BenQ explained

Type:Subsidiary
BenQ Corporation
Predecessor:Acer Communication & Multimedia[1]
Location:Taipei, Taiwan
Key People:K.Y. Lee, Chairman;
Conway Lee, CEO and President
Revenue:US$25 billion
Parent:Qisda Corporation
Industry:Electronics
Area Served:Worldwide
Assets:US$188 million
Num Employees:1,300+
T:明基電通
S:明基电通
P:Míngjī Diàntōng
Also Known As:Qisda
T2:佳世達科技
S2:佳世达科技
P2:Jiāshìdá kējì

BenQ Corporation (;) is a Taiwanese multinational company that sells and markets technology products, consumer electronics, computing and communications devices[2] under the "BenQ" brand name, which stands for the company slogan Bringing Enjoyment N Quality to life.[3] Its principal products include televisions, LCD monitors, projectors, interactive displays, speakers, lighting, peripherals, and mobile computing devices.

BenQ's head office is located in Taipei, and the company operates five branch offices in the Asia-Pacific, Europe, China, Latin America and North America, and employs over 1,600 individuals globally. The "BenQ" brand is present in more than 100 countries worldwide.

History

BenQ was originally founded in 1984, then spun off from Acer in 2001 to provide a separate branded channel. In 2006 Acer disposed of its remaining shares in BenQ.[4]

BenQ's first mobile phone was the M775C, which was released in 2003. During Q1 2004, eight new phones were announced, ranging from bar and clamshell phones to Windows Mobile smartphones. A further seven phones, mainly clamshells, such as the BenQ S500,[5] came in 2005.

BenQ Siemens

See main article: BenQ-Siemens. On 1 October 2005, BenQ Corp. acquired the mobile devices division of Germany's Siemens AG, becoming the sixth-largest company in the mobile phone industry by accumulated market share. The acquisition results in a new business group, BenQ Mobile, of BenQ Corporation entirely dedicated to wireless communications. Mobile phones of the new group are marketed under a new brand, BenQ-Siemens.[6]

In late September 2006, the mobile devices division of BenQ, BenQ Mobile (Germany), announced bankruptcy when BenQ Corp. discontinued its funding. As a result, BenQ Mobile was placed under the supervision of a state-appointed bankruptcy administrator. In February 2007, BenQ Mobile was finally disbanded as a suitable buyer could not be found. An estimated 2000 BenQ Mobile employees lost their jobs.[7] On 24 August 2006 BenQ announced plans to spin off its manufacturing operations in early 2007, separating contract manufacturing and own-brand divisions.[8]

After Siemens

After BenQ-Siemens, BenQ continued to make phones, primarily aimed at the Asian market (although one was also released in Europe).

This is a list of BenQ phones during the post-BenQ-Siemens brands period between 2009 and 2012:

After a hiatus, BenQ resumed production of smartphones under its own brand in 2013.[9]

Smartphones

Dell Venue ProQisda Corporation, the parent company of BenQ, manufactured smartphones for Dell, which were marketed under the Venue Pro name, and which ran Windows Phone 7.[10] The phone was made available in limited quantities on 8 November 2010 with the launch of Windows Phone.[11] Delivery of the phone met severe setbacks, it was rife with numerous hardware issues,[12] and the device was discontinued as of 8 March 2012.[13]
AndroidList of andoid devices made by BenQ:
EE (UK)Starting in 2015 BenQ manufactured the Harrier and Harrier Mini Android Smartphones for the UK mobile telecoms provider EE.

Restructuring

On 24 August 2006, BenQ announced plans to spin off its manufacturing operations in early 2007, separating contract manufacturing and own-brand divisions.

