Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai

Gree Electric Appliances is China’s biggest air conditioner maker and one of the largest in the sector worldwide in terms of sales. It has formed a partnership with Daikin Industries of Japan, the world’s largest air conditioner maker. In addition to its core Gree-brand air conditioners, it produces household appliances such as electric fans, water purifiers, air purifiers, rice cookers and humidifiers under the Tosot brand. The company is fiercely competing with fellow Chinese air conditioner maker Midea Group over market share in China.

Founded in 1991, Gree Electric is based in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province. Chairwoman Dong Mingzhu is a well-known female executive in China, and often appears in TV commercials and on programs. Many Chinese women look up to her as a role model. Gree Electric listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange in 1996. A state-run entity owned by the Zhuhai municipal government owns 18% of the company, making it the largest shareholder.

In March 2015, the company announced it will enter the smartphone market. It plans to launch Gree-brand smartphones by the end of 2015. It has set a sales target of 100 million units a year in a bid to go toe-to-toe with major smartphone makers in the near future.