Rohde & Schwarz, a leading technology group, reported a significant achievement with an order intake surpassing EUR 3 billion during the fiscal year 2022-2023 (July to June).
The company’s revenue rose to EUR 2.78 billion during this period, highlighting its resilience and adaptability in a challenging global economic scenario. As of June 30, 2023, Rohde & Schwarz boasted a workforce of around 13,800 employees across the globe.
Amidst a decline in the wireless communications T&M market, particularly in production, Rohde & Schwarz navigated the challenging landscape successfully, leveraging its diversified T&M portfolio. Despite market challenges, the group witnessed continued investment from customers in the aerospace & defense sectors. Additionally, the automotive industry’s shift towards electromobility and autonomous vehicles drove high demand for Rohde & Schwarz’s solutions tailored for precise measurement tasks. The group also fortified its position in the Industrial Electronics, Components, Research & Universities segment.
With an eye on the future, Rohde & Schwarz actively engaged in shaping the next wireless communications generation, 6G. The group participated in various programs and initiatives related to 6G development, notably teaming up with NVIDIA at Mobile World Congress 2023 to demonstrate the industry’s first hardware-in-the-loop neural receiver. This breakthrough laid the groundwork for integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into future 6G technology.
In response to geopolitical shifts emphasizing digital and technological sovereignty, Rohde & Schwarz secured strategically significant projects in the government sector with its secure communications and reconnaissance solutions. The acquisition of Schonhofer Sales & Engineering GmbH (SSE) augmented the group’s expertise in key technologies like big data analytics and AI. This investment bore fruit as the group, in collaboration with SSE, was commissioned for the development of the AI backbone for the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
The demand for network and security technology surged in both private and public sectors, fueled by the escalating trend toward cloud applications and remote work. Rohde & Schwarz, a key supplier in Germany, positioned itself to capitalize on this trend, particularly through its subsidiary LANCOM Systems, which secured pivotal projects and achieved profitable growth.
Furthermore, the group witnessed increased demand for security scanners amid the revival of global air traffic. Rohde & Schwarz’s R&S QPS201 security scanner, listed on the Transportation Security Administration’s Qualified Products List in the USA, is operational at select US airports. Moreover, the R&S QPS Walk2000, the world’s first 360° walk-through security scanner, is undergoing testing at Frankfurt Airport.
Rohde & Schwarz’s commitment to technological advancements was underscored by its vertical integration strategy, marked by the groundbreaking ceremony for a state-of-the-art technology and production center at the Memmingen site, boasting 18,000 square meters of floor space.
Emphasizing its investment in cutting-edge technologies such as frequencies above 100 GHz, 6G, AI, and microelectronics, Rohde & Schwarz aims to maintain its relevance in a rapidly evolving competitive landscape. The group’s participation in a microelectronics and communications technologies project, funded by the European Commission, aligns with its dedication to shaping pivotal technologies in Germany and Europe.
