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Technology Stocks : ANDW -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Grommit who wrote (738)	11/23/1998 9:29:00 AM
From: appro	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 857

Grommit, There is no simple answer, as you may know. In my humble opinion, the best source to begin analysis of a company's competitors is the annual report. Andrew's major product areas are coaxial cable, bulk cable, wireless accessories, microwave antenna products, and such. These come from different competitors in different markets with distribution channels. Certain activities (manufacturing, systems integration, distribution, sales) are handled differently by different companies in different countries. The following excerpt is taken from Free Edgar at freeedgar.com >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>COMPETITION Many large manufacturers of electrical or radio equipment, some of which have substantially greater financial resources than Andrew, compete with a portion of Andrew's antenna systems equipment, wireless products and coaxial cable product lines. In addition, there are a number of small independent companies that compete with portions of these product lines. Andrew has traditionally focused on specific specialized fields within the marketplace that require sophisticated technology and support services. Andrew competes principally on the basis of product quality, service and continual technological enhancement of its products. There are numerous manufacturers of electronic radar systems, communication reconnaissance systems and specialized antenna systems that supply their equipment to United States government agencies and friendly foreign governments. There is substantial competition within the market and the Company is not a major competitor. Due to fixed-price contracts and pre-defined contract specifications prevalent within this market, the Company competes primarily on the basis of its ability to provide state-of-the-art solutions in this technologically demanding marketplace while maintaining its ompetitive pricing.<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< I hope this helps a little. If nothing else it might explain why the answer is not as simple as the question. : ) Regards, appro

To: Grommit who wrote (738)	11/23/1998 12:04:00 PM
From: Ploni	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 857

Form 10-K's sometimes list competitors. Andrew's 1997 Annual Report (pages 4-5) actually lists some of its competitors, which is unusual. Here they are, by business segment: Wireless Infrastructure and Land Mobile: Allen Telecom, Allgon, Cable D'Eupen, Comsat/RSI, Fiberbond, Gabriel, Kathrein, RFS, Rohn. Wireless Accessories: Brightpoint, Cell Star, Gemini, Superior Cellular Products, Original equipment manufacturers. Common Carrier and Private Microwave: Comsat/RSI, Fiberbond, Gabriel, RFS, Rohn Broadcast and Government: Comsat/RSI, Cubic, Dielectric, Vertex, Watkins-Johnson