Garmin Opens Thailand Factory in 2027: Tariffs Drive the Move

Garmin confirmed a new manufacturing plant in Thailand during its Q4 2025 earnings call. The facility goes live in 2027, and the timing is not a coincidence. This is a direct response to US tariff pressure on Taiwan-sourced electronics and the broader supply chain risk that comes with heavy reliance on a single production hub.

The strategic logic is straightforward. Garmin currently builds the vast majority of its hardware in Taiwan. A Thailand plant diversifies that exposure and positions the company to absorb tariff hits that competitors like Coros and Polar also face, but from different angles. For athletes buying a Fenix 8 or an Epix Pro, this is about price stability more than anything else.

The big question is what actually rolls off that production line. Watches seem like the obvious answer, but smart money points toward smart rings. The wearable ring segment is growing fast, with Oura, Samsung Galaxy Ring, and rumored Apple Ring all pushing into the space. Garmin has the health metrics depth to compete hard there, and a new facility gives them a low-risk launchpad for a new product category.

For athletes, none of this changes what you buy tomorrow. Your Forerunner 965 or Garmin Venu 3 still ships from Taiwan. But 2027 could mark the moment Garmin expands beyond the wrist in a serious way, backed by a supply chain built to survive geopolitical friction.

Solid strategic move. Whether it means a Garmin ring lands before Apple's, that's the real race to watch.