KENWOOD TELECOM FORGING THE BACKBONE OF DIGITAL CONNECTIVITY WWW.KENWOODTELECOM.COM
KENWOOD TELECOM FORGING THE B DIGITAL CONNE AT A GLANCE KENWOOD TELECOM WHAT: A leading manufacturer and engineering firm specializing in the design and production of infrastructure components for cellular towers. WHERE: H eadquartered near Atlanta, Georgia, Kenwood Telecom operates nationally through a network of U.S.-based contract manufacturers, with supplementary partners in Mexico and Taiwan. With over 45 years of experience, the company plays a critical role in supporting national mobile networks by delivering robust, precision-engineered solutions used by major carriers across the U.S. WEBSITE: www.kenwoodtelecom.com LEADING AN INDUSTRY THROUGH SUPERIOR PARTNERSHIPS AND PRODUCT QUALITY 1 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
Kenwood Telecom stands as a company with a legacy spanning decades at the very heart of telecommunications infrastructure. While it sits ready for growth, Kenwood Telecom’s effectiveness as a company has yielded robust profitability since day one, a testament to how deeply ingrained it is within its industry. Impressive history aside, Kenwood’s continued success can be attributed to its ability to gracefully adapt to the evolving digital landscape.This is particularly true when it comes to how the company is amplifying its digital presence and online engagement strategies. BACKBONE OF ECTIVITY 2 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
CEO Paul Novis eloquently highlights the logic behind this adaptability, saying,“The sales cycle has changed a lot since our early careers, more and more the sales cycle involves digital communications. So, you have to change with the times when you’ve been in business for this long.” Simultaneously, Kenwood Telecom’s reliable product quality and dedication to its existing clients serve as a strong bedrock for its operation to rest on. As Novis aptly describes, the simple yet profound act of “doing what you say you’re going to do” is the most critical factor of the company’s operational success. This dedication to precision, timely delivery, and proactive problem-solving for their clients reinforces the trust that has been painstakingly built over generations. This also directly contributes to its partners’ operational efficiencies and bottom lines, thereby securing repeat business. However, Kenwood Telecom’s success isn’t just indicated by its expanded market share or increased revenue. It’s also its thriving ecosystem of deeprooted, high-level relationships, many of which have lasted for at least a decade. The company’s operations are tailored to maintain strong relationships with its network of contract manufacturers and raw material suppliers.This way, company leadership doesn’t have to worry much about its product quality being inconsistent at different scales. This personable approach has allowed Kenwood Telecom to thrive for over 45 years, maintaining strong relationships with leading industry giants. Here is a peek at the unparalleled value and profitable partnerships that continue to shape the very fabric of digital communication across the nation. A DREAM DRAWN ON A BAR NAPKIN The case of Kenwood Telecom demonstrates how foresight and innovation can lead to foundational excellence in digital infrastructure. “My father started this company; his career was 3 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 KENWOOD TELECOM
primarily in sales way back in the days of wireline telecommunications. His expertise was specifically in central office telecom. He and a buddy of his sketched an idea on a bar napkin, and it turned into an invention that was eventually used nationally in central offices,” Novis says. That invention revolutionized what the industry referred to as “cutovers” from analog to digital switches in the late 1970s and early 1980s. This innovation significantly boosted the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of these critical transitions across central offices nationwide. The success of this initial venture laid the groundwork, allowing the founder to leverage his extensive industry contacts to provide installation services for DC power systems, which was one of his main areas of expertise, along with data infrastructure. A significant shift occurred when an engineer from BellSouth, with whom Kenwood Telecom was collaborating, was seconded to the newly formed or fledgling BellSouth Mobility. This small startup evolved into what is believed to be one of the first cellular companies in the Southeast, placing Kenwood Telecom at the very genesis of the cellular industry in the United States. “Long story short, we were there when the first cell site was put on the air and became part of that industry from the very beginning,” Novis confirms. Thus, Kenwood Telecom has evolved in tandem with the industry it helped build. As telecommunications shifted predominantly to cellular and data communications, Kenwood Telecom followed suit, shifting its focus to become the leading manufacturer of cellular site infrastructure products it is today. Currently, the company’s specialization lies in creating robust, engineered assemblies, such as sector frames and platforms, that are bolted onto cell towers to hold vital cables, antennas, and radios. “Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, all have our products 4 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
on their towers across the United States holding up the antennas that provide a signal to your cell phone,” Novis explains, emphasizing how Kenwood’s operation literally forms the physical backbone of mobile communication. Of course, that sturdy backbone is itself supported by even sturdier standards of product quality control. “We’re ISO 9001:2015 certified, and we go through a rigorous audit every single year,” Novis says. These annual audits scrutinize the company’s operations and documentation, ensuring complete traceability of products from inception to field installation and adherence to international quality standards. STRATEGIC DESIGN, MANUFACTURING, AND QUALITY CONTROL The design process for these products is intrinsically linked to the diverse and often extreme climatic conditions they must endure. “The products we put on the tower must adhere to the location they’re being installed in,” Novis clarifies. The unspoken pledge within the company’s manufacturing process is to build specifications into every product that allow it to perform flawlessly in its designated location, meeting the exact requirements of each carrier. Whether it’s the hurricane-force winds of Florida, the heavy snow and ice of northern regions, Kenwood Telecom engineers its products to withstand any environmental stressors. Regarding the actual manufacturing process, Kenwood Telecom operates as a contract manufacturer, meaning it doesn’t have any owned equipment in its facilities. This was a choice made early in its history to accommodate the explosive growth and future demands of cellular technology. “We realized that future projects could get extremely 5 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 KENWOOD TELECOM
