This year marks an important milestone for us at WD, as it’s been one year since we began our next chapter as an independent company following the Sandisk spinoff.
It also means something very personal for me. Since joining the company 38 years ago, I’ve had the privilege of seeing WD evolve through major technology shifts, market cycles, and moments that required bold decisions that have shaped our trajectory. This past year stands out as one of the most defining.
The decision to separate our flash business was about clarity of strategy, of execution, and of purpose. Over the past 12 months, we’ve moved quickly with focus and discipline. We completed the separation, strengthened WD’s operational and financial foundation, and delivered performance that positioned us among 2025’s top-performing stocks in the S&P 500. We also re-entered the NASDAQ-100 and had the honor of ringing the opening bell at Times Square in New York City, which was a powerful moment that symbolized confidence in our direction and future.
We also celebrated 55 years of WD’s leadership in data storage. This is history that matters today and tomorrow, and is a reminder that innovation at WD has always been about building technology that endures and brings value to our customers.
This year also marked our reintroduction to the world as WD. This rebrand wasn’t about a name or a logo, but a signal to the world that WD has evolved and is confident in its role as essential infrastructure for AI-driven data growth. That direction came into sharp focus at Innovation Day 2026 in New York City, where we unveiled our technology roadmap—including our path to 100TB HDDs—and our long-term value creation strategy for the AI-driven data era.
How our Drivers continue to show up with integrity, discipline, and relentless commitment to innovation gives me great confidence in our future. Being recognized for the 7th time as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies® reinforces that how we win matters just as much as winning.
After nearly four decades, I can say this with conviction: WD is just getting started. The foundation we’ve built over the past year positions us to lead through the next era of data growth, and I’m incredibly proud to come to work every single day with the team shaping what comes next. Every day is a great day to be in WD.
#GDTBIWD
