Business Times

3M to strengthen R&D in SL

3M is gearing to strengthen its Research and Development (R&D) capabilities in Sri Lanka, on the back of the peace dividend, officials say. “We are exploring ways to be a partner in Sri Lanka’s growth story, now that the country (with peace) is seeing many sectors such as infrastructure hospitability, health care, etc, grow,” Dr Ashish Khandpur Senior Executive Director, Technical 3M India – and Sri Lanka told the Business Times.

He was here to present a paper at the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Sri Lanka Region’s 11th CIM Annual Conference 2011 early this week. On plans for Sri Lanka, Dr Khandpur added that 3M sees R&D as an investment and in Sri Lanka it sees immense potential, which is why the company hopes to grow this segment. “We’ll be developing products within the country and plan giving them at the ‘right price’ at all tiers of the market,” he explained. He added that over 6,500 scientists and engineers in the R&D community at 3M represent 100 years of breaking technical boundaries. “Our work spans abrasives and optics to nanotechnology and micro-replication. It’s complicated. To simplify, we collaborate across technical, functional and global boundaries.”

He added that it’s quite impressive the way 3M has progressed in Sri Lanka during the past 12 months, which is a primary reason the company has plans to locate its offices to Colombo (from Battaramulla).
At the CIM Annual Conference 2011 his presentation focussed on building a culture of innovation in organizations. Dr Khandpur, discussing product innovation as a main topic in his presentation explained on the complexity of an innovative organization and highlighted examples where multiple factors have to often come together for innovation to take place. The importance of the right people, culture, environment, technology, and access to resources, recognition, and access to customers was elaborated upon using real examples from the corporate world.

Top to the page  |  E-mail  |  views[1]
SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
 
Other Business Times Articles
Tourism expectations drop amidst no promotions, adverse publicity
India’s 4th largest FMCG firm launches new subsidiary in Sri Lanka
Call for Private Placement lock in periods after IPOs
3M to strengthen R&D in SL
Etisalat empowers entrepreneurship
Jet float docks in Sri Lanka
COMMENT - Tourism: Long way to go
Star classification in hotels
Sustainability imperative for “speed boat” Sri Lanka
Cargills 1Q12 group revenue, PAT up 25%
New high-tech facility to store grain, perishables
NDB Group reaches Rs. 1 bln net profit 'landmark'
FCCISL urges government to negotiate with cement suppliers Pakistan and India
Overseas Realty profits up sharply in 6mths to June 2011
Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo becomes first Green Globe Re-certified Sri Lankan Hotel
books.lk extends into local languages with poth.lk, puththagama.lk
Norwegian entrepreneur introduces jetfloat recreational platforms to attract fun-loving European travellers
SriLankan air taxis popular with corporates
Landmark ICASL – INSEAD global leadership programme back in Sri Lanka following overwhelming demand
Colombo Plan to expand its membership up to West Asia
Seethawaka industrial zone utilizes 96% of its developed land conserving environment
Move forward with 2001/2002 petrol reforms, open up imports
There are no bad bosses
Technology Leaders Gathering in Sri Lanka for WSO2Con 2011
DCSL 1Q12 consolidated gross revenue, net profit up 35%
LOLC Securities launched
On'ally Holdings PLC profits up
Sampath's Lanka Bangla keeps investment
Prudential Shipping appointed logistics partner for KKS project
Sri Lanka displays its achievements in the construction industry
Lankan economy strong and able to withstand global 'jolts':Governor
19th NCE Annual Export Awards to be held on Sept. 16
Active market conditions!!!
Four mln dependants on Lanka Tourism in 9 years
Three Aitken Spence Heritance Hotels bag energy efficiency awards
Tourism recovery for debate at World Travel Market
Yala gets first hotel proposal outside buffer zone
Web marketing to push forward tourism promo: Godahewa
Women surfers, men’s longboard title to excite Pro Surf 2011

 

 
Reproduction of articles permitted when used without any alterations to contents and a link to the source page.
© Copyright 1996 - 2011 | Wijeya Newspapers Ltd.Colombo. Sri Lanka. All Rights Reserved | Site best viewed in IE ver 8.0 @ 1024 x 768 resolution