About Garmin. Garmin: navigators as a quick path to success
5 years ago
Garmin is known as one of the world's leading manufacturers of GPS navigation systems. And not only for professionals. Garmin navigators have found application in military equipment, navigation, aviation, ground transportation and even tourism.
Typically, models are produced that have large screens and many features. However, there are also tiny models that are hidden in a case that is worn on the hand. That is, they resemble ordinary wristwatches.
Garmin's headquarters are located in Olathe, Kansas, USA. Part of Garmin Ltd. includes several representative offices located in different parts of the world: Garmin International, Inc.; Garmin Asia Corporation; Garmin Europe Ltd.; Garmin AT.
Garmin was born in 1989. Its founders were a certain Gary Burrell and Min Kao. It is not difficult to guess that the names of the founders served as the foundation for the name (Gary + Min).
At the very initial stage, the company was developing navigation instruments for aviation. Moreover, they were even used during the Gulf War. One of the most famous models produced by Garmin was the GPS 12, which appeared in 1997.
The device was very simple. It didn't have a very clear interface monochrome screen. However, the device was extremely reliable in operation. In addition, it had a waterproof case. This explains its exceptional popularity. For this reason, the device has long been a kind of standard for what a personal GPS navigator should be.
Current Garmin products are quite complex. Usually this is a large and color screen. And also - many functions. The company is a clear leader in the professional market. It has competitors, but not so many of them. Serious competition is created, for example, by the Dutch TomTom. Mio Technology, Navman and Magellan also compete with the company.
Competition in the market personal systems GPS navigation continues to get worse. Including due to the entry of Finnish Nokia into the market, which made Ovi Maps free at the beginning of 2010. But they are used by a large army of the company’s smartphones.
In January 2008, the company entered the smartphone market. She introduced Garmin Nuvifone - smartphones that are equipped with large touch screens. They are focused primarily on personal GPS navigation.
They are assembled by the Taiwanese manufacturer ASUS. That's why the full name appears: Garmin-Asus Nuvifone. These devices are not so popular, but they are in considerable demand. The name "Nuvifone" is derived from "Nuvi". This is the name of the company's most famous car navigators.
Garmin products are based on progressive modern technology satellite positioning GPS (Global Positioning System). GPS receivers work thanks to thirty satellites in orbit, with the help of which it becomes possible navigation. The navigator receives information from the satellite non-stop, which allows the GPS receiver/navigator to always report only the latest data to the owner and use navigation to the fullest.
Until recently, navigation systems were available only to a narrow circle of military personnel and it was difficult to use GPS receivers in Everyday life, no one could have dreamed. And today this technology helps people make their lives more comfortable. Many have already acquired GPS receivers, while others are just about to become owners of a navigator. Navigation today has become not just another whim, but a necessity. Without GPS navigation It’s hard to imagine working as taxi drivers, hiking, or even just traveling to an unfamiliar country. Navigation systems have become firmly established in our daily lives and it is difficult to imagine how one could exist without this technology. modern world. All the advantages of navigation systems were directed by specialists towards improving people’s lives and creating maximum comfort, eliminating inconvenience and solving a number of difficulties.
Garmin was founded on the principles of innovation, convenience, efficiency, quality and service. The idea arose in 1989 from a group of talented engineers gathered around a card table. In just a few years the company has developed into a worldwide well-known company, which has thousands of employees. As it was when we started, Garmin's goal remains simple: creating navigation and communications equipment that can improve people's lives. The brand's innovative products span a variety of industries, including automotive, aviation, marine, travel, sports and wireless applications.
As part of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), Garmin International has become an example of growth for everyone - consumers, employees, investors and retailers. The secret of the company's success is simple. From the moment its founders focused on selling their first product using GPS system, Garmin surrounds itself with creative, dedicated employees. Garmin's prosperity can be attributed to the favorable conditions resulting from vertical integration - all products are developed, manufactured, marketed and sold in-house. Engineers, designers, test specialists, artists, text writers and sales specialists take part in product discussions. Additionally, much of Garmin's success comes from investing in innovation. From just a few employees at the start of the company in 1989, the company has grown to 1,000 people in just 10 years. In four years, the number of employees doubled, and by 2006 the company already employed 4,000 people. In 2007, Garmin's workforce exceeded 7,000 people.
