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Leading the way in research
1:50pm Thursday 2nd February 2012
MAJOR Basingstoke-based firm Huawei has completed its acquisition of CIP Technologies.
The leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, whose UK head office is in Jays Close, Viables, has acquired the Centre for Integrated Photonics (CIP).
CIP is a world-leading photonics research laboratory, formerly run by East of England Development Agency (EEDA).
The acquisition of the optical networking research unit will deepen the optical research and development (R&D) capabilities of Huawei and demonstrates its commitment to R&D in the UK.
The CIP R&D team, which is located in Ipswich, will be retained by Huawei and form the core of its UK R&D centre.
CIP has a reputation as a world-class incubator in fibre-optic transmission and carries out world-leading cutting-edge research in this hi-tech area.
EEDA’s chairman Professor Will Pope said: “This is a tremendous investment success story for EEDA, which acquired CIP in 2003 from its American owners to save it from closure.”
Victor Zhang, chief executive of Huawei UK, based in Basingstoke, said: “As a world-leading ICT solutions provider, Huawei aims to build up its business in global markets and will continue to increase investment in the UK, reaffirming its commitment to customers, suppliers and business partners.
“Currently, Huawei has six research facilities in Europe. I’m confident that CIP’s strong research abilities and its talented staff will further extend our European research presence.”
The Chinese-owned company, which has been continually investing in the UK for the past 10 years, is set to open a dedicated European design centre for its mobile device business in the heart of London in the first quarter of this year.
Huawei is recruiting a team of world-leading designers to work at its London Design Centre (LDC) which aims to drive new product concept, design and development for the company.