Toshiba

Description

Toshiba America Information Systems (TAIS) provides sales, marketing, and services in the US and Latin America for the information products made by its three divisions. Those units -- Digital Products, Digital Solution, and Storage Devices -- design and manufacture products and services for the Internet and mobile communications industries, as well as offering storage and imaging products and services. The company's products include digital imaging systems, DVD/CD recording devices, hard disk drive, portable computers, projectors, and telephony equipment. TAIS is a unit of Toshiba America, which is a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation.

TAIS, which operates as an independant company owned by Toshiba America, operates a research and development (R&D) center for PCs, digital documentation, network systems, and telecommunications.

Logitech

Description

While many companies want to improve the proverbial mousetrap, Logitech International is more concerned about making a better mouse. The company is a leading maker of mice -- it competes with Microsoft for leadership in this market -- and other devices for controlling computers, including joysticks, trackballs, and keyboards. The company also offers PC speakers, cameras and headsets. Logitech sells its products directly to manufacturers -- most of the world's largest PC makers are customers -- as well as through distributors and retailers worldwide. Logitech performs its high-volume manufacturing in China.

Logitech's growth strategy includes enhancing functionality -- especially Internet-related features -- for its PC devices and expanding its product line beyond the PC platform. It continues to roll out new products like the WingMan Force Feedback Mouse, which lets video game players feel things like the recoil from weapons, and lets less violent users "feel" the difference between dragging a 1 GB and a 1 KB file across the desktop.

Another strategy for growth is from key acquisitions. The company expanded its product lines, particularly its computer speaker offerings, when it acquired Labtec in 2001 and has enjoyed becoming the leading remote control maker from its 2004 purchase of Harmony.

As mobile entertainment devices such as the iPod gain in popularity, Logitech is scampering to add personal peripherals such as headphones and speakers.