Acer Inc. facts for kids
Logo used since 2011
|
|
|
|
|
Native name
|
宏碁股份有限公司
|
|---|---|
|
Romanized name
|
Hóngqí Gǔfèn Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī |
|
Formerly
|
Multitech (1976–1987) |
| Public | |
| Traded as | TWSE: 2353 |
| Industry | Electronics |
| Founded | 1 August 1976 |
| Founders | Stan Shih Carolyn Yeh Lemuel Girma |
| Headquarters |
Xizhi, New Taipei
,
|
|
Area served
|
Worldwide |
|
Key people
|
|
| Products |
|
| Revenue |  NT$277.1 billion (2020) |
|
Operating income
|
NT$8.9 billion (2020) |
| NT$6.1 billion (2020) |
|
| Total assets | NT$183.9 billion (2020) |
| Total equity | NT$61.9 billion (2020) |
|
Number of employees
|
7,725 (2022) |
| Subsidiaries | Gateway, Inc. Packard Bell eMachines (now-defunct) Escom (now-defunct) |
| Acer Inc. | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese | 宏碁股份有限公司 | ||||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 宏碁股份有限公司 | ||||||||||||
| Literal meaning | Hongqi Corporation Ltd | ||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||
Acer Inc. is a big company from Taiwan that makes computer hardware and electronics. Its main office is in Xizhi, New Taipei City. Acer makes many products, including desktop and laptop PCs, tablets, servers, and smartphones. They also make gaming PCs and accessories under their Predator brand. As of 2024, Acer is one of the world's top six sellers of personal computers.
In the early 2000s, Acer changed its business plan. Instead of just making products, they focused on designing, marketing, and selling them. Other companies then helped with the actual manufacturing. Today, Acer also works on cloud services, smart devices, and IoT applications.
Contents
History
Acer was started in 1976 as Multitech by Stan Shih, his wife Carolyn Yeh, and five other people in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. The company began with eleven employees and a small amount of money. At first, they mainly sold electronic parts and gave advice on using microprocessors. They made a training kit called the Micro-Professor MPF-I. Later, they created two computers similar to the Apple II. After that, they joined the growing market for IBM PC compatible computers and became a major PC maker. The company changed its name to Acer in 1987.
In 1998, Acer reorganized into five main groups. To avoid competing with its own customers, Acer separated its manufacturing business in 2000. This part of the company was renamed Wistron Corporation. In 2001, Acer sold its manufacturing units, including BenQ and Wistron. This allowed Acer to focus more on designing and selling its products.
Acer's sales around the world grew, even as the company reduced its number of employees. They found smart ways to use their sales channels. By 2005, Acer had about 7,800 employees globally. Their income increased a lot during this time.
In the mid-2000s, sales of laptop computers for everyday people grew very fast. Acer benefited from this because they had low costs and focused on selling through stores. They grew quickly in Europe by using traditional retail stores, while some other companies focused on online sales. In 2007, Acer bought Gateway in the United States and Packard Bell in Europe. This made Acer the third-largest computer provider and the second-largest for laptops.
In September 2018, Acer created a separate company called GadgeTek Inc. This company makes smart gadgets like Leap Beads, which are smart prayer beads that track mantras and steps. In 2019, Acer launched PLANET9.gg, an esports social platform. It helps gamers with game analysis, organized competitions, and social features.
Leadership Changes in 2013
In November 2013, the chairman and CEO, J.T. Wang, and the president, Jim Wong, both left Acer. This happened because the company was not doing well financially. Acer's co-founder, Stan Shih, became the chairman and temporary president. He then looked for new leaders. On December 23, Acer named Jason Chen as its new president and CEO, starting January 1.
Acquisitions and Joint Ventures
Acer has grown by buying other companies and working with them:
- In 1988, Acer bought Counterpoint Computers.
- In 1990, Acer bought Altos Computer Corporation.
- In 1993, Acer bought the PC division of Commodore International.
- In 1997, Acer bought Texas Instruments' laptop computer business.
- In 2007, Acer bought its US rival Gateway, Inc. for US$710 million. This helped Acer become stronger in the United States. The eMachines brand was also part of this deal.
- In January 2008, Acer bought a large share (75%) of Packard Bell.
- In March 2008, Acer bought the Taiwanese electronics company E-TEN.
- In 2009, Acer bought 29.9% of the Italian computer company Olidata.
- In August 2010, Acer and Founder Technology agreed to work together on PC businesses.
- In July 2011, Acer bought iGware Inc. for US$320 million. The goal was to create Acer Cloud and enter the cloud computing market. iGware had made cloud software and tools. They also worked with Nintendo on projects.
- In September 2015, Acer bought Xplova, a brand that makes GPS devices for cycling.
- In September 2015, Acer invested in Jibo, a company that makes robots.
- In March 2016, Acer invested in grandPad, a company that provides technology for older people.
- In June 2016, Acer and Starbreeze AB created a joint company. They planned to design, make, and sell StarVR Virtual Reality Head-Mounted Displays.
- In 2016, Acer bought Pawbo, a company that makes wireless pet cameras.
- In 2017, Acer became the biggest shareholder of AOPEN Inc.
- In October 2017, Acer bought a 66.7% share of StarVR from Starbreeze.
