Date:22/10/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/10/22/stories/2005102202950400.htm

Back Lionbridge plans to triple workforce in 2 years

Raja Simhan T.E.

Chennai , Oct 21

LIONBRIDGE Technologies Inc, a US-based technology company, plans to triple its workforce in India in the next couple of years, according to its Chief Operating Officer, Mr Satish Maripuri.

The Nasdaq-listed $400-million global outsourcing organisation has about 1,100 employees in Mumbai and recently opened a second solutions centre in Chennai with 200 employees.

Mumbai has reached saturation in terms of manpower addition, and Chennai would be its fastest growing centre where it will employ around 1,000 people next year, he told Business Line.

The company will hire engineering and software graduates and people with skills in software testing, content development, and Flash software, he added.

With 4,000 employees in 25 countries, Lionbridge provides global outsourcing services to about 600 clients each year in the technology, consumer products, life sciences, publishing, financial services and retail industries, he said.

According to Mr Maripuri, the company plans to expand the delivery and sales teams for its global development and testing business worldwide. VeriTest, the testing division of Lionbridge, provides performance testing and certification, and is one of the fastest growing independent testing operations in India, he said.

The global outsourced testing market is growing at a rate of 20 per cent annually.