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Why Haier's Business Model is so successful?

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Haier’s Company Overview


Founded in 1984 in Qingdao, China, Haier Group has grown to become one of the world's leading home appliance and consumer electronics companies. Renowned for its commitment to innovation, quality, and customer-centric products, Haier has established a global presence with operations in over 100 countries.

Haier Group Corporation is a multinational home appliances and consumer electronics company headquartered in Qingdao, China. It designs, develops, manufactures, and sells products including refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, microwave ovens, mobile phones, computers, and televisions. The home appliances business, namely Haier Smart Home, has seven global brands – Haier, Casarte, Leader, GE Appliances, AQUA, Fisher & Paykel, and Monogram. Haier Smart Home became the world's largest home appliance maker by market share in 2010. According to data released by Euro monitor, the market share of Haier refrigerator has been the first for ten consecutive years from 2009 to 2018. Haier was ranked as the 2nd largest Home appliance maker in the world by 2018 Euromonitor International.

Business Model:

Haier's business model is centered around providing a comprehensive range of home appliances and consumer electronics to meet the diverse needs of its customers. The company has successfully integrated its operations across the entire value chain, from research and development to manufacturing, sales, and after-sales service. Haier focuses on creating smart, connected, and energy-efficient products, reflecting its dedication to technological advancement.

One notable aspect of Haier's business model is its emphasis on user-centric innovation. The company adopts an entrepreneurial approach, fostering a culture of micro-enterprises within the larger organization. This strategy allows individual business units to operate with a high degree of autonomy, responding quickly to market trends and customer preferences.

Revenue Model:

Haier generates revenue primarily by selling a wide range of home appliances and consumer electronics. This includes refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, televisions, and other household products. The company serves residential and commercial markets, offering products catering to various lifestyles and preferences.

In addition to traditional retail sales, Haier has embraced e-commerce channels to reach a broader customer base. The company's revenue model includes direct sales through its retail outlets, partnerships with third-party retailers, and online sales platforms. Furthermore, Haier may explore strategic collaborations, licensing agreements, and after-sales services to enhance its revenue streams.

As a global leader in the home appliance industry, Haier continues to evolve its business model, incorporating digital innovation, sustainability practices, and customer-centric strategies to maintain its position in a dynamic and competitive market.

https://www.haier.com/

Headquater: Qingdao, Shandong, China

Foundations date: 1984

Company Type: public

Sector: Consumer Goods

Category: Manufacturing

Digital Maturity: Digirati


Haier’s Related Competitors



Haier’s Business Model Canvas


Haier’s Key Partners
  • Subsidiaries
  • Collaborators
  • Acquisitions
  • Joint ventures
  • Investors
  • Component manufacturers
  • Suppliers
  • Distributors
  • Retailers
Haier’s Key Activities
  • Manufacturing
  • Design
  • R&D
  • Marketing
  • Distribution
  • Financials
  • IT
  • Customer service
Haier’s Key Resources
  • Haier has also been the world's number one brand of major appliances every year since 2009
  • The company has 240 subsidiary companies and 30 design centers
  • 8 overseas production bases and 19 overseas trading companies
  • 54.000 employees worldwide
  • Haier has long attached significance to innovation in satisfying the demands of worldwide consumers and realizing win-win performance between Haier and clients
  • Haier has been among the world's top 10 innovative companies for four consecutive years according to the rankings released by the Boston Consulting Group
  • Haier's global revenue in 2014 reached 32.6 billion USD
  • Haier is the world's leading brand of major household appliances and is now transforming from a traditional household appliance manufacturer into an open platform for entrepreneurship
  • Haier Group has built a networking platform that can realize win-win cooperation
Haier’s Value Propositions
  • Haier is a leading global manufacturer of home appliances and consumer electronics
  • The company's mission is to create innovative products according to the demands of our customers
  • Haier has been widely recognized as a leader of nine products in terms of domestic market shares and the 3rd player of three products in the world market and world-class company in the fields of home integration
  • It has now transformed from a traditional manufacturing enterprise into an open entrepreneurship platform
  • Haier is a model of “customer-oriented” enterprises
  • Haier Group has built an innovative ecosystem and has become a world-leading and ecosystem brand of the Internet of Things (IoT) age
Haier’s Customer Relationships
  • R&D
  • O2O (online to offline) user experience
  • Co-creation
  • Crowdfunding
  • User-generated content
  • After-sales service
  • Trust
  • Community
  • Word-of-mouth
  • Loyalty
  • Reputation
  • Customer lifetime value
  • Personal assistance
  • Self-service
  • Automation
  • Digitalization
  • Co-creation
  • Open innovation
Haier’s Customer Segments
  • Mass market
  • B2B and B2C
Haier’s Channels
  • Website
  • Social media
  • Online communities
  • Forums
  • News
  • TV
  • Haier has 66 trading companies 143330 sales outlets and 29 manufacturing plants around the world with more than 60000 employees worldwide
  • Haier's 143330 sales outlets and 12 R&D centers have built good foundation for Haier to open 'the second pioneering work'
  • Haier has 10 R&D centers 24 industrial parks 108 manufacturing plants and 66 trading companies and more than 50 000 employees around the world
  • Haier has 240 subsidiaries and 30 design centers 8 overseas production bases and 16 industrial complexes
  • Haier has 20 overseas trading companies and 10 global information platforms serving more than 100 countries and regions
  • Haier has set up 10 R&D centers 16 industrial complexes 108 manufacturing bases and over 60.000 sales agents worldwide
Haier’s Cost Structure
  • Hardware
  • Software
  • Logistics
  • Marketing
  • R&D
  • Product development
  • Employees
  • Economies of scale
Haier’s Revenue Streams
  • Sales of products
  • Licensing
  • After sales services
  • Extended warranties
  • Parts and accessories
  • Maintenance
  • Logistics

