HCL ties up with US-based gas company

BANGALORE, INDIA: HCL America, Inc., a wholly-owned step-down subsidiary of HCL Technologies (HCL), and Consumers Energy, a US electric and natural gas company, on Monday announced that they will collaborate on a new 'Glocal' Center of Excellence (GCoE) called the Michigan Technology Development Center (MTDC).

The Center will be located at the Commonwealth Commerce Center in downtown Jackson, Michigan, said a press release.

As part of the agreement, HCL will hire local technology professionals and create 300 professional technology positions during phase one of the MTDC opening. The MTDC also will be a designated training and development hub for advanced and emerging IT processes, tools and will work with local universities and colleges.

The center will also establish a learning academy to train Consumers Energy employees on advanced and emerging technologies, and will be further expanded to accommodate 500 technology professionals in the next few years.

The two companies entered into an agreement with the objective of improving operational excellence through advanced technological operations and processes and provide significant benefits to the mid-Michigan and Jackson economies.

The agreement will increase Michigan's IT capacity, while improving employment prospects for IT graduates from Michigan universities and colleges. It will also serve as a leading example of Michigan's new, successful economic policies.

It will enable Consumers Energy's IT department to leverage HCL's software solutions expertise to manage its existing operations, thereby allowing Consumers Energy's many talented and knowledgeable employees to focus on innovative assignments supporting business excellence for the utility.

"Our company is making this important investment to provide our employees with new IT skills to work on high value projects and technologies that will prepare our company for the future," said Mamatha Chamarthi, vice president and chief information officer of Consumers Energy.

“Through this center, HCL will provide IT operations for our company, enabling our employees to move to innovative projects.”

“HCL's expansion demonstrates that our economic gardening strategy is helping dynamic companies to grow their presence in Michigan,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “This investment by HCL and continued commitment of Consumers Energy sends a message that will be heard around the world that Michigan's highly competitive business climate and tremendous workforce capabilities mean real opportunities for leading edge businesses.”