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Trimble

trmb · NASDAQ Technology
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Ticker trmb
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Technology
Industry Hardware, Equipment & Parts
Employees 5001-10,000
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FY2010 Annual Report · Trimble
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2010 Trimble Navigation Annual Report

MARKETS SERVED

PRODUCT EXAMPLES

REPRESENTATIVE CUSTOMERS

Engineering and
Construction

       55% of revenue

Survey
Integrated surveying solutions combine technologies such as GNSS, optical, 3D laser 
scanner & 3D spatial imaging with field-rugged, mobile computing, advanced mobile and 
office software, and real-time communications, providing surveyors with productivity enhancing 
solutions. The Trimble branded solutions are complemented by the Spectra PrecisionTM and Nikon 
branded solutions which target a different market segment.

Construction
Connected SiteTM solutions utilize GNSS, optical, laser and advanced information technologies to 
provide automated construction machine control, site positioning, measurement and alignment 
systems, Building Information Modeling (BIM) and life cycle project management solutions.  
These solutions enhance construction operations, provide project management and asset  
management, reducing waste and improving efficiency.

Infrastructure
GNSS reference networks, software and service.

GeoSpatial
Integrated LiDAR, photogrammetry and GNSS/INS systems, coupled with advanced processing and 
analysis tools, for road asset management, pavement inspection, mobile and airborne surveying.

Field Solutions

       25% of revenue

Agriculture
Connected farm solutions provide manual and automated steering systems for farm vehicles and 
implements to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact; flow and overlap control for 
efficient chemical, fertilizer and seed application; grade control systems for irrigation and drainage; all 
coupled with farm reporting and planning software.

Mapping and GIS
Handheld GNSS data collectors with integrated field and office application software provide 
accurate solutions for Geographic Information System and digital mapping users.

Utilities
Utility outage management, incident management, asset management, work management and 
field inspection solutions enable utility operators to reduce outage times, improve safety and 
meet compliance requirements. 

Mobile Solutions

       12% of revenue

Fleet and Mobile Worker Management
Integrated mobile resource management solutions for fleet operators provide scheduling and 
dispatch, as well as vehicle diagnostic and field service solutions that enhance driver safety, reduce 
fuel consumption costs and environmental impact, while improving customer service. 

Surveyors & civil engineers in the public and 
private sectors
Cities and governmental agencies
Cadastral agencies and companies
Utilities
Industrial plant engineers
Oil and gas engineers
Power generation facilities
Mapping contractors
Architects
Specialized applications such as railway tunneling, 
monitoring and mining

Earthmoving contractors
General construction contractors
Concrete contractors
Mechanical, electrical, and 
plumbing contractors
Wall and ceiling contractors
Transportation agencies
Civil engineering and design firms
Construction rental companies
Civil engineers

Public and private sector GNSS network operators
Utilities
Natural resource agencies
National & local government agencies
Survey and civil engineering companies

Transportation agencies
Aerial mapping companies
Government agencies

Farmers
Agricultural contractors
Agrichemical companies

Government agencies
Environmental/natural resource agencies
Utilities
Transportation companies

Water, electric and gas utilities

Construction supply contractors
Transportation and distribution companies
Private fleets
Communications companies
Direct store delivery
Field service
Energy
Utilities
Government agencies

Forestry
Connected forest solutions integrate fleet management with forestry management software and 
measurement tools to optimize logging operations and improve efficiency.

Forestry management companies
Land management companies

Public Safety
Advanced public safety solutions provide systems for electronic citations and field-based reporting 
to improve accuracy and efficiency, along with solutions for accident scene measurement and 
investigation.

Police and sheriffs’ departments
National park, campus and business security 
agencies

Embedded GNSS Products
GNSS and communications component solutions for original equipment manufacturers,  
including GNSS chipsets, boards, embedded silicon and firmware.

