Hytera Was The Only Chinese Exhibitor At ADAS 2016

One of Asia’s largest communications equipment manufacturers exhibited at ADAS 2016 but attracted little fanfare even with their impressive product line on display. At just 24 years old Hytera is a rare example of a globally competitive niche player from China whose origins date to 1990s Shenzhen. It’s now an industry leading maker of digital modular radios–DMRs for short–in the mainland and a trusted brand for critical industries. This broad portfolio includes the government and security sectors.

Hytera’s willingness to break into the Philippines with the full brunt of their marketing clout shows the brand’s confidence after years spent growing operations in Europe. Having reached the size of a multinational in two decades Hytera’s reach extends to 80 countries with operations involving two major subsidiaries in the EU, Hytera UK and Hytera Mobilfunk GmbH.

But its exposure to the “defense market” for the express purpose of attracting clients among national militaries and police forces is a new strategy for strengthening its so-called verticals. This is why Hytera shared its plans to open a sales office in the Philippines in the coming months. Should an institutional client like the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) choose Hytera this will displace rival suppliers like Harris Corp and improve its regional market share.

Among the highlights of Hytera’s exhibit at ADAS was its integrated command and control terminal for emergency services. Its DMR product line was also physically present to entice visiting delegations from the local government sector.

The company known as Hytera Communications Corp. Ltd. has an interesting corporate history. Still run by its founder Chen Qingzhou, who is now a multibillionaire, Hytera built a reputation from supplying radios and walkie-talkies to municipalities in China. During its early years it was a favored partner for American brands wishing to outsource product manufacturing and assembly. Today Hytera is staffed by nearly 5,000 employees and is listed on the Shenzhen stock exchange.