| Type | Corporation |
|---|---|
| Industry | Computer hardware, |
| Founded | 1950s |
| Founder(s) | Walter Cherry |
| Headquarters | Auerbach i. d. Oberpf., Germany |
| Revenue | 250 Mio. Euro (2007) |
| Employees | 3,100 |
| Website | www.cherrycorp.com www.cherry.de |
ZF Electronics GmbH (formerly known as Cherry GmbH) is a German computer peripheral-device maker. The company has its roots in the USA. They also manufacture a large range of products including sensors, input devices and automotive modules. In 2008, Cherry GmbH was bought by ZF Friedrichshafen and as a result was renamed to ZF Electronics GmbH, now a subsidiary of ZF Friedrichshafen. However, they continue to sell products under the Cherry brand and the Cherry logo is also still in use.
Cherry was founded by Walter Cherry back in 1953 in the basement of a Highland Park, Illinois restaurant. With the passing of its founder, his son Peter took over the ownership of the organization. The headquarters of the company were moved to Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany in 1979. Cherry has been manufacturing keyboards since 1967. The company claims to be the oldest keyboard manufacturer in the world, that is still in business.[1]
The company maintains production facilities in Europe (most notably in Bayreuth, Germany), Asia as well as the Americas. All products are designed and developed at the company's headquarters in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz. Additional offices can be found in the UK, Italy, France, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Australia and others, with distributors in most major countries.
In 2008, Cherry was bought by ZF Friedrichshafen AG and completely incorporated as the ZF Electronics GmbH Corporate Division. The Cherry brand continues to be used.
Among widely known products of Cherry are its keyboard switches that are used in keyboards made by Cherry itself, Cherry TVS Electronics of India (Now ZF TVS), Maltron, Filco, and Das Keyboard. The central feature of all these keyboards are the cherry switches that give them their distinct feel.
Today, ZF Electronics Corporation (formerly Cherry Corporation) has four divisions: