Logitech
Logitech International S.A. (/ˈlɒdʒɪtɛk/ LOJ-i-tek; often shortened to Logi) is a Swiss-American multinational manufacturer of computer peripherals and software, with headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland and Newark, California.[3] The company has offices throughout Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, and is one of the world's leading manufacturers of input and interface devices for personal computers (PCs) and other digital products. It is a component of the flagship Swiss Market Index.
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![]() Logitech's headquarters at the EPFL Innovation Park in Lausanne, Switzerland | |
Type | Public (Société anonyme) |
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Founded | 2 October 1981 in Apples, Switzerland |
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Area served | Worldwide |
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Number of employees | c. 8,200 (March 2022)[2] |
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Website | www |
The company develops and markets personal peripherals for PC navigation, video communication and collaboration, music and smart homes. This includes products like keyboards, mice, tablet accessories, headphones and headsets, webcams, Bluetooth speakers, universal remotes and more. Its name is derived from logiciel, the French word for software.[4]
History
Logitech was founded in Apples, Vaud, Switzerland, in 1981 by Stanford alumni Daniel Borel and Pierluigi Zappacosta, and former Olivetti engineer Giacomo Marini. For a time during its formative years, Logitech's Silicon Valley offices occupied space at 165 University Avenue, Palo Alto, California, home to a number of noted technology startups.[6]
In 2001, Logitech acquired Labtec for $150 million in order to expand its range of computer peripherals.
In 2007, Logitech licensed Hillcrest Labs' Freespace motion control technology to produce the MX Air Mouse, which allows a user to use natural gestures to control a PC.[7][8]
In August 2008, Logitech acquired Ultimate Ears, supplier of custom in-ear monitors for professional musicians and Bluetooth speakers for the consumer market.[9]
In December 2008, Logitech announced that it had manufactured one billion mice since 1985.[10]
In December 2009, Logitech acquired video conferencing equipment maker Lifesize Communications.[11]
In July 2011, Logitech acquired the mobile visual communications provider Mirial.[12]
In January 2013, Bracken Darrell became Logitech's chief executive officer; then-CEO Guerrino De Luca continued as Logitech's chairman of the board.[13]
In January 2016, Logitech spun off the video conferencing equipment maker Lifesize.[14][15]
In April 2016, Logitech agreed to pay US$7.5 million penalty related to accusations that it and some former executives improperly inflated the company's results for its 2011 fiscal year to meet guidance and other accounting violations. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said the alleged accounting issues left investors without an accurate view of the Swiss company's finances.[16]
On 12 April 2016, Logitech announced that they had agreed to acquire Jaybird, a leader in wireless audio wearables for sports and active lifestyles, for US$50 million, with an additional earnout of up to US$45 million based on achievement of growth targets.[17]
On 15 September 2016, Logitech announced that they had purchased the Saitek brand and assets from Mad Catz for US$13 million.[18]
On 25 March 2017, Logitech signed a multi-year sponsorship deal with McLaren as the Official Technology Peripherals Partner.[19] The deal would later be extended to McLaren's eSports endevours under the Logitech G brand in 2020.[20] On 11 August 2017, Logitech acquired Astro Gaming, makers of professional gaming equipment (mainly headsets), for US$85 million.[21]
On 30 July 2018, Logitech announced that they had purchased Blue Microphones for US$117 million.[22]
On 26 September 2019, Logitech acquired Streamlabs, producer of software and tools for live-streaming, for approximately $89 million.[23] In the same year, they also acquire Challonge, a webtool used to manage e-sport tournament brackets.[24]
On 29 July 2021, Logitech, in collaboration with choreographer JaQuel Knight, introduced its #Creators4BIPOC initiative under the Logitech For Creators brand. It allows social media creators, particularly BIPOC influencers, to copyright and monetize their online creations by making it possible for choreographers who amplify attention to hits by major artists in the entertainment business to secure copyright of their choreography using Labanotation and earn royalties from it.[25][26]
Production
The first Logitech mice, starting from the P4, were made in Le Lieu, in the Swiss Canton of Vaud[27] by Dubois Dépraz SA.[28]
Production facilities were then established in the United States, Taiwan, Hungary and Ireland before being moved to Suzhou, China. As of 2005, the manufacturing operations in China produce approximately half of Logitech's products. The remaining production is outsourced to contract manufacturers and original design manufacturers in Asia.[29]
Logitech product lines
- Logitech – worldwide (except in Japan, where it is known as Logicool) for PC peripherals, remote controls, security cameras, mice, keyboards, webcams, computer speakers, and accessories for smartphones and tablet keyboards and covers.
- Logitech video collaboration, including all B2B video conferencing equipment.
