Garmin GPS and Wearables

Garmin was founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao in Lenexa, Kansas, originally under the name ProNav. The brand quickly established itself as a leader in Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, expanding from marine products to aviation, automotive, and fitness markets. While its engineering and operational roots are deeply American, the company underwent a corporate restructuring in 2010, redomiciling as a Swiss legal entity for tax and international operational efficiency.

Garmin follows a vertically integrated business model, meaning it manages most of its design, manufacturing, and distribution in-house. A significant majority of its consumer products, especially smartwatches and handheld GPS units, are manufactured in its facilities in Taiwan. Aviation and certain specialized marine products are manufactured at its headquarters and production site in Olathe, Kansas. As of 2026, the company continues to be a publicly traded entity listed on the New York Stock Exchange, with ownership distributed among major institutional investors and the general public, while one of its founders remains a key individual shareholder.