Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries (Garmin) design, develop, manufacture, market, and distribute a diverse family of GPS-enabled products and other navigation, communications, sensor-based and information products for these markets, as well as products installed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and for aftermarket applications.
The company serves five primary markets: fitness, outdoor, aviation, marine, and auto OEM. As of December 28, 2024, the company has delivered over 300 million pr...
Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries (Garmin) design, develop, manufacture, market, and distribute a diverse family of GPS-enabled products and other navigation, communications, sensor-based and information products for these markets, as well as products installed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and for aftermarket applications.
The company serves five primary markets: fitness, outdoor, aviation, marine, and auto OEM. As of December 28, 2024, the company has delivered over 300 million products, which included more than 18 million products delivered during fiscal 2024.
Products
The company offers a broad range of solutions across its reportable segments, as outlined below.
Many of the company’s products utilize GPS and other global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) receivers to support product features, such as navigation, global positioning, and tracking. GPS is the United States-owned satellite network constellation that supports global positioning, timing, and navigation, providing precise geographic location and related data to both commercial and government GPS receivers. Access to and use of the GPS systems commercial signal bands is provided free of charge.
In addition to GPS, Garmin products utilize other GNSS, including the Russian Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS), the European Union Galileo system (Galileo), and the Chinese BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS). Garmin products also use satellite-based augmentation systems (SBAS), including the U.S. Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS), the Japanese MTSAT-based Satellite Augmentation System (MSAS), and the European Geostationary Navigation Overlay Service (EGNOS) for aviation Safety of Life (SoL) services. The company also uses localized satellite-based systems, including the Quasi-Zenith Satellite System (QZSS) and the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), with an operational name of NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation).
On a subscription basis, certain Garmin products offer access to private satellite networks, such as the Iridium satellite network, a synchronized constellation of 66 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites offering global data communication coverage. Iridium’s satellite constellation offers global coverage to enable reliable satellite-based communication.
Fitness
Garmin offers a broad range of products designed for use in health, wellness, and fitness activities. The company offers the following product categories within the Fitness segment to consumers around the world:
Running and Multi-sport Watches: Garmin running and multi-sport watches are offered under the Forerunner product series. The Forerunner series offers GPS-enabled watches with features unique to each model. Depending on the model, features include wrist-based heart rate monitoring, wrist-based pulse oximeter, AMOLED displays, music storage capabilities, mapping capabilities, LTE Connectivity, solar charging, and Garmin Pay contactless payment.
Cycling Products: Garmin cycling products include cycling computers (with solar charging on select models), power meters, bike radars, cameras, smart lights, and speed and cadence sensors. Additionally, the company offers Tacx indoor training equipment, including smart and basic trainers, and a smart bike.
Smartwatch Devices: Garmin offers a wide range of smartwatch devices. The company’s product offerings include GPS-enabled smartwatches, fashion-forward hybrid smartwatches with analog-style displays, and activity tracking fitness bands. The smartwatch devices offered by Garmin are the Venu series, vívoactive series, vívomove series, Lily series, vívosmart series, and Bounce series. Each series of smartwatch devices offered has unique features, all to enhance and promote healthy and active lifestyles. Features of the smartwatch devices, depending on the series and model, include wrist-based heart rate monitoring, AMOLED displays, ECG app, Garmin Pay, music storage capabilities, and 24/7 health monitoring.
Scales and Monitors: The company offers a range of fitness accessories, including chest strap heart rate monitors, smart scales, and blood pressure monitors.
Garmin Connect and Garmin Connect Mobile: Garmin Connect and Garmin Connect Mobile are web and mobile platforms where users can track and analyze their fitness, activities, and workouts, and wellness data. In addition, users can share their accomplishments, create training groups and group challenges, and get feedback and encouragement from the Connect community.
Connect IQ: The Connect IQ application development platform enables third parties to create a variety of applications that run on a wide assortment of Garmin devices. Connect IQ provides developers with an easy-to-use software development kit (SDK) to facilitate development efforts in creating watch faces, applications, widgets, and data fields. These third-party applications are available for download by Garmin users via their mobile phone or computer and run on their compatible Garmin wearable, bike computer, golf, or outdoor handheld devices.
