Company Overview

Bose is one of the top manufacturers of high-end audio equipment, with sales accounting for 25 percent of the world market. It makes a variety of speaker models for home, car and professional markets, and other related equipment. The company is privately held and was founded by MIT professor Amar Bose in 1964, when it  introduced its first speaker that blends reflected and direct sound to recreate a listening experience similar to a live performance. Soon after, Bose became well-known for making its speakers small, yet capable of producing rich sound. The company manufactures its products in the United States and Northern Ireland and has operations throughout the world.

Since its creation, Bose has continually sought new areas where sound systems could be redesigned. In 1983, it offered its first stereo system designed specifically for cars. In 1992, its speakers were used in Space Shuttle flights, and Bose partnered with IBM to improve the sound quality in PCs in 1997. One of its most successful products continues to be its Wave radio, a small product that produces a deceptively large sound.

In 2004, Bose acquired parts of Minnesota-based EnduraTEC Systems, maker of biomedical testing equipment. This new venture capitalizes on Bose’s intellectual assets and EnduraTEC’s experience in materials testing and applications engineering. The goal is to accelerate the development of innovative medical products that provide tangible benefits to research and product development organizations.

In 2007, Bose unveiled a new media system at an auto show in Geneva, Switzerland. The system, launched with the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, combines stereo, navigation, and hands-free calling into one component and interface. It won the International Telematics Award for the "Best Storage Solution for In-Car Environment" that same year.