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UTC Fire & Security Company has chosen Barcelona as one of its key technology R&D Centres of Excellence
The Invest in Catalonia team has been essential for the growth of the technology group in Barcelona.
UTC Fire & Security Company strenghts the R&D centre that the then GE Security, expanded in Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona) in 2008. The new centre specialises in fire detection systems and joins the network of R&D centres that UTC Fire & Security Company, has across the world and becomes a global Centre of Excellence for all Europe and EMEA region.
"Invest in Catalonia has supported us in three main points. We have received project support, for the development of two new fire detection panel platforms and growth support, with direct support for new hires. Invest in Catalonia has also helped us in networking with other government agencies (e.g. CDTI) and industry partners, through proposals on FP7."
More than 40 professionals, most of them specialised engineers, work at the centre, equipped with test labs, anechoic chambers, climated-controlled rooms, a smoke tunnel and all types of equipment, as well as with the most recent advances in communications technology.
"The Invest in Catalonia team has been essential for the growth of the technology group in Barcelona. During the last 3 years we have found a proactive approach that has allowed us to reach to the industry in Catalonia and continue with the site development."
Other possible locations were considered
"Investment in Barcelona relied upon financial support as well as cost effectiveness of doing development in Catalonia. Other items that played a major role were the availability of highly trained and knowledgeable engineers and supporting staff, the location and infrastructures of Barcelona (good flight connections, roads, and trains) and the support of the existing industry and services around product development."
UTC Fire & Security Company is a diversified company whose products include Carrier heating and air conditioning, Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace systems and industrial products, Otis elevators and escalators, Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Sikorsky helicopters, UTC Fire & Security systems and UTC Power fuel cells.
Lucas Clarke, Engineering Director, Global Detection & Alarm UTC Fire & Security Company
