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With a diverse interest and substantial financial grounding, San Diego is home to a number of industry-leading brands and businesses; from defense contractors and biotechnology, to finance, health, media and entertainment, apparel, tourism and telecommunications, hometown San Diego has never looked so good.
From Petco Park and Hotel Del, to the Oceanside Harbor and shores of La Jolla, the living legacy and spirit of San Diego bares the life and style of the local landscape. Beyond the lure of our rugged coastal milieu and maritime climate lies a golden opportunity – one defined by passion and homegrown pride.
As the eighth largest city in the U.S. and second in California, San Diego is home to roughly 1.3 million residents (with an estimated three million for the county). In celebrating our homegrown values and brands, we offer a snapshot – while not all-inclusive – of the businesses home to San Diego County; join us as we explore 15 driving forces in our local economy, workforce and local lifestyle.
Taylor Guitars
Inspired by music, and driven by a deep seeded passion for fine craftsmanship, Taylor Guitars – a leading manufacturer specializing in acoustic, electric and custom guitars since 1974 – is known for their playability, high tone quality and acumen for woods; the brand is also known to take center stage alongside such artists as Dave Matthews and Taylor Swift, Jason Mraz to Steven Curtis Chapman, along with Michelle Branch and Jewel.
Fairly new to the brand’s guitar line-up, the Taylor Solid Body Standard and Classic double cutaways – boasting innovative Taylor touches like proprietary pickups and an advanced bridge design. In addition the GS Mini, inspired by the bold sound of Taylor’s award-winning GS, scales things down without skimping on sound, packing a lot of tone in a portable size.
The company’s outreach includes online video instruction and weekday factory guided tours.
Find Taylor Guitars online at: taylorguitars.com
Jack in the Box
Popularizing antenna balls for all seasons, along with the face, voice and wit of the company’s fictitious CEO, Jack Box, Jack in the Box – among the nation’s leading fast-food franchises, with more than 2,200 quick-serve restaurants in 19 states and more than 35,000 employees – is credited as the first hamburger chain to develop and expand the drive-thru concept, emphasizing on-the-go convenience 18-24 hours a day. Also known for channeling creativity in the workplace, employees enjoy a basketball court, Jack’s playroom with video games, foosball and massage chairs, as well as the added bonus of five weeks paid vacation at company headquarters.
Committed to making a difference in the communities it serves, The Jack in the Box Foundation was founded in 1998 to focus its charitable giving; while the Foundation’s primary partner is Big Brothers Big Sisters, additional charities supported in San Diego County include: Junior Achievement, the Preuss and Monarch Schools, the USS Midway Education Program, Hermandad, YMCA, Operation Bigs and Habitat for Humanity.
Find Jack in the Box online at: jackinthebox.com
Iomega Corporation
Since their inception in 1980, Iomega – a worldwide leader in data protection and storage – has sold more than 410 million digital storage drives and disks.
Most recently, the company unveiled the Iomega SuperHero Backup and Charger for iPhone, the first docking station of its kind. With a 4GB SD card, the unit backups contacts, files and photos, and is compatible with the iPhone 4, 3GS and 3G, along with the iPod Touch (third and fourth generation). In addition, the Iomega Home Media Network Hard Drive, Cloud Edition – allowing friends and family to easily share and access files, photos, videos, and music at home or around the globe – made its debut this year, receiving Wired Magazine’s ‘Editor’s Pick’ award.
Find Iomega online at: go.iomega.com
Kashi Company
With “seven whole grains on a mission,” Kashi has since 1984 embraced healthy living through its “whole foods” menu and diet – offering natural ingredients that are less processed and free of artificial sweeteners, colors and preservatives; the brand is known for their cereal selections, snack bars and crackers, cookies, as well as frozen entrees and pizzas.
From the inside out, Kashi is a way of life. And in reflecting its passion for healthy living, the company naturally embraced an environmentally friendly office; now offering a recycling program, a compost in the kitchen, natural soaps and fair trade, organic coffee, along with greener alternative office supplies.
Find Kashi Company online at: kashi.com
Qualcomm
Qualcomm is perhaps one of San Diego’s most recognizable ‘captains of industry’, employing an estimated 17,500 throughout 139 worldwide locations – 65 of which, are U.S. based. As the leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, the company recently announced 2011 second quarter revenues at $3.9 billion, and was also ranked 33 in 2011 on Fortune’s list of “100 Best Companies to Work For.”
