American networking technology solutions giant NETGEAR is gearing up to significantly increase its India operations, and thereby its expansion growth trajectory in the country enroute to contributing to its regional and global market cap.
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The initiative includes expanding its research and development centre in Bengaluru by increasing its headcount; expanding its footprint across the country; and examining the opportunities for joining the ‘Make-in-India’ programme- which means considering setting up manufacturing base in the country.
The company’s recently appointed Chief Executive Officer Charles (CJ) Prober, who is currently in the country – on his maiden visit – as part of his programme to connect with Indian market and NETGEAR’s India network, asserted the company’s focus on India, its competence and opportunities for growth.
“The core of NETGEAR’s software development happens in India,” Prober said addressing a media gathering in Bengaluru on Thursday, 16 May. “It’s very exciting to be here,” he said, “India is the fastest-growing economy in the world and one of the high-growth nations within NETGEAR as well,” he explained. “We are adding more space to our research centre and shall continue to invest more in engineering, sales & customer support in the coming years.
The networking tech giant recently added two more office floors to its R&D facility in Bengaluru. The expansion of the facility is seen as exemplifying NETGEAR’s unwavering commitment to the burgeoning market that India is, and aggressively seek the growth opportunities by investing in people and places.
A point of more significance can be that this visit is seen to signify NETGEAR’s strategic emphasis on establishing local manufacturing facilities to fortify its market position and synchronize with India’s economic expansion. By participating in the Make in India initiative, NETGEAR anticipates augmenting its market presence, reducing production costs, and fostering local innovation.
According to the company’s media release, establishment of manufacturing facilities in India not only aligns with the country’s economic trajectory but also enables NETGEAR to harness a skilled workforce, thus enhancing its competitive advantage in the global networking technology landscape.
Though non-committal on the specific question of the company’s manufacturing plans in India, Prober said “work in progress,” to examine and evaluate the proposition.
(NETGEAR’s reported plans earlier for local manufacturing – almost 20 years ago – haven’t moved forward due to various reasons. Media reports of the time said the networking major intended to set up a plant near Chennai, but the thinking hasn’t paid off.)
“As an innovator and pioneer, NETGEAR is an admired and respected brand by both consumers and businesses at a time when connectivity matters more than ever,” the NETGEAR CEO emphasized. “I have built my career on delivering innovative and industry-leading products and services and am proud to join the NETGEAR team to continue this path and to create value for all stakeholders, continuing the company’s strong focus on innovation in the industry,” he further elaborated. “The path forward is incredibly exciting, and I look forward to partnering with the Board, our partners, and NETGEAR’s global employee base.”
As India emerges as a pivotal growth catalyst, NETGEAR fortifies its global market stance by concentrating on PoE solutions for surveillance systems, and ProAV and Pro Wi-Fi for the education and hospitality sectors. This strategic maneuver to adapt to evolving market dynamics, coupled with NETGEAR’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, solidifies its leadership position in networking technologies.
NETGEAR’s Sales Director for India, MEA, and South-East Asia Region Marthesh Nagendra – who fielded a majority of the media queries – sounded bullish on the company’s offerings, initiatives, and opportunities in India.
“NETGEAR offerings are very well accepted among integrators and consumers. Top investment banks in India use our ProAV Switches,” he said. “Over 200 PoE switch offerings with varying power budgets fit perfectly into any surveillance solution, and we are also the preferred brand in the data center solution,” he asserted. “I am bullish on the potential of the Indian market and shall see exponential growth for the next 15 years.”
