Electronics

iRobot Corporate Office

iRobot was founded in 1990 by MIT Artificial Lab group members Rodney Brooks, current CEO Colin Angle, and Helen Greiner.

In 1998, the company received a research grant from DARPA which led to the creation of the PackBot.

In 2002, the company released their most popular home robot, the Roomba.

In 2005, the company went public on the NYSE.

In 2012, the company acquired Evolution Robotics, maker of the Mint floor mop robot.

The company also makes automatic swimming pool cleaners and floor mopping robots.

In October 2018, stock for the company fell 11.2% after the company announced that President Trump’s tariffs would hurt the company and cause them to increase prices.

Today, iRobot has sold over 8 million home robots. They have also deployed over 5,000 defense and security robots for military use.

In January 2020, the company announced that it was working on a Roomba version that had arms and how this could be used for consumer and commercial needs.

Also in January 2020, iRobot announced that it was taking its WiFi enabled Roomba’s to the next level by allowing them to interact with other smart-enabled home applicances and devices.

Company headquarters are located in Bedford, Massachusetts.

iRobot

iRobot was founded in 1990 by MIT Artificial Lab group members Rodney Brooks, current CEO Colin Angle, and Helen Greiner.

In 1998, the company received a research grant from DARPA which led to the creation of the PackBot.

History

In 2002, the company released their most popular home robot, the Roomba.

In 2005, the company went public on the NYSE.

In 2012, the company acquired Evolution Robotics, maker of the Mint floor mop robot.

The company also makes automatic swimming pool cleaners and floor mopping robots.

In October 2018, stock for the company fell 11.2% after the company announced that President Trump’s tariffs would hurt the company and cause them to increase prices.

Today, iRobot has sold over 8 million home robots. They have also deployed over 5,000 defense and security robots for military use.

In January 2020, the company announced that it was working on a Roomba version that had arms and how this could be used for consumer and commercial needs.

Also in January 2020, iRobot announced that it was taking its WiFi enabled Roomba’s to the next level by allowing them to interact with other smart-enabled home applicances and devices.

Company headquarters are located in Bedford, Massachusetts.

Aaron’s was founded as Aaron Rents in 1955 by current Chairman Emeritus Robert Charles Loudermilk. While attending Georgia Tech, Loudermilk served a tour in the Navy, and earned his business degree from the University of North Carolina, before accepting a job with the Pet Milk Company, then, later, the pharmaceutical and chemical giant Pfizer. It was while working for Pfizer during the early 1950s, that Loudermilk came across a small North Carolina store that rented furniture and other merchandise. Eager to strike out on his own, Loudermilk drew on the concept and started a rental business in 1955, borrowing $500 from Trust Company Bank, while a partner invested another $500.

His first order was for 300 chairs to use as rentals for an auction. He went to an Army Supply store and purchased the chairs. His first sale was for ten cents per chair per day. Loudermilk’s partner decided that this was too much work, so he sold his share back to Laudermilk.

In 1964, the company began renting furniture and by the end of that decade, was making $2 million annually.

In 1982, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: AAN

In 1987, the company enters the rent to own business after acquiring Ball Stalker. Most of the company’s growth in the 1980’s came via acquisitions.

In 1990, Aaron’s begins to offer franchise opportunities.

In 2008, the company sold their corporate furnishings division to Berkshire Hathaway.

In 2009, the company changed their name to just Aaron’s, Inc. In 2015, the company opened its own eCommerce site.

In 2014, customers claimed that Aaron’s has installed spyware on their computer rentals, sending the company hundreds of thousands of email addresses, social security numbers, passwords, even photographs from private accounts. Aaron’s denied that this was corporate-related and blamed franchises instead.

Also in 2014, Aaron’s settled with the state of California for $28 million for illegal business practices.

In 2016, Forbes claimed that the company was an undervalued stock and recommended it as a “buy” option.

Today, Aaron’s has over 2000 stores in the lower 48 states and Canada. Over 1200 of those stores are corporately owned.