Electronics OEMs
Portable appliance manufacturers
Systems integrators

Advanced Devices

       8% of revenue

Timing
3G and 4G base station GNSS clocks for telecommunications network synchronization; time and 
frequency boards and instruments for high-precision, GPS-based timing and synchronization.

Wireless infrastructure providers
Wireless location solution providers

Applanix
Very high precision integrated inertial/GNSS positioning and orientation systems used for positioning 
in land, marine and airborne data collection applications. Trimble indoor mobile mapping solution 
provides accurate and seamless 3D modeling of the interior of buildings and underground structures. 

Land, marine and airborne surveying and 
mapping contractors and systems integrators
Building owners and facility managers

Defense
Military specification GPS receivers for aircraft; military time and frequency boards.

Trimble Outdoors™ Service
Web-based mapping and outdoor enthusiast social networking software used on a wide variety 
of GPS-enabled mobile phones.

U.S. Department of Defense
Allied defense ministries
Defense contractors

Outdoor enthusiasts

TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS: 

Letter to Shareholders

2010 In Review

2010 represented a transition from a badly damaged 
marketplace in 2009 to an environment with oppor-
tunities.  Although  some  of  our  markets  remained 
constrained  throughout  the  year  we  were  able  to 
demonstrate  meaningful  improvement  in  2010  with 
revenue up 15 percent, non-GAAP operating income 
up  27  percent,  and  non-GAAP  EPS  up  55  percent.  
Entering 2011, we find conditions that are undoubt-
edly better than they have been for almost three years 
but that cannot yet be described as universally robust.  
This improvement has allowed us to turn our relative 
focus from cost control and margin maintenance back 
to growth.

Our experience across the reported segments varied:
•  Engineering  and  Construction  segment  results 
demonstrated the most significant recovery with rev-
enue growth of 24 percent and non-GAAP operating 
earnings growth of 84 percent. The most significant   
improvement  was  demonstrated  in  our  heavy  and 
highway business. Although most other businesses in 
the segment also demonstrated some level of recovery, a 
return to our historical growth trajectory awaits some 
recovery in commercial and residential construction in 
the U.S. and Europe.

•  Field  Solutions  segment  results  also  demonstrated 
recovery with particularly strong results in the second 
half of the year.  Revenue growth was 9 percent and 
non-GAAP  operating  earnings  grew  by  12  percent.  
Agriculture benefited from an improving farm econ-
omy and GIS also reflected the improving economy, 
partially  offset  by  the  effects  of  lower  government 
spending.

•  Mobile  Solutions  segment  results  remained  unim-
pressive.  Revenue  was  effectively  flat  and  operating 
earnings reflected a significant decline. The key issues 
in this segment were the loss of a large key account 
early in the year, the continued effects of the economy 
and, in some cases, our own execution.

•  Advanced  Devices  segment  results  reflected  small 
revenue  and  operating  earnings  increases.  Slower 
economic  conditions  and  price  pressure  constrained 
the performance of the segment.  

Looking Forward

We currently expect 2011 revenue growth to accelerate 
closer to 20 percent as a result of organic growth and 
acquisitions. We expect the growth in non-GAAP oper-
ating income will be consistent with operating leverage 
of  approximately  25  percent.  This  scenario  assumes 
economic conditions  remain relatively unchanged. Any 
economic  shocks  would  moderate  growth  while  any 
revival  in  commercial  and  residential  construction,  or 
an  acceleration  in  U.S.  or  European  economies,  could 
provide us with meaningful upside.

From  1999  through  2008  we  demonstrated  a  com-
pound  annual  revenue  growth  rate  of  almost  20 
percent.  The  economic  meltdown  that  intensified  in 
late  2008  negatively  impacted  this  trajectory.  Regaining 
our long-term growth momentum will require us to 
demonstrate  a  combination  of  traditional  growth 
enablers as well as new capabilities. Let me describe 
some of these requirements. 

