Capitalizing on the growing technology sector in Brazil and leveraging its recent acquisitions in Germany and the United States, global technology provider Laird announced it is opening a new, state-of-the-art engineering, design, and manufacturing facility outside São Paulo, Brazil.

“With more than 250 million connected cars predicted to be on the road in the next five years, continuous and seamless connectivity for passengers, their vehicles and roadside infrastructure are becoming the expected standard,” said David Lockwood, chief executive of Laird. “As the vehicle becomes the hub for communications and technology, South America represents a very exciting growth opportunity.”

Laird’s products enable robust wireless vehicle connectivity into and within the vehicle including antenna and software solutions. The company’s new 26,500-square-foot site represents a 20 million Real ($5 million) investment and allows for additional expansion. It’s located in Santo Antonio de Posse, Brazil, is about 70 miles north of São Paulo.

“This new plant enables us to continue to grow our global footprint, and bring our engineering and production closer to our South American customers in the automotive and industrial industries,” said Lockwood.

Laird recently acquired Germany-based Novero, an integrated vehicle connectivity systems provider that will further expand Laird’s wireless solutions offerings. Novero takes Laird to a new leadership position in automotive connectivity, a key market for the Enterprise Internet of Things (EIoT).

Lockwood explained the Novero acquisition and the new facility in Santo Antonio de Posse “bring together complementary skills and outstanding technologies, providing complete vehicle connectivity solutions that create a unique position in the connected car market – and brings this closer to our South American customers.”

In addition to serving the automotive industry, the new site will also support heavy duty wireless remote controls for industrial equipment which create a safer more productive work environment, according to the company.

Lockwood said the new plant, which replaces an older and much smaller facility nearby, “will focus on manufacturing, sales, and service, all aimed at providing reliable, speedy product fulfillment to our customers.”

“Our new plant in Santo Antonio de Posse helps us meet those goals through increased operational efficiencies and additional engineering and manufacturing space,” he added. “Laird currently employs 35 full time workers at the new plant, and plans to further increase the workforce in the near future.”