Kathrein

Kathrein is a German communications technology company that manufactures RF products such as antennas and filters, serving mobile communications and broadcasting.

Kathrein-Werke was established in Rosenheim, Upper Bavaria, in 1919 by Anton Kathrein. From its German base, the company built a specialist manufacturing business around antennas and related radio-frequency technology. Its historical development reflects the expansion of electronic communications from local and broadcast reception toward national telecommunications networks, satellite distribution, and connected vehicles. The company became known for supplying equipment for both signal reception and signal transmission. On the consumer and professional reception side, Kathrein developed satellite receivers and parabolic antennas for radio and television. These products placed the brand directly in the home and installation markets, while also demonstrating its expertise in directional antennas and high-frequency signal handling. Kathrein equipment was developed and, in part, manufactured in Germany according to the cited reference material. Kathrein also supplied antennas for terrestrial radio and television infrastructure. Many German broadcast towers, including towers with distinctive red-and-white markings, were equipped with Kathrein antennas. The company’s role in this sector was complementary to that of transmitter suppliers: Kathrein provided antenna systems, while transmitters for such installations were commonly associated with other specialist manufacturers, including Rohde & Schwarz. As mobile telecommunications expanded, Kathrein entered and grew within the infrastructure supply chain for cellular networks. It produced antennas for GSM and UMTS mobile-radio towers, as well as filters and associated radio-frequency components. These systems were designed for deployment in carrier networks, where antenna performance, frequency separation, coverage, and physical integration are critical. This activity made mobile-network equipment a central part of Kathrein’s industrial identity. The business also developed automotive antenna systems. Its customers included vehicle manufacturers such as BMW, giving Kathrein a role in the integration of radio and communications functions into passenger vehicles. Automotive work broadened the company’s application base beyond fixed infrastructure and consumer satellite reception. Kathrein remained closely associated with the Kathrein family. Anton Kathrein Jr. became chief executive in 2012 after the death of his father, Anton Kathrein. The company was described in the reference material as the world’s oldest and largest antenna manufacturer, reflecting its long operating history and international specialist position. A 2015 reference described the business as having a value of approximately $1.8 billion, but that figure is not treated here as a current valuation because the available material does not provide a directly verifiable primary financial source or a complete valuation methodology. The company’s structure changed substantially in 2019. In February of that year, reports emerged that its core mobile-phone antenna and filter activities would be sold to Ericsson. The sale placed a major portion of Kathrein’s telecommunications-infrastructure business under the ownership of a large Swedish network supplier. The available reference does not document all subsequent operations, ownership arrangements, or the final scope of the Kathrein brand. Consequently, the historical record supports a clear account of Kathrein as a long-established German antenna manufacturer, but not a definitive description of its current corporate structure.

• 2019

  Mobile-antenna and filter business sold to Ericsson

  [1]Kathreinen.wikipedia.org

  Kathrein’s core business in mobile-phone antennas and filters was reported as being sold to Ericsson, marking a major change in the company’s telecommunications activities.

• 2012

  Anton Kathrein Jr. becomes chief executive

  [1]Kathreinen.wikipedia.org

  Anton Kathrein Jr. took over as chief executive after the death of his father, Anton Kathrein.

• 1919

  Company founded in Rosenheim

  [1]Kathreinen.wikipedia.org

  Anton Kathrein founded the company in Rosenheim, Bavaria, establishing the family business that later became known internationally for antenna systems and related electronics.

A specialist engineering manufacturer focused on antenna systems, radio-frequency components, and signal-reception infrastructure for telecommunications, broadcasting, satellite television, and automotive applications.

• Telecommunications infrastructure

  Mobile-network antenna systems

  Kathrein produced antenna systems for cellular-network infrastructure, including equipment associated with GSM and UMTS mobile-radio towers. These products were designed for carrier deployments where coverage, frequency performance, mounting, and integration with radio equipment are essential. Mobile antennas became one of the company’s core industrial activities before the business was reported for sale to Ericsson in 2019.

• Telecommunications components

  Radio-frequency filters

  Kathrein supplied filters associated with mobile communications and antenna infrastructure. Filters help separate or manage radio-frequency bands and support the reliable operation of multi-frequency network installations. The mobile-antenna and filter operation was specifically identified as part of the business sold to Ericsson in 2019.

• Consumer and professional reception electronics

  Satellite receivers

  Kathrein developed and partly manufactured satellite receivers for radio and television reception. These devices formed part of the receiving equipment used with satellite distribution systems and complemented the company’s satellite-dish business.

• Satellite-reception equipment

  Satellite parabolic antennas

  The company produced parabolic antennas used to receive radio and television signals from satellites. The products served household and professional reception applications and were among the most visible consumer-facing elements of the Kathrein portfolio.

• Broadcast infrastructure

  Broadcast antennas

  Kathrein supplied antennas for terrestrial radio and television transmission infrastructure. Its equipment was installed on numerous German broadcast towers, including towers with red-and-white painted tips. The antennas formed the radiating part of transmission installations, while transmitters were typically supplied by separate electronics manufacturers.

• Automotive electronics

  Automotive antenna systems

  Kathrein developed antenna systems for vehicle manufacturers, including BMW. These systems supported in-vehicle radio and communications functions and extended the company’s antenna expertise into automotive manufacturing and vehicle integration.

• 2019

  Divestment of mobile-antenna and filter operationsM&A

  Background

  Mobile-phone antennas and filters were identified as a core part of Kathrein’s business. In February 2019, the company’s plan to sell these activities to Ericsson became publicly known.

  Action taken

  Kathrein agreed to transfer its core mobile-antenna and filter business to Ericsson, a Swedish telecommunications-network supplier.

  Aftermath

  The transaction represented a major change in Kathrein’s industrial scope and separated an important telecommunications-infrastructure activity from the broader historical Kathrein portfolio. The available reference does not establish the full subsequent structure of the remaining business.

  Source

1. 1Kathreinen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Kathrein official websitekathrein.com