   
Adjacencies

One factor that enables Trimble’s growth strategy is the 
aggressive  application  of  the  concept  of  adjacency. 
Adjacencies can be either vertical or horizontal. A vertical 
adjacency is the expansion of solutions provided to our 
existing  customers,  leveraging  our  brand,  our  channel, 
and  our  domain  knowledge.  A  horizontal  adjacency 
occurs when we bring our existing product platforms 
into new market segments. Our current efforts in forestry, 
railroads, and utilities represent horizontal extensions.

End-to-End Solutions

We  differentiate  ourselves  by  emphasizing  solutions 
that  meet  the  total  continuum  of  customer  require-
ments.  The  solution  extends  beyond  the  physical 
product and includes support, applications software, 
service, documentation, and training. One continuing 
example of this commitment is the Trimble Dimensions 
user conference, which provides a comprehensive ed-
ucational  forum  for  our  users.  The  2010  conference 
was held in Las Vegas with over 2,900 participants.         

Internationalization 

Our  market  opportunities  are  global  and  Trimble’s 
success  is  intimately  tied  to  our  increasingly  global 
footprint.  This  is  reflected  in  our  physical  and  orga-
nizational infrastructure with more than 100 facilities 
in 26  countries and dealer representation in virtually 
every country. We also emphasize a strong element of 
localization in our product solutions, particularly in the 
emerging economies.  In many of those cases, we must 
be  humble  enough  to  reinvent  ourselves  when  our 
world solution is not appropriate for the local market.

Channels   

A  number  of  fundamental  long-term  trends  favor 
Trimble.  These  include  infrastructure  development  in 
emerging economies, higher fertilizer costs, increasing 
environmental regulation, higher fuel prices, escalating 

labor costs, and higher expectations for supply chain 
performance.  Our  challenge  will  be  to  develop 
effective go-to-market strategies that can successfully 
capture  the  resulting  opportunities.  Central  to  the 
strategy  is  a  strong  and  viable  channel  which  will 
remain heavily reliant on third-party dealers. However, 
pioneering and penetrating our markets will require 
us  to  be  conceptually  flexible.  In  most  cases  we  do 
not sell a product in competition with other products 
but  we  sell  an  alternative  way  of  performing  work.  
An innovative new channel currently being rolled out 
is the SITECH® Technology Dealership, a worldwide, 
commonly  branded  distribution  network  developed 
in collaboration with Caterpillar.   

Acquisitions and Alliances

Although deal activity has never been central to our 
strategy it has played a supporting role. In 2010 we 
invested  $147  million  in  acquisitions.  In  addition, 
we  finalized  a  number  of  joint  ventures  during  the 
year  including  the  Rusnavgeoset  joint  venture  with 
Russian Space Systems, and Intelligent Construction 
Tools, a joint venture with Hilti. These acquisitions and 
joint ventures allow us to establish or expand market 
beachheads and to fill in technology or product gaps. 
Virtually  all  of  the  more  than  fifty  acquisitions  we 
have made since 2000 have flourished under Trimble 
ownership  as  they  provided  access  to  increased  dis-
tribution,  sources  of  new  technology,  and  adequate 
capital resources.

Innovation

Research and Development spending in 2010 was 11 
percent of revenue, which is consistent with our busi-
ness model. Our challenge is to be alert to continually 
evolving  capabilities  that  can  be  useful  in  our  user 
applications.  New  wireless  standards,  faster  proces-
sors, new materials technologies, high-speed networks, 
and larger memory storage have all contributed to the 
creation of products and solutions. We are continuously 

evaluating new technologies that enable us either to create new classes of products and solutions or to 
significantly extend the capabilities of current product categories. For example, we have recently added RFID 
solutions to our range of capabilities.

Commitment to Financial Returns

The current Trimble portfolio is capable of generating a non-GAAP operating margin of greater than 20 percent—a 
level we achieved prior to the late 2008 economic crisis. This margin performance, combined with our rela-
tively low level of capital intensity, has historically enabled us to generate superior long-term returns. Our 
performance in 2009 and 2010 reflects the robustness of our financial model in adverse circumstances and 
the adaptability of the Trimble organization.

