NIIT Technologies

The Netherlands was a logical choice

Location: Hoofddorp
Activities: IT solutions
Industry: Information Technology

NIIT Technologies is one of India’s premier IT solutions companies and is a part of the NIIT Group, which pioneered computer and software education in the country. NIIT was one of the early movers in looking at foreign shores for business and especially in looking at the outsourcing market in IT. In 1997, NIIT looked Europe-ward for its growth. Says Arvind Thakur, CEO of NIIT Technologuies, “NIIT wanted to have a Europe centric focus, and create a foothold in the region. Netherlands was ideal because of its cultural diversity, and that the majority of the populace spoke English.”

The company chose the Netherlands because it made a good base for Europe operations, especially in the Benelux region. Moreover, the ICT market in the Netherlands was open to outsourcing advantages at the time and continues to be, Arvind feels. With several Dutch and Anglo-Dutch corporate giants either headquartered or having a strong base in the Netherlands, NIIT felt confident about starting operations there. “The Dutch government and the local Chambers of Commerce offer Indian companies considerable encouragement, so the process is smooth,” Arvind explains.

The company’s Dutch office is in Hoofddorp, from where NIIT Technologies manages its sales, existing accounts as well as marketing activities. In cooperation with the company’s Europe Business Unit HQ located in Stuttgart, Germany, the Hoofddorp office also handles other substantial activities in marketing, PR, finance and HR. “Hoofddorp made sense to us as a location since it is being developed by the Government of Netherlands as a zone for business set-ups with several benefits. Plus its close to Schiphol airport with easy accessibility to Amsterdam, Den Haag, Rotterdam and Utrecht”, says Arvind.