LaCie
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware |
| Founded | July 1, 1987 in Tigard, Oregon, United States (La Cie, Ltd.) |
| Founder | Joel Kamerman, Robert Kamerman, Tudy Kamerman, Roger Bates (La Cie, Ltd.); Pierre Fournier, Philippe Spruch (électronique d2) |
| Headquarters | Tigard , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | Philippe Spruch (CEO as of 2013) |
| Products | External hard drives, RAID systems, optical drives, flash memory devices, computer monitors |
| Parent | Seagate Technology |
| Website | www |
LaCie (; meaning "The Company" in English) is a computer hardware manufacturer with American and French roots, specializing in external storage solutions such as hard drives, RAID systems, optical drives, flash memory devices, and computer monitors. Their product lineup includes external hard drives with capacities reaching several terabytes and supports various connection standards like FireWire 400, FireWire 800, eSATA, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, Thunderbolt, and Ethernet. Additionally, LaCie offers portable hard drives powered via bus connection.
The company's display products are designed specifically for graphic design professionals, with a strong focus on delivering precise color fidelity.
Company background
LaCie was formed through the merger of two distinct storage enterprises: électronique d2, founded in Paris in 1989, and LaCie, established in Tigard, Oregon, in 1987. In 1995, électronique d2 purchased La Cie and consolidated their operations under the unified LaCie brand. Both entities initially concentrated on SCSI-based storage solutions tailored primarily for the Macintosh platform.
Founded by Pierre Fournier and Philippe Spruch in Paris, électronique d2 initially produced external SCSI hard drives. By 1990, it expanded its research and development efforts and launched subsidiaries throughout Europe—including offices in London (1991), Brussels, and Copenhagen—broadening its market reach beyond Macintosh users to include PC customers. The acquisition of the US-based La Cie (then part of Quantum) in 1995 enabled access to the North American market. By 1998, the LaCie name was adopted worldwide.
La Cie, Ltd., created in July 1987 by Joel Kamerman and family members in Oregon, emphasized profitability over revenue growth, product differentiation through innovative design and software integration, and vertical integration to ensure long-term sustainability. Plus Development (a Quantum subsidiary) acquired the company in 1990. Subsequently, La Cie became Apple's sole manufacturer of Apple-branded external SCSI drives utilizing Quantum disk technology—a partnership established by Kamerman and Scott Phillips.
Following the 1995 acquisition by électronique d2, Philippe Spruch assumed leadership of the merged company as of 2013.
In March 2012, Seagate Technology announced its intention to purchase LaCie for $186 million; this transaction was finalized in 2014. In August 2013, LaCie's US headquarters returned to Tigard.
Chronology
- 1987 Joel Kamerman, Robert Kamerman, Tudy Kamerman, and Roger Bates establish La Cie, Ltd. in Tigard, Oregon, launching the Cirrus Drive—the first external drive honored with an industrial design award.
- 1989 Pierre Fournier and Philippe Spruch found électronique d2 in Paris.
- 1990 Plus Development (a subsidiary of Quantum) acquires La Cie, Ltd.; électronique d2 relocates to new facilities on rue Watt in Paris.
- 1991 First European subsidiary opens in London; development commences on the inaugural d2 SCSI card compatible with PCs.
- 1992 New offices launch in Brussels (Belgium) and Copenhagen (Denmark); new hard drive models designed by Philippe Starck and Neil Poulton debut.
- 1993 German subsidiary established in Düsseldorf; d2 moves headquarters to larger premises in Massy, near Paris.
- 1994 Subsidiaries open locations in Rotterdam and Basel.
- 1995 Offices inaugurated in Madrid and Milan; électronique d2 acquires LaCie from Quantum, securing a presence in North America.
- 1996 New office opens in Stockholm; LaCie establishes a Canadian subsidiary in Toronto; électronique d2 lists on Paris' nouveau marché exchange.
- 1997 LaCie's US operations relocate to larger Portland facilities; électronique d2 acquires NATI (a repair service company); launches premium 21-inch monitors alongside color management tools.
