Garmin hopes to make stopping to ask for directions a thing of the past. The company manufactures navigation products that use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to wirelessly deliver geographic location data through satellite communications. Its portable products incorporate electronic maps and navigational charts. Garmin also makes communications devices that combine cellular and GPS technology. Manufacturers such as
Operations
Garmin's automotive products bring in the most sales for the company, some 37% of revenue. If they're not driving, perhaps Garmin's customers are walking or running because its gear for fitness devices accounts for 24% of revenue. Products for the outdoors, aviation, marine markets bring in 15%, 14%, and 10% of revenue.
Geographic Reach
Sales in the Americas account for a bit more than half of Garmin's revenue with Europe generating 36% and the Asia/Pacific region, 12%. A/P sales rose 22% in 2015 while sales in the other regions declined 4% each.
Financial Performance
Garmin's revenue ticked 2% lower to $2.82 billion in 2015 from $2.87 billion in 2014. The company blamed slower automotive sales.
Profit jumped 25% to $456 million in 2015 from $364 million in 2014 as the company realized a tax benefit.
Cash from operations slowed to $280 million in 2015 from $522 million the year before.
Strategy
Garmin's roadmap for growth has its research and development operation as its north star. The company has more than 3,400 people -- about a quarter of overall employment -- working on new products. The company spent 8% more on R&D in 2015 from 2014.
While in-house R&D is important, Garmin also tracks down and acquires technologies that help it expand it product portfolio and market penetration.
Mergers and Acquisitions
In 2019 Garmin acquired Tacx Onroerend en Roerend Goed, a privately-held Dutch company that designs and manufactures indoor bike trainers, tools and accessories, as well as indoor training software and applications. The deal adds indoor-training capabilities to Garmin's portfolio of outdoor-oriented products. Garmin intends to expand Tacx's research and development and production capacity.
In 2016 Garmin made a series of deals that followed its acquisition strategy to a T.
In March Garmin acquired DeLorme, a privately-held company that designs and markets consumer based satellite tracking devices with two-way communication and navigational capabilities. Garmin folded DeLorme products into its lineup.
In January Garmin bought PulsedLight Inc., a privately-held designer of optical distance measurement technology. The acquisition allows Garmin to fit optical distance measurement technology with Garmin's core capabilities of location and positioning
With the September deal for Iiyonet Inc., Garmin took ownership of a key distributor of its consumer products in Japan. The acquisition strengthens Garmin's sales and distribution the Japanese market.
1200 E 151ST ST
Olathe, KS 66062-3426
Phone: 1 (913) 397-8200
Employer Type: Privately Owned
Interim President Counsel: Becky Caldwell
Chairman Chief Executive Officer: Min Kao
Executive Vice President, Managing Director Aviation: Phil Straub
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