Intel to Invest US$177 Million to Expand Guadalajara Design Center

Intel Corporation President and CEO Paul Otellini announced the company would invest 2,300 million pesos (US$177 million) over 3 years to expand Intel's Guadalajara Design Center (GDC). The investment will focus on increasing technology development activities, staffing and technology and education initiatives that support Calderon's National Digital Plan.

The Intel GDC focuses on the design, testing and validation of integrated circuits and other hardware, and education software technologies used in Intel products sold globally. The expansion will include the construction of a new building for technical labs, office space, a technology museum for children and an IT lab to support small- and medium-sized businesses. In addition, approximately 150 additional technical jobs will be created over the next 3 years, bringing the total number of GDC engineers to 550.

"As a global computing leader, we believe that investing in the future of discovery is an essential business decision," Otellini said. "Our team in Mexico will continue to help us do this. This new investment today extends our long-term commitment to Mexico. The highly technical work being done at our research center here has been extraordinary, and today we are taking it to a new level."

It is expected that the new campus will adhere to world-class design and construction standards and to minimize its impact on the environment by providing independent, third-party verification that a building meets the highest green building and performance measures.

Intel also seeks to increase its contribution to the development of the national and local technological ecosystem. For example, more than 20 research and talent development projects have been completed or are underway with the university system. In addition, a multi-core technology lab has been set at the Information Technology Institute of Jalisco to help local small- and medium-sized businesses learn multi-core technologies that will be key for their competitiveness. Also, more than 50 interns spend 6 to 12 months in the GDC's labs learning about state-of-the-art technologies and engineering processes.

"Innovation results in the making of things, the solving of problems and improvements in society," said Jesus Palomino, general manager of the Guadalajara Design Center. "And, forward-looking government policies like the National Digital Plan, paired with investment in innovation, are at the center of economic growth. Today Intel is reinforcing its commitment to technology development in Mexico and to supporting the government's plans to use technology to advance the country."

Source: www.intel.com