Original CHERRY

CHERRY history

The CHERRY Corporation was founded by Walter Lorain Cherry in 1953. The first microswitches were produced in the basement of a restaurant in Highland Park, Illinois. From humble beginnings, the company quickly grew in size and reputation after entering the US automobile market. In the early 1960’s, Walter Lorain Cherry ventured across the pond to Europe.

American Entrepreneurship coupled with German Engineering encompasses the history and future of CHERRY. Today, CHERRY is regarded as the epitome of quality, innovation, design and sustainability. A unique feeling.

To be continued...

The success story

Walter Cherry

1953

The "Cherry Electrical Products Corporation" is founded by Walter L. Cherry in Highland Park, Illinois, USA as manufacturer of microswitches (e.g., for arcade machines).

cherry history auerbach

1963

CHERRY establishes first operations in Europe via a joint venture.

cherry history germany

1967

CHERRY relocates its production facilities to Bayreuth, Germany. The first ancestors of keyboards (for industrial machine controls, for example) are manufactured for the European market. American entrepreneurship meets German engineering.

CHERRY Patent switches

1973

CHERRY starts manufacturing computer keyboards, a milestone in the company’s history, leading the way forward. Today, CHERRY is the oldest manufacturer of computer keyboards, a pioneer in the computer hardware industry.

On 6 February 1973, the first keyboard switch is patented in the USA.

cherry auerbach germany

1979

CHERRY opens new Headquarter and factory in Auerbach, Germany.

CHERRY MX Switch

1983

The "MX" key switch is introduced and quickly becomes a success. It is still produced today: Billions of MX switches equip millions of keyboards around the globe which rely on this technology. The ‘must have’ for the most professional of all users.

1988

Launch of the G80-3000, one of the most successful and now oldest keyboard series in the world. In its current variant (CHERRY G80-3000N RGB), it is still popular today.

healthcare keyboard

1994

CHERRY launches its first health card keyboard (G80-1501) in Germany. With 102 keys and an integrated chip card reader for health insurance cards, CHERRY is thus also represented in the healthcare market at an early stage.

Sustainable keyboards cherry

1998

The first "green" product line (CHERRY Greenline) is introduced. CHERRY thus sets early standards in terms of environmental friendliness. Since then, an increasing number of CHERRY products are awarded the German government's environmental label "Der Blaue Engel".

CHERRY MX RGB Switch

2014

CHERRY introduces the MX RGB key switch. Since then, the mechanical MX gaming keyboards can be illuminated by LEDs with up to 16.8 million colours.

CHERRY MX Low Profile Switch

2018

CHERRY launches the MX LOW PROFILE switch at the CES in Las Vegas. Thanks to the lower height, the CHERRY MX LOW PROFILE switch enables a slim keyboard design and ergonomic working.

2019

The new factory and corporate Headquarter building in Auerbach, Germany with increased capacity is opened.

2020

 

CHERRY acquires hardware and software producer Theobroma Systems and the first e-Health terminal for the German telematics infrastructure is presented.

CHERRY MX Ultra Low Profile Switch

2021

 IPO

Acquisition of Active Key GmbH, the specialised manufacturer of hygienic and washable keyboards and mice.

CHERRY  introduces the MX ULTRA LOW PROFILE switch.

cherry xtrfy

2022

Integration of the Swedish e-sports specialist Xtrfy Gaming AB.

cherry logo evolution
Team CHERRY

Who is behind CHERRY?

In 2008, Peter Cherry, the son of Walter L. Cherry, sold his company. After an eight-year partnership with the German automotive group ZF Friedrichshafen AG, the iconic CHERRY brand has been in the loyal hands of GENUI Partners since 2016. GENUI Partners is a Hamburg-based investment company founded by outstanding entrepreneurs and investment professionals. In addition to capital, it provides active support for the strategic development of companies.
In September 2020, Argand Partners, a private equity firm based in New York and the San Francisco Bay Area, joined GENUI Partners as a new majority investor in CHERRY. Argand Partners acquires market-leading specialty manufacturing and business services companies with sustainable competitive advantages and strong growth potential.

The headquarters of CHERRY Europe GmbH is located in Auerbach in der Oberpfalz. The managing directors are Oliver Kaltner (CEO), Dr. Mathias Dähn (CFO) and Dr. Udo Streller (COO).

> 8 billion
Sold switches
> 60 mio.
Used keyboards
> 70 years
Experience
CHERRY has stood for quality, innovation, design and sustainability for many years. We will use the anniversary year to further sharpen our brand profile both internally and externally: As a newcomer, may I confirm that the CHERRY team has already had sustainable thinking stored in its DNA for many years, from product development to production and packaging. Serious and verifiable sustainability is thus also an integral part of the CHERRY legacy. Looking ahead, employer attractiveness, employee retention, recruitment, engagement and satisfaction are of growing importance to us in order to secure and further strengthen CHERRY's relevance in the market for the future after the company's very impressive seventy-year history.
Original CHERRY

The Portfolio

Original CHERRY quality is the benchmark for input devices in a variety of applications. In gaming and eSports, at the point of sale, at industrial plants or on the desk. Desktop sets, mice, keyboards, mechanical MX switches and card-reading terminals are the core of the CHERRY brand today.

Explore the CHERRY-World