In April 2007, considering that the branded business has achieved sufficient profit and scale to sustain and grow its operation independently, BenQ announced the plan to spin off its branded business. After the spin-off, BenQ Corporation was renamed Qisda Corporation, which will focus on integrated manufacturing service business, and the spun-off company has succeeded the name of BenQ Corporation, which is a 100% owned subsidiary of Qisda Corp.[14]

On 3 September 2007, the newly spun-off BenQ Corporation commenced its new operation to continue selling and marketing products under the BenQ brand name.[15]

Current day

Today, the BenQ Group consists of over 20 companies of various sizes. These companies are involved in a wide range of sectors covering:

1. Key components

2. Technology and system integration

3. Solutions and services

Logos

BenQ currently have a number of logos in use for B2B and B2C business.

Sub-brands

ZOWIE esports gear

ZOWIE was founded at the end of 2008. It is a brand dedicated to the development of professional esports equipment. At the time it debuted, there were only three employees and one product.[16]

On 10 December 2015, BenQ announced that ZOWIE GEAR would become their new esports gaming division.[17] Their newer products include mice, mouse pads, monitors, and other gaming accessories.BenQ ZOWIE esports monitors are used by around 63% of professional gamers.[18]

In September 2022, BenQ announced the launch of their XL2566K 360 Hz Monitor.[19]

On 10 June 2022, ZOWIE announced that they would be joining the professional esports league - VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) EMEA as the Official Display Partner for the 2022 season.[20]

In January 2023, BenQ announced the launch of ZOWIE EC-CW Wireless Mice Series.[21]

MOBIUZ gaming monitors

In July 2020, BenQ announced the launch of its new MOBIUZ gaming monitor series.[22] MOBIUZ monitors introduce a new HDRi[23] adaptive technology that optimizes the HDR effect based on light conditions and built-in treVolo speakers and proprietary Eye-Care technology.[24]

In February 2023, BenQ announced the launch of its first OLED monitor, dubbed the MOBIUZ EX480UZ.[25] Current Models:[26]

In June 2024, BenQ announced the launch of its first Mini LED IPS monitor, dubbed the MOBIUZ EX31UX.[27]

Products

Monitors

As well as gaming and esports monitors, BenQ manufacturer monitors under its BenQ brand name for a range of other target markets including photography, videography, small to medium (SMB) businesses, large corporate businesses, home or studying.

Projectors

In May 2022, BenQ announced they had seized the No.1 market share for 4K and Full HD projectors in Q1 2022. According to Futuresource Consulting Quarterly Market Track Reports, BenQ reached the leading position as a vendor by sales volume in Europe. It achieved a market share of 23.42% for 4K, and of 24.5% for Full HD for the period Q1 2022.[28]

In May 2023, BenQ announced three new models in their 1K home cinema range including W4000i, W2710i and TK860i.[29]

In September 2023, BenQ released their new Gaming Projector X Series - X3100i, X500i and X300G.[30] Compatible with all major consoles including Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.

Interactive displays

In March 2023, BenQ Launched the First Education Interactive Displays with Official Google Mobile Services at Bett Show in the UK[31]

Current models[32] !Model name!Year sold
RE012022–Present
RM032022–Present
RP032022–Present
RP042023–Present
RM042024-Present
RE042024-Present
BenQ Education

In 2023, BenQ launched its subbrand, BenQ Education with a new logo, colour scheme and website to showcase its interactive displays for the education market.[33] Rivalling competitors in the education display market such as Promethean, Clevertouch, Vestel and Smartboard.

