Belkin

Belkin International, Inc.

Trade name	Belkin
Company type	Subsidiary
Industry	Consumer electronics
Founded	April 18, 1983 (1983-04-18)
Founder	Chet Pipkin
Headquarters	El Segundo, California, U.S.
Key people	Chet Pipkin (chairman) Steve Malony (CEO)
Number of employees	1000+
Parent	Foxconn Interconnect Technology
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Belkin International, Inc. is a U.S.-based consumer electronics firm located in El Segundo, California. The company specializes in manufacturing connectivity solutions and peripheral devices for both consumer and business markets, offering products such as wireless charging stations, portable power banks, charging cables, audio/video adapters, headphones, screen protectors, surge protectors, docking stations, secure KVM switches, and various network cables.

History

In 1983, Chet Pipkin established Belkin in Hawthorne, California after recognizing a demand for computer-to-printer cables while attending UCLA. Starting operations from his parents’ residence, Pipkin rapidly expanded the business by involving family members and friends to handle increasing orders. Within the same year, Belkin relocated to a dedicated facility and employed full-time personnel. To ensure swift delivery times, the company continued manufacturing in the U.S. while also outsourcing production to Asian factories starting in 1985 to serve international markets.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Belkin broadened its product range to include surge protectors, USB storage devices, and accessories tailored for smartphones and tablets. The introduction of the WeMo brand in 2012 marked its entry into smart home technology. A pivotal development occurred in March 2013 when Belkin acquired Cisco Systems' Home Networking Business Unit along with the Linksys brand, significantly enhancing its position in the home networking sector.

By 2015, Belkin's workforce numbered around 1,350 employees with revenues surpassing $1 billion. In 2016, the company formed a joint venture with Uponor to launch Phyn, a brand focused on water management technologies. Innovation in connectivity and smart home solutions remained central to Belkin’s business strategy.

Foxconn Interconnect Technology purchased Belkin in September 2018 for $886 million. Since then, Belkin has functioned as an autonomous subsidiary within Foxconn’s corporate group; meanwhile, Linksys continues as a distinct subsidiary under Foxconn’s ownership.

In January 2021, Chet Pipkin stepped down as CEO to assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board. Steve Malony succeeded him as CEO, steering the company’s strategic initiatives aimed at expanding global operations and driving growth.

Corporate affairs

Belkin’s main office is situated in El Segundo, California; previously it operated from locations including Playa Vista, Hawthorne, and Compton. The company maintains a worldwide presence with offices across Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States.

From its inception in 1983 until 2012, Belkin’s branding consisted solely of its company name. In 2009, Belkin pledged to cut global electricity use by 25% by 2017; by 2018 it had surpassed this target with a 37% reduction achieved through initiatives like installing solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations. In 2024, the company set a new objective to achieve full carbon neutrality across all operations by 2030.

Brands

In 2013, Belkin expanded its portfolio by acquiring Linksys, a Cisco-owned company renowned for its wireless networking equipment. By 2021, Linksys had become a subsidiary under the ownership of Foxconn Interconnect Technology and Fortinet.

Belkin introduced the Phyn brand in 2016, focusing on residential water management solutions developed through a collaboration with Uponor. Uponor divested its shares to Belkin in 2021, granting Belkin full ownership.

In February 2024, Belkin unveiled Future Ventures, a new division dedicated to advancing innovations in areas such as content creation, spatial computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics.

Donations and outreach

Between 2013 and 2014, Belkin served as the sponsor for the Dutch professional cycling team previously known as Rabobank. The company actively participates in community initiatives in Compton, including partnerships with the LA County Sheriff's Department’s ASAP program and the Everybody Wins literacy campaign. Additionally, Belkin has contributed to Susan G. Komen for the Cure by offering pink ribbon iPod cases, which have collectively raised $350,000 to support breast cancer research. In 2007, Belkin contributed to the One Laptop per Child project.

As a founding and industry partner of Da Vinci Schools, Belkin supports experiential learning programs designed to prepare students for higher education and professional careers. Since 2015, it has provided internship opportunities for students enrolled in Da Vinci Extension to gain practical work experience locally.

Products

Belkin’s extensive product lineup includes various types of cables—charging, data transfer, audio/video, adapters, and networking cables—for electronic devices.

Established in 1983, Belkin initially specialized in manufacturing cables and connectors primarily for printers and modems. Its 1984 Hamlet cable was pioneering as it connected the Apple IIc’s serial port to Centronics printers. During the 1990s, the company shifted focus toward surge protectors and USB-based products. By 2008, Belkin had transitioned into producing accessories specifically designed for smartphones.

In 2002, Belkin broadened its offerings to include stereo cables and speaker wiring solutions. Today, it markets audio equipment compatible with current technologies such as digital audio adapters, headphones, and speakers. At CES 2019, Belkin debuted its RockStar headphone series compatible with both iPhone and Android devices via Lightning port connectivity. The following year saw the release of Soundform True Wireless Earbuds and the Soundform Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker—developed in partnership with Devialet—the latter receiving accolades from Rolling Stone as Best Smart Speaker. In 2023, Belkin launched SoundForm Inspire and SoundForm Adapt headphones featuring designs shaped by consumer input and equipped with Bluetooth and USB-C connectivity.

Belkin’s range also encompasses wall chargers, car chargers, charging stations, power banks, surge protectors, power strips, and wireless charging solutions compatible with smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, laptops, and desktop computers. In 2016, the company introduced an adapter for iPhones that allows simultaneous charging while using headphones.

Belkin was the first to produce a third-party accessory compatible with Apple’s MagSafe technology. In 2023, it released the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad incorporating Qi2 technology alongside the BoostCharge Convertible Qi2 Wireless Charging Pad with stand functionality. These devices utilize intelligent circuitry to identify connected gadgets and support universal charging standards such as USB-C, MagSafe, and Qi2—enabling up to 15W charging speeds on compatible iPhones without requiring Apple’s MagSafe hardware.

The company also manufactures secure KVM switches certified under government standards to protect sensitive data within both public sector agencies and private organizations.

Under its Screenforce brand umbrella, Belkin offers device protection solutions including the UltraGlass 2 screen protector launched in 2023.

In 2024, Future Ventures introduced cutting-edge products such as the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro and Battery Holder designed specifically for Apple Vision Pro devices.