History & Milestones
VTech’s story is about turning a passion for electronics into innovative consumer products that improve people’s lives.
1976 - 1981
Seizing on the Microchip Revolution
The 1970s saw a revolutionary invention – the microprocessor. Two engineers recognised its significance at the time and in 1976 started what would become VTech. By 1980 they had used the technology to create an entirely new consumer product category – electronic learning products.
1976
Video Technology Limited
Video Technology Limited founded by Allan Wong and Stephen Leung
1977
First Product
Developed our first product, a home TV game console
First Year Sales
Started operations, with turnover of less than US$1 million in the first year
1978
First LED Game
Launched our first portable LED game based on a single-chip microprocessor
1979
First portable LCD Game
Launched our first portable LCD game
1980
First Electronic Learning Product
Launched our first electronic learning product, the Lesson One (book type version)
1981
Lesson One
Introduced a tabletop version of the Lesson One, which became a very successful first generation electronic learning product
CreatiVision
Launched our first hybrid computer, the CreatiVision, featuring an integrated PC and video game console
1982 - 1987
Overseas Expansion
VTech’s vision was always to be a global brand and in 1982 we started our operation in the US. Two years later, we set up contract manufacturing services and began expanding our manufacturing capacity, while also opening a sales subsidiary in the UK. By now VTech was the largest supplier of electronic learning aids in the US.
1982
First Overseas Operation
Established our first overseas sales subsidiary in the US
1983
First PC Range
Introduced our first PC range, the Laser 100, based on custom integrated circuit (ASIC) chips designed in-house
Laser 3000
Launched our first Apple II compatible computer, the Laser 3000
1984
Contract Manufacturing
Began to manufacture satellite receivers on a contract manufacturing basis for the US market
1985
Laser 310
Introduced one of our PCs, the Laser 310, to mainland China for the first time
1986
Listing in Hong Kong
Listed in Hong Kong in June under the name “Video Technology International (Holdings) Limited” by way of introduction
Electronic Learning Aids
Became the largest manufacturer of electronic learning aids sold in the US
1987
Expansion into Europe
Established our first European sales subsidiary in the UK
Talking Whiz Kid
Introduced our first electronic learning aid using a laptop design, the Talking Whiz Kid
1988 - 1999
Building a Global Brand
With business growing fast, we relocated our manufacturing to mainland China and opened an R&D centre in Canada. Following the development of a fully digital 900MHz cordless telephone in 1991, telecommunication products became our third core business. Now with dual listing in Hong Kong and London and an ADR programme, the Group was well on its way to being a global brand.
1988
First Mainland China Manufacturing Facilities
Opened our first manufacturing facilities in mainland China, in Houjie town, Dongguan city, Guangdong province
R&D Centre
Established an R&D centre in Vancouver, Canada
Socrates
Launched the Socrates, our first educational video system with wireless remote control
1989
Preschool Market
Entered the preschool market with two very successful products, Small Talk and Little Smart Driver
1990
Privatisation
Privatised “Video Technology International (Holdings) Limited” in October
Laser PC
Expanded distribution of our Laser PCs to the US
1991
Listing in UK
Changed our name to “VTech Holdings Limited” and listed on the London Stock Exchange
Tropez
Introduced the world’s first fully digital 900MHz cordless telephone in the US
1992
Re-listing in Hong Kong
Re-listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, establishing a dual primary listing with London
1993
ADR Programme
Established an American Depositary Receipt programme
Capsela
Acquired the Capsela brand of scientific and construction toys
1994
First Electronic Dictionary Organiser
Launched our first electronic dictionary organiser, the CV6880
1995
LT84X Subnotebook
The LT84X Series Subnotebook won the grand prize in the Machinery and Equipment Design category at the Hong Kong Awards for Industry
1996
900MHz Cordless Phone
Became the first in the industry to introduce 900MHz cordless phones at a retail price below US$100 in the US
1.8GHz DECT Cordless Phone
Launched our first 1.8GHz DECT cordless phone in Europe
1997
Second Mainland China Manufacturing Facilities
Opened our second manufacturing site in mainland China, in Liaobu town, Dongguan city, Guangdong province
PC Business
Divested our PC manufacturing business in Hong Kong and PC distribution network in Europe
1998
Market Leader
Became the market leader in North America and Europe for ELPs. The ten best-selling electronic learning aids in the UK and the five best-selling ELPs in the US were all VTech products
R&D Centre
Established an R&D centre in Calgary, Canada
1999
2.4GHz Cordless Phone
Completed the development of a 2.4GHz global cordless phone platform
2000 - 2015
World Beating Technology
The Lucent acquisition in 2000 saw VTech become the US market leader in fixed-line residential phones. By the decade’s end, having branched out into commercial phones, we were the world’s largest manufacturer of cordless phones. Meanwhile, V.Smile became our most successful ever electronic learning product. VTech was now gaining international recognition, in 2006 being named to BusinessWeek’s “InfoTech 100”.
