What Imation does

Imation is a global storage solutions brand that was spun off from 3M in July 1996 and originally launched in 60 countries as a specialist in data storage and imaging. Following the August 2017 acquisition of the global Imation trademark by Ojin Corporation Co., Ltd., a Korean IT distribution company established in 1988, the brand has been re-anchored to a Seoul-based headquarters and operates active localized websites in Korea, Japan, Portugal, and Spain. The company's product portfolio spans Solid State Drives (2.5-inch SATA, M.2 SATA, and NVMe PCIe including the X731 gaming series and Z991 Gen 4 line), DDR4 DRAM modules for desktop and laptop, USB flash drives (USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1 Gen1, and OTG form factors), memory cards (microSD and SD in standard and premium U3 variants), and optical media (CD-R, DVD-R, Blu-ray R). Proprietary technical features cited include SLC cache mode for performance acceleration, ECC error correction, USB Lock security partitioning software, and the Imation Toolbox SSD health-monitoring utility, alongside a 3-year warranty on SSDs and USB products and 1-year on optical media.

The business model is hardware sales through a multi-channel go-to-market combining direct regional sales offices, e-commerce storefronts (notably Naver Smart Store for Korea), retail and reseller partnerships (such as Computazon in Korea), and computing store distribution. Customer segmentation is horizontal, targeting general consumers and IT professionals for PC and laptop upgrades as the primary segment, with secondary segments in gaming enthusiasts and enterprise storage use cases. Revenue is generated through unit sales of physical storage and accessory products with no disclosed software, subscription, or services component, and no publicly disclosed revenue figure exists.

Beyond core storage, Imation has expanded into adjacent product lines including the Imation G gaming desktop PC line (launched October 2019) and mobile accessories such as magnetic wireless charging stands and power banks (launched January and September 2022). The brand remains positioned as a heritage label in commodity consumer storage, relying on its 1996 origin story, multi-region presence, and OEM manufacturing partnerships with global component makers for competitive positioning rather than on differentiated technology or proprietary data assets.

Name

Imation

Legal name

Ojin Corporation Co., Ltd.

Website

https://imation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Imation is a heritage storage hardware brand spun off from 3M in 1996 and now owned by Korean IT distributor Ojin Corporation. It sells SSDs, DRAM, USB drives, memory cards, optical media, and gaming PCs through regional e-commerce and retail channels across Korea, Japan, Portugal, and Spain.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Data Storage Hardware

NAICS

Computer Storage Device Manufacturing (334112), Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers (423430), Electronics and Appliance Retailers (4492), Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing (33411)

SIC

Computer Storage Devices (3572), Magnetic & Optical Recording Media (3695)

akta.pro primary industry

Internal Storage Components (SSD/HDD, M.2, controllers) (HDACAGAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Memory & Storage (DRAM/NAND/Non-Volatile) (HDAHAAAC), Storage Connectivity Adapters (SATA/IDE/NVMe/USB Enclosures & Bridges) (HDACAHAH), Storage & Backup Devices Retail (External Drives, NAS) (CRACABAG), Gaming Storage & Memory (SSDs, Memory Cards) (CRACAOAI), Camera Power, Storage & Connectivity (Batteries, Chargers, Memory Cards, Card Readers, Wireless Transmitters) (CRACAPAJ), Storage Media & Components (HDD/SSD/Flash, Controllers) (HDABAEAM)

Keywords

• Data storage devices
• Solid state drives
• DRAM memory modules
• USB flash drives
• Optical media products

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Hardware Sales: Imation generates revenue through the sale of physical storage products including SSDs, DRAM memory modules, USB flash drives, memory cards, and optical media (CD/DVD/Blu-ray discs)

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Imation designs, brands, and sells physical data storage hardware including Solid State Drives (2.5-inch SATA, M.2 SATA, and NVMe M.2 PCIe), DDR4 DRAM memory modules for desktops and laptops, USB flash drives (USB 2.0/3.0/3.1 Gen1 and OTG), microSD and SD memory cards, and optical media (CD-R, DVD-R, Blu-ray R). The portfolio also includes mobile accessories (wireless charging power banks and stands) and a gaming desktop PC line (Imation G). Products are sold under the Imation brand globally through e-commerce, regional sales offices, and retail partners.

