American computer giant Dell announced plans on Monday to set up a manufacturing plant in India. Kevin Rollins, president and chief executive officer of Texas-based Dell, said that by 2008 it would also double the size of its India-based product development team in Bangalore, the country's software hub. The Bangalore center currently houses 300 product development engineers.
"Our teams in India have integrated well with Dell's global operations. As we continue to attract new customers worldwide, we have successfully expanded our global service network and our team in India has played a vital role in the company's operations," Rollins said.
Rollins said the company wanted to build a manufacturing unit but noted the country's poor infrastructure was a problem.
"We are looking for a suitable site to set up a manufacturing base. We would like the facility to come up sooner than later though no time-frame has been set... but we are talking with (provincial) governments and partners," Rollins said.
He said the quality of infrastructure such as roads and logistical support would be a factor in the decision.
"Still we want to do it fast and we want to proceed rapidly," Rollins said, adding that he told India Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that Dell was interested in "manufacturing and not resourcing."
"We also told the prime minister that we are coming in it for a long haul," he said.
