Go To
Dell
Headquarters:
One Dell Way
Round Rock, TX 78682
Employees: 78,900
CEO: Michael Dell
Stock Symbol: DELL
Website: http://www.dell.com
Dell is one of the world's leading maker of personal computers. It also makes and sells servers, printers and monitors. Dell sells and ships most products directly to customers and sells merchandise in selected stores. The company does most of its business via its website and advertises heavily on TV, magazines and its own catalogs.
Most computers are built and shipped according to customer specifications. Dell is known for selling quality hardware at reasonable prices. Most of the company's sales are through corporations, government, education, hospitals and small businesses.
Dell shut down kiosks in 140 malls around the country in 2008 to concentrate on selling in stores such as Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Staples in the U.S.; Tesco and Dixon's Stores (DSGi) based in the U.K. and Carrefour based in France. More than 10,000 retail stores worldwide now offer Dell products.
Employment at the company has dropped by 10,000 workers over the past two years.
In fiscal 2009, Dell reported revenues of $61.1 billion, slightly below the previous year. Laptop computers made up 31% of revenue and laptops 29%. Net income for the year was $2.4 billion.
History
Michael Dell founded his company in 1984 while a student at the University of Texas. He was fascinated with the inner-workings of computers and started a business where he could build his own computers and sell them directly to customers.
In 1985, Dell introduces the first computer system of its own design; the Turbo, featuring an Intel 8088 processor running at eight megahertz. In 1987, Dell opened a UK subsidiary and also became the first computer company to offer next-day, on-site product service.
The company went public in 1988 and in 1989 introduced its first notebook computer.
The company began selling pre-built computers in 2007 through Wal-Mart stores.
Benefits
Dell offers a comprehensive employee benefits package that lets workers choose from a selection of health, dental and vision plans or build their own. The company also offers flexible spending accounts and life insurance coverage.
401(k)
Under Dell's current 401(k) retirement plan, employees may invest up to 50% of their annual pre-tax salary through convenient payroll deductions. 401(k) investments from previous employers may be rolled over into this account. All eligible employees may participate in the Dell 401(k) Plan as of their start date with Dell. The plan features:
* 5% dollar-for-dollar company match
* Immediate vesting
* A variety of investment choices
* Online and in-person investment tools and resources.
Other benefits include:
- Paid vacation based on years of service
- Paid holidays, including an extended week for Christmas/New
Years, to most employees
- Personal Business Allowance (PBA) Dell offers paid time off
for personal reasons such as; illness, medical appointments,
closing on a home, and childcare obligations.
- Leave of Absence - Dell provides eligible employees with up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a rolling 12-month period for certain qualifying conditions in accordance with the federal Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA). Dell also provides Military Leave and, under certain circumstances, Company Discretionary Leave.
- Discounts on Dell Products
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, Dell offers:
* Adoption Assistance – up to $2000 in adoption assistance per adopted child
* Childcare Discounts – discounted childcare providers in many U.S. locations
* College Coach – provides tools to assist your school-age children as the look ahead to getting into, being ready for, and paying for college
* Dell Merit Scholarships – college age children of Dell employees may apply
* Educational Assistance Program – tuition and book reimbursement
* Emergency Dependent Backup Care – Offers affordable, temporary care for dependents (child or elder) when your normal care falls through
* Emergency Business Travel Assistance – help when travelling domestically or internationally
* Free Annual Health Screenings – know your numbers for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, weight, etc.
* "Friends For Hire" – employee referral program
* On-site Services – fitness centers, notary publics, mothers rooms, banking centers and health center (in some locations)
* Lactation Program – Offers breast pump discounts and free, unlimited phone access to trained lactation counselors
Updated May 29, 2009