Belkin facts for kids
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Trade name
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Belkin |
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| Subsidiary | |
| Industry | Consumer electronics |
| Founded | April 18, 1983 |
| Founder | Chet Pipkin |
| Headquarters | El Segundo, California, U.S. |
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Key people
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Number of employees
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1000+ |
| Parent | Foxconn Interconnect Technology |
Belkin International, Inc. is an American company that makes electronics for everyday use. It is based in El Segundo, California. Belkin creates devices that help connect computers and mobile phones. These include things like wireless chargers, power banks, and cables for charging and data. They also make headphones, screen protectors, and surge protectors to keep your devices safe.
Contents
Belkin's Story: How It Started
Early Days and Growth
Belkin was started by Chet Pipkin in 1983. When Chet was in college, he noticed that people needed special cables to connect their new personal computers to printers. He began making these cables in his parents' home in Hawthorne.
Chet started selling his cables to local computer stores. As his business grew, his father, brother, and friends helped him assemble the cables. In 1982, Chet left college to focus completely on his growing company.
Expanding Products and Global Reach
By 1983, Belkin moved into a proper office and hired its first full-time employees. At first, Belkin made all its cables in the United States. This helped them quickly deliver products to customers. In 1985, Belkin also started working with factories in Asia to make more products for people all over the world.
In the 1990s, Belkin added new products like surge protectors and USB storage devices. In the early 2000s, as smartphones and tablets became popular, Belkin started making accessories for them. These included chargers and connector cables.
New Brands and Ownership
In 2012, Belkin launched a new brand called WeMo. WeMo makes smart home products that can control things in your house. In 2013, Belkin bought the Linksys brand from Cisco Systems. Linksys is known for its wireless internet devices. By 2015, Belkin had over 1,350 employees and sales of more than $1 billion.
In 2016, Belkin partnered with a water company called Uponor to create Phyn. Phyn is a brand that makes smart devices to manage water use in homes. In 2018, a large electronics company from Taiwan called Foxconn Interconnect Technology bought Belkin for $886 million. Today, Belkin operates as its own company, but it is part of Foxconn.
In 2021, Chet Pipkin stepped down as CEO of Belkin. He became the Executive Chairman of the Board. Steve Malony, who was a Senior Vice President, became the new CEO.
Where Belkin Works
Office Locations
Belkin's main office is in El Segundo, California. Before that, their offices were in other nearby cities in Southern California. Belkin also has offices in many other countries around the world. These include Australia, China, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Caring for the Planet
Belkin has worked to be more environmentally friendly. In 2009, they promised to reduce their electricity use by 25 percent by 2017. By 2018, they had reduced it by 37 percent worldwide! They did this by adding solar panels, charging stations for electric cars, and lights that turn on with motion sensors. In 2024, Belkin announced a goal to be completely carbon neutral by 2030. This means they want to have no negative impact on the environment from their business.
Belkin's Other Brands
- Linksys: Belkin bought Linksys in 2013. Linksys makes devices for wireless internet connections.
- Phyn: Belkin created Phyn in 2016 with another company. Phyn makes smart devices to help manage water in homes.
- Future Ventures: In 2024, Belkin started a new product group called Future Ventures. This group focuses on new technologies like creating content, spatial computing (like virtual reality), artificial intelligence, and robotics.
Belkin's Community Support
Supporting Sports and Causes
From 2013 to 2014, Belkin sponsored a professional cycling team called Belkin Pro Cycling Team. Belkin also helps local communities. They support programs that help with safety and reading for kids. Belkin has also supported the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization, which fights breast cancer. They raised money for this cause with special pink iPod cases. In 2007, Belkin donated to the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) program, which provides laptops to children in need.
Helping Students Learn
Belkin is a founding partner with Da Vinci Schools. These are special schools that focus on "hands-on learning" to help students get ready for college and careers. In 2015, Belkin started an internship program. This program allows Da Vinci students to gain real-world work experience in their community.
Belkin's Products
Belkin makes many different electronic products.
Cables and Connectors
Belkin sells a variety of cables for electronic devices. These include cables for charging, transferring data, and connecting audio and video. They also make network cables. When Belkin started in 1983, they focused on cables for printers and modems. In 1984, their Hamlet cable was the first to connect Apple IIc computers to printers. In the 1990s, they focused on surge protectors and USB products. After 2008, Belkin started making more accessories for smartphones.
Audio Products
Belkin began making stereo cables and speaker wires in 2002. They now sell many audio products that work with new technology. These include digital audio adapters, speakers, and headphones. In 2019, Belkin launched its first line of headphones called RockStar. In 2020, they released Soundform True Wireless Earbuds and their first speaker, the Soundform Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker. The Soundform Elite was made with Devialet and was named a top product by Rolling Stone. In 2023, Belkin announced the SoundForm Inspire and SoundForm Adapt headphones. The SoundForm Inspire headphones were designed especially for kids, based on feedback from children. Both headsets connect wirelessly using Bluetooth or USB-C.
Charging and Power Products
Belkin also sells many types of chargers and power devices. These include wall chargers, car chargers, charging stations, and power banks. They also make surge protectors and wireless chargers for phones, tablets, smartwatches, and laptops. In 2016, Belkin released an adapter for iPhones that allowed users to charge their phone and use headphones at the same time.
Belkin made the world's first accessory for Apple's MagSafe technology from a company other than Apple. In 2023, Belkin launched new wireless charging pads that use Qi2 technology. This technology allows supported iPhones to charge faster without needing Apple's specific MagSafe equipment.
Device Protection and New Tech
Belkin makes products to protect your devices under the name Screenforce. In 2023, they released the UltraGlass 2 screen protector.
The Future Ventures group launched its first products in 2024. These include the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro and a Battery Holder for the Apple Vision Pro.
See also
In Spanish: Belkin para niños
