Garmin International, Inc.

Garmin International Inc. pioneered the consumer handheld Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) market by introducing the very first handheld consumer GPS system.

The Challenge

Garmin International Inc. pioneered the consumer handheld Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) market by introducing the very first handheld consumer GPS system. When the company found itself facing an onslaught of competitors, Garmin engineers decided to upgrade its 2D system to a 3D solid modeling environment developing innovative, aesthetically-pleasing GPS product designs to differentiate the company’s products in an increasingly competitive market.

The Solution

The company selected SolidWorks software because of its ease of use, Windows®-compliant interface, versatility, compatibility with complementary engineering applications, sophisticated surfacing and geometric modeling capabilities, and value. By deploying SolidWorks, Garmin has reduced its design cycle by 50 percent, improved the aesthetics of its products, has cut two-to-three weeks from tooling development, and has achieved a leadership position in the GPS consumer market.

Success Metric

  • Reduced design cycles by 50%

  • Improved product aesthetics

  • Cut 2 to 3 weeks from tooling development

  • Achieved leadership position in GPS consumer market