When developing its products, Garmin takes the interests of end consumers into account. Getting rid of stressful situations When navigating or traveling, it starts with easy-to-use menus, logical options and intuitive features. Car devices help drivers get to their destination without extra effort, while enjoying the trip. Marine instruments complement detailed maps, providing important data. Aviation technology provides pilots throughout necessary information. Sports equipment makes every step of your workout more effective. Garmin outdoor devices are trusted companions for hikers, hunters, and geocachers. Wireless applications allow you to use the GPS capabilities of your smartphone. Whether in a rental car or in the store, those new to the world of Garmin technology will immediately appreciate the wealth of information contained in a compact and portable device.
Garmin is founded on the principles of innovation, convenience, efficiency, quality and service. The company's founders, Gary Burrell and Dr. Min Kao showcasing Garmin's innovative products in the lobby of the company's headquarters in Olas, Kansas.
The idea to create the company arose in 1989 from a group of talented engineers gathered around a card table. Over the course of several years, the company has developed into a world-famous company with thousands of employees. As we did in the beginning, Garmin's purpose remains simple: creating navigation and communications equipment that enriches the lives of our users. Our innovative products cover a variety of industries including automotive, aviation, marine, travel, sports and wireless applications.
As part of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), Garmin International has become an example of growth for everyone - consumers, employees, investors and retailers. The secret of our success is simple. Since the company's founders focused on selling their first GPS product, Garmin has surrounded itself with creative, dedicated employees.
The Power of “Vertical Integration”
Garmin's prosperity can be attributed to the favorable environment that comes from vertical integration—we design, manufacture, market and sell our products in-house. Engineers, designers, test specialists, artists, text writers and sales specialists take part in product discussions
Additionally, much of Garmin's success comes from investing in innovation. From just a few employees when the company started in 1989, it has grown to 1,000 people in just 10 years. In four years, the number of employees doubled, and by 2006 the company already employed 4,000 people. In 2007, Garmin's workforce exceeded 7,000 people; There has been a slight slowdown in the growth of the number of employees amid increased activity in Europe and Asia.
Connected with the whole world
Garmin keeps our customers' interests in mind when developing our products. Taking the stress out of navigating or traveling starts with easy-to-use menus, logical options, and intuitive features.
- Car devices help drivers get to their destination without extra effort, while enjoying the trip.
- Nautical instruments complement detailed charts by providing vital data.
- Aviation technology provides pilots with all the information they need.
- Sports equipment makes every step of your workout more effective.
- Garmin outdoor devices are trusted companions for hikers, hunters, and geocachers.
- Wireless applications allow you to use the GPS capabilities of your smartphone.
Whether in a rental car or in the store, those new to the world of Garmin technology will immediately appreciate the wealth of information contained in a compact and portable device.
The Garmin Mindset
Garmin doesn't just design and sell products—Garmin embraces your lifestyle. On the water, in the air, on tourist route And behind the wheel, Garmin employees get personal insight into aviation, marine, automotive, travel and sports gear. Garmin is always thinking about ways to improve its products. You never know when the next one is born great idea. But rest assured, it is already on its way.
The GARMIN company appeared in 1989, in the USA, Kansas. It owes its name to the company founders Gary Burrell and Min Kao (Gary + Min = GARMIN). From the first days of its existence, the company has been producing navigation equipment, carrying out all stages of its production from design to its full release. At first it was navigation equipment intended only for aviation, but gradually the range of products began to expand.
Today GARMIN is a world leader in the field GPS development navigators, which are in demand in military affairs, aviation, navigation, as well as in sports, tourism, and in everyday life. GARMIN also produces software for various electronic equipment. GARMIN constantly takes into account the demand for its products and produces GPS navigator s, in demand both for specialists, for example, aviation GPS, and for ordinary users- sports GPS, car. There are many modifications among GPS navigators: from professional ones, with large screens and many functions, capabilities, up to amateur, very small ones, reminiscent of a watch case.
According to the source (http://www.terasms.ru/articles/kak_sdelat_rassylku_sms/), to promote its products to the masses, the GARMIN company resorts to the most non-standard marketing techniques, which, as we can now see, are extremely effective!
Contrary to popular belief, GARMIN produces not only navigators, but also phones. For example, a Garmin-Asus nuvifone A50 smartphone running on Android
Taking care of its customers, the company produces products that can be controlled by consumers, and the functions embedded in its devices are in demand and are distinguished by ease of management and precise operation. Consuming a small amount of energy, GPS receivers update the received information in real time, working to determine the location.
