Harman, an automotive electronics technology company and also a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., on Tuesday announced its expansion plans in India by opening a new automotive engineering centre in the southern city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, in a bid to support local and global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Focused on designing consumer experiences at automotive grade, the company new centre in Chennai will become fully functional by the second quarter (Q2) of this year and will let the company tap into the city's rich talent pool of automotive engineers and researchers and contribute to the growth of the global auto ecosystem.
The company will begin operations with a workforce of 200 employees in the first year itself. Currently, over one-third of Harman's total workforce, which is close to 10,000 employees, works in India.
“Our commitment to India runs deep, and with this new facility, we are further leveraging the rich talent base in the region to drive innovation and create world-class automotive experiences. As a hub for automotive engineering and software talent, Chennai is the suitable location to attract top talent and foster a collaborative work culture that aligns with HARMAN's global ethos.” Prathab Deivanayagham, Managing Director- Harman India, said in a statement.
“With our automotive legacy and ground-breaking new products, we are well-positioned to deliver consumer experiences, automotive grade to our customers. We are excited about the opportunities this new facility will bring, both for our domestic OEMs and as a key driver of Harman's global innovations," he added further.
Modern technology has been incorporated to conserve electrical energy, including motion sensor light fittings and VAV units. Eco-friendly and renewable materials have been used in the furniture at the facility. The centre is also provisioned with approximately 6 per cent EV charging points.
According to the company, the "sustainable design" of the Chennai facility is evident in the lush central landscape areas such as "The Green Plaza," "Urban Forest," and "Social Lobbies." These areas, coupled with lifestyle amenities like a futsal court, jogging track, gym, and meditation deck, create a work-life balance that sets the benchmark for integrated environments.