- In 2019, Acer and Ubisoft worked together for the Rainbow Six Pro League and other big esports events. Acer's Predator brand became the official PC and monitor sponsor.
Operations
As of September 2022, Acer has more than 7,713 employees around the world. They work in 40 different countries and regions.
Australia
Acer Computer Australia (ACA) started in 1990. It is currently Australia's third-largest seller of personal computers. ACA sells the most notebook PCs and tablet PCs in Australia. The company is also the top PC seller for government and education in Australia. As of 2006, it had over 480 employees. The company repairs, assembles, and makes laptops and desktops in Sydney.
Europe
Acer's main office for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) is in Lugano, Switzerland. From the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, Acer had computer factories in Europe. In the Netherlands, they had two factories: one for laptops in Den Bosch and one for desktops in Tilburg. Acer also had facilities in Germany. Acer computers are also put together in Mingachevir, Azerbaijan.
India
Acer India (Pvt) Limited is Acer's company in India. It started in 1999. It is a well-known seller in important areas like education, desktop computers, and small laptops for schools. Its main office is in Bengaluru, Karnataka. In 2023, India became Acer's second-largest market worldwide. To sell more than just computer hardware, Acer started a new company called AcerPure to sell other products in India.
Indonesia
PT Acer Indonesia is a part of Acer. It sells products through its main distributor, PT Dragon Computer & Communication. Acer is currently the second-largest computer seller in Indonesia. In early 2016, Acer had over 81% of the market share for Windows tablets in Indonesia.
North America
Acer America Corporation is based in San Jose, California. It handles Acer's research, development, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing in the United States and Canada. The U.S. office opened in 1985 with three staff members in Mountain View, California. In 1986, the U.S. headquarters moved to San Jose, California.
Notable Product Lines
- Acer Extensa series – Laptops made for business use.
- Acer Iconia – A series of tablets.
- Acer Aspire – Computers and laptops for everyday home use.
- Acer TravelMate – Lightweight laptops designed for business travelers.
- Acer Nitro – Acer's entry-level to mid-range gaming laptops.
- Acer Predator – Acer's mid to high-end gaming laptops and desktops.
- Acer Aspire One – Acer's mid to high-end laptops for personal use.
- Acer Swift – A series of thin and light laptops that are easy to carry.
- Acer Spin – A series of affordable to mid-range two-in-one laptops that can be used as both a laptop and a tablet.
- Acer ConceptD – Desktops and laptops made for creative professionals, like those who work in studios or do computer graphics.
- Acer Veriton – High-end desktops for business use.
- Acer Enduro – Acer's series of tough, durable laptops.
- Acer Enduro Urban – Lighter, semi-rugged laptops.
- Acer Vero – Eco-friendly laptops made with recycled materials.
Brands
- Aazar
- eMachines
- ProPack
- Gateway
- Packard Bell
- Pawbo
- Predator
- Xplova
- Nitro
Corporate Social Responsibility
Acer cares about being a responsible company. In 2005, Acer released its first report on how it impacts the environment. All of Acer's main suppliers have received ISO 14001 certification, which means they meet international standards for environmental management.
In November 2012, Greenpeace ranked Acer 4th out of 15 companies in its Guide to Greener Electronics. This guide rates electronics makers on how well they reduce their impact on the climate, make greener products, and operate in a sustainable way. Greenpeace noted that Acer was working to make more of its products free from certain harmful chemicals. Acer also reported on its greenhouse gas emissions from its main suppliers.
Acer has been listed on the DJSI's Emerging Markets Index since 2014. It was also on MSCI's Global Sustainability Indexes in 2015–2016. These lists recognize companies for their good sustainability practices.
Sponsorships
Acer has sponsored various sports teams and events:
- Acer sponsored the BAR-Honda Formula One racing team in 2000. In 2001, Acer sponsored the Prost Grand Prix Formula One team, and their Ferrari engines were even called "Acers."
- Acer sponsored the Ferrari Formula 1 team from 2003 to 2012. They were also a top sponsor of FC Internazionale – Milano (Inter Milan) Football Club. From 2007 to 2009, Acer was an official supplier for FC Barcelona. On March 19, 2007, Acer announced it would sponsor the Factory Fiat Yamaha Team for the 2007 MotoGP World Championship season. Since 2009, Packard Bell (which is part of Acer Group) has sponsored the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.
- Acer was a worldwide TOP Partner for both the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Acer was also a TOP Partner for the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
- On June 18, 2019, Acer Predator sponsored the Ubisoft Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Pro League Season X. This made Predator the official PC Monitor for Rainbow Six Pro League and Majors.
See Also
In Spanish: Acer Inc. para niños
- Acer Chromebook Tab 10
- Acer Value Line
- Asus, a rival Taiwan-based company started in 1989 by former Acer engineers
- E-TEN
- eMachines
- Packard Bell
- Gateway, Inc.
- BenQ, formerly Acer CM
- ACC (computer company)
- AOpen, formerly AcerOpen
- List of companies of Taiwan
- Microprofessor I, Acer's first product
- List of computer system manufacturers
- ALi, formerly Acer Laboratories Incorporated
- Wistron, formerly the manufacturing arm of Acer Inc.
