Go Inside Hikvision’s Global Headquarters

SSI recently toured the video surveillance goliath’s Hangzhou, China, home base. View sites and scenes from the visit in this gallery of images.

It can be a bit staggering to consider the scale at which Hikvision has grown since its founding in 2001. Rise to become the largest global producer of video surveillance equipment in a mere 14 years? How does that happen?

SLIDESHOW: Photos of Hikvison’s Vertical Market-focused Product Displays, More

Even after a recent tour of the company’s world headquarters in Hangzhou, China – during which its president, Yangzhong Hu, and international marketing director, Keen Yao, fielded questions from members of the trade media – I still can’t get my arms entirely around largest global producer.

What I can tell you after listening to and querying Hu, Yao and other team members, is the company is playing out a hyper-focused game plan with, apparently, much precision. I’ll let market analysts explain how Hikvision is able to grab vast market share, in part, by selling its wares at low-rate prices. Installing dealers and systems integrators can deliberate the quality of those products and if they are the best option to fulfill their end customers’ security and business efficiency needs.

What amazes me about the company is the sheer volume of revenue and human capital it is investing to execute its global vision to become a complete solution provider, and beyond. Hikvision posted nearly $2.8 billion in sales revenue in 2014. From 2004 to 2014, it reports a compound average growth rate (CAGR) of 53%. More than 8% of its annual revenue is fed back into R&D. Through a translator, Hu said the company does consider acquisitions but R&D is a corporate pillar. The company staffs more than 5,400 engineers, a pool of talent that includes more than 2,000 software engineers. Heady stuff.

You can read much more from the press conference with Hu and Yao by clicking here. For now, check out this gallery of images from the Hikvision headquarters and elsewhere, including a stop at the insanely bustling China Public Security Expo (CPSE).

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About the Author

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Although Bosch’s name is quite familiar to those in the security industry, his previous experience has been in daily newspaper journalism. Prior to joining SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION in 2006, he spent 15 years with the Los Angeles Times, where he performed a wide assortment of editorial responsibilities, including feature and metro department assignments as well as content producing for latimes.com. Bosch is a graduate of California State University, Fresno with a degree in Mass Communication & Journalism. In 2007, he successfully completed the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association’s National Training School coursework to become a Certified Level I Alarm Technician.

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