IT services provider Tech Mahindra opened a new facility in Dublin, Ireland to focus on emerging technologies such as Robotics and Automation, Business Analytics, Cloud Infrastructure and Digital Services.
The new centre would employ around 150 engineers over the next three years and will help the company deliver technology services to clients in Ireland as well as Europe.
The move comes in the wake of Britain’s preparations to exit the European Union. Once Britain exits, Ireland would be the only English-speaking country in the EU.
“Ireland’s unique positioning as the only English speaking country in the Eurozone- with a young, productive and multilingual work force; is advantageous for Indian companies looking to expand in Europe,” said Tanaz Buhariwalla, Country Director- India, IDA Ireland, an agency responsible for promoting foreign direct investment into Ireland, helped facilitate the investment.
The move is in line with an overall shift in focus by Indian IT service providers to newer technologies in a quest to survive in a fast-changing IT services world.
As software and technology becomes more advanced, many of the jobs that used to be breadwinners for these companies are being taken over by computers, threatening their business models and survival.
Interestingly, many of these companies are setting up such advanced technology centers in mature markets such as the US and Europe, despite costs being higher.
Tech Mahindra already has a good presence in Ireland. Tech Mahindra has over 700 employees deployed with Irish customers of which over 320 are located in Ireland in domains such as IT, networks, consulting and customer care.
In 2015, the company opened a 300-seater delivery centre in Waterford which currently employs around 220 people that primarily serve two major Irish telecom providers. The new center in Dublin will work closely with Tech Mahindra’s existing as well as new clients, partners, Irish Academic institutions and the start-up community to foster technology innovation.
“This investment is a testimony of our long-term business commitment in the country and our mission to promote and support local talent leveraging Ireland’s rich skills in science and technology,” said C P Gurnani, CEO & MD of Tech Mahindra at the official launch of the Centre.
“The opening of the Centre of Excellence at Dublin will not only enable us to better serve customers in Ireland and beyond, it also builds on the strong partnerships we have already established in the region by working with local organizations, academic institutions and the government.”
Welcoming the investment by Tech Mahindra, Mary Mitchell O’Connor TD, Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation in the Government of Ireland, said: “We have the IT skills available to enable the company to grow and to embed their operations in Ireland, and their arrival is a great vote of confidence in what we have to offer.”
One of Tech Mahindra’s biggest clients, eir, Ireland’s largest telecommunications company, will be serviced by the new Centre of Excellence.