Outdoor
Garmin offers a broad range of products designed for use in outdoor activities. The company offers the following product categories within the Outdoor segment to consumers around the world:
Adventure Watches: The company adventure watches offer a wide range of features, including wrist-based biometrics, sports apps, solar charging, music storage capabilities, preloaded full-color purpose-built adventure mapping of topography, ski resorts, and golf courses, built-in LED flashlights, speakers, microphones, and Garmin Pay, depending on the model. The fenix series is for active lifestyle users seeking a premium smartwatch experience. The Instinct series offers features for users seeking a rugged and reliable outdoor GPS smartwatch. The tactix series is for users looking for tactical-inspired features, such as night vision compatibility and stealth mode. The Enduro series is for users who want additional battery and solar charging enhancements to extend battery life. The MARQ series collection of watches is for users seeking a luxury smart tool watch with premium materials.
inReach and Garmin Response: The company offers several product lines that feature Garmin’s inReach capabilities. These devices include Iridium’s global satellite communication technology which, when combined with an active service plan, offers two-way text messaging, photo and voice messaging, weather forecasts, and S.O.S. capabilities while anywhere in the world, depending on the model. These S.O.S. capabilities are supported 24/7 by Garmin’s professionally trained associates at Garmin Response, the company’s global emergency response coordination center.
Outdoor Handhelds and Satellite Communicators: Garmin offers devices under the Montana, eTrex, GPSMAP, and inReach product lines. Devices range from basic waypoints navigators to advanced color touchscreen devices offering barometric altimeter, 3-axis compass, camera, preloaded maps, wi-fi and smartphone connectivity, two-way satellite communication using InReach technology, solar charging, and other features.
Golf Devices: Garmin golf devices are offered under the Approach product line. The Approach series includes watches, laser range finders, launch monitors, simulators, club sensors, and handhelds. The company maintains a comprehensive collection of over 43,000 golf course maps to provide useful information during real or simulated rounds. Wearable and handheld golf devices provide yardage distances to the front, back, and middle of the green. In addition to course maps, the Approach R50 portable launch monitor and simulator provides swing metrics utilizing three different cameras, which can track more than 15 ball and club metrics, including measured spin rate and spin axis, providing precision analytics for every club, as well as the ability to play a simulated round on the built-in 10-inch touchscreen. The Garmin Golf mobile app also offers scoring, shot tracking, and performance tracking features, in addition to the Home Tee Hero virtual round simulator for subscribers.
Consumer Automotive: Garmin is a leading manufacturer of personal navigation devices (PNDs), integrated and standalone dash cams, and auto accessories that include specialized features dedicated to a wide variety of vehicle and driver needs. Both the Drive series of full-featured traditional PNDs and the Garmin Dash Cam series of GPS-enabled dash cams serve a wide range of consumers. The dezl ecosystem offers a broad range of products for professional truck drivers, including headsets, electronic logging devices, and PNDs with over-the-road trucking features. The zumo series of PNDs is for users seeking motorcycle-specific features. The RV series of PNDs offers features specific to the RV enthusiast. Tread is a line of rugged, all-terrain navigators with mapping specific for off-road guidance for overlanding, off-roading, and Baja racing, as well as live team tracking through integrated inReach technology in certain models. The Garmin Catalyst is an industry-first racing coach and driving performance optimizer.
Sportsman and Dog Devices: Garmin offers sportsman devices under the Xero product line, including the Xero C1 Pro Chronograph, which can measure projectile speeds from 100 to 5,000 feet per second. The company also offers a variety of dog tracking and training devices, including those under the Alpha, PRO, BarkLimiter, and Delta product lines.
Dive Devices: Garmin offers the Descent dive computer watch series for users wanting diving functionality, including integrated air pressure monitoring, support for up to six gasses, and multiple dive modes. The Descent X50i large-format wearable dive computer provides additional functionality through a vibrant 3-inch touchscreen display. Garmin Descent transceivers allow users to monitor up to eight tanks when underwater, viewing air pressure, depth, use rate, and time remaining for multiple types of diving when paired with a compatible air-integrated Descent dive computer.