With a focus on education, health, sustainability and the arts, the wireless leader is an extremely active member of the community – dedicated to involving company funds and hands to the local regions it calls home. And in furthering its commitment to energy efficiency and reduction, a comprehensive recycling program was created; managing its waste on paper, aluminum cans, cardboard, metals, plastic, electronics and certain types of hazardous materials. In the process, the company was awarded the 2008 Director’s Recycling Award from the San Diego Environmental Services Department; and in 2010, the San Diego office recycled more than 1,000 tons of mixed materials, a substantial jump over the 680 tons for 2009.
Find Qualcomm online at: qualcomm.com
Chicken of the Sea International
Recently partnering with the National Fisheries Institute, Chicken of the Sea is part of the multi-million dollar growth campaign, “Tuna the Wonderfish” – reminding consumers of the versatility of the tuna, and reaffirming its many health benefits. The brand also introduced a line of gourmet, all–natural tuna called “Premium Select” – with no preservatives or additives, the tuna is hand-selected albacore, yellowfin and skipjack packed in high quality olive oil and spring water.
“Premium Select includes our finest quality and taste, offering consumers a bit of indulgence at a great value from a brand they know and love,” said John Sawyer, for Chicken of the Sea. “The product is so flavorful and delicious it can be eaten right out of the can, all-natural and minimally processed.”
Following Jessica Simpson’s 2003 quotable, “Is this chicken or fish?,” the company has indeed capitalized on a brand regeneration; the iconic mermaid symbol received an update, the company was featured on Donald Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice, and has made a splash with social media and free Flash games on GSN.com. In 2014, the company will celebrate its centennial.
Find Chicken of the Sea online at: chickenofthesea.com
Life Technologies
Found in more than 90 percent of research labs in the U.S. alone, Life Technologies systems, consumables and services are wholly dedicated to one simple goal: improving the human condition. Reporting more than $3.3 billion in sales, the global biotechnology giant partners with clientele across the biological spectrum, working to advance the fields of discovery and translational research, molecular medicine, stem cell-based therapies, food safety and animal health, as well as 21st century forensics; the company manufactures both molecular diagnostic and research-use only products.
The result of a merger between Invitrogen Corporation and Applied Biosystems, Inc., Life Technologies’ numbers are pretty impressive, to say the least: the company spends more than $300 million annually on research and development; holds an estimated workforce of 11,000 in approximately 160 countries; and possesses one of the largest intellectual property estates in the life sciences industry, with 3,500-plus patents and exclusive licenses.
Find Life Technologies online at: lifetechnologies.com
Jenny Craig
By the numbers, Jenny Craig tips the scale – boasting more than 80 menu selections, 150,000 active weekly clientele (having served more than five million worldwide since 1983), 725 company-owned and franchised centers in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Puerto Rico and Guam, along with a host of celebrity support.
With an estimated $400 million in annual revenues, the clinically-proven weight loss program – developed by registered dieticians in consultation with a Medical Advisory Board – is well received for its one-on-one approach with expert coaches, focusing on key issues in portion controlled nutrition and lifestyle, personalizing the program to the individual.
Find Jenny Craig online at: jennycraig.com
Sony Online Entertainment
Celebrating its sweet 16, Sony Online Entertainment – a worldwide leader in online gaming with millions of gamers around the globe – recently welcomed a new addition its repertoire: PlanetSide 2, the re-imagining of the ever-popular massively multiplayer online first person shooter (MMOFPS) game, PlanetSide. PlanetSide 2 takes all the groundbreaking features from the original game – massive multiplayer battles, distinctive empires to rally around, and enormous continents to support intense ground and air combat – and adds features that modern gamers have come to expect out of the FPS and MMO genres.
“With huge war zones populated by thousands of fighters at once, the size and intensity of PlanetSide 2 are simply unequaled. Both longtime players of the series and FPS fans are going to be blown away by the massive scale of PlanetSide battles,” said Matt Higby, creative director of PlanetSide 2 at SOE. “The immense scope, powerful vehicles and wealth of character customization options means players must think tactically and act as a team to conquer the battlegrounds.”
Find Sony Online Entertainment at: soe.com
Envision Solar
Home of the SolarGrove, SolarTree and LifeVillage solar systems, Envision Solar – a leading solar planner, architect and inventor that designs and deploys clean energy systems globally – has sprouted long term solutions and strategies for sustainability. Founded by leading sustainable design architect Robert Noble, the company is the first of its kind with the invention and construction of solar structures that takes advantage of asphalt acreage – offering shaded parking with the ability to harness energy from the sun; not to mention the growing need and demand for electric vehicle charging stations in the near future.