large and really saw no viable way of having our equipment and being able to keep up,” Novis says, emphasizing how impractical it would be to scale internal machinery to meet the demand of the type of large-scale projects that they work on. In lieu of owning its equipment, the company has instead cultivated a network of manufacturing partners across the United States, with secondary partners in Mexico and Taiwan. This distributed manufacturing model enables them to manage significant volumes, which would otherwise be impossible with a limited in-house capacity. However, while that initial production occurs through its partners, Kenwood Telecom maintains absolute control over quality. All manufactured components are delivered to the primary facility near Atlanta, where a stringent quality control and assembly process begins. “Right now, we have one location, not counting our distribution network and partners, that is responsible for making sure that everything that goes out the door is the highest quality and meets the criteria that the carriers need,” Novis explains. This centralized control not only ensures the highest quality, as per client standards, but it also contributes to waste reduction. While Kenwood Telecom’s contract partners are responsible for sourcing raw materials and initial fabrication, the company, as Novis expresses,“insists as often as possible” on transparency regarding the methods and procedures involved. This oversight helps to both control costs and minimize inefficiencies. Additionally, a strong preference is given to sourcing and manufacturing within the United States, typically the contiguous 48 states, with international partners BROUGHT TO YOU BY Conquering the Digital Divide Attracting, training, and delivering the future workforce. JOIN THE MISSION www.broadbandnation.org $100B+ investment to connect all Americans 200K+ broadband workers needed 6 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
serving as a buffer for additional product needs or as a backup. ENDURING PARTNERSHIPS FOR ENDURING GROWTH By now, it’s clear that relationships are central to Kenwood Telecom’s operation, and specifically, its strong partnerships with suppliers and clients are significant contributors to its success. Their approach is fundamentally rooted in active listening and fulfilling commitments—doing precisely what they promise. “It all starts with sales 101. Listen to the customer, find out what they’re looking for, and do what you say you’re going to do,” Novis says, noting that beyond this, Kenwood Telecom positions itself as a source of expertise, offering valuable insights during the design phase. To support that, the company’s commitment also NATE IS THE INDUSTRY’S LEADING VOICE! From safety standards and resources to advocacy and events like NATE UNITE, NATE supports the people who keep the world connected. natehome.com 7 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 KENWOOD TELECOM
extends to precise delivery. In an industry where project delays incur substantial costs, especially when cranes or helicopters are booked to install multi-hundred-pound or even thousand-pound components on towers, timely delivery is paramount. Kenwood Telecom’s special sensitivity to these timeframes is a cornerstone of its client loyalty. Outside of clients, the company’s long-standing relationships with major carriers and companies demonstrate the influence of its presence. “We’ve been very fortunate and have worked very hard throughout the years to establish our relationships. We have an excellent relationship with T-Mobile and AT&T, and all of these span at least a decade; most span further than that. We also partner with some of the OEMs, like Ericsson, and tower owners like Crown Castle and American Tower.” 8 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
“For distributors, we have had business associations with the two main companies in the industry, Talley and Tessco. We’ve done business together several times over the last couple of decades. And I would say that the carriers, tower owners, and OEMs have all been instrumental in allowing us to grow,” Novis says. These associations are built on a foundation of mutual respect, acknowledging Kenwood Telecom’s pioneering role in the industry since its inception. Looking to the future, Kenwood Telecom is focusing on a dual strategy of internal short-term improvements and controlled long-term growth. Immediate goals include enhancing their recently revamped website and improving their overall digital presence to adapt to the increasingly digitized sales cycle, which has undergone significant shifts from traditional in-person interactions. The long-term vision is one of modest, controlled growth, prioritizing the stability and livelihoods of 9 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07 KENWOOD TELECOM
PREFERRED VENDOR/PARTNER n Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) www.tiaonline.org n NATE www.natehome.com n WANHO Manufacturing and Logistics www.wanho.com WANHO Manufacturing & Logistics, a FIMO Group Company, appreciates and values our long-standing Kenwood partnership. Since the last edition of our Catalog and Website we are excited about some of the new additions within our product line that we continue to partner up on with Kenwood Telecom. Please rest assured, we will continue to develop products that keep our OEM’s and Distribution partners ahead of the competition in the marketplace. their employees and avoiding unnecessary risks. This ensures sustainable expansion without overextending resources, preserving the strong foundation that has defined Kenwood Telecom for decades. As industry trailblazers, this balanced approach positions Kenwood Telecom strongly, as its steadfast principles will continue to shape the future of digital infrastructure for decades to come. 10 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07
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