Company Profile: Rohde & Schwarz

Company History

As early as 1932, Dr. Lothar Rohde and Dr. Hermann Schwarz, the company’s founders, developed their first measuring instrument, an interference wavemeter. In 1933, they set up shop under the name ‘Physikalisch-Technisches Entwicklungslabor Dr. L. Rohde und Dr. H. Schwarz’ in Munich (renamed Rohde & Schwarz in 1945). Demand increased continuously, and the step from low-volume to high-volume industrial production was taken. In the 1950s, Rohde & Schwarz soon realized the need to go international as more and more inquiries for its products came from abroad. To expand export business, a global network of independent representatives gradually emerged. This was the basis for steady growth in orders in the 1960s and 1970s, resulting in the need for a second production plant in Teisnach (Germany). 1980 saw another strategic decision in terms of worldwide presence. The company realized that it was better to operate through its own network of subsidiaries. The first phase focused on Europe and continued with the creation and expansion of a worldwide service network, including subsidiaries in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East/Africa, South and North America. Today, the company operates in over 70 countries

Company Today

Rohde & Schwarz has stood for quality and precision in test & measurement, broadcasting, secure communications, and radiomonitoring and radiolocation for 75 years. The company is a world market leader in mobile radio and EMC test and measurement equipment as well as terrestrial TV transmitters. The electronics group with headquarters in Munich is also among the leading providers worldwide in all its other business fields. Rohde & Schwarz supplies mobile phone manufacturers and network operators, manufacturers of electronic equipment, TV networks, etc., with innovative solutions and products. The Executive Board is made up of Michael Vohrer (Chairman), Manfred Fleischmann, and Christian Leicher.Approximately 7200 employees currently generate a turnover of 1.4 billion Euros (fiscal year from July 2006 to June 2007). In recent years, the company’s main focus has been on expanding its international presence. It operates in over 70 countries and serves more than 90 percent of its market directly. The share of its exports is around 80 percent. The high-tech company thrives on innovation with a good 14 percent of the annual turnover going into research & development.