Hewlett-Packard May Do R&D In Puerto Rico

Hewlett-Packard has signed a memorandum with the government of Puerto Rico to explore expanding its research and development presence on the island, possibly establishing a new branch of HP Labs there.

HP Labs is the central research organization for the company. Headquartered in Palo Alto, the group has facilities in Bangalore, India; Bristol, U.K.; Cambridge, Mass., USA; Haifa, Israel, and Tokyo, Japan.

Presently, HP employs 2,000 in Puerto Rico, including its Aguadilla facility and its San Juan sales and service organization. Aguadilla manufactures a wide range of products, including thermal inkjet cartridges and boards for HP Superdome servers.

If a lab were to be established, it would likely be located initially at the HP site, with the possibility of moving to an adjacent technology park expected to undergo construction soon.

"We are very pleased at the prospect of increasing HP's R&D activities in Puerto Rico," said Richard A. (Dick) Lampman, senior vice president of research, HP, and director, HP Labs. "We are eager to play an appropriate role as the government seeks to expand its technology sector."Hewlett-Packard said the new lab could focus on several areas, including the pharmaceutical industry, utility computing, and advanced micromechanical devices.