Organization

The foundation for creating value is the Trimble organization. The quality, capabilities, and behavior of our 
organization enable us to undertake challenges that our competitors may not be equipped to take on. Our 
primary organizational challenge is to effectively map our significant technological capabilities onto a wide 
range of market opportunities without losing our inherent entrepreneurial edge. 

Our core organizational concept remains centered on focused divisions with an emphasis on responsiveness, 
accountability and transparency. This has resulted in a relatively large number of businesses, with each as-
signed a clear market task and the resources necessary to achieve it. These relatively autonomous units have 
been the engines that have created much of our market and financial success over the last ten years. We 
continue to augment this core structure to better leverage the expanding Trimble technology capabilities, 
to address the requirements of international markets, to pursue larger-scale industry opportunities, and to 
more effectively participate in alliances with other companies.  

We have been through a demanding three-year period which posed significant challenges and uncertainties. 
The Trimble organization has responded to the challenges and elevated itself. My thanks to everyone who 
contributed. In particular, I want to acknowledge the approximately 200 Trimble employees in Christchurch, 
New  Zealand.  Christchurch  suffered  two  major  earthquakes  within  a  six-month  period  in  late  2010  and 
early 2011, both of which have been followed by innumerable aftershocks. In spite of the disruption and 
uncertainty, these Trimble employees have persevered in good Kiwi style.

Steve Berglund
President and CEO

 
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 

Revenue  
in $ millions

EBITDA  
in $ millions

Cash Flow from Operations 
in $ millions 

1400

_

1200

_

1000

_

800

600

400

200

0

_

_

_

_

_

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

_

_

_

_

_

_

_

240

200

160

120

80

40

0

_

_

_

_

_

_

_

06   07   08   09   10

06   07   08   09   10

06   07   08   09   10

COMPARISON OF 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Trimble Navigation Limited, the NASDAQ composite index and the S&P information technology sector index

$250

$200

$150

$100

$50

$0 

       12/05                        12/06                        12/07                              12/08                   12/09                        12/10

Trimble Navigation Limited 

NASDAQ Composite 

S&P Information Technology

The above graph compares the cumulative 5-year total return provided shareholders on Trimble Navigation Limited’s 
common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of the NASDAQ Composite index and the S&P Information 
Technology  index.  An  investment  of  $100  (with  reinvestment  of  all  dividends)  is  assumed  to  have  been  made 
in our common stock and in each of the indices on 12/31/2005 and its relative performance is tracked through 
12/31/2010. The Company has never paid dividends on its common stock and has no present plans to do so. 

* The Company adopted a 52-53 week fiscal year effective upon the end of fiscal year 1997 and the actual date 
of the Company’s 2010 fiscal year end was December 31, 2010. Any variations due to any differences between the 
actual date of a particular fiscal year end and the calendar year end for such year are not expected to be material.  

 ——————­——————  
  
        
 
       
  
 
            
 
 
 
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION

EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SHAREHOLDER INFORMATION

Ulf J. Johansson, Ph.D
Chairman
Business Consultant
Director, Telefon AB LM Ericsson

Nickolas W. Vande Steeg
Vice Chairman
Trustee, Azusa Pacific University
Venture Capital Investor
Business Consultant Director, Wabtec  
Corporation

Steven W. Berglund
President and Chief Executive Officer

John B. Goodrich
Secretary
Business Consultant

William Hart
Venture Capital Investor
Business Consultant

Merit E. Janow
Professor International Economic
Law and International Affairs,
Columbia University

Bradford W. Parkinson, Ph.D
Executive Consultant  
Professor (Emeritus),  
Stanford University

Mark S. Peek
Co-President, Business Operations and 
Chief Financial Officer, VMware, Inc.

