Acer Inc. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Acer Inc.

Logo used since 2011
Acer Building in Taipei, Taiwan
Native name	宏碁股份有限公司
Romanized name	Hóngjí Gǔfèn Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī
Formerly	Multitech (1976–1987)
Type	Public
Traded as	TWSE: 2353
Industry	Electronics
Founded	1 August 1976; 49 years ago (1976-08-01) in Taiwan
Founders	Stan Shih Carolyn Yeh Lemuel Girma
Headquarters	Xizhi District, New Taipei , Taiwan
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Stan Shih (Co-founder and Honorary Chairman) George Huang (Chairman) Jason Chen (CEO and President)
Products	Personal computers smartphones servers storage handhelds monitors LEDs LCDs televisions video projectors e-business
Revenue	NT$277.1 billion (2020)
Operating income	NT$8.9 billion (2020)
Net income	NT$6.1 billion (2020)
Total assets	NT$183.9 billion (2020)
Total equity	NT$61.9 billion (2020)
Number of employees	7,813 (2023)
Subsidiaries	Gateway, Inc. Packard Bell eMachines (now-defunct) Escom (now-defunct)

Acer Inc. is a big company from Taiwan that makes computer parts and electronics. Its main office is in Xizhi District, New Taipei City, Taiwan. Acer makes many products like desktop and laptop computers, tablets, servers, and smartphones. They also make monitors, televisions, and virtual reality devices. For gamers, Acer has a special brand called Predator, which makes gaming PCs and accessories. As of 2024, Acer is one of the world's top computer sellers.

In the early 2000s, Acer changed how it did business. Instead of making all its products itself, it focused on designing, marketing, and selling them. Other companies then built the products for Acer. Today, Acer also works on cloud services, smart devices, and IoT applications.

The Story of Acer

Acer logo used from 2001 to 2011

Acer logo used from 1987 to 2001

Micro-Professor MPF-I, one of Acer's first products (1981)

How Acer Started

Acer was first called Multitech. It was started in 1976 by Stan Shih, his wife Carolyn Yeh, and five other people in Hsinchu City, Taiwan. They began with just eleven employees and a small amount of money. At first, the company mainly sold electronic parts and gave advice on how to use microprocessors.

Early Products and Name Change

Multitech made a training kit called the Micro-Professor MPF-I. They also created two computers similar to the Apple II, called the Microprofessor II and III. Later, they started making computers that worked with IBM PCs and became a major computer maker. In 1987, the company changed its name to Acer.

Growing and Changing the Business

In 1998, Acer reorganized into different groups. To avoid competing with its own customers, Acer spun off its manufacturing business in 2000, which became Wistron Corporation. In 2001, Acer sold its manufacturing units, including BenQ and Wistron, to focus more on designing and selling products.

Acer grew its sales around the world by finding smart ways to sell its products. By 2005, Acer had about 7,800 employees globally. Its income grew a lot during this time.

Becoming a Top Computer Seller

In the mid-2000s, laptop computers for everyday people were very popular. Acer became one of the biggest winners because it kept its costs low and worked well with stores. Acer grew fast in Europe by selling through traditional stores when some other companies focused on online sales.

In 2007, Acer bought Gateway in the United States and Packard Bell in Europe. This helped Acer become the third-largest computer provider and the second-largest for laptops. Acer wanted to be the world's biggest PC seller to make more money.

Leadership Changes and New Ideas

In November 2013, the chairman and CEO, J.T. Wang, and president, Jim Wong, both left the company. Acer's co-founder, Stan Shih, stepped in to lead the company temporarily. In December 2013, Jason Chen became the new president and CEO of Acer.

In 2018, Acer created a separate company called GadgeTek Inc. to make smart gadgets like Leap Beads, which are smart prayer beads that track mantras and steps. In 2019, Acer launched PLANET9, an esports social platform for gamers to find competitions and connect with others. In 2020, they added SigridWave to PLANET9, which can translate spoken gamer input in real-time using special technology.

In May 2021, Acer joined the RE100 initiative. This means they promised to use 100% renewable energy for all their global operations by 2035.