In 2016, the company had an annual revenue of $3.21 billion and employed more than 11,500 persons.

In June 2022, Aaron’s tapped the infamous Mr. T to promote brand awareness

In June 2023, CEO Douglas Lindsay was named most admired CEO in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Aaron's

History

In 1964, the company began renting furniture and by the end of that decade, was making $2 million annually.

In 1982, the company went public on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: AAN

In 1987, the company enters the rent to own business after acquiring Ball Stalker. Most of the company’s growth in the 1980’s came via acquisitions.

In 1990, Aaron’s begins to offer franchise opportunities.

In 2008, the company sold their corporate furnishings division to Berkshire Hathaway.

In 2009, the company changed their name to just Aaron’s, Inc. In 2015, the company opened its own eCommerce site.

Also in 2014, Aaron’s settled with the state of California for $28 million for illegal business practices.

In 2016, Forbes claimed that the company was an undervalued stock and recommended it as a “buy” option.

Today, Aaron’s has over 2000 stores in the lower 48 states and Canada. Over 1200 of those stores are corporately owned.

In 2016, the company had an annual revenue of $3.21 billion and employed more than 11,500 persons.

In June 2022, Aaron’s tapped the infamous Mr. T to promote brand awareness

In June 2023, CEO Douglas Lindsay was named most admired CEO in the Atlanta Business Chronicle.

Western Digital Corporate Office

Western Digital was founded in 1970 by Motorola employee Alvin B. Phillips as General Digital. In 1971, the name Western Digital was adopted and the WD1402A was released.

The company 0riginally produced microchips for calculators. By 1975, they were the largest calculator microchip producer in the world.

In 1976, the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy after their largest customer went out of business.

The company recovered by switching from calculators to hard drives. In 1983, they won a contract with IBM to produce all their hard drive controllers.

In 1991, the hard drive controller market began to slow as ATA and SCSI became standards. WD released their Caviar hard drive line this year. The Caviar drives sold so well that the company began to shut down other divisions to focus solely on hard drive production.

In 2009, the company entered the solid state hard drive sector.

Today, Western Digital is one of the world’s largest hard disk drive manufacturers.

Western Digital

Western Digital was founded in 1970 by Motorola employee Alvin B. Phillips as General Digital. In 1971, the name Western Digital was adopted and the WD1402A was released.

The company 0riginally produced microchips for calculators. By 1975, they were the largest calculator microchip producer in the world.

In 1976, the company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy after their largest customer went out of business.

History

The company recovered by switching from calculators to hard drives. In 1983, they won a contract with IBM to produce all their hard drive controllers.

In 2009, the company entered the solid state hard drive sector.

Today, Western Digital is one of the world’s largest hard disk drive manufacturers.

Bed Bath and Beyond Corporate Office

Bed Bath and Beyond, sometimes also called B3, was founded in 1971 by Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein as Bed ‘n Bath Inc.

By 1985, the chain has 17 stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and California.

In 1987, the company built its first superstore to compete with companies such as Linens ‘N Things. It was at this time that the name was changed to Bed Bath & Beyond.

In 1992, the company goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: BBBY

By 2000, there were 311 stores in 43 US states.

In 2007, the company acquired BuyBuy Baby and in 2012, Cost Plus World Market was acquired.

In June of 2016, the company acquired One Kings Lane for an undisclosed amount.

As of March 3, 2018, the company had a total of 1,552 stores, including 1,017 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

While the company had originally planned to shutter more than 20 stores in 2020, after the coronavirus pandemic, plans changed and the company announced that it would close approximately 200 stores.

In January 2021, Kohl’s and Bed Bath & Beyond stated that they would stop selling My Pillow due to comments made by CEO Mike Lindell in support of Trump, as well as misinformation about Trump winning the presidential election.

Bed Bath and Beyond filed for bankruptcy protection and was purchased by Overstock.com. Currently, the company is an online retailer only.