- Logitech MX – flagship computer accessories (mice and keyboards).
- Logitech C – computer webcams (cameras).
- Logitech G – gaming products.
- Ultimate Ears – in-ear monitors, wireless Bluetooth Speakers and universal-fit earphones.
- Jaybird – wireless bluetooth sport earbuds.
- Slim Devices – audio brand.
- Saitek – purchased on 15 September 2016, from Mad Catz.
- Logitech Harmony – programmable remote controls.
- Logitech F – wired and wireless gamepads.
See also List of Logitech products.
Gallery
- The Logitech P4 (1981) was the world’s first commercially available mouse.
- Logitech’s second-generation mouse, the Logimouse (1983)
- A transparent version of the C7 mouse (1985), the first serial mouse to draw its supply voltage directly from the serial port
- Logitech FotoMan, an early digital camera
- Logitech mouses in the Enter Museum (Switzerland)
- A contemporary (2021) Logitech M171 Mouse
References
- Revill, John (22 January 2015). "Logitech Back on the Path to Growth--CEO". Wall Street Journal.
- "Logitech International 2021 Annual Report (Form 10-K)". SEC.gov. U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. 18 May 2022.
- Revill, John (22 January 2015). "Logitech Back on the Path to Growth--CEO". Wall Street Journal.
- "Full Form of Logitech (Name Origin) ? - FullForms". fullforms.com. Archived from the original on 22 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
- "Logitech's logo and image over the years" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
- Peter Day, BBC . "165 University Ave: Silicon Valley's 'lucky building' Archived 29 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine." Aug 27, 2010. Retrieved Dec 8, 2016.
- Techspot 13 July 2007. Logitech's MX Air Mouse with freespace motion control Archived 4 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine
- Popular Mechanics 1 October 2009. Logitech's MX Air Cordless Laser Mouse: Best Pointer We've Tried (with Video). Archived 21 August 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- Frucci, Adam. "Logitech Buys Ultimate Ears for $34 Million". Gizmodo. Archived from the original on 29 March 2017. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- By Antony Savvas. "One billion mice from Logitec." 3 December 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Logitech buys LifeSize for $405 million". IT Pro. 11 November 2009.
- "Logitech looks to cloud and mobile video meetings". Computerworld. 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
- "Logitech selects Bracken Darrell as president right now, next CEO in 2013". Engadget. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 12 December 2016.
- Sead Fadilpasic, IT Pro Portal. “Lifesize splits from Logitech, continues solo.” Date Jan 15, 2016. Accessed Oct 12, 2019.
- Heather Clancy, Fortune. “Life After Logitech: Cloud Video Pioneer Sees ‘Torrid’ Growth.” Date Jan 21, 2016. Accessed Oct 12, 2019.
- Stynes, Tess (19 April 2016). "Logitech Agrees to Pay $7.5 Million Penalty Tied to Accounting Issues". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 26 January 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
- "Logitech snaps up wireless earbuds maker JayBird for $50M". Tech Crunch. 13 April 2016.
- "Logitech buys Saitek from Mad Catz". Games Industry Biz. 16 September 2016.
- "McLaren Racing - McLaren-Honda Teams Up with Logitech as Official Technology Peripherals Partner". www.mclaren.com. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- "McLaren Racing - Logitech G and McLaren usher in a new era of racing". www.mclaren.com. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
- Chen, Sam (11 July 2017). "Logitech Acquires Astro Gaming for $85 Million Establishing Itself in the Console Gaming Space". Custom PC Review. Archived from the original on 31 August 2017. Retrieved 11 July 2017.
- "Logitech is acquiring Blue Microphones for $117 million in cash". The Verge. 30 July 2018.
- Grubb, Jeff (26 September 2019). "Logitech acquires Streamlabs to get deeper into game broadcasting". Venture Beat. Retrieved 26 September 2019.
- "CHALLONGE! Reveals Acquisition by Logitech – ARCHIVE - the Esports Observer". 23 December 2019.
- "Logitech and Visionary Choreographer JaQuel Knight Drive Change For BIPOC Creators Through Copyright Protection and New Film". www.businesswire.com. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- Perkins, Njera (29 July 2021). "A Year After Creating Megan Thee Stallion's #SavageChallenge, TikToker Keara Wilson Earns Her Copyrights". AfroTech. Retrieved 18 August 2021.
- Vetterli, Martin (23 November 2018). "A brief story of innovation". Medium. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- "Logitech". oldmouse.com. Retrieved 28 July 2020.
- "How Logitech Protects Its Manufacturing Secrets in China". Bloomberg.com. 2 October 2013. Archived from the original on 29 April 2018. Retrieved 28 April 2018.
External links
- Official website
- Business data for Logitech: