Haier was founded as the Qingdao Refrigerator Company in 1984. The company name evolved into Haier after a joint venture partnership with Liebherr called Qindao-Liebherr.

The company’s current name Haier was adopted from the Chinese pronunciation of “-herr” in the German partner’s name.

Originally a refrigerator manufacturer, Haier is a multinational corporation producing home appliances and consumer electronics devices including air conditioners, washing machines, and television sets.

Chinese Commercial Success After Open Door Policy

Haier has become one of China’s best brands. The former state owned company is a high profile success story of China’s economic reform.

Their product portfolio includes home appliances and electronics including mobile phones, fridges, air conditioners, televisions, and PCs.

Haier has also been active in real estate development and investment in China, especially in Shandong province.

There is even an animated series based on the 2 characters used in the Chinese branding of Haier products called Haier Brothers.

Haier expanded into the United States in the 21st century

Haier was the first Chinese company to build a manufacturing facility in the United States. In 2000, Haier opened a factory in the state of South Carolina.

In 2001, Haier purchased the historic Greenwich Savings Bank building in New York for their corporate home in the United States and renamed it the Haier Building. Haier has since relocated its American headquarters to New Jersey.

The Haier world headquarters building is in Qingdao next to National Highway 308 at Haier Lu in Laoshan district.