Keys to Product Innovation Delivered at Aberdeen Group Summit

BOSTON, Sept. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- Where do innovative products come from? According to Hari Harikumar, vice president of global engineering and technology with Ingersoll Rand, it starts with creating a working culture that embraces innovation and building sustainability objectives into the development process.

Product innovation today calls for entrepreneurial environments that ask team members to draw on their strengths, incorporate customer insights, identify symbiotic partners and improve the rate in which products go to market. It also calls for an approach in which sustainability is not a constraint of the design process, but rather a primary consideration to add to the bottom line for the long-term.

Harikumar is participating in a session presentation at the Aberdeen Group Leadership in Product Development Summit on Monday, Sept. 27, 2010.

During the session presentation, "Achieving Sustainability Objectives in Product Innovation and Product Development," Harikumar will share insights on the latest sustainability trends and developments in product innovation and development as well as how customers can help drive innovation.

Conference Description

Aberdeen Group's 4th annual summit will convene some of the most forward thinking and pioneering leaders in product development to present and exchange effective strategies and practices for business growth. This summit is the ideal platform to understand how to consistently innovate and meet project deadlines with fewer resources and a smaller budget.

About Hari Harikumar

Hari Harikumar is vice president, global engineering and technology for the Ingersoll Rand's Hussmann, Thermo King and Trane businesses. In this role, he leads a global team in developing competitive heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration products, services and technologies for commercial buildings, the retail food industry and the transportation industry.

Harikumar previously worked for Ingersoll Rand as the leader of the India Engineering Center, where he built a culture of openness and collaboration that is yielding excellent results for the company. Prior to joining Ingersoll Rand, Harikumar served as innovation and technology leader for General Electric's Global Research Center.  He has a master's degree and doctoral degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, India.

About Ingersoll Rand

Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR) is a world leader in creating and sustaining safe, comfortable and efficient environments in commercial, residential and industrial markets. Our people and our family of brands -- including Club Car®, Hussmann®, Ingersoll Rand®, Schlage®, Thermo King® and Trane® -- work together to enhance the quality and comfort of air in homes and buildings, transport and protect food and perishables, secure homes and commercial properties, and increase industrial productivity and efficiency. We are a $13 billion global business committed to sustainable business practices within our company and for our customers. For more information, visit www.ingersollrand.com.

SOURCE Ingersoll Rand