A robot solved a rubik’s cube in 46 seconds. It was created by Midea with Yaskawa Electric, a world’s top robot company invested by Japan.[Filmed by Newsgd.com]
In the morning of April 11, journalists from Beijing visited Midea for its latest innovations as well as its effort in seeking chances and cooperation with different countries along the “Belt and Road Initiative”.
Midea, a Foshan-based home appliance maker, became one of the Global 500 in 2016. Since the establishment of its first overseas plant in Vietnam in 2007, Midea has efficiently expanded its products in global markets over the past few years.
According to Midea’s annual report, the group’s overseas sales reached 64 billion yuan, accounting for nearly half of the company’s total sales in 2016.
“Going global” in a more cooperative way
“Comparing to setting up our own factories or branches, we are more willing to build joint ventures in overseas markets,” said Chen Yaofeng, a public relation manager of Midea, “the resources offered by our partners help us easily adapt to the local markets with much lower costs.”
Midea has 12 overseas plants, covering major home appliance goods and automation solution products.[Sourced by Midea, translated by Newsgd.com]
“These global cooperations create win-win situations between Media and our partners,” said Fang Hongbo, CEO of Midea, in the interview on April 10, “for example, the factories we invested in India and ASEAN help develop the manufacturing industry in the local areas while boosting employment and tax income.”
Besides, Midea recently invested huge in world’s top high-tech enterprises as KUKA, Toshiba and Servotronix, seeking another growth path beyond home appliances to robotics and intelligent logistics.
“The cooperation with these companies helps apply the most advanced technologies to our products and in the same time, help our partners open and expand their markets in China much easily,” said Fang Hongbo.
The enterprise also built 17 R&D centers in eight countries, with over 20 billion yuan ($2.89 billion) being invested in the R&D area over the past five years.
It’s also planning to set up more R&D centers in Austria, Germany and Singapore in the near future, aiming to make its products more locally-tailored and globally competitive.
(by Jasmine)
Midea’s global innovation center in Foshan [PhotoNewsgd.com]
Chen Yaofeng, a public relation manager of Midea, was introducing a “steam cooker” to government officers and journalists from Beijing. [Photo Newsgd.com]
Journalist experienced the kitchen ventilator claimed to have self-cleaning function. [PhotoNewsgd.com]
Fang Hongbo, CEO of Midea,was introducing Midea's global cooperation to journalists from Beijing and Guangdong. [Photo provided to Newsgd.com]
