COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 423430

Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

16companies1952–1995founding years14still active2no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironmentHistory
FoundedWincor Nixdorf Holding GmbHFoundedWincor Nixdorf Holding GmbH
1952
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedFunai Electric Company Ltd.FoundedFunai Electric Company Ltd.
1961
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedGenting Bhd.FoundedGenting Bhd.
1965
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; currencies float.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins.
FoundedItron, Inc.FoundedItron, Inc.
1977
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher worldwide.
FoundedBigBen Interactive S.A.FoundedBigBen Interactive S.A.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedGTSI Corp.FoundedGTSI Corp.
1983
FoundedN.F. Smith & Associates LPFoundedN.F. Smith & Associates LP
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall sharply around the world.
1989
HistoryThe Berlin Wall falls; global markets open up.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
TechnologyLinux and open source challenge proprietary software.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
FoundedAnker BVFoundedAnker BV
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit worldwide.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

Wincor Nixdorf Holding GmbH →
Defunct · founded 1952 · Germany
Wincor Nixdorf Holding GmbH is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automated teller (ATM) and electronic…
Wincor Nixdorf Holding GmbH →
Defunct · founded 1952 · Germany
Wincor Nixdorf Holding GmbH is one of the world's leading manufacturers of automated teller (ATM) and electronic…
Funai Electric Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1961 · Japan
Funai Electric Company Ltd.
Funai Electric Company Ltd. →
Active · founded 1961 · Japan
Funai Electric Company Ltd.
Genting Bhd. →
Active · founded 1965 · Malaysia
Genting Bhd.
Genting Bhd. →
Active · founded 1965 · Malaysia
Genting Bhd.
Itron, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Itron, Inc., provides products and services to utility companies, helping its customers to collect, manage, and analyze…
Itron, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Itron, Inc., provides products and services to utility companies, helping its customers to collect, manage, and analyze…
BigBen Interactive S.A. →
Active · founded 1981 · France
BigBen Interactive S.A.
BigBen Interactive S.A. →
Active · founded 1981 · France
BigBen Interactive S.A.
GTSI Corp. →
Active · founded 1983
GTSI Corp.
GTSI Corp. →
Active · founded 1983
GTSI Corp.
N.F. Smith & Associates LP →
Active · founded 1984
Based in Houston, N.F.
N.F. Smith & Associates LP →
Active · founded 1984
Based in Houston, N.F.
Anker BV →
Active · founded 1995 · United Kingdom
Bolton, England-based (but Netherlands registered) Anker BV has transformed itself into a leading supplier of…
Anker BV →
Active · founded 1995 · United Kingdom
Bolton, England-based (but Netherlands registered) Anker BV has transformed itself into a leading supplier of…
Build It Today

Starting a computer and computer peripheral equipment and software merchant wholesalers company now

Each week we rebuild one of these stories for today's tools and capital.