H3C (Huawei-3Com Co. Ltd) was set up in 2003 as a joint venture by Huawei and 3Com to develop and bring to market IP-based network solutions in China and Japan.

Over 60% of 3Com’s employees are based in China, and this highly skilled workforce will allow 3Com to bring solutions to market faster and more cost-effectively than its competitors.  3Com now has more than 2,700 skilled engineers with proven engineering and design capabilities who are already developing platforms to add new network applications such as video surveillance, IP storage and carrier-grade Ethernet capabilities. 

So what will this mean to 3Com’s customers across EMEA? Mike Ansley, 3Com EMEA VP and General Manager, says that 3Com customers will benefit in several ways: “The strength of the combined organisation gives us advantages and discounts in securing equipment and components – especially in China – and an opportunity to consolidate activities that are spread across multiple hubs throughout the world. We will leverage to the maximum the infrastructure in China and Asia across the board - R&D, IT, supply chain, customer services and support.”

“In addition,” he points out, “China has a 5:1 advantage in terms of labour costs, and advantageous deals with component suppliers are more readily available, so H3C enables 3Com to provide state-of-the-art technology solutions more cost-effectively.”

Ansley continues, “3Com is maintaining its commitment to delivering the high quality it is known for in terms of engineering, innovation, service and support while increasing its operational efficiency.  The greatest beneficiaries of the H3C deal will be 3Com’s customers.”

“We look forward to combining the talents and experience of two highly successful organisations, enabling us to deliver a broad, integrated portfolio of secure converged networking products and solutions”.

3Com’s President and CEO, Edgar Masri, says, “3Com is now the first truly global networking company, with a leading edge perspective on how networks are evolving into the enterprise space.  H3C triples the company’s R&D facilities and significantly expands 3Com’s product portfolio.  The acquisition of H3C makes 3Com the world’s clear number 2 vendor of secure converged networks.”