Garmin Forerunner 235 smartwatch

Garmin is a leading global technology company specializing in GPS-enabled devices. The Forerunner 235 is a popular running-focused smartwatch known for introducing Garmin's proprietary "Elevate" wrist-based heart rate technology. The brand was founded in 1989 in the United States, specifically in Lenexa, Kansas, by Gary Burrell and Min Kao (whose names form the portmanteau "Garmin").

Unlike many electronics companies that outsource production to third-party manufacturers in China, Garmin utilizes a highly vertically integrated manufacturing model. The vast majority of its consumer wearables, including the Forerunner series, are produced in its own facilities in Taiwan (specifically Xizhi and Jhongli). Some aviation and specialized marine equipment are manufactured in Olathe, Kansas, and Salem, Oregon. This internal control allows the brand to maintain high quality standards and supply chain agility.

Garmin Ltd. is currently a publicly-traded company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: GRMN). While its operational headquarters remain in Olathe, Kansas, the company legally redomiciled to Schaffhausen, Switzerland, in 2010 for corporate and financial reasons. Ownership is primarily held by major institutional investors such as The Vanguard Group and BlackRock, with co-founder Min Kao still maintaining a significant individual stake.