HP to open centers in Poland and Russia

Hewlett-Packard is strengthening its presence in Europe’s emerging markets by opening a BPO (business processing outsourcing) center in Poland and a technology testing and integration center in Moscow.

The Wroclaw, Poland, BPO facility will focus on financial and accounting services when it officially opens later this month, HP said Friday. HP plans to invest $50 million in the center over the next five years, as well as hire up to 1,000 employees, it said. The company already operates a BPO center in Barcelona serving Western Europe.

The company chose Poland for its new facility based on its central location in Europe, lower costs and worker language capabilities, according to Herbert Rastbichler, HP’s head of technology services for Central and Eastern Europe.

The center fits with HP’s strategy to build out its outsourcing business, and responds to growing demand in the European region, particularly from Germany, Rastbichler said. The company also hopes to tap into the growth of the Eastern European countries that joined the E.U. last year, he added.

“In all industries there is a big push to expand in these countries to make themselves fit for international competition,” Rastbichler said.

With its European neighbors ramping up IT investments, Russia is also looking to make itself more competitive and has launched a national IT initiative. Spotting opportunity, HP announced earlier this week that it was opening a High Tech Solutions Center in Moscow, offering local companies technology demonstration, testing and integration services. The center will open on April 26. HP did not disclose its investment in the facility.

“Russia is a high-growth area in our industry and we definitely want to participate,” Rastbichler said.

The company faces strong local competitors and other international players that are starting to establish themselves in the market, but HP hopes to bank on its over 30 years of experience in the region, Rastbichler added.