The company, despite increased competition, is a clear leader among manufacturers of navigation devices. GARMIN produces personal navigators jointly with ASUS, so its products are sold under the Garmin-Asus Nuvifone brand. Today GARMIN is a huge company, with representative offices located in different parts of the world, and its products are in demand all over the world,
Gadget manufacturers
Garmin Corporation is a multinational corporation and manufacturer of navigation equipment. It produces the most famous professional and consumer GPS receivers. In addition, Garmin has become famous as a manufacturer of unique hybrids of navigators and mobile devices.The company was founded in 1989 by American businessmen Ming Kao and Gary Burrell in Kansas.
Ming Kao was born in 1949 in a small town in Taiwan. He also attended college there. Ming later received his doctorate from the United States. Even before founding the company, he worked as a systems analyst. After graduating from National Taiwan University with a bachelor's degree, he attended the University of Tennessee, where he received a master's and doctorate degrees in electrical engineering. At the same time, Kao was involved in Scientific research for NASA and the US Army. In the early 2000s, he became famous as an innovator and philanthropist. In the summer of 2005, he donated $17.5 million to the College of Engineering. We must give him his due: it was the largest such charitable contribution at that time. As of March 2013 personal fortune The mine was already valued at $2.1 billion.
Gary Burrell was born in 1937. He graduated from Kansas State University with a master's degree in electrical engineering and from Polytechnic Institute. Harry became famous precisely thanks to the founding of the Garmin company. In 2007, he was included in the list of 400 richest people in America according to Forbes, being in one hundred and fourteenth place this rating.
In 1983, Gary Burrell recruited Ming Kao, who was then a defense contractor for Magnavox. In 1989, they founded the future company Garmin, which at that time was called ProNav. The only furniture in the office was two folding chairs and a table. The company's first product was a GPS device that sold for $2,500. Later the company's name was changed to Garmin (from the first three letters of the founders' names - Gary and Mina).
The company's first client was the US Army. This happened in 1991. By 1995, sales of Garmin navigators brought in a profit of $23 million. Three years later, it had already grown to $64 million. In 2006, the company reported total income of $1.77 billion. Compared to 2005, it grew by almost 73%.
In May 1999, the company announced an alliance with AirCell to develop new products. By 2000, Garmin had already sold three million GPS devices and produced almost fifty types various models. The products were sold in hundreds of countries. 2,500 independent distributors also cooperated with the company. As of the end of summer 2000, Garmin had already filed thirty-five patents for their GPS technology.
NASDAQ began public trading in the winter of 2000. At the time, Burrell owned more than 19 million shares, and Kao owned more than 20 million. Moreover, their total share in the company was 45%. Kao's brother, a Taiwanese lawyer, was also a shareholder.
In subsequent years, Garmin continued to grow rapidly. In the summer of 2003, the acquisition of a subsidiary of United Parcel Service was completed, which made it possible to expand the line of GPS devices, as well as increase the range of integrated systems for private and commercial aircraft. The acquired company changed its name to Garmin AT and continued to operate as a subsidiary of the corporation.
This was followed by the acquisition of three other companies. One of them was Dynastream from Canada. The firm was a leader in personal monitoring technologies (including sports heart rate monitors and fitness products) and a leading supplier of low level costs and energy consumption. The next company, EME, was the corporation's consumer goods distributor in France. After the acquisition, it changed its name to Garmin France SAS. The third firm, DCI, was located in Minnesota. It provided mobile weather solutions for consumers, pilots and outdoor enthusiasts. Garmin also bought an Oregon company that made autopilots for yachts and boats. In the summer of 2011, it entered into a deal to acquire a German satellite navigation company.
A few years earlier, Garmin introduced a new corporate logo and opened its first retail store in Illinois.
In 2015, the company also bought a South African firm.
In addition to devices with integrated software, Garmin produces a number of software packages for use on personal computer. Until 2006, these packages only worked in the operating room Windows system. It was later released software for Mac OS.
The company's very first product was a panel GPS receiver (as already mentioned, it sold for $2500). It was presented in 1990 at the International Marine Technology Exhibition in Chicago. The product became a real hit, which brought the company an order for another 5,000 units. In the winter of 1991, Kao traveled to Taipei to establish production facilities.
Another product of the company was a portable GPS receiver. It was popular with military personnel who served in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War in 1991. In the first decade of the 2000s, Garmin released a line of personal GPS devices called the Forerunner for track and field athletes. They were worn on the wrists, had a two-dimensional GPS tracking system and projected waypoints. The devices soon became popular with mountain biking, hiking and sailboat racing enthusiasts.
In 2000, the eTrex series was introduced, which included a series of compact portable GPS receivers. The original model of the navigator was waterproof, palm-sized and had a battery capacity of two AA batteries. She became optimal solution for tourists and travelers. Other, more advanced eTrex models were later released, each with different additional functions(e.g. altimeter, digital compass, city database or road maps). In 2011, this line was updated, adding a navigator with a mechanical design and support for the latest advances in cartography and hardware technology. Garmin soon became the first manufacturer of navigation products to support both GPS and GLONASS.
