An In-Depth Visit Behind the Scenes at Garmin Headquarters

There’s also consolidation and sorting of customer returns and store returns. For example, if a customer goes to a local running shop and buys a Garmin device, but then returns it – the running shop will ship it back to Garmin for validation/repackaging – even if it was in theory never used. Garmin is then able to run a test to see if the device was ever even turned on (called a first lock test, as in first satellite lock).

From there the devices will get shipped to Taiwan to be repaired. Though Garmin has the capacity to analyze and repair units in Olathe, it’s extremely rare that it happens. Units sent to Taiwan are repaired/refurbished and made like new, but typically end up being used later as stock for return replacements.

So what is the best way to repot a FW bug? Going through customer service takes too long before you can even talk to a developer in the engineering department.

Great article.

Thanks for the post.

Thanks for the share.

The Garmin facility is far larger than I ever imagined. The returns policy was very interesting.
I wish the engineering department would do some extra pushups to get the juices flowing to the brain before working on firmware upgrades.

It's remarkable that he got this much access including photos. Most mature companies are very reluctant to let outsiders come in and gather info and photos for a website because they figure it will help competitors more than them.

Much larger than I expected. Great article for a great company. Thanks.