There are numerous companies the world over dealing in a number of products and segments. But, of these, only a few have managed to create a niche for themselves and left a lasting legacy. Here are some iconic companies that have truly changed the world.
Apple
Apple is one of the most iconic companies that have had a global effect. As of May 2015, its market cap stands at $741.8 billion. The company was founded in 1976 and at present its CEO is Timothy Cook. It presently has 92,600 employees and its sales have amounted to $199.38 billion. Its head offices are located at Cupertino in California. It specializes in computer hardware. It designs, makes, and sells devices related to mobile communication as well as media devices, portable digital music players, and personal computers. It also sells related software, networking solutions, services, third-party digital content and applications, and other networking solutions.
Microsoft
Microsoft is one of the leading names in the world of software and programming. Its market cap stands at $340.8 billion. It was established in 1975 and at present its CEO is Satya Nadella. It has 128,000 and its sales figure stands at $93.27 billion. Its headquarters are at Redmond Washington. Microsoft creates its products with the end aim of providing fresh opportunities for people and also making their work easier. It wants to add value to the lives of people that use its various products and services. It deals in operating systems used in personal computers, phones, servers, and other similar devices.
One of the top names as far as computer services are concerned, Google was founded in 1998. Till May 2015 its market cap stands at $367.6 billion. Lawrence Page is its CEO and the organization has 53,600 employees. Its sales are at $65.98 billion and its head offices are at Mountain View, California. The organization tries to provide people better access to technology. It provides a wide range of tools and services that can be used by advertisers of all denominations. They also deal in search, platforms, advertising, enterprise products, operating systems, and hardware products.
Coca Cola
Coca Cola is perhaps the top brand in the world when it comes to beverages. As of May 2015 its market cap has been estimated at $179.9 billion. It was founded in 1892 and its CEO is Ahmet Kent. It has 129,000 employees and its sales have been estimated at $45.91 billion. Its head offices are in Atlanta, Georgia. It specializes in both regular sparkling and diet beverages. Its major brands may be enumerated as follows:
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Diet Coke
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Powerade
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Fanta
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Minute Maid
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Sprite
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Simply
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Coca Cola Zero
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Georgia
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Vitaminwater
Its seven major segments are as follows:
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Eurasia and Africa
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Asia Pacific
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Europe
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Bottling Investments
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Latin America
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Corporate
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North America
IBM
IBM (International Business Machines Corp) is also a leading name in the world of computer services. The company was incorporated in 1911 and its market cap stood at $160.2 billion as of May 2015. Its CEO is Virginia Rometty and it has 379,592 employees. Its sales have been estimated at $93.36 billion and its headquarters are located in Armonk, New York. It deals in integrated solutions that are capable of making the most of knowledge existing in various business processes and information technology. Its five major segments are Global Technology Services, Systems and Technology, Global Business Services, Global Financing, and Software.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s is a leading chain of restaurants around the world. Its market cap has been estimated at $92.5 billion and it was incorporated in 1955. Its CEO is Stephen Easterbrook. McDonald’s employs 420,000 people and its head offices are in Oak Brook, Illinois. It operates in the retail food space on the basis of its franchises that can be found in all parts of the world. The typical McD menu includes the following:
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Hamburgers
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Salads
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Cheeseburgers
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Sundaes
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Fillets
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Pies
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French fries
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Different kinds of drinks
Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics is one of the most well-known members of the global semiconductors industry. As of May 2015, its market cap stands at $199.4 billion. The South Korean company was found in 1969 and its CEO is Oh-Hyun Kwon. It presently has 235,999 employees and its sales are estimated to be $195.89 billion. It is headquartered at Suwon. Its primary business is making and selling of various electronic products. It has three major business divisions – Consumer Electronics, Device Solutions, and Information Technology and Mobile Communications. Its major products and services are as follows:
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Cable television sets
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Handheld products
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Monitors
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Communication systems
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Printers
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Computers
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Air-conditioners
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Digital cameras
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Refrigerators
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Memory systems
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Washing machines
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Large scale integrated circuits
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Medical devices
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Light emitting diodes
Toyota Motor
Toyota Motor is one of the leading global makers of cars and trucks. In May 2015, its market cap had been estimated at $239 billion. The Japanese organization was incorporated in 1937. Its CEO is Akio Toyoda and it has 338,875 employees. Its sales have been estimated at $252.19 billion and its head offices are at Toyota. Apart from automobiles, it makes their parts. It has three major business segments – automotive operations, and financial services.
General Electric
General Electric is one of the top conglomerates of the world. Its market cap has been estimated at $253.5 billion in May 2015. It was founded in 1892 and Jeffrey Immelt serves as its CEO. The company has 305,000 employees. Its sales have been estimated at 148.45 billion and its head offices are at Fairfield, Connecticut. The company deals in both financial and technological services, and makes and develops products that can generate, transmit, distribute, control, and utilize electricity. Its major products and services could be mentioned as below:
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Aircraft engines
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Consumer financing
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Power generation
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Business financing
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Water processing
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Media content
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Security technology
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Industrial products
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Medical imaging
This social networking and computer services organization is one of the leading names of its kind in the world. As of May 2015, its market cap stands at $231.6 billion. The company was founded in 2004 by its CEO Mark Zuckerberg. It has 9199 employees and its sales have been estimated at $12.47 billion. Its headquarters are at Menlo Park, California. The aim behind creating a service like Facebook was to make the world a more connected and open space, to get people together who have lost contact with each other.