Corporate Headquarters
Trimble Navigation Limited
935 Stewart Drive
Sunnyvale, California 94085
Phone: (408) 481-8000
www.trimble.com

Independent Auditor
Ernst & Young LLP
San Jose, California

Transfer Agent & Registrar
American Stock Transfer & Trust Company
59 Maiden Lane
Plaza Level
New York, New York 10038
(800) 937-5449

Investor Relations Contact
(408) 481-7838
investor_relations@trimble.com

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as 
filed  with  the  Securities  Exchange  Commission, 
accompanies this annual report to shareholders 
and is also available on the Investor Relations 
section  of  the  Company’s  website  at:  www.
trimble.com

Trimble Investor Information
Traded: The NASDAQ Stock Exchange
Symbol: TRMB

©2011,  Trimble  Navigation  Limited.  All  rights 
reserved. Trimble, the Globe and Triangle logo, 
SITECH  and  Spectra  Precision  are  registered 
trademarks  of  Trimble  Navigation  Limited  or 
its  subsidiaries,  registered  in  the  United  States 
and/or  in  other  countries.  Connected  Site  and 
Trimble  Outdoors  are  trademarks  of  Trimble 
Navigation Limited. All other trademarks are the 
property of their respective owners.

Steven W. Berglund
President and Chief Executive Officer

Rajat Bahri
Chief Financial Officer

Bryn Fosburgh
Vice President

Christopher W. Gibson
Vice President

Mark A. Harrington
Vice President

James Veneziano
Vice President 

Erik J. Arvesen 
Vice President, Agriculture Division

Ann Ciganer
Vice President, Strategic Policy

Joseph F. Denniston, Jr.
Vice President, 
Spectra Precision Division

John E. Huey
Treasurer

James A. Kirkland
Vice President and General Counsel

Jürgen D. Kliem
Vice President, 
Strategy and 
Business Development

Peter O. Large
Vice President, Channel Development 

Bruce E. Peetz
Vice President,
Advanced Technology and Systems

Julie Shepard
Vice President, Finance

Mary Kay Strangis
Vice President, Human Resources

Trimble Navigation Limited 

NASDAQ Composite 

S&P Information Technology

 
 
 
 
Australia

Fortitude Valley, QLD

Melbourne, VIC

Sydney, NSW

Belgium

Leper 

Brazil

Campinas

Canada

Kamloops, British Columbia 

Vancouver, British Columbia 

Toronto, Ontario 

Montréal, Québec

Chile

Los Condes

China

Beijing

Shanghai

France

Fontenay-sous-Bois

Germany

Biberach an der Riß

Braunschweig

Höhenkirchen-Siegertsbrunn

Jena

Kaiserslautern

Kirchheim u.T.-Jesingen

Raunheim

Stuttgart

Wunstorf

India

Chennai

New Delhi

Pune

Ireland

Cork

Italy

Vimercate (MI)

Japan

Tokyo

Kenya 

Nairobi

Korea

Seoul

Mexico

Tecate, BC 

The Netherlands

Eersel

Sliedrecht

New Zealand

Christchurch

Russia

Moscow

Singapore

South Africa

Gauteng

Spain

Madrid

Sweden

Danderyd

Thailand

Bangkok

United Arab Emirates

Dubai

United Kingdom

Derby

Glossop

Hook

Ipswich

United States

Huntsville, AL

Tempe, AZ

Tucson, AZ

Folsom, CA 

Long Beach, CA

Milpitas, CA

Redding, CA

Sunnyvale, CA

Ukiah, CA

Englewood, CO

Westminster, CO

Deerfield Beach, FL

Alpharetta, GA

Ames, IA

Mound City, IL

Hamilton, IN

Cambridge, MA

Waltham, MA

Dayton, OH

Corvallis, OR

Knoxville, TN 

Plano, TX

Chantilly, VA

Liberty Lake, WA

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

Trimble Navigation Limited

935 Stewart Drive

Sunnyvale, California 94085

(408) 481-8000

www.trimble.com