MITEQ Inc
An acronym for “Microwave Information Transmission EQuipment,” MITEQ Inc. is a recognized world leader in the development of radio frequency (RF) and microwave products and subsystems for military and commercial applications. According to President and CEO Howard Hausman, the Hauppauge, N.Y.-based company has remained on the cutting-edge of microwave engineering since it was founded in 1969. As the industry has evolved, so, too, has MITEQ.
“We’ve been on the cutting edge of microwave electronics since 1969, but the cutting edge keeps moving and we’ve moved along with it,” Hausman says. “It’s a very focused and critical market, and we have a wide breadth of products in that area. We also take those individual components – which stand on their own as quality products – and integrate them into larger systems and subassemblies. This takes a significant burden away from our customers and allows them to focus their resources on their final product. We are able to expand our capabilities while still maintaining the technology and quality standards.”
MITEQ’s product lines are divided between two market segments: microwave components and integrated assemblies, and satellite communications and earth station equipment. Its products are available in 99 countries and on every continent including Antarctica. They are used for purposes that include satellite and ground-based communications systems; missile guidance; land, sea and airborne radar; air traffic control; surveillance systems; radioastronomy and Internet connectivity. Given the nature of its customers’ activities, there is no room for mistakes at MITEQ. Aside from being ISO 9001:2000 certified – which is the quality standard among top manufacturers – MITEQ has AS9100 certification, which is set by the aerospace industry.
The Next Generation
MITEQ’s business is evenly split between military and commercial customers, such as the major cable networks. This creates a cushion during economic instability. “Diversification is one of our greatest strengths,” Hausman says.
MITEQ also performs significant R&D for universities, corporations and federal entities. “Satellite communications continues to grow because people want more connectivity,” Hausman says. “We did research projects for the new K band with NASA years ago, which is rolling out for commercial viability now. At the same time, we’re working on the next frequency band – the Q band – for when the K band runs out of band width, and someday it will. We have to continually prepare ourselves for the next generation.
“In this business, a generation is about seven years in that what you develop today will be largely insignificant seven years from now,” he continues. “It’s challenging, but that’s also what makes it exciting. The world is evolving; you have to keep evolving with it. We don’t want to make the best buggy whip.”
MITEQ boasts a staff of highly skilled engineers who work alongside its customers’ engineering teams to create next-generation products. “Our objective is to make sure that our customers are successful because if they’re successful, we’ll be successful,” Hausman states.
The Industry Expert
Before joining MITEQ as an engineer in the early 1970s, Hausman worked for Airborne Instruments Laboratory. He then worked at MITEQ for a few years until he decided to run his own company for the next 15. He returned to MITEQ in 1996 as chief engineer and later vice president of engineering. He was appointed president three-and-a-half years ago.
He says his management philosophy is to hire good people, define their goals and let them do their jobs. “To provide engineering excellence, you have to allow people to think freely,” Hausman advises. “You have to guide people in a manner that allows them to take ownership of their work. You feel a sense of accomplishment when you work on something that makes the customer more successful. Communication among fellow engineers is important so you don’t keep reinventing things.”
Hausman has served as an adjunct professor at his alma mater, Polytechnic Institute of New York University, and Hofstra University where he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in electronic engineering. He continues to lecture to universities and engineering organizations, and author papers on new developments in microwave systems.