NCR Corporation (NYSE:NCR) today opens its new manufacturing plant in Manaus, Amazonas state to support the market demand for self-service automated teller machines (ATM) in Brazil, the Caribbean and throughout Latin America.
The new facility will produce and build self-service machines - specifically NCR's SelfServeTM advanced ATMs.
In only 90 days after announcing plans to build the plant in Brazil, NCR was able to open the facility and begin production of ATM machines for its Latin American and Caribbean customers. The company celebrated the opening at its plant today with key government officials and customers from Brazil who participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony, a tour of the manufacturing plant and an opportunity to see the production of some of the first NCR ATM machines being built at the new site.
The innovation and manufacturing center will create about 250 new jobs in the city, and enable NCR to deliver world-class solutions to customers and strengthen its competitive edge in Brazil-- a key market to NCR's growth strategy. Last month, testing and certification at the 2.5-acre plant was conducted and completed by NCR's global quality organization, as well as the Canadian Standards Association (CSA International) and the Underwriters Laboratories (UL).
NCR's decision to bring ATM manufacturing in-house to Brazil was driven by the company's belief that as self-service ATM technology becomes more innovative and strategic to financial institutions, the ability to control manufacturing in key markets such as Brazil becomes a core and competitive advantage to a growth strategy. The company recently opened its North American manufacturing plant in Columbus, GA, and by in-sourcing the production of NCR SelfServ ATMs, in both regions of the world, the company plans to decrease time-to-market, improve internal collaboration, and lower current operating costs.
"With the new plant, we'll be better positioned to provide a full range of ATM solutions aligned with unique requirements of Brazilian market, while achieving our expansion and operating cost reduction goals," ensured Elias Silva, president of NCR Brazil. "Financial market institutions in Brazil are continuously looking for customized ATMs to provide a unique service to their customers, such as biometric identification, check printers and high security levels. Those demands will be totally fed by NCR's products, produced in the Manaus plant."
NCR has been doing business in Brazil for more than 70 years and continues to be committed to financial inclusion and manufacturing innovative ATMs that have significant impact on businesses, consumers and communities. With NCR's advanced machines, customers can now withdraw money, collect pensions or welfare benefits, pay utility bills and buy prepaid cell phone cards - and all within walking distance to their home or business.
"Surveys with the retail banking industry show that the Brazilian ATM market is to grow 16 percent by 2012, which warrants that significant investments are made," said Bob Tramontano, NCR's vice president of marketing. "NCR's investment of R$73 million will help shape the future of manufacturing in Brazil as we build, design and engineer specific products to meet the needs of our customers in the region."
In October, NCR announced the opening of its North American ATM manufacturing facility in Columbus, GA, creating 870 new jobs that did not exist previously at NCR.