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Haier

Haier is a Chinese multinational company headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, best known for home appliances and consumer electronics.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Haier is a Chinese multinational company headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, best known for home appliances and consumer electronics. Founded in 1984, it has expanded into a global brand with products sold under multiple labels including Haier, Casarte, GE Appliances, Fisher & Paykel, Candy, Leader, and Aqua.

History

Haier traces its origins to Qingdao’s refrigerator manufacturing operations and was founded as a company in 1984. Company history materials identify its predecessor as the Qingdao General Refrigerator Factory and describe later restructuring into a joint-stock company.

Business and products

Haier manufactures and sells major home appliances and consumer electronics, including refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, TVs, microwaves, and computers. Its portfolio also includes smart home and IoT-related offerings through affiliated businesses and platforms.

Brands and subsidiaries

Haier uses a multi-brand strategy that includes Haier, Casarte, GE Appliances, Fisher & Paykel, Candy, Leader, and Aqua. Sources also identify affiliated companies such as Haier Smart Home and Haier Electronics Group.

Global presence

Haier operates internationally and sells products in many markets worldwide. Company and profile sources describe operations across Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Key facts

  • Haier Group was founded in 1984 in Qingdao, China.
  • It is a Chinese multinational company focused on home appliances and consumer electronics.
  • Product range includes refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and more.
  • Haier uses a multi-brand strategy including GE Appliances and Fisher & Paykel.
  • Haier operates globally across multiple regions including the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.
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Canadian context

Haier’s presence matters to Canadian consumers through internationally sold appliances and brands such as GE Appliances and Fisher & Paykel, which appear in North American markets. Canadian university and company-profile sources also note the company’s expansion into North America.[2][10]

Frequently asked questions

What is Haier?
Haier is a Chinese multinational company that makes home appliances and consumer electronics.
When was Haier founded?
Haier was founded in 1984.
Where is Haier headquartered?
Haier is headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, China.
What products does Haier make?
Its products include refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, dryers, microwaves, televisions, computers, and mobile phones.
What brands are associated with Haier?
Brands associated with Haier include Haier, Casarte, GE Appliances, Fisher & Paykel, Candy, Leader, and Aqua.
Is Haier active outside China?
Yes. Sources describe Haier as a global company with operations and sales across multiple regions.

References

  1. Haierhttps://www.haier.com/global/about-haier/
    Supports: Founded in 1984 and described as a global provider of smart living and digital transformation solutions.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haier
    Supports: Headquarters, corporate identity, brands, affiliates, and product categories.
  3. Devexhttps://www.devex.com/organizations/haier-group-109912
    Supports: Founding date, founder/CEO attribution, global scale, and broad brand portfolio.
  4. Haier HVAC Europehttps://haierhvac.eu/about-haier
    Supports: Founded in Qingdao in 1984 and associated with Zhang Ruimin.
  5. Haier Smart Homehttps://smart-home.haier.com/en/gsls/
    Supports: Company history and predecessor information.
  6. Haier Smart Homehttps://smart-home.haier.com/media/dbbfvpda/2023ar.pdf
    Supports: Recent annual-report statements on brand portfolio and market position.
  7. GlobalDatahttps://www.globaldata.com/company-profile/haier-group/
    Supports: Product categories, brands, and geographic operations.
  8. University of British Columbia Libraryhttps://guides.library.ubc.ca/companies-d-l/haier
    Supports: Overview of products, global expansion, and Canadian-relevant context.