2000
Acquisition
Acquired Lucent Technologies’ consumer phone business, with the right to use the AT&T brand in connection with the manufacture and sale of wireline telephones and accessories
2001
Business Turnaround
Achieved a turnaround in profitability within months, following a successful restructuring
2002
New Corporate Identity
Launched a new corporate identity as part of a strategic plan to strengthen our marketing
First 5.8GHz Cordless Phone
Introduced the world’s first 5.8GHz cordless phone in the US
2003
5.8GHz Cordless Phone
Launched the world’s most advanced 5.8GHz cordless phone handset with full colour LCD display
2004
V.Smile TV Learning System
Launched the V.Smile TV Learning System, one of the most successful electronic learning products in our history
2005
Third Mainland China Manufacturing Facilities
Opened our third manufacturing facilities in mainland China, in Qingyuan city, Guangdong province
Best Overall Toy of the Year
V.Smile was named “The Best Overall Toy of the Year” in the US and won other top global awards
2006
Anniversary
Celebrated our 30th anniversary
InfoTech 100
BusinessWeek named VTech in the InfoTech 100
2007
InfoTech 100
For the second consecutive year, BusinessWeek named VTech among the top 100 information technology companies worldwide
2008
Delisting in UK
Delisted from London, maintaining our primary listing in Hong Kong
Record Revenue
Reported our third consecutive year of record revenue and profit
2009
InfoTech 100
BusinessWeek ranked VTech 54th globally, and first among Hong Kong companies, in its InfoTech 100 list
Enterprise Phones
Introduced enterprise phones for small and medium sized businesses in the US
2010
Overall Best Managed HK Company – Medium Cap
Named “Overall Best Managed Company in Hong Kong – Medium Cap” in the AsiaMoney Awards 2009
ELP New Logo
Introduced a new logo for electronic learning products to strengthen our brand
2011
Avant 5000
Introduced the world’s first CAT-iq 2.0 certified handset, the Avant 5000
2012
Hospitality Phones
Expanded into the hospitality industry and completed installation of SIP phones in the Octavius Tower at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas in March
2013
Top Player
Became the no. 1 player in the overall Infant Toys category in France, the UK and Germany
Playset Category
Expanded to the playset category with the introduction of the Go! Go! Smart Wheels
2014
No. 1 Manufacturer
Became the no. 1 manufacturer in the Infant and Preschool Electronic Learning category in the US
ErisStation
Introduced the ErisStation, our first conference phone, with four wireless microphones
2015
Constituent Stock
Added as a constituent stock of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index and FTSE4Good Global Index
Toy of the Year
The Go! Go! Smart Animals Zoo Explorers Playset won the “2015 Infant/Toddler Toy of the Year Award” in the US
New CMS Factory Building
A new factory building built for contract manufacturing services commenced operations in July, adding 25% to manufacturing capacity
2016 - Present
Investing in the Future
VTech’s 40th anniversary in 2016 saw more investment in the future. Telecommunication products expanded into new product areas, such as baby monitors, its R&D horizons broadened by the acquisition of Gigaset’s assets and Snom. A new electronic learning products brand was also added, as we acquired US edutainment company LeapFrog. As a global top 50 electronic manufacturing services provider, we are diversifying our manufacturing base globally and driving towards industry 4.0.
2016
Anniversary
Celebrated our 40th anniversary
Acquisition
Acquired LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., a leading developer of educational entertainment for children
Acquisition
Acquired Snom Technology GmbH, a pioneer and a leading brand of professional and enterprise VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) telephones
2017
Record Revenue
Achieved record revenue, surpassing the US$2 billion mark
CMS Own Facilities
Contract manufacturing services established its own facilities in Liaobu town, Dongguan city for manufacturing high precision metal tooling and parts
2018
Record Revenue
Achieved another record high revenue
Top Selling Toy of the Year
The KidiZoom Smartwatch DX assortment was the Top Selling Toy of the Year (Youth Electronics) in the US and the Kidi line of products was the Top Selling Youth Electronics Property in Europe (EU7)
No. 1 Baby Monitor Brand
VTech became the no. 1 baby monitor brand by dollar sales in the US
First Malaysia Manufacturing Facilities
Acquired our first manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, in Muar
2019
Vendor of the Year
Received the “Vendor of the Year 2018” award and “Toy Supplier of the Year” award presented by Target and Walmart respectively in the US
2020
Second Malaysia Manufacturing Facilities
Acquired our second manufacturing facilities in Malaysia, in Penang
Go! Go! Cory Carson
The animated series Go! Go! Cory Carson, premiered on Netflix globally in January, followed by the launch of playsets and vehicles featuring the characters
CMS NPI centre
A New Product Introduction (NPI) centre for CMS is opened in our R&D centre in Shenzhen
2021
Eco-friendly Toys
Introduced our first range of eco-friendly electronic learning products
2022
Record ELPs Revenue
Reported record revenue for electronic learning products business, surpassing US$1 billion in sales
Top E-commerce Award
Won “Top E-commerce US Market Share Gain (Category of Baby Monitors)” given by the NPD Group, Inc
No. 1 Contract Manufacturer
Named as the world’s no. 1 contract manufacturer of professional audio equipment in 2021
2023
New Regional Office
Opened a new sales office for electronic learning products in Italy
Snom M500 Pro
Introduced Snom M500 Pro, an industry first, cloud-accessible and provision-capable SIP based key system unit
Industry 4.0 Laboratory
Opened an i4 (Industry 4.0) laboratory for contract manufacturing services in its manufacturing facilities in mainland China
2024
Acquisition
Acquired the assets of Gigaset Communications GmbH, a global leader in communication technology.
