Ricardo Software Aims to Transform the Powertrain CAE Capabilities of India Automakers
VAN BUREN TWP., Mich., March 19 -- Following the announcement today of an agreement between Ricardo UK Ltd and Caepro Technologies Pvt Ltd of Pune, the Indian auto industry now has access to some of the world's most advanced powertrain CAE software products together with the expert training, support services and application skills crucial for their effective use.
Advanced CAE software products are a key enabler for leading automakers in the fast-to-market achievement of world-class powertrain performance, durability, fuel-efficiency, refinement and regulated emissions. While such software products are already available in India, it is often stated that their effective application has been held back by a lack of applications experience and limited availability of training and support services. Under the terms of the agreement announced today, Caepro will represent Ricardo Software in India, providing front-line support, guidance and training in the use of the company's range of advanced powertrain CAE software products.
In selecting a partner in India, one of the key attributes sought by Ricardo Software was in-depth skills and experience in powertrain CAE applications. "It's important for licensees to fully understand the advanced capabilities of the software as well as the nature of its intended CAE applications in order to deliver best value from their work in automotive R&D," explains Steve Sapsford, president of Ricardo Software. "For this reason it was important for us to appoint a representative with in-depth powertrain CAE applications experience, as well as both an understanding of the underlying engineering principles of the software and a local presence in one of the hubs of the Indian auto industry. We feel that Caepro is ideally suited to fulfil this role and think that our customers in India will derive considerable benefit from this new collaboration."
Caepro is a CAE company with offices in the UK and Pune, India, which provides analysis services to the automotive industry. It is led by CEO John Roebuck, a former CAE group leader at Ricardo's Chicago Technical Centre, together with a number of other highly experienced automotive industry professionals. "We are extremely pleased to have entered into this agreement with Ricardo Software," said John Roebuck. "We firmly believe that Ricardo Software offers globally leading powertrain CAE technology and that coupled with our application skills and local presence, we will be able to transform the effectiveness of our customers' CAE activities."
Ricardo plc: With technical centres in the UK, USA, Germany and the Czech Republic, and offices in Shanghai and Tokyo, Ricardo is a leading independent technology provider and strategic consultant to the world's automotive industries. The company's engineering expertise ranges from vehicle systems integration, controls, electronics and software development, to the latest driveline and transmission systems and gasoline, diesel, hybrid and fuel cell powertrain technologies. Its customers include the world's major vehicle, engine and transmission manufacturers, tier 1 suppliers and leading motorsport teams. Ricardo is committed to excellence and industry leadership in people, technology and knowledge; approximately 70 per cent of its employees are highly qualified multi-disciplined professional engineers and technicians. A public company, Ricardo plc posted sales of 173 million pounds Sterling in financial year 2006 and is a constituent of the FTSE techMark 100 index -- a group of innovative technology companies listed on the London Stock Exchange.
Ricardo strategy in India: The new agreement with Caepro is a part of Ricardo's on-going strategy to develop the quality of service offered to its customers in the rapidly developing Indian automotive industry. Ricardo has a long-standing representative organisation, Kalra Consultants Pvt Ltd, which supports the engineering services it provides in this market, and this representative relationship will remain unaffected by today's announcement. Ricardo will continue to work with Kalra to further develop the engineering services it offers in India alongside the specialist representation of Ricardo Software CAE products by Caepro.
Caepro Ltd: Caepro is a provider of outsourced Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) services to the global automotive industry. It is headquartered in the UK but its operations are in Pune, India. Its origins can be found in some of the world's leading automotive consulting and motorsport companies. This experience gives Caepro a level of product knowledge and client understanding that is unique in the off-shore CAE services industry.
Source: Ricardo
CONTACT: Jessica Killenberg, +1-248-269-1122, jkillenberg@bianchipr.com, Leslie Dagg, +1-248-269-1122, ldagg@bianchipr.com, both of Bianchi PR
