Rohde & Schwarz – one technology company, three divisions, diverse markets

he Rohde & Schwarz technology group develops, produces and markets a wide range of electronic capital goods. With its extensive product portfolio, the company makes an important contribution to a safer and connected world. In the test & measurement, secure communications, networks & cybersecurity and broadcast & media markets, customers worldwide rely on Rohde & Schwarz and its cutting-edge solutions. In addition to its established business fields, Rohde & Schwarz has made substantial investments in future technologies such as artificial intelligence, the industrial internet of things (IIoT), 6G, cloud solutions and quantum technology.

As an independent, privately owned company, Rohde & Schwarz finances its growth with its own resources. Because the company does not have to think in terms of quarterly results, it can plan sustainably for the long term. Established more than 85 years ago, the group is recognized as a reliable partner for industry and government customers. This reputation dates back to the company's earliest days, when founders Dr. Lothar Rohde and Dr. Hermann Schwarz made a name for themselves as customer centric technology pioneers. With their hands-on entrepreneurial spirit, the two university friends entered the unexplored field of RF engineering. As a global technology company, Rohde & Schwarz consistently aligns business performance with the specific needs of its customers in the three Divisions Test & Measurement, Technology Systems and Networks & Cybersecurity.

The Executive Board is composed of two members: Christian Leicher (President and CEO) and Peter Riedel (President and COO). On June 30, 2021, Rohde & Schwarz had about 13,000 employees worldwide. In Germany, the company employs around 7700 people who work along the entire value chain, from R&D to production, sales and service. The group achieved a net revenue of EUR 2.28 billion in the 2020/2021 fiscal year (July to June).

Test & Measurement Division

Rohde & Schwarz is a market-leading supplier in the mobile and wireless communications sector, offering a comprehensive portfolio of T&M instruments and systems for the development, production and acceptance testing of components and consumer devices. Other important T&M markets include the automotive industry, the aerospace & defense sector, all industrial electronics segments as well as research and education.

Technology Systems Division

In this division, Rohde & Schwarz bundles technological system expertise and resources in the markets where project business plays an important role. This applies to communications, reconnaissance and security systems for armed forces and security authorities and organizations as well as operators of critical infrastructures. In addition, broadcast & media realizes the entire signal processing chain from camera output to transmission via the various broadcast channels with Rohde & Schwarz products.

Networks & Cybersecurity Division

The technology company equips business and public authorities with secure WAN, LAN and WLAN network infrastructures and offers products to protect data transmission, user equipment and applications. With its solutions, Rohde & Schwarz protects digital information and business processes of companies and public institutions against the effects of cyberattacks.

Global player

Rohde & Schwarz has an extensive sales and service network and is present in more than 70 countries, primarily with its own subsidiaries. Sales outside Germany account for 85 percent of worldwide revenues. Headquartered in Munich, Germany, the company has strong regional hubs in Singapore and Columbia, Maryland to coordinate business activities in Asia and the USA.

An important factor for maintaining excellent quality standards is the company's high degree of virtual integration. Rohde & Schwarz develops and produces most of its products in Germany. In addition, the Asian hub in Singapore uses its own resources to develop, produce and market products for the global market. The company also has other R&D locations in the USA, Asia, Africa and several European countries.

Rohde & Schwarz has always seen the close proximity of R&D and production locations as a major advantage. The employees at the German plants in Memmingen and Teisnach as well as the Czech town of Vimperk close to the Bavarian border manufacture most of the product range. Smaller plants in Singapore and Malaysia provide manufacturing capacity in close proximity to the R&D activities at the Asian headquarters.

Employees are the most valuable asset

Rohde & Schwarz ranks among the technology leaders in its established business fields. The company's highly qualified and motivated staff are the cornerstone of its success. An inspiring working environment is the springboard for turning customers' challenges and employees' ideas into innovative solutions.

Another Rohde & Schwarz priority, along with the development of all employees, is to identify young talent at an early stage and prepare them for responsible specialist and management positions. Nationality, gender and organizational boundaries are unimportant, and international employee exchanges between headquarters and the various subsidiaries are well established.

Since its founding, Rohde & Schwarz has prepared thousands of young people for professional careers. Today, the company offers training in professions ranging from electronics technicians and IT specialists to industrial administrative assistants. The company offers combined vocational training/degree programs in such subjects as informatics, electrical engineering and industrial engineering and management. The "Poly goes UAS" program offered in conjunction with the polytechnic schools in Singapore have a similar structure. It enables students from Asia to combine a bachelor's degree at a German university of applied sciences (UAS) with internships at cooperating "hidden champions" such as Rohde & Schwarz. The Graduate Development Program (GDP) offered by Rohde & Schwarz North America (RSNA) provides university graduates with opportunities to find their individual career path in the company under the guidance of a mentor.

Rohde & Schwarz focuses on people. The work environment is characterized by personal responsibility, mutual respect and appreciation. This corporate culture pays off: along with the "FOCUS TOP National Employer" seal of approval, the company is proud of its designation as a "Top Employer for Diversity".

Provided by Tom Neville, Technology Manager, Rohde & Schwarz

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