In 2018, the company reported annual revenue of $12 billion. Company headquarters are located in Union, New Jersey.

Bed Bath & Beyond

Bed Bath and Beyond, sometimes also called B3, was founded in 1971 by Warren Eisenberg and Leonard Feinstein as Bed ‘n Bath Inc.

By 1985, the chain has 17 stores in New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, and California.

History

In 1987, the company built its first superstore to compete with companies such as Linens ‘N Things. It was at this time that the name was changed to Bed Bath & Beyond.

In 1992, the company goes public on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol: BBBY

By 2000, there were 311 stores in 43 US states.

In 2007, the company acquired BuyBuy Baby and in 2012, Cost Plus World Market was acquired.

In June of 2016, the company acquired One Kings Lane for an undisclosed amount.

As of March 3, 2018, the company had a total of 1,552 stores, including 1,017 Bed Bath & Beyond stores in 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

While the company had originally planned to shutter more than 20 stores in 2020, after the coronavirus pandemic, plans changed and the company announced that it would close approximately 200 stores.

Bed Bath and Beyond filed for bankruptcy protection and was purchased by Overstock.com. Currently, the company is an online retailer only.

In 2018, the company reported annual revenue of $12 billion. Company headquarters are located in Union, New Jersey.

Honeywell Corporate Office

Honeywell can actually trace its roots back to 1885 when Albert Butz invented a damper flapper, the first thermostat for coal furnaces, for the Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company.

In 1906, Mark C. Honeywell founded the Honeywell Heating Specialty Company in Wabash, Indiana. In 1927, Honeywell merged with Minneapolis Heat Regulator. Mark Honeywell was made President and W.R. Sweatt was made chairman.

W.R. Sweatt and his son Harold lead Honeywell for the next 75 years, turning a small idea (the thermostat) into a thriving business.

In 1943, James Binger joined the company and became President in 1961. Binger revamped the company’s sale approach and focused on profit margin instead of total revenues.

Starting in the 1970’s, the company decided to focus on process controls. The company merged some of their systems with GE‘s information systems and later acquired GE’s processing systems.

In 1986, the company took on a new direction by acquiring Sperry Aerospace while discontinuing their computer programs with the rise of the IBM personal computer.

In 1987, the company began offering a home security system and later, Smart Home control systems.

In 1999, Honeywell merged with AlliedSignal. Although AlliedSignal was the bigger company, Honeywell was the more recognizable name. In October of 2015, the “new” Honeywell company moved their headquarters to Morris Plains, New Jersey. The new 475,000-square-foot building on 40 plus acres features state-of-the-art technology, as well as greater energy efficiency than Honeywell’s old Morristown headquarters, which was underutilized, outdated and costly, according to then CEO Dave Cote.

The company is publicly traded on the NYSE under the ticker symbol: HON. Honeywell had annual revenue of $40.5 billion in 2017 and has more than 131,000 employees worldwide, with approximately 58,000 of those being in the US.

Today, Honeywell produces many consumer and commercial products and also provides engineering and aerospace services. Honeywell is a Fortune 100 company.

Honeywell

Honeywell can actually trace its roots back to 1885 when Albert Butz invented a damper flapper, the first thermostat for coal furnaces, for the Minneapolis Heat Regulator Company.

History

W.R. Sweatt and his son Harold lead Honeywell for the next 75 years, turning a small idea (the thermostat) into a thriving business.

In 1943, James Binger joined the company and became President in 1961. Binger revamped the company’s sale approach and focused on profit margin instead of total revenues.

Starting in the 1970’s, the company decided to focus on process controls. The company merged some of their systems with GE‘s information systems and later acquired GE’s processing systems.

In 1986, the company took on a new direction by acquiring Sperry Aerospace while discontinuing their computer programs with the rise of the IBM personal computer.

In 1987, the company began offering a home security system and later, Smart Home control systems.

Today, Honeywell produces many consumer and commercial products and also provides engineering and aerospace services. Honeywell is a Fortune 100 company.