Huawei tunes strategy to stay ahead in Europe

PARIS - For a company that is the epitome of China's manufacturing strength, Huawei has always managed to keep a low profile. But the second-largest telecom solution provider in the world is now giving the final touches to a strategy that it hopes will further consolidate and strengthen its presence in the highly innovative and demanding European market.

Huawei, had a global turnover of $28 billion (20 billion euros) last year, just behind its European rival Ericsson, which had a comparative figure of $30 billion. The company offers goods and services ranging from infrastructure to consumer handsets and has over 5,500 employees spread across several European countries. While its European headquarters is in Dusseldorf, it also has presence in countries such as France, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Romania, Spain and the UK.

Leo Sun, chief executive of Huawei France and the man who is spearheading the European thrust, says Huawei will rely largely on its cutting edge in research and development (R&D) to help achieve its goals.