- 1998 Acquisition of ASP Technologies, Inc., a Macintosh clone manufacturer; "LaCie" becomes the global brand name replacing "électronique d2."
- 1999 Disposal of NATI by LaCie.
- 2000 Australian subsidiary founded; introduction of PocketDrive—a compact 2.5-inch portable disk drive.
- 2001 Japanese subsidiary established; launches include 18-inch flat panel monitors and DVD players.
- 2002 Introduction of Fusion CD-RW drives.
- 2003 Release of the LaCie Big Disk—a 500 GB external hard drive; launch of F.A. Porsche-designed portable drives and first Triple Interface Hard Drives.
- 2004 Debut of the LaCie Bigger Disk featuring a 1 TB capacity.
- 2009 Acquisition of Caleido—a peer-to-peer storage startup known for its Wuala product.
- 2012 Seagate announces intent to acquire LaCie for USD $186 million pending regulatory approval.
- 2014 Completion of Seagate's acquisition of LaCie followed by integration efforts.
Products
Initially, LaCie concentrated on producing external SCSI hard drives but later broadened its product line to encompass early CD writers, pioneering DVD drives, magneto-optical drives, SyQuest drives, tape-based backup solutions, RAID systems, as well as portable USB and FireWire storage devices.
Designers
During the 1980s, computer accessories typically featured plain designs, often encased in beige metal boxes. LaCie distinguished itself by targeting creative professionals using Apple Macintosh computers with "designer drives" crafted to appeal to their aesthetic preferences.
Prior to the 1995 acquisition by électronique d2, Ziba Design from Portland, Oregon was responsible for designing numerous products for LaCie, including acclaimed models such as the Joule tower, Cirrus, and Tsunami drives. By that period, LaCie had secured industrial design accolades for each external storage device it introduced.
Starting in 1991, the Paris-based électronique d2 gained prominence by engaging industrial designers like Philippe Starck and Neil Poulton, focusing on ergonomic functionality combined with unique styling. Starck created three notable "toaster" drives—"K1," "Apollo," and "Tokyo"—crafted from gravity-cast and hand-polished aluminum. These projects were overseen by Neil Poulton and Christophe Pillet; although a fourth Starck design was conceptualized, it never reached production.
Neil Poulton, originally from Scotland, holds the longest continuous relationship with électronique d2/LaCie. Since 1991, his portfolio includes designs such as the "Shark," "FM Tuner," and the award-winning "le Coq" hard drive. Beyond product design, Poulton developed d2's visual identity including graphics, packaging, exhibition booths, logos, and following LaCie's acquisition in 1995, he crafted its current logo and corporate branding.
Poulton is credited with designing some of LaCie's most successful lines like the "d2" series, "Pocketdrive," "Rugged," "Little Big Disk," along with various professional-grade products. His funnel-shaped "Firewire Speakers" earned the French "Janus de l'Industrie" award in 2007.
Christophe Pillet—renowned for his luxury furniture designs—contributed to LaCie's portfolio between 1994 and 1996 after departing from Starck’s studio.
In 2003, CEO Philippe Spruch enlisted Porsche Design—recognized globally as a leading design firm—to develop a product range that achieved significant commercial success from 2003 through 2006.
By 2006, LaCie introduced a series of colorful devices featuring Karim Rashid's vibrant creations alongside Ora-Ito's widely favored Brick drive. Due to trademark conflicts, Ito’s 2007 USB Hub required a name change.
In 2007, France’s national museum Centre Georges Pompidou acquired multiple LaCie products for its permanent collection: Poulton’s designs including "le Coq," "d2," "LBD," "Firewire Speakers," "Pocketdrive," and "Rugged"; Ito’s "Brick" and "USB Hub"; plus two drives designed by Porsche Design.
Both Neil Poulton and Ora-Ito continue to serve as principal designers for LaCie.
Innovations
LaCie was a pioneer in incorporating switchable built-in termination within their Cirrus, Tsunami, and ZFP SCSI drives tailored for Macintosh systems.