Zebra Technologies

About Zebra Technologies

In 1969, a conversation between two engineers, Ed Kaplan and Gerhard Cless, sparked the creation of a new company. Initially called Data Specialties Incorporated, their focus was on high-speed electromechanical products. The early days involved creating paper tape punches to record data, a venture that at one point left the young entrepreneurs in significant debt. However, a pivot in 1982 towards specialty on-demand labeling and ticketing systems set the stage for future growth. This strategic shift led to a rebranding in 1986, and the company became Zebra Technologies Corporation. A major milestone arrived on August 15, 1991, when Zebra Technologies went public with an initial public offering (IPO). This event provided the capital to fuel further expansion and innovation. The company's journey of growth included several acquisitions, but a truly transformative event occurred in 2014. Zebra announced it would acquire the Enterprise business from Motorola Solutions for $3.45 billion in an all-cash transaction. This massive acquisition, completed in late 2014, dramatically expanded Zebra's portfolio, adding mobile computing and advanced data capture technologies. It brought approximately 4,500 employees into the Zebra fold and created a powerhouse in enterprise asset intelligence.