GPS is a very common term used while discussing technology, isn’t it? Well, it will also be wrong to mention only technology because you literally ogle at your phone and keep tracking your food through GPS until the delivery boy reaches your doorsteps. This is not the only usage of GPS navigation, but it has been widely used in the major fields, such as marine engineering, automotive industry, aircraft industry, and in many other domains too.
The two legendary personas who have created an entire empire of finest GPS navigating devices are none other than Gary Burrell and Min H. Kao.
Gary Burrell and Min Kao founded Garmin in 1989 in Schaffhausen, Switzerland. Currently, it has its headquarters is located in the United States.
Gary Burrell
Born in 1937, Gary Burrell is a successful American businessman. He did his engineering (Electrical) from Wichita State University, and initially, worked for companies like Lowrance Electronics and King Radio Corporation. Along with Min Kao as a co-founder, he founded Garmin in 1989. Apart from being a businessman, Burrell is also a philanthropist who donated to the Indian Creek Community Church in Olathe. Burrell is married and has three children.
Min H. Kao
Min H. Kao was born in Taiwan, in 1949. He is an electrical engineer by education, a businessman by profession, and a philanthropist by passion. He completed his education from National Taiwan University and the University of Tennessee. He received a doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee. Before becoming the co-founder of Garmin, he worked with organisations, like NASA and the United States Army. He is known for making significant donations in colleges for new facilities and labs. Kao is married to Fan Kao. The two have a son and a daughter.
The story behind the success of Garmin’s technology
When the minds of these two brilliant engineers met, they built their territory from dust, which in this journey of 30 years has marked its excellence. Now, Garmin produces wide-ranging GPS navigation products which started only from a simple idea of making GPS more popular among people.
The first time when this idea clicked in their minds, they were working on a highly classified project for the US Defense. They wanted to take initiatives to grow their idea and implement it in the real world, but it seemed like their co-employees weren’t on the same page. They also didn’t get enough funding from R&D, and hence, they decided to start their own company. They wanted the extensive use of GPS in every field and started working on designs that would be helpful for industries like automobile, marine and aviation. They also thought of implementing GPS technology in fitness and received a huge positive response from customers.
From 1989-2000
In1993, Garmin launched the world’s first portable GPS navigation device for aviation, named as GPS 95. In 1998, the company introduced the world’s first GPS incorporated cell phone, and in 2000, the US government made GPS data accessible to the common public, which helped in increasing accuracy of GPS navigation. Garmin’s GPS technology has also been used in wars.
From 2001-2010
In 2001, Garmin released the world’s first portable GPS device which responded to audio and was known as StreetPilot III. In 2003, the company introduced the world’s first wrist GPS trainer. Just put in on your wrist like a watch, and it is all ready to track your distance and speed. The gadget was named Forerunner 201, which also provided an eye-catchy item for professional runners and fitness freaks. In August 2003, Garmin expanded its business and made a deal with UPS Aviation Technologies for its GPS units and cockpit systems. Hence, the company started making products for both private and commercial aircraft.
In 2004, Burrell retired from his position. In 2006, Garmin opened its first retail store in Chicago. In 2007, Clifton A. Pemble was appointed in the place of the president and chief operating officer.
From 2011-present day
In 2011, Kao was elected to National Academy of Engineering, and in the next year, the company received the 2012 Innovation Award for consumer products from The Economist magazine. In 2013, Garmin became the supplier of Mercedes-Benz for the in-dash navigation system, and in 2014, the company released an open platform for third-party apps.
In 2015, it launched another awe-inspiring gadget for the sports lovers, the Forerunner 225. It was Garmin’s first wristwatch that tracked heart rate while running. In 2016, Garmin unveiled Vivomove, a smartwatch with classic analogue designs, which opened a new path for its high popularity.
In 2017, the company was named manufacturer of the year by National Marine Electronics Association and won 8 Product of Excellent awards. In 2018, the company introduced its first professional dive watch.
The success, the mission and the future
From mere conversations over an idea to make it come true, Garmin celebrates 30 years of success. Today, the company has more than 9000 workers in 60 worldwide locations. The key to its success is that the company creates a product from scratch, starting from its designing, manufacturing to its marketing, which gives them the entire control over the product and freedom to experiment.
Garmin’s mission is to make more such superiors products of better quality and designs. The company believe in enhancing customer experiences and work in an environment built with honesty and integrity.
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more