DeLorme
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mapping, GPS technology, Satellite communication |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | David DeLorme |
| Fate | Acquired by Garmin |
| Successor | Garmin |
| Headquarters | Yarmouth, Maine , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | inReach satellite communication devices, printed atlases, topographic software (Topo), Street Atlas USA, Digital Atlas of the Earth (D.A.E.) |
| Owner | Garmin |
Number of employees | 75 (as of 1986) (1986) |
| Parent | Garmin |
| Website | www |
DeLorme Publishing Company focuses on advanced personal satellite tracking, messaging, and navigation technologies. Its premier offering, inReach, integrates GPS functionality with satellite communication through the Iridium network, allowing users to send text messages globally without relying on cellular service. When connected to smartphones, it provides navigation capabilities supported by complimentary downloadable topographic maps and NOAA charts. On February 11, 2016, DeLorme became part of Garmin, broadening Garmin’s range of GPS-related products and services.
Beyond digital innovations, DeLorme also produces printed atlases and topographic software solutions. The DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer combines with vehicle GPS systems and online mapping platforms to improve route planning and promote outdoor activities. Its Topo software delivers comprehensive trail, logging road, and terrain information throughout North America, including detailed data on parks, lakes, rivers, and streams across all 50 states. With sales exceeding 20 million paper atlases, DeLorme continues to hold a significant position in the traditional mapping sector.
Established in 1976 and based in Yarmouth, Maine, DeLorme is distinguished by its headquarters housing Eartha, the largest rotating globe globally—symbolizing its dedication to geographic innovation.
History
Entrepreneur David DeLorme founded the company in 1976 to address the scarcity of precise back-country maps in Maine. By compiling various state and federal maps, he created the Maine Atlas and Gazetteer, which was initially sold directly by the founder. This atlas included features such as bicycle trails, canoe routes, and historical landmarks, quickly gaining popularity.
By 1986, DeLorme had grown to 75 employees at its Freeport, Maine location and extended its mapping coverage to include New England and upstate New York. In 1987, it introduced an innovative CD containing detailed global topographic information.
The release of Street Atlas USA on CD-ROM in 1991 marked a pivotal moment for the company; it became the dominant street-mapping software in the United States and one of the first widely distributed CD-ROM products. By 1995, DeLorme commanded a 44% share of the CD map market and collaborated with the American Automobile Association to develop AAA Map 'n' Go, which featured automated routing capabilities. The launch of the DeLorme GPS receiver further enriched its product suite.
In 1996, DeLorme adapted its mapping products for use on PDAs and moved to a new corporate campus in Yarmouth, Maine in 1997. This campus is renowned for housing Eartha—the world’s largest rotating globe—which serves both as a corporate icon and an educational exhibit.
In 1999, DeLorme introduced 3D TopoQuad DVDs and CDs containing digitized U.S. topographic maps. Following this, it released professional GIS software called XMap in 2001 that included GPS support for Palm OS and Pocket PC devices.
DeLorme was among the first to develop USB GPS technology with its Earthmate GPS LT-20 device in 2004 and launched downloadable satellite imagery overlays through its NetLink service. By 2006 and 2007, it expanded into standalone GPS units with models like Earthmate GPS PN-20 and PN-40. The company also supplied OEM GPS modules to other manufacturers while marketing geospatial data to corporate clients.
In 2009, DeLorme unveiled the Digital Atlas of the Earth (D.A.E.), an exceptionally precise global topographic map at a scale of 1:50,000. This product was adopted as an official mapping tool by military forces in both the United States and Australia. The virtual globe measures nearly 1,000 feet in diameter, highlighting DeLorme’s leadership position within geographic data solutions.
Acquisition
On February 11, 2016, Garmin, a leader in GPS technology and services, announced its intention to acquire DeLorme, while assuring that DeLorme’s Yarmouth operations would continue uninterrupted. The deal was finalized on March 3, 2016.
See also
External links
- Map companies of the United States
- Software companies based in Maine
- Atlases
- Cartography
- GIS companies
- GIS software
- Global Positioning System
- Navigation system companies
- Route planning software
- Companies based in Cumberland County, Maine
- Yarmouth, Maine
- American companies established in 1976
- Publishing companies established in 1976
- Software companies established in 1976
- 1976 establishments in Maine
- 2016 mergers and acquisitions
- Garmin
- Defunct software companies of the United States
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment