/ 10.25.2010 12:00AM
Rohde & Schwarz Ends Fiscal Year Ahead
MUNICH, GERMANY: Rohde & Schwarz closed its most recent
fiscal year with revenues of €1.3 billion (US$1.82 million), “slightly” above
the previous fiscal year ending July 2009. The company said it started cutting
costs when the recession hit, but continued launching new products. The
combination allowed the company to retain its workforce of 7,400 people, it
said.
“Thanks to a strong finish, we completed fiscal year 2009-10 with a
considerably better result than we expected at the beginning,” R&S
president and CEO, Manfred Fleischmann, said in a statement. “Now we have to
take the positive momentum and carry it over into the new fiscal year in order
to be able to focus our efforts again on sustained growth.”
When the economic crisis hit, Rohde rolled back material expenses and
outsourcing, and focused on short-term work. It said “almost all” of the
measures taken to weather the recession had been lifted.
Rhode said its broadcast market share “increased slightly” during fiscal 2010,
partly due to a demand for test-and-measurement gear and transmitters. T&M
also benefited from the strong recovery in the wireless communications market,
particularly smartphones and 4G technology. Rohde’s market share in aerospace
and defense grew as well.
“The family-owned company continued to forge ahead with its global orientation,
especially through the expansion of activities in Asia,” the company said. “The
company maintained its high level of investment in research and development at
15 percent of turnover.... Other milestones included the addition of broadband
amplifiers to the product portfolio and the company's debut into the
oscilloscope business,” the company said.
The current fiscal year looks “promising,” the company said, citing the growth
of 4G wireless tech and terrestrial DTV around the world. The oscilloscope and
broadband amplifier lines are expected to generate new business. Demand for
secure communications systems is expected to grow. Additionally, Rohde is
focusing on expanding its global presence.
“Rohde & Schwarz has set the right course for the future,” Fleischmann
said. “Barring any renewed turbulence in the financial markets, we are
forecasting increasing revenues and healthy growth for fiscal year 2010/2011.”