Powerwave Technologies, Inc., a player in end-to-end wireless coverage and capacity solutions, has expanded its worldwide operations with the opening of its newest manufacturing facility located in Laem Chabang in Chonburi Province, Thailand.

 

Powerwave (News - Alert) officials said that the 135,000-square-foot facility, which is expected to be operational by the end of the year, will initially employ 300, with plans to expand to approximately 500 employees by the end of 2010.

 

The factory will manufacture various products including remote radio heads, multi-carrier power amplifiers, power distribution units and repeaters, and will support Powerwave’s repair activities in Asia.

 

Company officials said that the new facility, which is a Thailand Board of Investment sponsored development, supports the company’s overall goal of reducing costs to maximize profitability, which allows Powerwave to further consolidate operations and reduce dependencies on multiple contract manufacturers – all while establishing a world-class, efficient and effective low-cost manufacturing site.

 

“As Powerwave expands its presence in the Middle East, China, India and Malaysia, the proximity of Thailand to these fast-growing markets and its world-class infrastructure, shipping and air cargo resources is a significant factor in our decision to base our operations there,” said Ronald J. Buschur, president and CEO, Powerwave Technologies, in a statement.

 

What’s key to the company’s decision, said Buschur, was the availability of skilled and trained employees, specifically in the area of RF engineering and manufacturing.

 

“Once fully operational, we expect that the Thailand facility will further streamline our cost structure, and we anticipate this investment will deliver substantial benefits not only for Powerwave, but also for our direct operator and OEM customers through the ability to support greater volume and greater production efficiencies,” Buschur said.

 

In Powerwave Technologies announced the iintroduction of its “Rapid Mobile Deployment Unit,” a lightweight, compact mobile communications site that is quickly and easily deployable, providing cost-effective wireless capacity to support high concurrent call volume and data access wherever and whenever needed.