Aviation
Garmin designs, manufactures, and markets a wide range of innovative aircraft avionics solutions to the broad and diverse aviation sector. Avionics are sold directly into aircraft OEM applications, as well as through Garmin’s worldwide dealer network for retrofit installations on existing aircraft.
The company has developed products and technologies serving general aviation, business aviation, rotorcraft, and experimental/light sport markets. The company’s solutions are available for all aircraft categories and classes, from small piston and electric-powered general aviation aircraft to large business jet aircraft, as well as a wide-ranging variety of helicopters, including those serving critical public service and oil/gas missions.
Garmin offers the following products, systems, and services to the global aviation market:
Integrated Flight Decks: Known for defining the integrated flight deck (IFD) space in general aviation and light business aviation applications, Garmin recently introduced its third-generation IFD offering to OEMs and retrofit IFD applications. These solutions can be scaled for any size aircraft and rotorcraft, featuring communication and navigation, weather information, terrain and traffic awareness and avoidance, aircraft performance, and automated safety solutions.
Electronic Flight Displays and Instrumentation: Garmin flight display and instrument solutions can serve as primary or back-up systems, which also provide a wealth of valuable information in the cockpit, dramatically increasing situational awareness and capability.
Navigation and Communication Products: Garmin offers a wide range of integrated and stand-alone GPS navigation and very high frequency (VHF) radio communication products, with a variety of capabilities, available for all market segments.
Automatic Flight Control Systems and Safety-Enhancing Technologies: Garmin offers scalable flight control systems with unique integrated safety features for aircraft and rotorcraft. The company’s autopilots, and Autonomí safety-enhancing solutions cover a wide spectrum of aircraft, from super mid-size cabin business jets and helicopters to light general aviation aircraft. The company also offers a Smart Rudder Bias system that can help the pilot maintain control of a twin-engine aircraft in the event of an engine failure.
Audio Control Systems: Garmin produces a broad array of audio systems, including panel-mount and remote-mounted units, incorporating features, such as Bluetooth connectivity, voice command technology, and integrated intercoms.
Engine Indication Systems: Garmin offers a variety of stand-alone and integrated advanced engine indication systems for piston and turbine-powered aircraft with comprehensive data-logging capabilities, as well as wireless data offloading, cloud storage, and analysis capability through the flyGarmin.com online services portal.
Traffic Awareness and Avoidance Solutions: Garmin offers an array of traffic advisory and collision avoidance systems, including TAS and TCAS / ACAS solutions, with applications in all types of aircraft.
ADS-B and Transponders: Garmin offers a full lineup of ADS-B and transponder solutions, including ADS-B ‘Out’ compliant solutions, as well as ADS-B ‘In’ and Bluetooth capable units that allow pilots to connect to their mobile device to display ADS-B traffic and weather. The company’s ADS-B solutions also enable safety technologies like Runway Occupancy Awareness and CDTI-Assisted Visual Separation.
Weather Information and Avoidance Solutions: Garmin offers multiple weather solutions, including onboard Doppler digital radar products, along with satellite-based SiriusXM, ground-based ADS-B, as well as Garmin Connext global satellite weather options.
Datalink and Connectivity: Garmin datalink and connectivity solutions allow pilots to download global weather data, communication via text/voice, as well as select mobile apps to transfer flight plans, manage database subscriptions, perform automatic database updates, monitor aircraft systems in real-time 24/7, and stream weather and traffic data from installed avionics solutions.
Portable GPS Navigators and Wearables: Garmin offers portable GPS navigators, smartwatches for pilots, satellite communicators, and portable traffic and weather solutions, providing pilots tools they can take with them from aircraft to aircraft.
Services: Garmin offers a variety of service products to the aviation market. Web and mobile app-based products offered via FltPlan.com and the Garmin Pilot electronic flight bag application help pilots plan, file, fly, and log flights and offer a wealth of information across all phases of flight. Business and commercial aviation customers also benefit from the company’s FltPlan safety management system, and its AeroData solutions consisting of runway analysis and performance data, weight and balance, obstacle clearance, load planning, and navigation database products. Garmin continues to provide industry-leading product support and offers a wide selection of databases, training products, extended warranties, and subscription services for all aviation segments.
