Huawei to Invest $500 Million into Ontario over next 5 years

New investment of $210m will create 325 new jobs and double Huawei's Canadian Research & Development team

BEIJING, Nov. 1, 2014 /CNW/ - Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, today announced it will make a significant new long-term investment in the Province of Ontario to support the expansion of Huawei's Canadian R&D and business operations.  Huawei is committing $210m in new investments in the Province of Ontario, and will create 325 new jobs over the next 5 years.  The announcement was made this morning in conjunction with a visit by the Premier of Ontario, the Hon. Kathleen Wynne, and delegates on her China trade mission, at Huawei's R&D Centre in Beijing.  In total, when combined with existing research, development and operational plans, Huawei's total investment in Ontario over the next 5 years will be $500m.

With this new investment, Huawei will expand current Research and Development capabilities in the Province of Ontario by hiring an estimated 250 new engineers and researchers.  These new jobs will allow Huawei to strengthen Canada's role in Huawei's global R&D operations, and allow Huawei's Canadian R&D team to address new opportunities in next generation communications, cloud and enterprise mobility.  Operationally, Huawei will add a minimum of 75 employees to the sales, marketing and support functions at its Markham headquarters over this same period.

"I am pleased that Huawei is expanding its operations in Ontario" said Premier Wynne.  "This investment will create a significant number of jobs and reinforces Ontario's position as a global leader in ICT and telecommunications.  My government is fostering a dynamic business climate to attract even more investments from Huawei and other leading companies around the world."

"Today's announcement reinforces Huawei's commitment to Canada and to the Province of Ontario," said Sean Yang, President of Huawei Canada.  "Canada and Ontario have a legacy of leadership in ICT and telecommunications.  Since 2010, Huawei's Canada Research Centre has established itself as one of the global leaders in advanced communications technologies, including 5G.  The success of this facility has reinforced to Huawei the value of Ontario's talented workforce, and network of universities in Ontario and across Canada, that can support innovative research."

Since opening a Canadian office in 2008, Huawei has made a significant commitment to Canada's ICT ecosystem.  The company now employs approximately 550 people in Canada.  Over 95% of Huawei's workforce is based in the Province of Ontario, with 250 of those employees focused on Research & Development at the Canada Research Centre in Ottawa.  As part of its research investments, Huawei has worked closely with a number of Canadian Universities, and has invested over $4m with these research institutions over the past 4 years.

"This is a proud day for Huawei Canada, and we are very pleased that Premier Wynne has been able to join us in marking this important next step forward" said Yang.  "The investment by Huawei in Canada and the Province of Ontario reflects the hard work and efforts of our Canadian team over the past 6 years.  Huawei's commitment reflects a confidence in Canada's thriving ICT industry, and to Ontario's ICT leaders and academic institutions that are among the best in the world."

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Huawei's 150,000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services have been deployed in over 170 countries and regions, serving more than one third of the world's population. Founded in 1987, Huawei is a private company fully owned by its employees, and was recently name by Interbrand as one of the world's top 100 brands – the first Chinese company to receive this recognition.

Huawei Canada has been in operation since 2008.  Huawei's innovative wireless products and services support many of Canada's leading telecommunications companies, and Huawei's Canada Research Centre in Kanata, Ontario is a national leader in advanced communications technologies.  We are proud to be a key part of Canada's ICT Ecosystem.

For more information, please visit Huawei online: www.huawei.ca 

SOURCE: Huawei

For further information: For media inquiries, please contact: Scott Bradley, VP Corporate & Government Affairs, Huawei Canada, M: 613.558.5333, Email: [e-mail]