Harman International Industries Inc. is investing USD16 million to open a new global research and development center near Shanghai in mid-2015.
The company says it will initially add about 200 new employees at the 10,000 sq. meter site in the city of Suzhou that begins construction in June 2014.
Harman says it has been active in Suzhou since 2000, when a manufacturing facility was opened to produce a variety of lifestyle audio, multimedia and mobile products. A new manufacturing plant for automotive audio and infotainment systems was added nearby in 2008, and the facility has since expanded several times to incorporate research and manufacturing for multiple company businesses. Harman employment in Suzhou currently totals about 800 people.
The company currently employs about 2500 people in China, at facilities in Suzhou, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Dandong.