Acer's Business Numbers

This table shows how Acer's business has changed over the years:

Companies Acer Has Bought

Acer has bought several other companies over the years to grow its business:

• In 1988, Acer bought Counterpoint Computers.
• In 1990, Acer bought Altos Computer Corporation.
• In 1993, Acer bought the PC part of Commodore International.
• In 1997, Acer bought Texas Instruments' laptop business.
• In 2007, Acer bought Gateway, Inc. for $710 million. This helped Acer become stronger in the United States. The eMachines brand was also part of this deal.
• In 2008, Acer bought most of Packard Bell.
• In 2008, Acer bought the Taiwanese electronics company E-TEN.
• In 2011, Acer bought iGware Inc. to help create Acer Cloud and get into the cloud computing market.
• In 2015, Acer bought the GPS cycling computer brand Xplova.
• In 2015, Acer invested in a robotics company called Jibo.
• In 2016, Acer invested in grandPad, a company that makes technology for older people.
• In 2016, Acer and Starbreeze AB created a joint company to 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 2017, Acer bought a large part of StarVR from Starbreeze.
• In 2019, Acer and Ubisoft teamed up for the Rainbow Six Pro League and other major esports events. Acer's Predator brand became the official PC and monitor sponsor.

Where Acer Operates

As of September 2022, Acer has over 7,713 employees around the world and works in 40 different countries and regions.

Acer in 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 also leads in selling PCs to government and schools. As of 2006, it had over 480 employees. They repair, assemble, and make laptops and desktops in Sydney.

Acer in 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. They had two factories in the Netherlands and facilities in Germany. Acer computers are also put together in Mingachevir, Azerbaijan.

Acer in India

Acer India (Pvt) Limited is a part of Acer and was started in 1999. It is a well-known seller in 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. Acer also started a new company called AcerPure to sell home appliances in India.

Acer in Indonesia

PT Acer Indonesia is a part of Acer and sells its products through 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.

Acer in North America

Acer America Headquarters in San Jose

Acer America Corporation is based in San Jose, California. It handles Acer's research, engineering, manufacturing, and marketing in the United States and Canada. The U.S. office started in 1985 with three people in Mountain View, California. In 1986, the U.S. office moved to San Jose, California.

Popular Acer Products

An Acer Aspire laptop

Acer makes many different lines of products, each designed for different needs:

• Acer Extensa series – Laptops made for business use.
• Acer Iconia – A series of tablets.
• Acer Aspire – Computers and laptops for everyday personal use, from basic to mid-level.
• Acer TravelMate – Lightweight laptops designed for business travelers.
• Acer Nitro – Acer's laptops for entry-level to mid-range gaming.
• Acer Predator – Acer's high-end laptops and desktops for serious gamers.
• 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 – Laptops that can be used as both a laptop and a tablet (two-in-one).
• Acer ConceptD – Desktops and laptops made for creative professionals, like those who work in studios or do computer graphics rendering.
• Acer Veriton – High-end desktop computers for businesses.
• Acer Enduro – Acer's tough, durable laptops built to withstand harsh conditions.
• Acer Enduro Urban – Lighter, semi-rugged laptops.
• Acer Vero – Eco-friendly laptops made with recycled materials.

Acer's Other Brands

Acer also owns or uses several other brands:

• Aazar
• eMachines
• ProPack
• Gateway
• Packard Bell
• Pawbo
• Predator
• Xplova
• Nitro
• Acerpure

Acer's Social Responsibility

Acer cares about being a responsible company. In 2005, they released their first report on how they impact the environment. All of Acer's main suppliers have a special certification for environmental management.

In 2012, Greenpeace ranked Acer 4th out of 15 electronics companies in their Guide to Greener Electronics. This guide looks at how companies reduce their impact on the climate, make greener products, and operate in a sustainable way. Greenpeace praised Acer for making new products without certain harmful chemicals and for reporting on its carbon emissions.

Acer has been listed on important sustainability indexes like the DJSI's Emerging Markets Index since 2014.

Acer's Sponsorships

Acer has sponsored many 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 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.
• In 2007, Acer announced it would sponsor the Factory Fiat Yamaha Team for the 2007 MotoGP World Championship season. Since 2009, Packard Bell (part of Acer Group) has sponsored the Yamaha Factory Racing Team.
• Acer was a worldwide partner for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the Singapore Youth Olympic Games. Acer was also a top partner for the London 2012 Summer Olympics.
• In 2019, Acer Predator sponsored the Ubisoft Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege Pro League Season X, becoming the official PC Monitor for the Pro League and Majors.

See also

In Spanish: Acer Inc. para niños

• Acer Chromebook Tab 10
• Acer Value Line
• Asus, a rival company from Taiwan started by former Acer engineers
• E-TEN
• eMachines
• Packard Bell, an Acer company from 2007–2015
• Gateway, Inc., an Acer company since 2007
• BenQ, formerly part of Acer's manufacturing
• 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 Acer's manufacturing arm