Garmin Logo — Garmin is a U.S. company specializing in GPS navigation systems. Garmin is the company founded in October 1989 by two American engineers, Min H. Kao and Gary Burrell, who developed satellite positioning systems for aviation and the military. Originally called ProNav, the company is renamed in 1991 “Garmin”, a combination of the surnames of two associates (Gary and Min) after threats of lawsuits the company NavPro.
The first product of society, a GPS receiver for the marine market launched in 1990, has over 5000 orders despite its price of 2500 dollars. The two engineers then imagine a handheld GPS receiver: it will be used by the U.S. military during the Gulf War in 1991. But it is the GPS navigators for hikers who will contribute, from the 2000s, to ensure the reputation of Garmin. Foretrex his model, the first of its kind to be worn on the wrist, be a great success in the areas of cycling and boating. It will be followed by the eTrex series, which has long remained unrivaled.
With the democratization of GPS, Garmin is market-oriented navigation systems for cars with its range StreetPilot, and more recently with its Nuvi range. She also released a model for bikers, zūmo. Garmin also has a division that specializes in equipment for aviation in other producing an avionics with LCD screens for business jets and markets a range of sonars for the Navy.
In 2003, Gary Burrell has stepped down as CEO, leaving the reins of the company to his partner Min Kao. In 2006, Garmin bought the company EME Tec Sat, which distributes its products in France, and has become Garmin France.