A New Zealand company specialising in noise cancellation technology says it is determined to retain its Auckland base despite expanding overseas.
Phitek uses a patented technology to reduce ambient noise and has secured a string of deals with airlines - including Air New Zealand, Qantas and Singapore Airlines - to install its noise-cancelling headphones.
Chief executive Mark Donaldson says the company has expanded into Hong Kong, is already in southern China and has opened an office in Lausanne in Switzerland in order to be closer to target customers such as Nokia and Sony Ericsson. However it retains its corporate office and a business unit in Auckland.
He says the rapidly converging technologies in mobile phones, iPods and MP3 players are also creating big opportunities for the company.
Mr Donaldson says the firm recently launched the world's first fully-integrated noise cancellation chip focussed on the mobile phone market and used in earphones and headphones.
