Huawei Opens Its First Global Aesthetics Research Center in Paris

Huawei Opens Its First Global Aesthetics Research Center in Paris

Paris, 12 March 2015 – Huawei today opened its first global research center focused on innovation in aesthetics and design, part of the $600 million investment plan in France in the coming 5 years.

The Paris Aesthetics Research Center will bring creative ideas in color and style to Huawei products, integrating innovative technologies with aesthetics. The Center has already contributed to the design of Huawei’s second-generation fitness band, the TalkBand B2, just released in Mobile World Congress.

Welcoming distinguished guests at the opening ceremony, Huawei CEO Ken Hu said, “Paris is a global hub for fashion and arts, and now the city’s creative resources can be applied to Huawei products worldwide. That makes France a vital part of our global innovation.”

The Paris Aesthetics Center is staffed by 10 designers specializing in luxury design, fashion, automotive, 3D, digital, and brand strategy. Mathieu Lehanneur, a noted French designer whose creations encompass such disparate fields as science, art, and technology, will serve as Chief Designer.

Mr. Lehanneur said, “We are at a turning point in history. Technology is no longer simply around us – it is with us, and, in the case of wearables, on us. The challenge now is to give it shape.”

Huawei is expanding its collaboration with the French design community, having recently signed a partnership with the École Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle (ENSCI), a leading design school in Paris.

“We welcome and appreciate the long-term investments and economic contribution Huawei is making in France. Huawei’s selection of Paris as the site of its global Aesthetics Research Center is another proof that Paris is becoming one of the most important cities globally when it comes to design and technology, ” said Jean-Louis Missika, Mayor of Paris.

A major player in the information communications and technology (ICT) field, Huawei has had operations in France since 2003 and is now the country’s largest foreign investor from China. Huawei

About Huawei

Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider. Our aim is to build a better connected world, acting as a responsible corporate citizen, innovative enabler for the information society, and collaborative contributor to the industry. Huawei’s 170 000 employees worldwide are committed to creating maximum value for telecom operators, enterprises and consumers. Our innovative ICT solutions, products and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one-third of the world’s population.

Huawei currently has over 9 900 staff based in Europe, of whom 1200 are working in R&D. We run 18 R&D sites located in eight European countries (Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and the UK) and operate numerous joint innovation centres in partnership with telecom and ICT partners.