Garmin will open research center in Triangle

Garmin has found the Triangle.

The country's largest maker of satellite navigation devices announced plans Tuesday to open a research center in this region. Garmin initially expects to hire up to 40 engineers and other employees.

It's the latest technology company to say it will hire locally. Collectively, those jobs could ease the pain of recent tech layoffs, even though the number of jobs is not huge.Garmin's announcement heats up competition for top tech talent.

"When a known brand comes in, it reinforces the public perception that this is a tech-friendly center" and could help attract other expansions, said Brooks Raiford, N.C. Technology Association CEO.

Research in Motion, the Canadian maker of BlackBerry devices, this month confirmed it plans to open offices in the Triangle.

This region is rich with available technology workers, including hundreds laid off by companies such as Nortel Networks and Sony Ericsson.

Sony Ericsson, in particular, represents a strong pool of potential employees. The cell phone maker announced in November that it plans to shut its Research Triangle Park operations within a year and lay off 425 workers who developed, tested and marketed wireless devices.

"It's no secret that the Research Triangle area has been the victim of layoffs, so we know there are some engineers looking for new opportunities," Garmin spokesman Ted Gartner said.

The company is looking for space to lease and wants "to get moving on this as quickly as possible," he added. Garmin could hire more people in the Triangle "as our business warrants."

Olathe, Kan.-based Garmin is facing increasing competition from cell phones and other devices with mapping capabilities, and is adding workers to develop next generation wireless gadgets. The company last year introduced its nüvifone smart phone to compete with iPhones and other devices.

"In light of the growth opportunities for wireless products, we believe that this expansion is a critical step in expanding our ability to launch new wireless devices to markets around the world," Garmin's president, Cliff Pemble, said in a prepared statement.

Garmin is also trying to increase sales of navigation products for the aviation, marine and outdoor markets, said John Bright, an analyst with Avondale Partners who follows the company's stock. Garmin has annual sales of about $3 billion.

"They have the financial strength, the brand strength and the business model to be a meaningful long-term player," Bright said.

Garmin shares have nearly doubled in the past year. They closed Tuesday at $33.81, down 48 cents.