Belkin

Lore & Background

Belkin was founded in the early 1980s by Chet Pipkin while he was attending UCLA. Seeing a growing need for cables connecting personal computers to new home printers, Pipkin started manufacturing computer-to-printer cables in his parents' home in Hawthorne, California. He recruited assembly help from his machinist father, brother, and friends, and in 1982 left university to focus on the business. On January 1, 1983, Pipkin moved into a professional workplace and hired his first full-time employees. Belkin performed its cable manufacturing in the United States, giving fast turnaround, and in 1985 began contracting Asian factories for global production. In the 1990s the company added surge protectors and USB storage devices, and in the early 2000s expanded into smartphone and tablet accessories including chargers and connector cables.

In 2012 Belkin launched the WeMo smart home brand. In March 2013 it acquired Cisco Systems' Home Networking Business Unit, including the Linksys brand. By 2015 the company had 1,350 employees and sales of more than $1 billion. In 2016 Belkin formed Phyn, a home water management tech brand, in a joint venture with Uponor. In September 2018 Belkin was purchased by Foxconn Interconnect Technology for $886 million and now operates as an independent subsidiary; Linksys became a separate subsidiary of Foxconn Interconnect Technology and Fortinet. In January 2021 Pipkin stepped down as CEO to become Executive Chairman, and Steve Malony was announced as the new CEO.

Belkin's product line has evolved from printer cables to include surge protectors, USB storage, smartphone accessories, audio products, wireless chargers, secure KVM switches, and device protection under the Screenforce name. In 2024 Belkin introduced Future Ventures, a product category focused on content creation, spatial computing, artificial intelligence, and robotics, with first products including the Auto-Tracking Stand Pro and the Battery Holder for Apple Vision Pro.

Reader's Guide

Belkin's significance lies in its evolution from a small cable manufacturer serving the early personal computer market to a major global supplier of connectivity and charging accessories. Its early focus on fast U.S.-based manufacturing gave it a competitive edge, and its expansion into Asian production allowed it to scale globally. The acquisition of Linksys in 2013 brought a well-known home networking brand under its umbrella, and the 2018 purchase by Foxconn Interconnect Technology provided substantial manufacturing resources while allowing Belkin to operate independently. Belkin's product range has consistently adapted to technological shifts, from printer cables in the 1980s to USB and surge protection in the 1990s, smartphone accessories in the 2000s, and wireless charging standards such as MagSafe and Qi2 in the 2020s. The company produced the world's first third-party MagSafe accessory and has introduced products like the BoostCharge Pro 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad with Qi2. Its Future Ventures category signals an ongoing interest in emerging tech fields. Belkin's legacy is that of a durable accessory brand that has remained relevant across decades of computing and mobile evolution, supported by strategic acquisitions and a strong manufacturing partnership.

Did You Know?

• Belkin was purchased by Foxconn Interconnect Technology in September 2018 for $886 million.
• In 2024 Belkin introduced Future Ventures, a product category for content creation, spatial computing, AI, and robotics.