Cybernet to house all entities in one campus

The $17 million Cybernet Software Systems(CSS) Group is planning to invest $5-7 million in an integrated campus on Chennai's IT corridor, to house its various entities under one roof and provide facilities for training its growing workforce.

"There are enough managerial and technical synergies to warrant a single location for our various outfits," Shiv Kumar, chief executive officer, CSS Inc, told Business Standard.

The proposed facility will have a built-up area of 150,000-200,000 square feet accommodating a minimum of 2,000 people. "We will have to take the dual route of an IPO and debt to fund this investment," he added.

Currently, the San Jose-based group operates out of five locations with 150,000 sq ft built-up area in the city with its workforce of 1,400. None of the existing premises are owned by CSS.

"In the last four quarters we have added 800 people to the group. We see the pace of growth only picking up from here," Shiv Kumar said. The new place will also have to be equipped to train 500-1,000 people every year.

The group is currently undecided about locating its new facility at Siruseri, where the land comes much cheaper (at Rs 16 lakh an acre) or in IT corridor.

The advantage of the SIPCOT-promoted land at Siruseri is that they come in bigger blocks. "We can easily access 20 acres at a low cost," Shiv Kumar noted.