1

Vtech

#4477

Rank

$1.76B

Marketcap

HK Hong Kong

Country

Vtech
Leadership team

Dr. Chi-Yun Wong B.Sc., GBS, Hon DTech, J.P., JP, M.B.E., MBE, MSEE (Co-Founder, Exec. Chairman & Group CEO)

Dr. King Fai Pang (Pres & Exec. Director)

Mr. Hon Kwong Leung (CEO of Contract Manufacturing Services & Exec. Director)

Products/ Services
Consumer Electronics, Education
Number of Employees
20,000 - 50,000
Headquarters
Beaverton, Oregon, United States
Established
1976
Net Income
100M - 500M
Revenue
Above - 1B
Traded as
0303.HK
Social Media
Overview
Location
Summary
Vtech Holdings Limited designs, manufactures, and distributes electronic products in North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, and internationally. The company offers electronic learning toys for infancy, toddler, and preschool under the Vtech and LeapFrog brands; platform products; and learning programs. It also provides telecommunication products, such as residential and commercial phones under the VTech; and other telecommunication products, including baby monitors, cordless handsets, and integrated access devices. In addition, the company offers contract manufacturing services for customers in the areas of professional audio equipment, hearables, Internet of Things, and medical and health products. Further, it provides property holding, and group financing and procurement services; develops broadband connectivity software; sells telecommunication and electronic products; and manufactures plastic products. The company was founded in 1976 and is headquartered in Tai Po, Hong Kong.
History

VTech was founded in Hong Kong in October 1976 by two local entrepreneurs, Allan Wong and Stephen Leung. When the first single-chip microprocessor, the Intel 4004, became available in the early 1970s, the company saw the potential it offered for portable consumer electronics products. Wong & Leung set up a small factory in To Kwa Wan, with a US$40,000 investment and a staff of 40 people. In the first year, turnover was less than US$1 million.VTech initially focused on developing video games. In 1977, the company created its first home TV game console, a version of Pong. Since only consumers in North America and Europe could afford such items, the company targeted primarily these markets.

The United Kingdom was chosen as the first market for Pong, as Hong Kong and the UK used the same standard for television systems. In 1978, the founders introduced LED games they had developed to buyers from RadioShack in the US, which were sold under the RadioShack brand.

VTech then began to build its own brand. Starting in the early 1980s, a line of electronic games would be manufactured. VTech unveiled its first electronic learning product, called Lesson One, at the New York Toy Fair, in February 1980. It taught children basic spelling and maths. An exclusive version under the name Computron was offered to Sears, with the product being prominently advertised by Sears, in its catalogue, which was a popular shopping guide.Next VTech made the video game console CreatiVision. An electronic product with an external projector from French company Ludotronic was adapted by VTech and sold as the VTech ProScreen in 1984, following the release of VTech's Gamate and Variety handheld products the year prior.

VTech then branched out into personal computers, including a series of 8-bit TRS-80 competition computers named the Laser 200 , 210 and 310, as well as a series of IBM compatible PCs both beginning in 1983, followed by Apple II compatible computers, beginning in 1985, including a model called Laser 128.

VTech exited the personal computer market in 1997, due to tight competition.In 1985, the United States Federal Communications Commission allocated the frequency band 900MHz to ISM devices. Taking advantage of this, VTech began development on a cordless telephone, using the 900 MHz band, and in 1991 introduced the world's first fully digital 900 MHz cordless telephone.In 2000, to expand its cordless phone business, VTech acquired the consumer telephone business of Lucent Technologies. The acquisition also gave VTech the exclusive right for 10 years to use the AT&T brand in conjunction with the manufacture and sale of wireline telephones and accessories in the United States and Canada. Although the acquisition increased sales of VTech's telecommunication products by 50%, it led to operating losses and write-offs. The company issued a profit warning in March 2001 and launched a broad restructuring plan. By the financial year 2002, the company had turned around the business and returned to profitability.Today, VTech's core businesses remain cordless telephones and electronic learning products. Its contract manufacturing services – which manufactures various electronic products on behalf of medium-sized companies, has also become a major source of revenue. The company has diversified geographically, selling to North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

Mission
VTech’s mission is to be the de facto leader in the development and production of innovative and affordable educational products that bring technology to the everyday lives of people and enrich their families’ lives.
Vision
VTech’s vision is to be a leading global brand that creates and distributes educational products that enhance the lives of families everywhere.
Key Team

Ms. Ka Hung Tong (Group Chief Financial Officer)

Mr. Hoi Cheung (GM of Operations & Pres of Telecommunication Products)

Dr. Chorng Yeong Chu (Group Chief Technology Officer)

Mr. Yu Wai Chang (Group Chief Compliance Officer & Company Sec.)

Corinna Chan (Sr. Corp. Communications Mang.)

Mr. Wah Shun Wong (Chief Exec. Officer of the Branded Bus.)

Mr. Gilles Sautier (International Pres of Europe)

Recognition and Awards
VTech has been awarded multiple awards for the products it has released, such as the VTech Kidizoom Camera for earning the ALTIUS award for Best Electronic Toy, and the VTech InnoTab Learning App Tablet for receiving the Parent’s Choice Silver Honor for its excellence in the category of electronic toys.
References

Dive deeper into fresh insights across Business, Industry Leaders and Influencers, Organizations, Education, and Investors for a comprehensive view.

Vtech
Leadership team

Dr. Chi-Yun Wong B.Sc., GBS, Hon DTech, J.P., JP, M.B.E., MBE, MSEE (Co-Founder, Exec. Chairman & Group CEO)

Dr. King Fai Pang (Pres & Exec. Director)

Mr. Hon Kwong Leung (CEO of Contract Manufacturing Services & Exec. Director)

Products/ Services
Consumer Electronics, Education
Number of Employees
20,000 - 50,000
Headquarters
Beaverton, Oregon, United States
Established
1976
Net Income
100M - 500M
Revenue
Above - 1B
Traded as
0303.HK
Social Media