The US-based chip maker Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has expanded its operations in India by announcing the opening of a new silicon design and platform research and development (R&D) facility in Bangalore.
Inaugurating the new facility here on Thursday, AMD’s chairman and chief executive officer Hector Ruiz said, “our engineering employees in India play a critical role in AMD’s global design network, and this new R&D centre gives them the world-class equipment and resources they need to excel.”
“In AMD’s quest to become the technology partner of choice for the industry, this facility is vital to held us design and deliver industry-leading solutions specifically tailored to the needs of our customers in India, and for all our customers worldwide.”
Ruiz also said he did not foresee the technology industry being hurt by slowdown in the US economy and sub-prime crisis.
He also said the pricing in chip market would remain competitive. “The good news is that for consumers, prices keep going down. The bad news is we always have to figure out how to still keep doing that and make money.” He said returning to profitability is the “number one goal” of AMD.
He said the R&D team in Bangalore is playing the lead role on “Shanghai”, AMD’s first 45nm quad-core microprocessor, and currently involved in design testing and optimization of the new chip.
Alok Ohrie, managing director of AMD India said the new facility in Bangalore would house around 350 engineers.
AMD’s new 52,000 sq-ft facility, which is the company’s second unit in India’s IT city, would focus on development of AMD’s most advanced, next-generations processing solutions. AMD will continue operating its first facility in Bangalore, using the existing office space for administration, sales and marketing, company officials said.