History of Acer

Acer (LSE: ACID) is a Taiwanese multinational electronics manufacturer. It owns the largest franchised computer retail chain in Taiwan, Acerland. Acer's product lineup includes desktop and mobile PCs (laptops),as well as PDAs, servers and storage, displays, peripherals, and e-business solutions for business, government, education, and home users.

History

Multitech, which was founded by Stan Shih (施振榮), his wife Carolyn Yeh, and a group of five others in 1976, was renamed Acer in 1987. It began with eleven employees and $25,000 in capital. Initially, it was primarily a distributor of electronic parts and a consultant in the use of microprocessor technologies. The global headquarters is in Hsichih City, Taiwan.

In 2000, Acer spun off its manufacturing operation (as Wistron Corporation) to focus itself on branding business. In deciding to support the sales of its product lines through specific marketing activities that best utilise distribution channels, Acer grew worldwide while its labour force contracted. In 2002, the pan Acer Group employed 39,000 people supporting dealers and distributors in more than 100 countries. Revenues reached US $12.9 billion that year. By 2005, Acer employed 7,800 people throughout the world while maintaining a global sales and service network. Revenues were US$4.9 billion in 2003 and US$11.31 billion in 2006. Acer's North American market share slipped over the past few years while the European market share has gone up.

In Europe, Acer mounted a highly visible association with the Ferrari Formula 1 Team and the former F1 team, Prost Grand Prix in 2001. They offer a popular line of premium laptops and LCD monitors with Ferrari branding. It has recently broadened the scope of its relationship with Ferrari by announcing it will sponsor the Formula One team until 2008. Acer has recently introduced the Ferrari line of products to North America, and rolled out a Ferrari-branded line of PDA devices.

Acer ranks as the world's No. 4 branded PC vendor recently surpassing Lenovo.
On August 27, 2007, Acer announced plans to acquire U.S. based rival Gateway Inc. for US$710 million. J.T. Wang, the company's chairman, said in a statement that the acquisition "completes Acer's global footprint, by strengthening our U.S. presence."

During the IFA Consumer Electronics Fair 2007, the Blu-ray Disc Association announced that Acer had joined their ranks. Acer will be adding BD-ROM and BD-R drives to their laptop and desktop systems in their attempt to promote the format