Have you ever wondered where the amazing GoPro cameras are made? In this article we will explain where GoPro cameras are designed, manufactured and sold.
I have used (and loved!) GoPro cameras for years and have always been curious about the company’s background. One of the questions I have about the camera is where the GoPro is manufactured. Is it made in the United States, or perhaps, in another country?
That is why I made it a point to research more about the company. Below, I will briefly explain the history of GoPro as a company. Then, I will answer the question of where GoPro designs and manufactures its cameras.
Let us get started!
GoPro Company Background
GoPro is an American technology company founded in 2002 based in San Mateo, California. It manufactures action and sports cameras. It also develops its mobile apps and video editing software for these devices.
The flagship product of GoPro is the HERO camera, with the GoPro HERO10 Black as the latest model. Another popular product is the GoPro MAX, which can record 360-degree videos.
Besides these products, GoPro also offers various camera accessories and lifestyle gear. These include backpacks, clothing, and grip mounts.
GoPro has a colorful history throughout the years. The company sold its first camera system in 2004. It will then go on to manufacture a fixed-lens HD video camera in 2014.
However, the prices of the shares fluctuate depending on the sales and controversies the company is facing. And like many other companies, GoPro suffered losses from the COVID-19 pandemic. With that said, GoPro continues to succeed in the business. It also brought in around $1.16 billion of revenue in 2021, according to a press release, a significant increase vs. the prior year.
Overall, GoPro helps the world capture raw clips in immersive and exciting ways through their cameras, accessories, and other gear.
Who Owns GoPro?
Nick Woodman founded GoPro in 2002. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer or CEO and Chairman of the company in 2022 after serving as its President from 2004 until 2014. He is the largest shareholder of GoPro and holds 69% voting control.
Other large individual shareholders of GoPro include Brian McGee (CFO and Executive Vice President), Kenneth Goldman (Director), Peter Gotcher (Director), and Zander Lurie (Director).
Besides these individual shareholders, GoPro gear also has institutional shareholders. Notable names include Prentice Capital Management, The Vanguard Group, and BlackRock. However, they only have just over 10% of the total shares.
Where Are GoPro Cameras Made?
All GoPro models are designed and engineered in the United States. However, the company relies on factories in China, Thailand, and Mexico, for manufacturing.
Outsourcing the camera manufacturing to these countries allows GoPro to scale faster. It also costs cheaper than if it created its own manufacturing facilities in the United States.
With that said, low cost does not mean poor quality. Some people still have a false impression that electronics made overseas are less reliable. But that is not true as a general rule – it depends completely on the manufacturer and its factory facilities. Many factories outside the USA actually have better manufacturing equipment and specialized knowledge depending on the industry or technology involved.
Large tech companies like GoPro source parts from around the world and leverage state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. This is true regardless of the country where production and final assembly happen.
Once finished, the products are shipped to fulfillment centers in the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Netherlands. Then, these centers will deliver the items to future GoPro users around the globe.
Are GoPros Made in Mexico?
GoPro CFO and Executive Vice President Brian McGee made a special announcement regarding U.S.-bound cameras in 2019 during the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media & Communications Conference. He said that GoPro would begin production in Guadalajara, Mexico, to promote their U.S.-bound camera production.
As of 2022, the company continues to ship a portion of its cameras to Mexico.
This move was made to support sales beginning the second half of the year. GoPro also hoped to avoid possible tariffs on Chinese production.
Overall, Mexico supports U.S.- bound cameras to minimize cost savings while maintaining production in other countries for non-U.S.-bound cameras.
Is GoPro Camera Manufactured in India?
In 2016, GoPro Inc. signed a partnership with India’s largest electronics retailer, Reliance Digital. This move launched the GoPro action cameras in the South Asian country. It also made the accessories and mounts available on the shelves of 1,800 stores across 500 cities. Hence, these cameras bound to India are now more accessible to anyone who wants to capture videos from unique perspectives.
However, GoPro has yet to send its products to begin production in India. Instead, it has contract manufacturers in China, Mexico, and Thailand.
Is GoPro a Chinese Company?
GoPro Inc. is not a Chinese company. As stated previously, it is an American company founded in the state of California in 2002. However, it manufactures many of its products, including its flagship cameras, in China.
It is not surprising that most GoPro cameras are made in China. The country is a manufacturing powerhouse. It creates products for the largest tech companies in the world, including Apple, Lenovo, and of course, GoPro.
To sum it up, a large portion of GoPro cameras are made in China. But GoPro is still an American technology company.
Is GoPro An Ethical Company?
Yes, GoPro Inc. is committed to legal and ethical conduct in every area of its business. It requires both manufacturers and suppliers to abide by the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Also known as “the Code,” it summarizes the standards GoPro expects everyone to meet, regardless of location or role. According to GoPro’s Supplier Code of Conduct, GoPro awards business only to suppliers that adhere to ethical standards that are intended to ensure all workers are treated with dignity and respect.
Where Is GoPro Located?
GoPro corporate headquarters is located in San Mateo, California. The exact address is 3025 Clearview Way, San Mateo, California 94402. The company currently leases its properties, including its headquarters location.
Does GoPro Ship Worldwide?
Yes, GoPro ships its flagship cameras, accessories, and mounts worldwide. It has warehouses and retail stores in different parts of the world. Hence, almost everyone can get their hands on a GoPro camera and record footage from unique perspectives that are not otherwise possible with a digital camera.
Conclusion
GoPro outsources many steps of its production process to other countries where production is cheaper and close to sources of specialized parts such as camera lenses and batteries. It allows the company to produce more action cameras and accessories while keeping costs affordable.
I hope this article helped you understand how GoPro operates and why its products are made in areas like China, Mexico, and Thailand.