No, MSI is not a Chinese company. With its headquarters located in New Taipei City, Taiwan, Micro-Star International Co., Ltd. (MSI) is a multinational information technology firm. The company, established in 1986 by Hsieh Kuang-tsai and his four colleagues, is known for its innovation in electronics and computer hardware. Despite having operations and manufacturing facilities in China, MSI remains a Taiwanese company focused on the advancement and production of high-quality tech products.
MSI Company Details
Headquarters | New Taipei City, Taiwan |
Industry | Computer Hardware, Electronics |
Founded | 1986 |
Key Products | Laptops, Desktops, Graphics Cards, Motherboards |
Global Presence | MSI operates globally, products sold worldwide |
Market Focus | Specializes in gaming laptops and components |
Notable Products | MSI GS66 Stealth Gaming Laptop, MPG X570 Gaming Edge WiFi Motherboard, GeForce RTX 30 Series Graphics Cards |
Innovation | Known for high-performance gaming hardware |
Manufacturing Locations | Production facilities in Taiwan and China |
Online Presence | Active on social media platforms and official website |
Customer Base | Popular among gamers and PC enthusiasts |
Stock Exchange | MSI is publicly traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under the code “2377” |
MSI History
Before founding MSI, the five founders—Joseph Hsu, Jeans Huang, Frank Lin, Kenny Yu, and Henry Lu—were all employed at Sony. Following organizational downsizing at Sony in 1985, they came together to create Micro-Star International in August 1986. Their collaboration led to the establishment of MSI in New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Over time, MSI expanded its reach beyond Taiwan, establishing a manufacturing plant in Bao’an, Shenzhen, China in 2000, and setting up research and development centers in Kunshan in 2001. The company now offers global warranty services across Europe, Australia, Asia, South and Central America, and North America.
Operations
MSI’s corporate headquarters are located in Zhonghe District, New Taipei City, Taiwan, which houses several of the company’s divisions and services. Initially, MSI’s manufacturing took place in Taiwan, but the company has since moved a significant portion of its production overseas. Notably, MSI operates several manufacturing facilities in mainland China, where it produces a wide range of products. The company’s branch offices span across the Americas, Australia, Asia, Europe, and South Africa, making it a truly global player in the technology sector. As of 2015, MSI operated in over 120 countries.
Products
MSI’s early success stemmed from its development and production of graphics cards and motherboards. The company expanded its product line over the years and, in 2008, launched FUNTORO, a subsidiary dedicated to car infotainment systems. Today, MSI offers a diverse range of products including all-in-one PCs, mobile workstations, IPCs, servers, multimedia peripherals, laptops, car infotainment systems, desktops, motherboards, monitors, graphics cards, computer cases, power supplies, and liquid coolers for gamers and content creators.
Conclusion
In its early years, MSI started as a distributor of computer components during the nascent stages of Taiwan’s personal computer industry. Since then, the company has evolved into a leading designer and manufacturer of its own computer hardware, including motherboards and graphics cards. Today, MSI is recognized globally for its superior products and innovative designs, firmly establishing itself as a prominent player in the technology sector. Despite its operations in China, MSI remains a proud Taiwanese company, continually advancing in the global tech industry.