US-based provider of oil and gas drilling equipment NOV, formerly National Oilwell Varco, has opened a new Digital Technology Centre in Kochi Inforpark, India.
Kerala Industries Minister P. Rajeeve inaugurated the 15793sqm centre. Rajeeve cited Kochi’s established infrastructure, connectivity and high-skilled workforce as key factors that attract investments.
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The new centre will include a software engineering unit, corporate digital services and a customer support hub.
The company plans to invest $10m in Kochi on top of the $500,000 they have already invested. The company explained that while North America remained their biggest market, India offered a significant growth opportunity.
Staale Jordan, NOV’s product information technology vice president, said “We are seeing more growth in Tier II cities like Kochi and the connectivity is also an added advantage.”
He added that the city’s young and highly skilled talent pool was an important factor in choosing Kochi over more established hubs.
NOV also runs manufacturing plants in Chennai and Pune. By the first quarter of next year, the new center in Kochi intends to double its current workforce of 70.
The firm has grown its operations in India with the support of the state government and the investment-friendly atmosphere at Infopark. As part of its long-term plan, the company is also investigating prospects in other Tier II Indian cities.