Solar structures developed by Envision Solar can be seen throughout the U.S., including: Dell Headquarters in Round Rock, Texas; the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Golden, Colo.; Centocor Headquarters in Horsham, Pa. (a Johnson & Johnson company); UC San Diego Hopkins; and Kyocera’s North American headquarters – the largest privately owned solar generating system in San Diego County, among others.
And in recent news, the company announced orders for first quarter 2011 accounting for more than $1 million alone.
Find Envision Solar online at: envisionsolar.com
Websense, Inc.
According to the San Diego Business Journal, Websense is the largest security software company in San Diego – offering unified web security and data loss prevention through the use of such applications as SaaS and ‘cloud’ services, along with protection from the advance of persistent threats and enforcing Internet use and security policies; over the past three years, the company has expanded internationally, and is experiencing a 40 percent quarter-over-quarter growth. Founded in 1994 and making its debut on the NASDAQ in 2000, the web-based company holds an estimated $332 million in revenue.
Find Websense Inc online at: websense.com
WD-40 Company
With the undisputed ability to clean bikes and tools, remove grease and lubricate moving parts, as well as remove paint, gum, rubber adhesive, stickers and rust stains, WD-40 has since 1953 captured a loyal brand following, along with an ever-expanding list of uses (which currently describes 2,000 – plus documented applications). Standing for “Water Displacement – 40th Attempt,” WD-40 was originally intended to prevent corrosion in nuclear missiles by displacing standing water; the formula was successful on the 40th attempt.
While the WD-40 formula remains a secret – even after 50-plus years on the market, the brand continues to thrive; recording sales of $322 million in 2010 with a presence in 160 countries worldwide. The company has also added 3-In-One Oil, Lava, Spot Shot, X-14, Carpet Fresh, and 2000 Flushes to its product roster.
Find WD40 online at: wd40.com
Rady Children’s Hospital
In its 2011-2012 comprehensive survey to identify the top children’s hospitals in the nation in, U.S. News & World Report ranks Rady Children’s in all 10 specialties: Orthopedics (#4), Urology (#13), Neonatalogy (#21), Diabetes & Endocrinology (#24), Cancer (#25), Pulmonology (#28), Nephrology (#29), Cardiology & Heart Surgery (#30), Gastroenterology (#31), Neurology & Neurosurgery (#37).
With a team of nearly 700 physicians, 5,000 – plus nurses, staff and active volunteers, San Diego’s Rady Children’s Hospital is in fact California’s largest facility for comprehensive pediatric care offering the latest in medical technology and progressive research. Earlier this year, the hospital opened an inpatient program for the treatment of eating disorders in children and adolescents.
“Treating patients in an inpatient setting allows us to offer intensive psychiatric therapy, which research shows has led to improved outcomes for patients,” said Dr. Walter Kaye, a nationally-recognized expert in the field. “Using the Maudsley model, we work in alliance with parents to help them understand the symptoms of anorexia and bulimia and develop better ways of managing and interacting with their children.”
Find Rady Children's Hostpital online at: rchsd.com
Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.
On a mission to improve the lives of patients living with diabetes and obesity, Amylin Pharmaceuticals is redefining the art and science of biotechnology innovation. Founded in 1987, the biopharmaceutical company currently offers Symlin and Byetta, with the addition of Bydereon for type 2 diabetics in the pipeline.
In June, the company revealed data results stemming from a newly published analysis further characterizing the effects of Symlin in type 1 diabetics using an insulin pump; the study demonstrated that the injection supported the reduction of A1C (a measure of average blood sugar over three months), insulin use and body weight.
Find Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc online at: amylin.com
Callaway Golf Company
In the business of drivers, putters, irons and balls, Callaway Golf is all about the game – a passion that continues to redefine the essence of its very existence for players near and far. From fairways, bunkers and greens to the PGA Tour line-up, their brand includes the Odyssey, Top-Flite and Ben Hogan trademarks, and boasts a pro staff with the ever-famed Andy Palmer, Justin Timberlake, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els – to name a few.
In more recent news, the company announced the appointment of Anthony S. “Tony” Thornley as Interim President and CEO, following the resignation of George Fellows.
“Tony Thornley has a deep knowledge of Callaway’s business and the steps we must take to improve results going forward. He brings decades of experience, including the financial and managerial skills and discipline to execute on our immediate priorities and to lead a transition to new leadership as the company charts a path for the future,” said Ron Beard, chairman of the board. “As an avid golfer with a low single-digit handicap, he also brings passion for what we do [daily].”
Find Callaway Golf Company online at: callawaygolf.com