Product overview

Imation is a global storage solution brand that spun off from 3M in 1996 and operates in over 60 countries. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of storage hardware and digital lifestyle products. The core product line includes: Solid State Drives (SSDs) in 2.5-inch SATA3 (S530, A320, C321), M.2 SATA3 (V531), and NVMe PCIe formats (X731, X931, X732) plus portable Express PRO SSDs; DRAM Memory modules in DDR4 for desktop (U-DIMM variants with/without heat sinks) and laptop (SO-DIMM); USB Flash Drives spanning USB 2.0 (CLICK Gain), USB 3.0 (ALLOY PRO, ALLOY DUO, ELITE, HJ15 BL BK), USB 3.1 Gen1 (NANO PRO II), and OTG (NANO DUO PRO); Memory Cards including microSD (Standard U1, Premium U3) and SD cards; Optical Media (CD-R, DVD-R, Blu-ray R); Mobile Accessories (wireless charging battery packs and stands); and Desktop Gaming PCs (Imation G). Ojin Corporation (오진상사) acquired the global Imation brand trademark rights in August 2017 and currently manages brand operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Imation G: Gaming PC brand offering desktop gaming computers under the Imation product portfolio.

Products and services

• S530 SSD 2.5-inch SATA3 SSD available in 120GB, 240GB, and 480GB capacities for everyday PC use.
• A320 SSD 2.5-inch SATA3 SSD with up to 960GB capacity, designed for fast PC computing environment.
• C321 SSD 2.5-inch SATA III SSD featuring SLC cache mode and ECC error correction technology, available in 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB capacities.
• V531 SSD M.2 SATA3 SSD in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB capacities for compact system integration.
• X731 NVMe M.2 SSD Gaming Series Gaming NVMe M.2 SSD with PCIe 3.0x2 interface and NVMe 1.2 support, delivering read speeds up to 1,600MB/s and write speeds up to 1,000MB/s.
• X931 SSD M.2 PCIe 3.0x4 NVMe SSD available in 1TB and 2TB capacities for high-performance desktop and workstation applications.
• X732 SSD NVMe M.2 PCIe SSD (2280 form factor) with read/write speeds of 1600/850 MB/s, available in 1TB capacity.
• Express PRO External SSD Portable external SSD for on-the-go data storage and backup with high durability and fast transfer speeds.
• U-DIMM DDR4 Desktop DRAM module in DDR4 PC4-21300 (2666MHz) Unbuffered DIMM CL19 1.2V, available in 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB capacities.
• U-DIMM Black Edition Desktop DRAM with heat sink in DDR4 PC4-21300 (2666MHz) Unbuffered DIMM CL19 1.2V, designed for enhanced thermal performance.
• SO-DIMM DDR4 2666 CL19 Laptop DRAM module in DDR4 SO-DIMM form factor at 2666MHz CL19, available in 8GB and 16GB capacities.
• U-DIMM DDR4 2666 CL16 Desktop DRAM module with heat sink in DDR4 2666MHz CL16 for performance computing.
• U-DIMM DDR4 2666 CL19 with Heat Sink Desktop DRAM module in DDR4 2666MHz CL19 with heat sink for system stability.
• NANO PRO II USB USB 3.1 Gen1 flash drive with fast and durable design.
• CLICK Gain USB USB 2.0 flash drive designed for reliable everyday data storage.
• HJ15 BL BK USB USB 3.0 flash drive in black color scheme.
• ALLOY PRO USB USB 3.1 Gen1 flash drive with rugged design for fast and secure data storage.
• ALLOY DUO OTG USB USB OTG flash drive supporting PC, smartphone, and tablet connectivity.
• ELITE USB Lightweight and compact USB 3.0 flash drive.
• NANO DUO PRO OTG USB OTG USB flash drive supporting USB 3.1 Gen1 with USB Type-C and USB 3.0 connectors, available in 16GB/32GB/64GB/128GB for Android devices and computers.
• microSD Standard U1 R45 Standard microSD memory card with U1 speed class for smart device storage expansion, available in 128GB and 256GB.
• microSD Premium U3 R90 Premium microSD card with U3 speed class for 4K QHD video support and professional use, available in 128GB and 256GB.
• SD Standard U1 R45 SD memory card with U1 speed class for standard storage applications, available in 128GB and 256GB.
• CD-R CD recordable disc with 700MB/80min capacity at 52X speed, available in Slim 10P and Spindle 10P/50P packaging.
• DVD-R DVD recordable disc with 4.7GB/120min capacity at 52X speed.
• Blu-ray R Blu-ray recordable disc available in Spindle 50P packaging for high-capacity optical storage.
• Imation G Gaming Desktop PC Gaming desktop PC product line under the Imation brand.
• Magnetic Wireless Charging Power Bank Magnetic wireless charging power bank for mobile devices, launched September 2022.
• Magnetic 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Stand Magnetic 2-in-1 wireless charging stand for mobile devices, launched January 2022.

