 | |
| Company type | Public |
|---|---|
| Nasdaq: GNTX S&P 400 Component | |
| Founded | 1974; 51 years ago (1974) |
| Founder | Fred Bauer[1] |
| Headquarters | Zeeland, Michigan |
Key people | Steve Downing,[2] James Wallace[1] |
Number of employees | 5,000[2] |
| Website | gentex |
Gentex Corporation is an American electronics and technology company that develops, designs, and manufactures automatic-dimmingrear-view mirrors, camera-based driver assistance systems, and other equipment for theautomotive industry.[3] They produce dimmable aircraft windows for the commercial, business and general aviation markets. In addition, the company produces photoelectric smoke detectors, signaling devices, and theHomeLink Wireless Control System for the North American fire protection market.[4]
Founded in 1974, Gentex Corporation is based inZeeland, Michigan. They created the first dual-sensor photoelectric smoke detector, and pioneeredelectrochromic automatic-dimming mirrors for the automotive industry andsmart windows for the aviation industry. Gentex has more than 1,700 patents on various technologies and products.[4]
In analyses of the industry in 2001, Gentex had the highest market-to-book value of any automotive supplier.[5] As of 2020, about 98 percent of the company's sales are derived from the automotive market.[4] As of 2018, less than 1 percent of the company's business comes from aerospace applications of dimmable windows.[6]
Gentex was founded in 1974 by Fred Bauer as a manufacturer of fire protection products. Bauer became CEO of the company in May 1986, and also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors. He retired in 2018, and was succeeded by Steve Downing as CEO and by James Wallace as Chairman of the Board.[1][7] In April 2025, Gentex acquiredVoxx International, growing their portfolio of automotive electronics while expanding into the automotive and consumer audio spaces.[8]
Gentex created the first dual-sensor photoelectricsmoke detector,[4][9][1] considered to be less prone tofalse alarms, while still quickly detecting smoldering fires. Gentex smoke detectors are used in hospitals, hotels, offices and other buildings worldwide.[10]In the early 1990s, Gentex introduced a smoke detector equipped with astrobe light which is designed to alert deaf and hard of hearing individuals.[11] Gentex manufactures a wide range of photoelectric detectors for fire alarm systems, standalone, and interconnect systems. In addition, Gentex also offers a wide variety of fire alarm notification appliances for commercial applications such as audible horns, strobe lights, combination horn strobes, speakers, speaker strobes, etcetera.
Gentex first introduced arear-view mirror that automatically adjusts to potentially dangerousglare conditions in 1982.[9][4][12]
Gentex began selling an automatic dimming mirror based onelectrochromism in 1987.[13] An electrochromic gel is placed between two pieces of glass, which allows the mirror to dim in proportion to the glare level.[9] The reduction of glare eliminates the temporary blind spot caused by theTroxler effect after the glare source leaves the field of view.[14] These mirrors have forward- and rearward-facing sensors to measure the ambient light level and glare of approaching vehicles, respectively.[15]
In 1991, exterior electrochromic mirrors were added to the Gentex product line. These mirrors operate on the same principle as the interior mirrors.[9] In 1997 the geometry of the mirror's surface was adapted to create spherically curved glass with the goals of eliminating blind spots and offering an expanded field of view.[16]
As of 2016[update] Gentex introduced the Gentex Full Display Mirror, which provides a video display with a panoramic view of what is behind the vehicle.[17]
As of 2020[update] Gentex is expanding its smoke detection capabilities, developing sensing units for use in cars and other vehicles, to continuously sample air quality for smoke, vaping, and other airborne contaminants. Sensors in publicly used vehicles could have both sanitation and security applications.[18]
Gentex andPPG Aerospace have deliveredelectrochromicsmart windows for theBoeing787 Dreamliner.[19] These windows useviologens and aredox agent to adjust the amount of light that is allowed through the window, a similar technology to Gentex' auto-dimming rearview mirrors.[20] The aircraft windows are electronically controlled: an electrical signal affects the action of a conductive medium between layers of glass. The windows can be adjusted by the passenger or crew to control the amount of light that enters, with five levels from completely clear to completely darkened. The windows are 60 percent larger than standard aircraft windows.[21]
The aircraft window was included in the exhibitionDesign Life Now: National Design Triennial, which appeared at the Smithsonian'sCooper-Hewitt National Design Museum in New York City at theInstitute of Contemporary Art, Boston in 2007.[21]
Gentex is also developing electronically dimmable windows for aircraft that are capable of automatically responding to changes in sunlight, adapting for example when an aircraft turns. The windows can darken to complete black-out capability in under 30 seconds.[6]
Gentex is AS9100 certified, an industry standard required by the majority of major aircraft manufacturers, and is capable of meeting production standards as anoriginal equipment manufacturer (OEM) for aircraft.[6]