Microsoft Canada Development Centre opens in Richmond, BC
Centre home to over 300 of the best and brightest software engineers from around the world
Richmond, BC – September 10, 2008 - Microsoft Corporation’s first Canadian development centre officially opened today in Richmond, British Columbia. The Microsoft Canada Development Centre currently employs over 300 of the world’s best software developers who work on over half of Microsoft’s products including Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Office, the Zune Media Player, Windows Mobile and the Xbox 360.
The Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of the Province of British Columbia, His Worship Mayor Malcolm Brodie, City of Richmond and representatives from Microsoft attended the open ceremony.
Quotes
“Microsoft is committed to Canada and to the Greater Vancouver Area. In this community, we have assembled a diversity of talent and creativity from around the world to help develop the next wave of Microsoft products and services,” said Par Singh, Managing Director, Microsoft Canada Development Centre.
“I am exceptionally proud to have the MCDC join the Microsoft family and Canada’s IT economy. The MCDC will contribute to Microsoft’s global competitiveness while providing strong economic benefits to British Columbia and Canada,” said Phil Sorgen, President, Microsoft Canada.
“Establishing Development Centres in Canada and around the world is a deliberate and purposeful strategy for Microsoft. We believe that in order to capitalize on global talent and creativity we must locate in places that are attractive to global talent. Simply put, Microsoft is going to the talent, that’s why we are here in Richmond BC,” said Lisa Brummel, Senior VP, Human Resources, Microsoft Corporation.
Quick Facts:
| • | The MCDC is located in Richmond, British Columbia. |
| • | Its offices are situated in two buildings totaling 73,000 square feet in the Crestwood Corporate Centre, one of the leading business parks in the Greater Vancouver Area |
| • | The MCDC first opened its doors in July 2007 with 20 employees. Today, it employs over 300 people from 45 different countries who can speak 15 distinct languages |
Microsoft prides itself on attracting the best and brightest from around the world and has developed a distributed development strategy to capitalize global talent. Similar centres are found in:
| • | Boston, Massachusetts and Bellevue, Washington. |
| • | Additional development centres are located in North Carolina, Ireland, Denmark and Israel. |
| • | Microsoft houses full research and development centres in the United Kingdom, India, China and the Silicon Valley. |
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq “MSFT”), the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Microsoft Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, with MSN.CA offices located in Toronto and eight regional offices across the country. The company supports local communities across Canada by creating innovative technology and partnerships that help people realize their full potential.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