Quantifiable outcome

• Maximum read speed up to 1,600MB/s for NVMe SSDs (X731, ATTO benchmark, 512GB)
• +2 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Glassbridge Enterprises (formerly Imation Corp.)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerOjin Corporation acquired the Imation trademark globally from Glassbridge Enterprises in August 2017. This acquisition transferred all rights to the Imation brand name for storage products worldwide, enabling Ojin to relaunch and expand the brand's product portfolio.
• Global ManufacturerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerImation partners with global manufacturers to provide products adapted to industry trends and latest market developments. These partnerships enable quality product development following latest technology trends in storage solutions.
• Computazon (컴퓨존)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKorean e-commerce retailer Computazon serves as an exclusive sales partner for Imation SSD products, conducting promotional events and exclusive sales campaigns.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Kingston Technology: Kingston is the global leader in third-party DRAM modules, SSDs, and USB flash drives. Directly comparable to Imation across product categories (NVMe/SATA SSDs, DDR4 DIMMs, USB drives) and customer base (consumer, gaming, enterprise). Like Imation, Kingston is also an OEM/ODM-style player without in-house NAND fabrication.
• Crucial (Micron Technology): Crucial sells consumer SSDs and DRAM modules backed by Micron's NAND and DRAM fabs. Directly comparable to Imation's SSD and memory product lines, with stronger vertical integration but similar end-customer targeting in the PC upgrade market.
• ADATA Technology: ADATA is a Taiwanese storage and memory manufacturer producing SSDs, DRAM modules, USB flash drives, and memory cards. Closely comparable to Imation's product breadth and mid-tier positioning, with stronger global distribution in Asia and EMEA.
• Transcend Information: Transcend manufactures SSDs, DRAM, USB flash drives, and memory cards with a similar OEM/ODM-driven model. Comparable product mix to Imation, particularly in the consumer and industrial storage segments.
• PNY Technologies: PNY manufactures and distributes SSDs, DRAM, USB flash drives, and memory cards targeting consumer, gaming, and professional segments. Directly comparable to Imation across storage categories with a similar mid-market positioning.
• Patriot Memory: Patriot produces SSDs, DRAM, USB flash drives, and memory cards with a gaming-focused sub-brand (Viper Gaming). Closely comparable to Imation's product mix and gaming positioning via its Imation G sub-brand.
• Lexar (Longsys): Lexar manufactures SSDs, memory cards, USB flash drives, and DRAM with a strong photography/creator focus. Highly comparable to Imation's memory card and portable storage offerings.

Broad incumbents

• Western Digital (SanDisk): Western Digital, through the SanDisk brand, is a global incumbent in SSDs, memory cards, and USB flash drives. Highly comparable product portfolio to Imation with significant scale advantages and OEM/retail dominance.
• Samsung Electronics (Memory Division): Samsung's memory division dominates NAND flash and DRAM globally and sells consumer SSDs under the Samsung brand. Sets the performance and pricing benchmark that Imation's SSD portfolio competes against.

Emerging players

• Silicon Power: Silicon Power offers SSDs, DRAM, USB flash drives, and memory cards with strong APAC and EMEA distribution. Comparable mid-tier competitor to Imation with similar OEM-style product sourcing.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/imation_kr
• Xx.com/ImationCorp
• Facebookfacebook.com/118309724861285
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/imation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Imation