No, HP is not a Chinese company. It is an American multinational information technology company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, United States. Even though 75-80% of HP’s products are manufactured by contract manufacturers like Foxconn in China, it remains an American company by corporate registration and ownership structure. HP operates in two segments, personal systems and printing solutions. Personal system offerings include personal computers, workstations, laptops, notebooks, tablets, displays and accessories. Printing solutions, on the other hand, include 3D printers, commercial printers, consumer printers, scanners, copiers and printing supplies.
| Details | Info |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Founder | Bill Hewlett and David Packard |
| Headquarters | Palo Alto, California, United States |
| CEO | Enrique Lores |
| Sector | Information Technology |
Company History
Hewlett Packard or HP was founded on 1st January 1939 by Bill Hewlett and David Packard in Palo Alto, California, United States. Its first product was a Model 200A audio oscillator. The company experienced rapid growth during World War II by supplying military test equipment. HP opened its first overseas manufacturing plant in Germany in 1939.
HP launched its first computer, HP 2116A, in the year 1966. Two years later, the company launched the world’s first scientific calculator, HP 9100A. In the year 1980, HP launched one of the first personal desktop computers in the world, named HP-85. This was followed by the launch of the iconic LaserJet printer and ThinkJet inkjet printer in 1984.
HP merged with Compaq to become the world’s largest PC maker in 2002. In the year 2015, HP spun off its enterprise products/storage/networking division as an independent entity named Hewlett Packard Enterprise.
Current Status
HP is the second-largest personal computer vendor in the world by unit sales, just behind Lenovo. It continues to focus on personal computers, printers, 3D printing and gaming. HP operates in over 170 countries, leveraging local manufacturing, diversified supply chains and an extensive network of subsidiaries, partners and offices. Non-US markets account for around 60% of the company’s revenues.
HP’s recent product launches include HP DesignJet T870, HP ZBook Ultra mobile workstation, HP OmniBook Ultra Flip next generation AI PC convertible, HP EliteBook Ultra AI notebook, OMEN Max 16 Gaming Laptop, HP LaserJet Enterprise 8000 Series printers and HP Envy Photo Series of consumer photo printers with AI features.
Future Outlook
HP aims to become a market leader in AI-integrated PCs, 3D manufacturing and printing subscriptions. The company expects to launch more than 80 new AI PC models in the year 2026. HP is likely to maintain focus on premium AI-enabled gaming and hybrids. The company is looking to capture a market share of 40-50% in the premium AI segment by 2026.
