Swedish design firm sets up R&D unit in B'lore

Swedish engineering company, Caran Designs, specialising in design and vehicle development, has announced its foray into India by setting up a R&D facility in Bangalore.

A subsidiary of the Caran AB, part of the Logica CMG Group, the firm employs more than 1,000 employees in Europe with activities in automotive, aerospace, telecommunications and life sciences.

"To us, India is not a low-cost country, it is a high-tech market. We have entered India not as an off-shoring venture, but to create a solid base for long-term relations with the leading players in Asia," Mats Rogbrant, president of Caran Designs, said.

It will be the first R&D facility for Caran in Asia where it intends to employ 100 engineers by 2007 end. The long-term plans outline a staff strength of 300 by 2009 end.

According to Barun Kumar, country manager of Caran Designs, Bangalore is the ideal choice for the R&D facility because of the large talent pool available in the city.