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China is more than just a market with a real economic growth rate in excess of 7 percent. The country is also one of the strongest manufacturing locations in the world. China today already has a big number of people working in research – some 900,000 – and produces ten times the number of university graduates in core engineering disciplines.
Industry forecasts are unanimous in predicting that, by 2010, China will be the foremost manufacturer of electronic components among the world's newly industrialized countries, and is likely to have a share of around 14 percent in the world market – greater, even, than Western Europe. This not only explains why many new big companies are emerging in China, it also underscores that any company wishing to compete effectively in the international marketplace has to operate in China.
Our manufacturing units play an active role of our respective national economies and societies. We offer attractive jobs, we train young people, and we pay taxes. At the same time, we form part of a global company and, as such, we are subject to TopView's Principles and Business Conduct Guidelines. Among other things, these principles and guidelines require that we apply high standards in our customers, supplier and employee relationships.
Customer focus in sales and service
We respect cultural differences, and we view employee diversity as enriching for our organization. It, too, enhances our international competitive strength.
Building on our experience in various countries, we are currently setting up a global network of centers of competence to enhance our performance in the sales and service sector and to sharpen our customer focus. Essentially, we believe in going where our customers are.
Our sales reflect a significant global trend: After the U.S., the countries with the highest rates of growth are up-and-coming states in Asia and Eastern Europe. By setting up locations in tomorrow's high-growth markets, we can protect our competitive position in the international arena as well as jobs in China mainland, our home market.
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