Royal DSM recently expanded its footprint in India by announcing the launch of its shared services center in Hyderabad to support all its global business units besides creating a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
Ponnala Lakshmaiah, State Minister for Information Technology and Communications inaugurated the center in presence of Dutch Ambassador to India, his excellency, Alphonsus Stoelinga along with Rolf-Dieter Schwalb, Chief Financial Officer, DSM with senior government and company officials.
On the occasion, Ponnala Lakshmaiah, State Minister for Information Technology and Communications said, “Andhra Pradesh offers a favorable business environment, availability of skilled workforce and a geographical advantage for back-office shared services. The State Government will continue to support initiatives of domestic and international companies for promoting emerging technologies that create new jobs while adopting best global practices.”
The Minister added that the benefits of new technologies should percolate down to the masses for equitable growth across the country. On the other hand, Ambassador Stoelinga, Dutch Ambassador to India, said that the recent reforms in Indian retailing and other sectors could provide an opportunity for Dutch companies in supply chain management.
Schwalb said, “DSM will strive to improve efficiencies by streamlining processes and cost optimisation at the new captive center. We will follow functional excellence and a process-driven approach. The support center with a flexible business model will enable our business groups to focus on their core activities.” He continued, “This initiative will allow seamless services within DSM units, ensuring that key transactional activities are managed on their behalf in a professional, cost-effective and compliant manner. The number of employees will expand from 75 initially to about 250 in the next three years.”
He further continued, “Hyderabad has ample world-class office space and is well-connected internationally. The Indian talent is recognised world-wide. The new center will help DSM create new capabilities and achieve operational excellence to provide broader support to a growing customer base across the globe. The launch coincides with a refreshment of DSM’s Culture Agenda. We realise the wealth of experience on shared services globally and especially India. Therefore, we have selected Genpact as key partner in the process.”
DSM India plans to appoint fresh graduates from local educational institutions, MBAs, chartered accountants and finance graduates with four to five years of experience for middle-level managerial positions.
Bharath Sesha, President, DSM India, described the new Shared Services Center of DSM in Hyderabad as an “important milestone for DSM in India.” He mentioned, “India plays an important role in the DSM strategy of expanding our involvement in high growth economies. DSM would continue its growth path in India while addressing the issues of importance to India, like health, well-being and sustainability.”
The center will initially manage back-office finance and accounting activities and later potentially expanding into services like transactional procurement, human resources and IT operations. The services will be performed on behalf of various related business and service units of DSM globally with an effort to remain focused on value addition.