When did Verbatim expand its product line from magnetic and optical media to flash media?
Recognizing the global increase in digital devices powered by memory chips, Verbatim expanded into the flash memory market in 2001, adding a wide range of memory cards, adaptors and readers. Then, in response to the growing number of people who want to take their data with them wherever they go, Verbatim launched its award-winning line of Store ‘n’ Go USB drives in 2003. Currently, Verbatim offers many different USB drives for consumers, professionals and corporations with capacities ranging from 1GB to 32GB
When did Verbatim acquire SmartDisk and why?
Verbatim purchased substantially all of the assets of SmartDisk Corporation’s external hard drive (HD) and digital imaging business in June 2007. Verbatim recognized that consumers and business professionals need the full range of removable and portable storage options – optical, flash and hard disk. The acquisition was part of Verbatim’s corporate strategy to capitalize on the growing portable storage market and to complement its existing line of portable storage products.
A year or two prior to the acquisition, when Verbatim management began looking for growth and expansion opportunities, it had already determined that it wanted to stay close to its storage/accessory product arena where the company had the greatest depth of expertise and experience.
The need for a fast, easy way to back-up, store, share and transport data files, presentations, photos, music and video continues to fuel explosive growth in the worldwide removable storage industry. Verbatim is meeting the needs of this expanding market with a complete family of highly reliable, technically advanced solutions that are also cost-effective.
When did Verbatim expand to include removable HDD products?
With the acquisition of SmartDisk, Verbatim continued to expand its product offerings and moved full-speed into the removable HDD and the consumer NAS markets. Recently, the company added the world’s first half-Terabyte 2.5” Portable Hard Disk Drive (HDD).
What other products does Verbatim offer?
Focused on meeting the needs of PC and Mac users who want to enhance their computing experience with a brand they trust and broad compatibility, Verbatim offers a wide range of computing accessories including designer-styled mice and keyboards that feature the latest technologies.
Where do we stand today with Blu-Ray and does it have a future, especially in the new download world?
In addition to the 2X and 4X BD recordable (BD-R), 2X BD rewritable (BD-RE), 2X 2X Single-sided Dual-layer (DL) BD-R and 4X Inkjet printable BD-R and Mini BD-R/BD-RE media, which are available now, Verbatim will begin shipping 2X BD-R Thermal-printable discs and 6X BD-R discs as well as 6X Single-sided Dual-layer (DL) BD-R discs in the first half of 2009.
Verbatim’s new 2X BD-R LTH TYPE discs are also scheduled to launch soon. The LTH Type discs use an organic recording layer which allows them to be manufactured on existing CD-R or DVD-R production lines with only minor adjustments, providing a more affordable solution to high-definition video storage. Compared to standard BD-R discs which use inorganic dye, BD-R LTH discs use a patented organic AZO layer which Verbatim’s parent company, MKM, developed by leveraging its many years of success in developing organic AZO recording layers for CD-R and DVD-R media.
We were able to perfect the BD single- and double-layer media production processes early on because of our earlier work in double-layer DVDR and magneto-optical (MO) technologies, so we were ahead of the curve from that perspective. Burner hardware manufacturers have begun transitioning from DVD burners to BD burners and the hardware production efficiencies and cost reductions are coming into play. At the same time, consumer video production software has finally been released that would enable independent videographers and prosumers to produce their videos and movie in high definition.
We are seeing steady growth in the prosumer area because for these individuals, the burner prices (under $400) and media prices (single layer BDR media $4-$7) are very reasonable and getting better. As volumes increase, the prices will decrease rapidly for the consumer.
