One of the more recent entrants into the market for integrated cockpit systems has emerged as the industry’s most prolific. Garmin has delivered nearly 5,000 of its G1000 integrated avionics systems for installation in a range of general aviation piston airplanes, turboprops and jets since introducing the glass cockpit five years ago. While that milestone certainly is impressive, what’s just as remarkable is that Garmin has also produced more than 12 million GPS products for the automotive market, and countless more for hikers, boaters, hunters and a host of other everyday consumers, many of whom have no idea of the company’s roots in aviation.
Although an increasing share of Garmin’s revenue is derived from the sale of consumer electronics, its rise to prominence is one steeped in avionics lore. It is the tale of two fed-up Bendix/King engineers who quit their jobs in 1989 to found their own company, and who by almost every measure went on to beat their former employer on multiple fronts with products designed to work better, do more, last longer and sell for less.
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