Haier, $2 billion invested in 6 years consolidates M&A strategy in the territory

What is the current picture, will acquisitions continue? For example in the air conditioner segment, which the Group lacks, there is talk of a possible interest in Riello. 

Certainly not changing course, Italy is at the heart of the global growth strategy of the Haier Group, which in 2024 recorded revenues of over USD 40 billion, thanks to a widespread global presence, with sales in more than 200 countries, over 120 thousand employees worldwide and a reputation built on values such as innovation, reliability and cutting-edge, high-quality products that meet the needs of the modern home.

In recent years, the Haier Group has chosen Italy as the mainstay of its European expansion strategy, investing billions of euros and focusing on innovation, sustainability and the enhancement of skills and the local workforce. 

Constant interaction with local customers has built trust, which is essential in this field. This is how Haier has gained a prominent position in the Italian home appliance market, bringing new technologies, training and a long-term vision that puts the local area and people at the centre. Last year was a very important year. We have expanded the range of our offer and that is what we intend to do again. In Italy we operate mainly through three brands - Candy, Hoover and Haier - offering a diversified and constantly evolving range of products, capable of anticipating market trends and needs. The turning point, in fact, came in 2018 precisely with the acquisition of Candy Group. Since then, Haier has moved its European headquarters to Vimercate, expanded production capacity and invested in employee training and retraining. Candy's turnover has grown from around €1.3 billion in 2018 to over €2 billion in 2024, an annual increase of 9%. Employment increased and European market share strengthened.

Haier's investments in Europe, and in particular in Italy, have not been limited to the acquisition of companies.

In fact, the Group has invested in training, digitisation and the development of increasingly green and cutting-edge products, satisfying the needs of a constantly evolving consumer; at the same time, the Group's products have adapted to the trend of a market that is increasingly oriented towards sustainability and the reduction of environmental impact.

In this sense, Haier Europe has distinguished itself in recent years for its commitment to ESG and reducing environmental impact. 

Today, the Group has reduced the energy consumed in its production processes by around 12%, more than 45% of which comes from renewable sources, primarily solar panels. This drive for innovation has made Haier one of the most globally recognised brands for its ability to combine energy efficiency, innovation and product reliability, helping to redefine the standards of contemporary living.

The financial aspect, finally, is not secondary. Haier is listed in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Frankfurt. On the MSCI ENG index it has an AA rating. Do you plan to list on other markets in Europe?

On this side, also due to the size of the German stock exchange, results were limited. In general, Haier is used to evaluating the series of concrete results, which show that the Group is implementing a very ambitious investment and development plan.