Marine
Garmin is a leading manufacturer of recreational marine electronics and offers a broad range of products. The company offers the following product categories within the Marine segment to consumers around the world:
Chartplotters and Multi-Function Displays (MFDs): Garmin offers numerous chartplotters/MFDs under the GPSMAP and ECHOMAP product lines. The offerings range from 4-inch portable and fixed-mounted products to 27-inch fully integrated Glass Helm offerings with 4k resolution displays and include wireless connectivity to the ActiveCaptain mobile app.
Cartography: Garmin is a leading supplier of cartography for the recreational marine market. Garmin Navionics Vision+ and Navionics Platinum+ charts are compatible with most major chartplotters and MFDs on the market. Major features include the patented Auto Guidance+ routing technology, satellite imagery, and 3D views.
Fishfinders: Garmin offers an advanced line of fishfinders, the Striker series, which incorporates GPS technology enabling Garmin Quickdraw Contours, and wireless features through the ActiveCaptain and StrikerCast mobile apps.
SONAR: Garmin offers the LiveScope sonar system producing high resolution, live sonar views showing the true action underwater. LiveScope provides real-time, high-resolution images that can be seen in downward, perspective, and forward-looking views for locating fish and seeing what is coming before reaching it. The Panoptix line shows detailed 3D underwater views of fish and structure under the boat with real-time images up to 1,000 feet deep. Garmin’s CHIRP ‘black-box’ sounders and CHIRP transducers interface with Garmin MFDs to enhance their utility by providing the deep-water sounders and fishfinder functions in a remotely mounted package.
Autopilot Systems: Garmin offers full-featured marine autopilot systems designed for sailboats and powerboats. The systems incorporate such features as remote steering, speed control, and Garmin’s patented Shadow Drive technology, which automatically disengages the autopilot if the helm is turned. The company has also introduced steer-by-wire autopilot capabilities for various types of steering systems.
RADAR: Garmin offers high-tech solid-state Fantom radar with MotionScope Doppler technology, lowering system power consumption and increasing reliability while greatly improving situational awareness of the captain. Fantom radars are available in both radome and open array radar products with compatibility to any network-compatible Garmin chartplotter. The company also offers a full line of magnetron radars with up to 25kW of transmit power.
Instruments: Garmin offers NMEA 2000 and NMEA 0183 compliant instrument displays and sensors that show data from multiple remote sources on one screen.
VHF Communication Radios: Garmin offers a full lineup of marine VHF radios and Automatic Identification System (AIS) transceivers with the latest feature sets, including integrated GPS receivers for the communication needs of all types of mariners. Garmin radios are NMEA 2000 compatible, offer multi-station support, and monitor all AIS channels.
Handhelds and Wearable Devices: Garmin offers the quatix series wearable, GPS-enabled smartwatches designed for mariners, which include marine features for navigation, sailing, stereo control, autopilot functions, tidal information, a built-in LED flashlight, and solar charging, depending on the model. The company also offers floating marine GPS handhelds with wireless data transfer between compatible units and preloaded cartography. Some handhelds contain built-in inReach satellite communication and support Connect IQ applications.
Sailing: Garmin has integrated many basic and advanced sailing features into its MFD and instrument systems. These Garmin SailAssist features include enhanced wind rose with true and apparent wind data, POLAR tables, pre-race guidance, synchronized race timer, virtual starting line, time to burn, and lay line data fields.
Audio: Garmin’s audio brands, Fusion and JL Audio, offer premium audio products and accessories, including head units, speakers, amplifiers, subwoofers, and other audio components. These products are designed specifically for the marine, powersports, aftermarket automotive, RV, and home environments, offering premium sound quality and supporting many connectivity options for integrating with MFDs, smartphones, and Garmin wearables.
