Garmin smartwatches and GPS devices

Garmin was founded in 1989 by Gary Burrell and Min Kao in Lenexa, Kansas, USA. The brand name is a portmanteau of the founders' first names. Initially focused on aviation and marine GPS units, Garmin has expanded into a global leader across automotive, outdoor, and fitness markets, becoming particularly well-known for its premium smartwatches.

The company follows a vertically integrated business model, meaning it handles most of its design and manufacturing in-house rather than outsourcing to third parties. While its operational headquarters remain in Olathe, Kansas, the majority of its consumer electronics (over 95%) are manufactured in its own facilities in Taiwan. Specialized aviation and marine products are often manufactured at its facilities in Olathe, Kansas, and Salem, Oregon.

Garmin Ltd. is a publicly traded company (NYSE: GRMN). While it was originally an American company, it underwent a corporate restructuring in 2010 and is now legally incorporated in Schaffhausen, Switzerland for tax and legal purposes, though it remains American-managed and headquartered in the U.S. for operations.