Ficosa, a tier 1 global provider devoted to the research, development, manufacturing and marketing of high-technology vision, safety, connectivity and efficiency systems for the automotive sector, expects to hire more than 100 new engineers for its Technology Centre in Viladecavalls (Barcelona) over the course of this year.
These new hires will help address the profound technological changes underway at Ficosa, which is currently devoting around 6.5% of its revenue in R&D, to lead the shift of automobiles to connected cars, driverless vehicles, assisted driving and e-mobility. These new hires will also work for Idneo, the engineering firm specialised in the development of technological products with high added value for mobility, medical equipment, consumer electronics and the industrial sector.
Javier Pujol, CEO of Ficosa, highlights that “these new jobs are closely tied to the company’s significant efforts to capitalise on innovation and the latest advances in the automotive and new technology sector.” He adds, “This expansion has seen a further boost from our capital and business alliance with Panasonic, which gives us the drive we need to accelerate development of new technology for connected cars, driverless vehicles, assisted driving and e-mobility.”
The engineering team is a key element of Ficosa and Idneo, as they are in charge of research and development for the whole group. In this regard, both companies are strongly committed to creating jobs with high added value. Only in 2016, 217 new engineers were hired for the Viladecavalls Technology Centre, substantially increasing the 82 positions announced early that year.
In the same way, in 2016 Ficosa added 814 new employees to its global staff, for a total of 10,122 workers worldwide, a new record for the group. The company currently has 10,280 employees around the world and expects its team to grow around the 6% over the course of this year.
Viladecavalls, R&D Centre for the group worldwide
The Viladecavalls Technology Centre is home to the R&D centre for the whole Ficosa group, employing 670 of the 1,000 engineers that work for the company around the world. This facility is a benchmark in electronics and technology of excellence, focusing on vision, security, connectivity and efficiency systems. As the driving force for the multinational corporation’s research worldwide, it works with the company’s 13 development centres located around the world, near main customers (Detroit, Germany, France, China, South Korea, etc.).
At the same time, the extension of the deal with Panasonic –through which the Asian company took an additional 20% holding in Ficosa, going from 49% to 69%– will make the Viladecavalls Technology Centre a technological hub for connectivity, e-mobility and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) for the alliance.
About Ficosa
Ficosa is a global company devoted to the creation of high-technology vision, safety, efficiency and connectivity solutions for the industry, with the desire to contribute to society through our commitment to technological innovation, human values and energy efficiency. Founded in 1949 and based in Barcelona, Ficosa currently has more than 10,280 employees in 16 countries worldwide in Europe, North and South America and Asia, with consolidated sales of €1.112 billion in 2015. The rear-view system (interior/side mirror) is Ficosa’s main business, known worldwide and recognised by top global original equipment manufacturers (OEM).