Digital Switching: Garmin offers digital switching products under the EmpirBus product line. The Garmin EmpirBus products provide power distribution and control solutions for marine and RV applications, which enable advanced logic controls and automation to add smart electrical system features in a boat or RV. The system features fully customizable graphics and user interface that can be controlled through Garmin’s marine multi-function displays and RV OEM products.
Trolling Motors: Garmin offers the Force Trolling Motor series, powerful, efficient trolling motors with built-in CHIRP and Ultra High-Definition ClearVü and SideVü sonar. The product line includes the Force Kraken with sizes from 48’ to 90’ shaft length and a smaller mounting footprint. The Force product line also connects wirelessly to Garmin chartplotters/MFDs to provide navigation, autopilot, and anchor lock integration.
Lighting: Garmin is a premier supplier of above-water and below-water lighting for marine and RV markets under the Lumishore name. The Lumishore product lines include single color, dual color, and full RGB lighting, opening in a variety of power levels and installation options. These high-performance products offer zone control, automation, including audio inputs, and integrate with Garmin’s MFD/mobile app systems.
Auto OEM
Garmin has cultivated key relationships with leading automobile manufacturers to be the provider of a variety of hardware and software solutions for their vehicles. The company offers the following product categories to the global auto market:
Domain Controllers: Garmin is a tier-one supplier of domain controllers, offering remote computing modules that control various systems throughout a vehicle, including infotainment, instrumentation, key advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) functionality, and rear-seat entertainment.
Infotainment Units: Garmin is a tier-one supplier of infotainment solutions, with offerings, including centralized control and integrated multi-display platforms for premium audio and multimedia, navigation, cameras, smartphone links, customized voice recognition and personal assistants, and rear-seat entertainment instrument clusters.
Other: Garmin offers a collection of software, map databases, cameras, wearables, and other automotive solutions.
Sales and Marketing
The company’s products are sold through a variety of indirect distribution channels, including a large worldwide network of independent retailers, dealers, distributors, installation and repair shops, and OEMs. The company also sells its products and services directly through its online webshop (garmin.com), subscriptions for connected services, and its own retail stores. During 2024, the company’s net sales through its direct distribution channels accounted for greater than 10% of total net sales. Marketing support is provided geographically from Garmin’s offices around the world.
Research and Development
The company’s research and development costs, which were typically expensed as incurred, amounted to approximately $993,601 for the year ended December 28, 2024.
Manufacturing and Operations
Garmin’s design, manufacturing, distribution, and service functions in it’s the U.S., Taiwan, China, the Netherlands, and the U.K. facilities are certified to ISO 9001, an international quality standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). The company’s automotive operations in Taiwan, China, Poland, and Olathe have achieved IATF 16949 certification, a quality standard for automotive suppliers. Garmin’s Olathe, Kansas, and Salem, Oregon, aviation operations in the U.S. have achieved certification to AS9100, a quality standard for the aviation industry. The company has also implemented multiple health and safety management systems and achieved certification to the ISO 45001 standard for Health and Safety Management at facilities in the U.S., Taiwan, Poland, and China.
Seasonality
The company’s net sales are subject to seasonal fluctuation. Sales of the company’s consumer products are generally highest in the fourth quarter (year ended December 28, 2024) due to increased demand during the holiday buying season, and many marine products experience increased demand in the first and second quarters in advance of the summer boating season. Sales of the company’s consumer products are also influenced by the timing of the release of new products. The company’s aviation and auto OEM products do not experience much seasonal variation, but are more influenced by the timing of aircraft certifications, regulatory mandates, auto program manufacturing, and the release of new products when the initial demand is typically the strongest.
Intellectual Property
As of December 28, 2024, Garmin had been issued over 1,970 patents throughout the world and held more than 1,190 trademark registrations.
Environmental Matters
Garmin has a global environmental policy and is committed to protecting the environment throughout various aspects of its business. The company has implemented multiple environmental management systems and achieved certification to the ISO 14001 standard for Environmental Management at facilities in the U.S., the U.K., Taiwan, Poland, and China.
Garmin’s operations are subject to various environmental laws, including laws addressing air and water pollution and management of hazardous substances and wastes.
History
Garmin Ltd. was founded in 1989. The company was incorporated in 2000.
