Garmin 2008 Annual Report Download - page 18

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16
R E S O U R C E S A R O U N D T H E W O R L D
Garmin is a global company with thousands of dedicated associates
spread over four continents, working together to create, manufacture
and deliver the innovative and dependable products that Garmin
customers expect. We have established offices in more than a dozen
countries, which allow us to control our own distribution channels.
Our primary facilities are in the United States, the United Kingdom
and Taiwan.
The world’s only showcase retail store dedicated to Garmin innovation
is located on Chicago’s famous Michigan Avenue. The two-story
destination store offers a high-tech, high-touch environment where
customers are invited to experience a wide range of Garmin devices. A
knowledgeable staff is Garmin-trained to serve local and international
guests shopping the “Magnificent Mile.”
In the United Kingdom, our office in Southampton handles marketing,
sales and support for Europe, Africa and the Middle East. A new pick
module and eConveyor system in our Southampton warehouse has
been instrumental in fulfilling the product needs of our European
offices and has dramatically improved efficiency and productivity.
European web sales increased 800% in 2008, and this conveyor system
has the capacity for expansion as the channels grow.
The majority of consumer manufacturing takes place in our state-
of-the-art facilities in Shijr, Jhongli and LinKou in Taiwan. In keeping
with our business initiatives in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, our
engineering, cartography and marketing capabilities continue to increase.
Our Taiwan team is poised for growth in all market segments, including
the handset business with the innovative line of Garmin-Asus nüvifone™
location-based phones.
Garmin’s success and ability to compete are dependent in part on our
proprietary technology.We rely on a combination of patent, copyright,
trademark and trade secret laws, as well as confidentiality agreements,
to establish and protect our proprietary rights. In 2008, Garmin’s
patent portfolio increased to include 381 U.S. patents and 42 foreign
patents. At the end of 2008, Garmin had 143 U.S. patent applications
and 36 foreign patent applications pending.
Our intellectual property portfolio also includes trademark registrations.
At the end of 2008, we held 95 U.S. trademark registrations and
191 foreign trademark registrations.
Expanding our
market share through
innovation.