Japanese consumer durables firm Hitachi has announced the opening of its first research and development (R&D) centre in India as part of efforts to develop products based on local needs.

The company said the development is line with its strategy to double its revenue in India to 200 billion yen (Rs 12,742 crore) in the next few fiscals from 90 billion yen (Rs 5,731 crore) in the 2010 financial year.

“This (R&D) is the first research base for the Hitachi Group in India, as part of its efforts to promote efficient business development based on local needs in the rapidly growing Indian economy,” Hitachi India said in a statement today.

The company said the R&D centre, which is located in Bangalore, will conduct research and development focusing on information and telecommunication systems and social infrastructure business.

“In order to support the entry and expansion of Hitachi Group companies in India, the researchers will study the local market needs and promote market-oriented technology research and development to improve and enhance current products,” it said.

While the new Hitachi India R&D Centre will focus its energies on India, it will later conduct research and development for other Asian countries like China, besides ASEAN nations and West Asia in collaboration with Hitachi Asia R&D Centre.

The centre will initially start with around 10 researchers. It aims to double the number by 2015 fiscal. The firm, however, did not disclose how much it has invested or plans to invest on the R&D centre.

“Local production and joint businesses with local partners have already commenced in business areas such as construction machinery, air-conditioning equipment, thermal power generation and information control systems,” it said.

The company said setting up the R&D centre is in line with its “new globalisation plan”, based on six centres across the globe — in Japan, North America, Europe, China, Southeast Asia and India.

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