SHANGHAI – Altium says it intends to relocate its global headquarters from Sydney to its existing Shanghai office, including software development activities, corporate office and executive management team. The move is not expected to have a material effect on profitability in the current financial year, and is expected to occur mostly during the later part of the fourth quarter and early 2012.

The electronics design software developer says China represents the best opportunity for developing its market for tools, methodologies and systems that will help customers transform businesses from product-based models to a service-based approach.

Altium also plans to expand its R&D team over time by drawing on the local talent pool.

The move will involve a reorganization of Sydney operations, including a reduction in staff. Core executive, management and senior development staff will then relocate to Shanghai to join the regional operations team. Altium will maintain a small R&D group in Australia, the printed circuit board design software company said.