Computer accessories manufacturer Logitech International expects its research and development (R&D) unit in India to emerge as one of its main development centres globally as the company increases focus on products with a significant software component. The Switzerland-headquartered company, which makes computer mouse, keyboards, headsets, cameras and remote controls, plans to increase the staff strength at its Chennai centre to 200 full-time employees in two years, from 60.
The centre, started two years ago, is currently working on digital home products such as remote controls, audio and video products besides applications for smart-phones and for Google TV. ?I wouldn?t be very surprised if, in 18 months or 2 years from now, India in general becomes one of our main R&D centres,? said Junien Labrousse, executive vice-president products and president Europe for Logitech. He added that the company?s main R&D centres currently are located in the US and Taiwan. ?The software component in our products is becoming more and more important,? he said, adding that the company is looking at applications for smart-phones and tablet computers. ?We are going to see more of those activities and I expect India to actually play a big role.? The company also expected the India R&D centres to gradually take on product design for end-to-end development of products, he said.
Logitech?s arm LifeSize Communications runs a separate R&D unit in Bangalore.
Sales from India constitute a small share of revenues for Logitech which last week announced it expected total sales for the fiscal to be between $2.35 billion and $ 2.37 billion.