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Acer spins off peripherals unit. News.cnet.com. 7 August 2011. 5 December 2001.
  2. Book: Plunkett, Jack. Plunkett's Advertising & Branding Industry Almanac 2007: Advertising . 2007. Plunkett Research. 9781593920869. 20 October 2009.
  3. Web site: Corporate Introduction . 2024-08-16 . BenQ . en.
  4. Web site: Acer cuts BenQ's cord. ZDNet UK. 7 August 2011. 18 April 2006.
  5. Web site: BenQ S500 - GSM - cellular phone Overview - CNET . www.cnet.com . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190110185106/https://www.cnet.com/products/benq-s500-cellular-phone-gsm/ . 2019-01-10.
  6. Web site: Xinhua - English . https://web.archive.org/web/20121102232147/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-06/08/content_3060286.htm . dead . November 2, 2012 . . 2005-06-08 . 2015-02-26.
  7. Web site: Ex-Siemens Subsidiary Flops: BenQ Bankruptcy Causes Furor . Spiegel Online. 2006-09-29 . 2015-02-26.
  8. Web site: Nystedt . Dan . BenQ to spin off manufacturing operations . InfoWorld . 2006-08-24 . 2015-02-26.
  9. Web site: BenQ rejoins the smartphone market with two tepid Android models . Engadget . 2 December 2013 . 1 July 2014 .
  10. Web site: IMEI lookup . Imei-number.com . 31 March 2012.
  11. News: Ziegler . Chris . Dell Venue Pro on sale at Microsoft stores, but good luck getting one . Engadget . AOL . 8 November 2010 . 21 July 2012.
  12. News: Beren . David . Dell Fesses Up To Venue Pro Wi-Fi Issues, Will Reship November 19th . TmoNews . PhoneDog . 12 November 2010 . 21 July 2012.
  13. Web site: Bishop . Bryan . Dell retires Venue and Venue Pro in the US, future smartphone plans unclear . The Verge . Vox Media . 28 March 2012 . 21 July 2012.
  14. Web site: Benq is Dead, Long Live ... Qisda? . WIRED . 2007-06-21 . 2015-02-26.
  15. Web site: Proyektor Malang | 085749572513 . 2017-04-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20170405171647/http://proyektormalang.com/ . 2017-04-05 .
  16. Web site: The Story of BenQ and ZOWIE ZOWIE Asia Pacific ZOWIE Asia Pacific . 2024-02-08 . zowie.benq.com . en-us.
  17. Web site: ZOWIE by BenQ on Twitter. Twitter. 2016-05-23.
  18. Web site: Esports Brands . prosettings.net . 19 September 2023 .
  19. Web site: Baker . Simon . 2022-09-14 . BenQ ZOWIE XL2566K Announced with 24.5" 1080p and 360Hz, but with a TN Film Panel . 2023-09-19 . TFTCentral . en.
  20. Web site: ZOWIE Joins VCT EMEA as the Official Display Partner for the Remainder of the 2022 Season! ZOWIE UK . 2024-02-08 . zowie.benq.eu . en-uk.
  21. Web site: BenQ Announces ZOWIE EC-CW Wireless Mouse for Esports ZOWIE UK . 2023-09-19 . zowie.benq.eu . en-uk.
  22. Web site: BenQ MOBIUZ Gaming Monitors Unlock New Levels of Audio-visual Immersion .
  23. Web site: What's the Difference Between HDR and HDRi? .
  24. Web site: BenQ Eye-care Technology | BenQ Europe .
  25. Web site: BenQ MOBIUZ Launch their First OLED Gaming Monitor EX480UZ . 2024-08-16 . BenQ . en.
  26. Web site: MOBIUZ Gaming Monitors BenQ US . 2023-12-06 . www.benq.com.
  27. Web site: 2024-07-04 . BenQ’s new 4K miniLED gaming monitor helps you see in the dark . 2024-08-16 . PCGamesN . en-US.
  28. Web site: BenQ 4K & Full HD Projector Market Share Reached No. 1 in Europe . 2023-09-19 . BenQ . en.
  29. Web site: Archer . John . BenQ Unveils Four New 4K Home Projectors - Including Laser And LED Models . 2023-09-19 . Forbes . en.
  30. Web site: All-New BenQ X Series Immersive Gaming Projectors Wow Gamers with Unprecedented Detail Performance . 2023-12-07 . BenQ . en.
  31. Web site: BenQ Launches First Education Interactive Displays with Official Google Mobile Services at Bett UK 2023 . 2023-09-19 . www.benq.eu . en-US.
  32. Web site: Compare BenQ Board Interactive Displays . 2023-09-19 . www.benq.com . en.
  33. Web site: Shape the future of learning . 2024-02-07 . www.benq.eu . en-GB.