Laird Technologies to set up manufacturing unit

Chennai, Nov 3: Laird Technologies, a leading designer and manufacturer of antenna, electromagnetic interference [EMI], telematics and thermal management solutions, today announced setting up of a manufacturing facility near here with an investment of USD 18 to 20 million.

Duke of York Prince Andrew unveiled the foundation stone of the new facility at a simple function here.

The manufacturing facililty to come up on an area of 1.5 lakh sq ft, would be located at the Special Economic Zone set up by Finnish telecom major Nokia at Sriperumbudur near here.

As the company would primarily supply products to Nokia, a Letter of Commitment was signed between Laird Chairman Nigel Keen and Nokia Director- India Operations Jukka Lehtela in the presence of Prince Andrew.

Laird Technologies-India Operations Sri Talpallikar said the breaking ground ceremony for construction of the new facility would be held in January 2007 and it was planned to ship the first product out of the facility by August 2007.

The new facility would start off with manufacturing antennas, followed by electromagnetic interference shielding, telematics and thermal management solutions, he said.

Laird Technologies was currently providing its customers in India with products for use in mobile phones, telecommunications infrastructure equipment, computer hardware and automotive electronics from facilities outside India.

Stating that the initial investment before August 2007 would be around USD 10 million, Mr Talpallikar said the facility's head count would be between 1,200 and 1,500 when the production of the company's products commences in full steam.

Though the facility would primarily cater to the requirements of Nokia, it would also support other customers like Motorola, he added. ''Our plans for India also include setting up a R &D centre, developing a design and product development and technical sales teams to help our customers develop new products for the Indian market and exports,'' he said.

Mr Lehtela said Nokia would house eight key suppliers in the Special Economic Zone by 2007.

UNI