SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - Capitalizing on the growing technology sector in Brazil and leveraging its recent acquisitions in Germany and the United States, global technology leader Laird (LRD: London) is opening a new, state-of-the-art engineering, design and manufacturing facility outside São Paulo, Brazil, the company announced today.

'With more than 250 million connected cars predicted to be on the road in the next five years, continuous and seamless connectivity for passengers, their vehicles and roadside infrastructure are becoming the expected standard,' reveals, David Lockwood, chief executive of Laird. 'As the vehicle becomes the hub for communications and technology, South America represents a very exciting growth opportunity.'

Laird's products enable robust wireless vehicle connectivity into and within the vehicle including antenna and software solutions. The company's new 3,400 square meter/26,500 square feet site represents a twenty million Real ($5 million) investment and allows for additional expansion. It's located in Santo Antonio de Posse, Brazil, is about 70 miles north of São Paulo.

'This new plant enables us to continue to grow our global footprint, and bring our engineering and production closer to our South American customers in the automotive and industrial industries,' says Lockwood.

Laird recently acquired Germany-based Novero, an integrated vehicle connectivity systems provider that will further expand Laird's wireless solutions offerings. Novero takes Laird to a new leadership position in automotive connectivity, a key market for the Enterprise Internet of Things (EIoT).

Lockwood explains the Novero acquisition and the new facility in Santo Antonio de Posse 'bring together complementary skills and outstanding technologies, providing complete vehicle connectivity solutions that create a unique position in the connected car market - and brings this closer to our South American customers.'

In addition to serving the automotive industry, the new site will also support heavy duty wireless remote controls for industrial equipment which create a safer more productive work environment.

Lockwood says the new plant, which replaces an older and much smaller facility nearby, 'will focus on manufacturing, sales, and service, all aimed at providing reliable, speedy product fulfillment to our customers.'

'Our new plant in Santo Antonio de Posse helps us meet those goals through increased operational efficiencies and additional engineering and manufacturing space,' he added. 'Laird currently employs 35 full time workers at the new plant, and plans to further increase the workforce in the near future.'

For Images and Information regarding the opening day celebrations please follow this link: Laird Brazil Opening Information.

About Laird

Laird is a global technology company focused on providing systems, components and solutions that protect electronics from electromagnetic interference and heat, and that enable connectivity in mission critical systems through wireless applications and antenna systems.

Products are supplied to all sectors of the electronics industry including Connected Transport, Connected Industry, Connected Medical, Telecom/ Computing, and Mobile Device markets.

Laird PLC and its operating businesses, employ 9,000 people in more than 50 facilities located in 19 countries.

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Trademarks

© 2016 All rights reserved. Laird, Laird Technologies and the respective logos are trademarks owned by Laird PLC and/or Laird Technologies Inc., either directly or indirectly through one or more subsidiaries. Other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein, may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact Information

Laird

Alex Reed, PR, Social Media, and Communications Manager
Alex.Reed@lairdtech.com, +1 636 898 6079 office

FleishmanHillard Brazil

Guilherme Batimarchi, Senior Account Executive

guilherme.batimarchi@fleishman.com.br; 11 3185 9941 office

André Larrubia, Account Manager

andre.larrubia@fleishman.com.br; 11 3185 9930 office / 11 9 8999 0080 cel

Laird plc issued this content on 17 February 2016 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 17 February 2016 16:20:21 UTC

Original Document: http://www.lairdtech.com/news/enterprise-internet-things-and-connected-car-drive-laird’s-expansion-south-america