6 Companies You Didn't Know Are Based in Phoenix

It is common knowledge that high-profile companies such as US Airways, the University of Phoenix, and Taser International are headquartered in the Phoenix area. However, you may be surprised to learn that the following companies also have their headquarters in Phoenix:

6) Best Western
The world's largest hotel chain operates more than 4,000 hotels in over 80 countries, and it's all orchestrated from the company's world headquarters in North Phoenix, Arizona. Best Western handles reservations, customer service, billing, and corporate operations from its Beardsley Operations Center, which employs over 1,000 people.

5) Penn Racquet Sports
Tennis, anyone? Penn has been manufacturing its signature product - the bright yellow tennis ball - for over 100 years. The company's headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona manufactures over 13,000 balls every hour along with racquetballs and half a dozen types of tennis balls.

4) Ping
Founded in 1959 and located in Phoenix since 1961, Ping has been a world leader in golf clubs and equipment for over four decades. The company's headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona is the ideal location for product development and testing, with over 150 golf courses and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

3) Fender Musical Instruments
Although its manufacturing facilities are located in California, Mexico, and Japan, the world headquarters of Fender Musical Instruments is located in none other than Scottsdale, Arizona. The world-famous company makes Fender electric guitars, basses, amplifiers, and a variety of other musical instruments. Their influence on rock music cannot be emphasized enough.

2) U-Haul
Believe it or not, the U-Haul Corporation is also headquartered in the Valley of the Sun. Since 1945, U-Haul's truck and trailer rental business has expanded to nearly every city in America and helped millions of people haul their stuff around. Look for their headquarters on Central Avenue in downtown Phoenix.

1) SkyMall
If you've ever flown on a commercial airliner, chances are you've seen a SkyMall catalog stuffed into the seat pocket in front of you. Every catalog is packed with a never-ending parade of whiz-bang products that will change your life, and it's all put together by this Phoenix-based corporation.