HCL Technologies and Consumers Energy Agreement Brings New Technology Center to Michigan

300 New Local Jobs to Be Created with Help from State of Michigan

SUNNYVALE, CA and JACKSON, MI, May 11, 2012 /CNW/ - HCL America, Inc., a wholly owned step-down subsidiary of HCL Technologies Ltd. (HCL), a leading global Information Technology (IT) services provider, and Consumers Energy, the 4th-largest U.S. electric and natural gas company, today announced that the two companies 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.

As part of the agreement, HCL expects to 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 significantly 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.

This agreement is the result of the Consumers Energy leadership's vision to embark on a game-changing plan to move its IT department from a technology support role to technology innovators - and will utilize HCL's expertise through its matured processes and highly qualified employees.  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.  HCL is a recognized leader in the energy and utilities sector with a proven track record of delivering IT enabled industry targeted solutions.

"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."

"As a socially responsible organization, HCL will invest in developing the next-generation workforce in Michigan by creating high-quality jobs in the industry and the region," said Rajeev Sawhney, Corporate Vice President, HCL Technologies. "We look forward to working with Consumers Energy on these strategic initiatives within its organization and the region."

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, the City of Jackson, the Jackson Enterprise Group and the Commonwealth Commerce Center all provided substantial assistance in supporting HCL's decision to locate in Jackson, a prime central Michigan location in close proximity to many Michigan universities and colleges.

For forward looking statement & complete version please click here - http://www.hcltech.com/press-releases/energy-and-utilities/hcl-technologies-and-consumers-energy-agreement-brings-new-techn

HCL Technologies

Meenakshi Benjwal
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Ajay Davessar
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Consumers Energy
Dan Bishop
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