Agilent Technology Day offers glimpse into company's China strategy and...

Agilent Technology Day offers glimpse into company's China strategy and technological offerings for upcoming Olympic Games

Agilent Technology Day in Beijing, China the week of April 21 offered a glimpse into the company's China strategy and technological offerings. Attended by more than 500 local media, customers and government representatives, the event included a series of product exhibitions, technology forums and seminars reflecting the company's support for the growing local economy, environmental sustainability and upcoming Olympic Games.

Bill Sullivan, Agilent president and chief executive officer, presented an overview of Agilent in China and its efforts in the region at the opening ceremony of the event. In his address, Sullivan highlighted the strong, historic relationship the company has had in China since its co-founder, David Packard, first visited the country more than 25 years ago and established the first high-tech joint venture in the country. Since then, Sullivan explained, both Agilent and China have prospered, with Agilent becoming the world's premiere measurement company and China achieving some of the most spectacular economic gains of any country in history.

Sullivan referenced several developments that underscore the company's continued commitment to the China market, including Agilent's 1,500 employees across 14 major cities in China, its state-of-the-art China headquarters which opened in 2007 and the construction of another major facility expected to open in Chengdu in 2009.

Sullivan then turned his attention to Agilent's role in the upcoming Beijing Olympics. He highlighted how Agilent will help China deliver a successful 2008 Olympics through environmental, food safety, dope testing and technology support.

• In the environment space, Agilent's mobile laboratory for environmental monitoring of water and air quality will be used for the Olympic Games, as well as humanitarian efforts.
• In the food safety area, Agilent has collaborated with the Chinese government to establish standard methods of food analysis to ensure food safety during the Games.
• As the worldwide leader in sports dope testing solutions, Agilent has been involved in the drug testing efforts of the Olympics since 1972, and for the 2008 Olympics, the China Anti-Doping Agency has equipped their lab with state-of the art Agilent LC/MS and GC/MS units for drug testing activities.
• In the technology space, Agilent solutions are being used in deployment of WiMAX(tm) and WiFi to aide in communications efforts at the Beijing Olympics.

Among the historical and local technology exhibitions at the Agilent Technology Day event were demonstrations of the company's Mobile Water Test vehicle and anti-doping instrumentation, which is used in a variety of sporting events, including the Olympic Games. In addition, participants were able to tour the company's Center of Excellence where additional anti-doping instrumentation, expected to be used in the Beijing Olympics, were displayed.