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Haier’s Revenue Model


Haier makes money by combining different business models. Below, you will find the list of the different monetization strategies identified for this company:

  • Add-on
  • Bundling
  • Customer loyalty
  • Long tail
  • Solution provider
  • Make and distribute
  • Licensing
  • Corporate innovation
  • Affiliation
  • Sponsorship
  • Regular replacement
  • Reverse engineering
  • Reverse innovation
  • Guaranteed availability
  • Demarketing
  • Decomposition
  • Fast fashion
  • Open innovation
  • Lean Start-up
  • Augmenting products to generate data
Analytics


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  • Categories
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Haier’s Case Study


Haier's Case Study

Haier Group, headquartered in Qingdao, China, has become a paragon of business strategy and innovation in the home appliance and consumer electronics industry. Founded in 1984, Haier has expanded its reach to over 100 countries, maintaining a prominent position worldwide. To comprehend Haier's exceptional journey, we delve into its history, business model, unique market strategies, and consistent drive for innovation.

A Humble Beginning

Haier's story begins in a dilapidated refrigerator factory in Qingdao where Zhang Ruimin, the current CEO, faced an uphill battle. In 1985, faced with defective products, Zhang famously smashed 76 refrigerators with a sledgehammer to emphasize quality control. This act set the tone for Haier’s unwavering commitment to quality. From that modest origin, Haier has grown exponentially, largely due to its innovative mindset and customer-centric approach.

A Pioneering Business Strategy

One cannot discuss Haier without mentioning its unique business strategy. Haier’s business model is a blend of decentralized micro-enterprises and integrated operations. The company fosters a culture of entrepreneurship by allowing individual business units the autonomy to operate independently. This strategy empowers employees to react swiftly to market trends and customer needs. Micro-enterprise Culture: Haier’s micro-enterprise strategy propels innovation from within. According to a report by McKinsey (2022), Haier’s internal startup platform employs over 3300 micro-enterprises. These units function as autonomous startups, aiming to rapidly bring new products to market. Digital Transformation: Embracing digital channels has been pivotal for Haier. By leveraging e-commerce and digital platforms, Haier enhanced its customer outreach. As of 2020, Haier’s online sales accounted for about 30% of its total revenue, a testament to its successful digital transformation (Euromonitor International).

Commitment to Innovation

Haier’s innovation framework stands out distinctly in the business ecosystem. The company directs significant resources to research and development (R&D). In 2020, Haier allocated approximately 4% of its total revenue to R&D, showcasing its commitment to continual advancement and quality improvement (Financial Times, 2020). R&D Hubs: Haier operates 30 R&D centers worldwide, the most notable ones being the Haier Global Innovation Model (GIM) research centers. These hubs are responsible for pioneering smart home technologies, which integrate artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) into home appliances. Open Innovation Ecosystem: Haier has developed an innovative ecosystem model, as highlighted by Boston Consulting Group. Haier’s platform, Haier Open Partnership Ecosystem (HOPE), connects various stakeholders, including universities, technology firms, and research institutes, fostering collaboration and co-creation.

Global Expansion and Acquisitions

Haier’s acquisition strategy played a significant role in its global expansion. In 2016, Haier acquired General Electric’s (GE) appliance business for $5.4 billion. This acquisition not only bolstered Haier's presence in the North American market but also allowed it to integrate GE's advanced technology and product development expertise (Reuters, 2016). Additionally, Haier acquired the New Zealand-based company Fisher & Paykel in 2012, bringing its reputation for innovative and premium-quality products into Haier's fold.

Customer-Centric Approach

A significant driver behind Haier's ongoing global success is its unwavering dedication to meeting customer needs. The company's motto, “zero distance to the customer,” underscores its commitment to understanding and delivering on customer desires. Design and Aesthetics: Haier invests in superior design and aesthetics, ensuring products are not only functional but also visually appealing. This focus has dramatically enhanced its market attractiveness, particularly among lifestyle-oriented consumers. Smart and Connected Products: In line with the trend towards smart homes, Haier has developed a range of connected products that offer convenience and efficiency. According to company data, Haier's smart home sector grew by 20% annually from 2018-2020 (Haier 2021 Annual Report).

Sustainability Practices

In the modern business landscape, a company's stance on sustainability can significantly impact its brand perception. Haier has integrated sustainability into its business strategy. The company adopts energy-efficient manufacturing processes and designs products that minimize environmental impact. Sustainability Awards: Haier's commitment to sustainability has been recognized globally. In 2021, the company received the Green Supply Chain Award, highlighting its sustainable supply chain practices (SupplyChainBrain, 2021).

Statistics and Achievements

Haier’s market performance is bolstered by impressive statistics: - Haier has maintained its position as the world's largest home appliance brand by market share since 2009 (Euromonitor International). - By 2018, Haier was ranked as the 2nd largest home appliance manufacturer globally (Euromonitor International). - As of 2020, Haier had over 60,000 employees and operated 143,330 sales outlets worldwide (Haier 2020 Company Profile). - Haier's global revenue in 2020 stood at $32.2 billion (Haier Annual Report 2020).

Conclusion

Haier's journey from a struggling refrigerator factory to a global leader in home appliances epitomizes the power of innovation, customer-centric strategies, and bold leadership. Through its unique micro-enterprise structure, emphasis on R&D, and strategic acquisitions, Haier has carved out a distinctive niche in the market. As global markets continue to evolve, Haier's pioneering approach positions it effectively to adapt and thrive. By understanding Haier's case, businesses can glean invaluable insights into the dynamics of successful global expansion and the importance of embracing innovation and customer-oriented strategies.


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