Based on its recent analysis of the test and measurement (T&M) market, Frost & Sullivan recognizes Anritsu Corporation (Anritsu) with the 2012 Global Frost & Sullivan Award for Company of the Year. Anritsu's growth strategy, focused on increasing competitiveness through product innovation, enhancing customer support, and developing stronger relationships with customers, has paid off and resulted in a stronger competitive position for the company in the global T&M industry.
"Over the past 12 to 18 months, Anritsu's T&M business has witnessed significant growth, mainly from the performance of its mobile sub-segment that serves the needs of the growing smartphone and tablet manufacturing, and LTE R&D markets," said Jessy Cavazos , industry director for Frost & Sullivan's Test & Measurement group. "The company's T&M revenue increased by 27.6 percent from June 2011 to 2012 over the previous 12-month period, while its key competitors witnessed much lower growth overall for their T&M business. Anritsu's continued focus on innovation and enhancing customer value is bound to fuel its growth in the future as well."
One factor contributing to the company's success in the mobile sub-segment was its one-box tester for the UE manufacturing market, with comprehensive 2G to 4G/LTE coverage. Anritsu's performance was boosted by the product development efforts it made while the market was transitioning from 3G to 4G/LTE. While other competitors had to rethink their platforms, it was a smooth upgrade path for Anritsu. In fact, Frost & Sullivan estimates the company's mobile segment's revenue to have reached more than $400 million in the four quarters ending in June 2012, which is about twice the revenue generated in the previous four quarters ending June 2011.
"Anritsu exceeded all of its major management indicators, including sales and operating margin, a year ahead of schedule, prompting it to come up with new medium- and long-term business plans," noted Cavazos. "The mobile segment will remain the backbone of Anritsu's new plans in which it aims to not only evolve its current solutions, but also introduce new products and target new markets in line with its core competencies."
Another factor for the growth of the company's mobile segment was LTE R&D applications. The MD8430A and MD8475A LTE signaling testers are key products for Anritsu in this space. Test case scripting solutions like Anritsu's Rapid Test Designer (RTD) software have also been instrumental in growing the operating income of Anritsu's T&M business. In addition, the company has a dominant position in the wireless installation and maintenance test equipment market, with its MS272xC Spectrum Master™ line of handheld spectrum analyzers. On the electronics side, Anritsu again strives to provide incredible value to customers. The VectorStar® Broadband ME7838A vector network analyzer is a poster child for this, providing significant improvements in both dynamic range and measurement stability.
Anritsu continues to strengthen its competitiveness by enhancing the functionality of its products, increasing its product lineup, and improving its customer support capabilities. Anritsu's emphasis on customer service, especially delivery times, has served it well. This is a crucial need for clients across highly competitive electronics industries, where there is incredible pressure on time to market. Further, the company is developing its relationships with existing clients and expanding its customer base in Asia and Latin America.
"Anritsu sees itself as a partner rather than a vendor to customers," observed Cavazos. "It works closely with customers by sharing development roadmaps and increasing technical support. One area in which the company is heavily involved from the roadmap-sharing standpoint is LTE Advanced. In terms of support, it is providing support to customers in areas such as proposal capability, striving to increase the efficiency of their test environments."
Overall, Anritsu has cleverly addressed the technological and economic challenges facing the T&M market to forge a strong path ahead. In recognition, Frost & Sullivan is proud to present Anritsu with the 2012 Global Company of the Year Award. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has demonstrated excellence in terms of growth strategy and implementation. The award recognizes a high degree of innovation with products and technologies, and the resulting leadership in terms of customer value and market penetration.
Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analysis, and extensive secondary research in order to identify best practices in the industry.