resource of engineering talent, the GECC will serve as a hub that addresses the unique requirements of the Building Technologies Division in both the domestic and international markets".

The setting up of the new GECC marks a significant milestone in the strengthened operations of SBTPL. It was back in 2007 that Siemens' Building Technologies business was merged with iMetrex Technologies to form a separate subsidiary called SBTPL. Reflecting on the business's progression, Mr. Mecheri notes, "Our combined synergies have helped us to further consolidate our leadership position in the market. Going forward, the new GECC will enable us to build on our strengths and pursue our growth strategy. In India, our focus on providing energy efficient solutions will continue. In this context, we have now introduced 'Maximize Efficiency' - a strategic initiative that will help buildings go 'Green' and consistently deliver outstanding value to them."