The Geko series has become a line of compact portable GPS receivers aimed at the budget segment.
In 2004, Garmin introduced the 60C line of devices with increased sensitivity and autonomous operation up to 30 hours (on battery). Subsequently, improved versions of the line appeared with brighter color scheme displays. This was preceded by the release of a line of integrated PDA-GPS receivers. One of the devices in this series was the first PDA that does not require a personal computer for preload cards.
The first car navigator was released by the company in 1998. He had black and white screen, and there was no voice support. In 2002, the manufacturer added a color display and voice navigation.
In the fall of 2005, a new series of compact car navigators Street Pilot (with both color and monochrome displays); at the same time, the maps were loaded onto Transflash. More advanced versions had larger color screens, support for MSN Direct weather and information updates, and Bluetooth. However, the company's first car GPS navigator modern form appeared only in 2005. It was rectangular and thin, and could easily fit into a pocket. In the fall of next year, Garmin began shipping an improved series of such navigators (nüvi 660). These were pocket-sized, widescreen successors that now had Bluetooth and an FM transmitter, and saw noticeable improvements in screen brightness and size. Soon a special series for motorcycles was developed - Zumo.
The company also produced sonar echo sounders, including those with GPS capabilities.
In the spring of 2008, GPS navigation software was launched for laptops and computers based on Windows OS. It was called Garmin Mobile PC. This software has now been discontinued.
The company offers mobile applications for Android, Windows Phone and iPhone. At the beginning of 2009, she announced that she was going to produce Cell Phones in collaboration with Asus. The nüvifone G60 was released in the United States in October. Four other models in this line came out later. Two of them worked under Windows control Mobile (they were designed for the Asian and European markets), and two for Android based(one for the European-Asian market, and one for the USA).
It should be added that the company produces “personal trainers” - models like the Forerunner (a set of GPS devices for use while running or cycling). It also produces aviation products (multi-function displays, transponders, radars, etc.). There are even models used in experimental aviation. The company entered this market in 1991. In 2003, Garmin's presence there was expanded with the acquisition of several significant aviation technologies.
Most of the company's modern navigation devices are capable of displaying current location on the map. Such maps are vector and are stored in the built-in memory or on additional flash media. The built-in, or “base” map, displays all borders of countries and major cities. There are also detailed road, topographic and navigation maps. Non-commercial maps are also available on most Garmin devices.
The company is also known as a sports sponsor. In 2007, Garmin began providing financial support to the English football club Middlesbrough, signing a one-year contract. The following year they sponsored a cycling team.
Garmin quickly became a large multinational company. Like many similar businesses, it is organized into a series of holding corporations and operating subsidiaries.
Gary Burrell resigned as chief executive officer in 2003 and resigned as chairman the following year. Currently he is the honorary chairman of the company. Forbes magazine estimated his net income at $940 million in 2005. That same year, Burrell donated $17.5 million to the University of Tennessee.
The company operates in Switzerland, USA, UK, Canada, Norway, Spain, Romania, Belgium and Taiwan. As of the end of spring 2014, it had sold over 126 million GPS devices.
Among the famous models mobile phones The company can highlight devices from the nüvifone line – G60, M10, M20 and A10. Their main feature is a combination of mobile telephony and personal navigation system. They were created by Garmin together with Asus. The devices are equipped with a touch screen with buttons and virtual keyboard. The first prototype of such a product was presented in the winter of 2008. It appeared on the market already in 2009, and it was the G60 model - a full-fledged hybrid of a navigator and a 3G phone that could be fixed in a convenient position. It had a built-in camera with geotagging function. AT&T is the exclusive carrier of the device.
The later model M20 turned out to have touch screen, Wi-Fi support, tri-band GSM/EGPRS + HSPA, accelerometer, 3 megapixel camera, 256 megabytes of RAM and 256 megabytes of internal memory, as well as 4 gigabytes (8 gigabytes in some countries) of storage. The processor was designed for 528 megahertz. The device was running OS Windows Mobile.
In 2010, the company announced its intention to discontinue the nüvifone series of devices. For example, the production of the M10E model jointly produced by Garmin-Asus was stopped - touch monoblock based on Windows Mobile and A10 device under Android control(both appeared in the summer of 2010). NavTalk line devices were also discontinued. Many others suffered the same fate. mobile devices companies.