The following discussion and analysis of the results Amphenol of operations for the three fiscal years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006 has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this document.
Executive Overview
The Company is a global designer, manufacturer and marketer Amphenolof interconnect and cable products. In 2008, approximately 64% of the Company's sales were outside the U.S. The primary end markets for our products are:
* communication systems for the converging Amphenoltechnologies of voice, video and data communications;
* a broad range of industrial applications including factory automation and motion control systems, medical and industrial instrumentation, mass transportation, alternative energy, natural resource exploration, and traditional and hybrid-electrical automotive applications; and
* commercial aerospace and military applications.
The Company's products are used in a wide variety Amphenolof applications by numerous customers, the largest of which accounted for approximately 7% of net sales in 2008. The Company encounters competition in all of its markets and competes primarily on the basis of technology innovation, product quality, price, customer service and delivery time. There has been a trend on the part of OEM customers to consolidate their lists of qualified suppliers to companies that have a global presence, can meet quality and delivery standards, have a broad product portfolio and design capability and have competitive prices. The Company has focused its global resources to position itself to compete effectively in this environment. The Company believes that its global presence is an important competitive advantage as it allows the Company to provide quality products on a timely and worldwide basis to its multinational customers.
Amphenol Corporation (Amphenol) is engaged in the Amphenolmanufacturing and marketing of interconnect products and assemblies. The company’s products are related to the different markets such as communications and information, cellular telephone and data communication, aerospace and military electronics,Amphenol cable television, automotive, rail and other transportation and industrial applications. Amphenol concentrates on the designing, manufacturing and marketing of fiber optic connectors, interconnect systems, and cable products. The company has its manufacturing facilities in the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia.