Hisense

What does Hisense own?
Hisense owns a portfolio of 9 major electronics and appliance brands: Hisense (core electronics), Toshiba (TV business acquired 2017), Gorenje (European appliances acquired 2018), Sharp (TV brand rights for Americas, acquired 2015), Asko (premium appliances through Gorenje), Kelon (Chinese appliances), Hitachi (air conditioning JV), Ronshen (Chinese appliances), and Sanden (automotive air conditioning).

Is Hisense publicly traded?
Hisense has a complex structure. The parent, Hisense Group, is not fully publicly traded and retains state-owned enterprise influence. The primary listed subsidiary is Hisense Visual Technology Co., Ltd., which trades on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under ticker 600060. Another subsidiary, Hisense Home Appliances Group, trades on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under ticker 0921.

Who founded Hisense?
Hisense originated as the Qingdao Number 2 Radio Factory, a state-owned enterprise established in 1969. Zhou Houjian transformed the company in the 1990s from a struggling state-owned factory into a competitive, market-oriented electronics manufacturer. The Hisense Group was formally established in 1994 under Zhou's leadership.

Where is Hisense headquartered?
Hisense is headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong, China. The company has maintained its headquarters in Qingdao since its founding in 1969. Major manufacturing facilities are located in China, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey, Slovenia, and other countries.

How many brands does Hisense own?
Hisense owns 9 major brands: Hisense, Toshiba (TV), Gorenje, Sharp (TV, Americas), Asko, Kelon, Hitachi (JV), Ronshen, and Sanden. These brands serve different market segments across televisions, home appliances, mobile devices, and automotive components.

Who owns Hisense?
Hisense Group is partially state-owned, with the Qingdao municipal government holding a stake through state-owned investment vehicles. The listed subsidiary Hisense Visual Technology (SSE: 600060) has ownership distributed among institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders. Hisense Home Appliances Group (HKEX: 0921) is also publicly traded with mixed ownership.

What is Hisense's revenue?
Hisense Group reported approximately $27 billion in revenue for FY2025. The publicly listed subsidiary Hisense Visual Technology reported approximately CNY 54 billion (~$7.4 billion) for FY2025. The group figure includes all businesses: televisions, home appliances, air conditioning, mobile devices, and components.

Hisense traces its origins to the Qingdao Number 2 Radio Factory, established in September 1969 as a state-owned enterprise. The factory's first product was a radio sold under the brand name Red Lantern. The company soon gained television manufacturing expertise through trial production of black and white televisions ordered by the Shandong National Defense Office.

Three employees received technical training at Tianjin 712, another Chinese electronics factory. By 1971, the factory had produced 82 televisions. By 1975, it had developed transistor televisions. Hisense's first TV model, the CJD18, was produced in 1978.

In 1979, the Ministry of Electronics in Beijing called for greater development of the civil-use electronics industry. Qingdao Number 2 Radio Factory was merged with other local electronics makers to form the Qingdao General Television Factory in Shandong province.

The Hisense Group emerged in 1994 following reforms initiated in 1992 by Zhou Houjian, who transformed the company from a state-owned enterprise into a competitive market-oriented manufacturer. Hisense Visual Technology (then called Hisense Electrical Appliance Share Holding Company) was publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in April 1997, raising capital for expansion.

During the 1990s, price wars in the Chinese electronics market benefited Hisense strategically. The company acquired ten failing enterprises by 1998, expanding its capabilities and market presence. Hisense made significant investments in research and development and established industrial parks to support diversification into household appliances, computers, and communications.

Hisense purchased technology licenses from major international companies including Matsushita, Hitachi, Lucent, NEC, Sanyo, Toshiba, and Qualcomm to accelerate its technical capabilities.

In 2005, Hisense developed a digital media processing chip named "HiView" for color television sets, demonstrating indigenous innovation capability. In 2013, the company introduced a transparent 3D television.

Strategic acquisitions accelerated Hisense's global expansion:

• July 2015: Hisense bought a Mexico facility from Sharp for $23.7 million, along with rights to use the Sharp brand on televisions sold in North and South America.
• November 2017: Hisense acquired a 95% controlling stake in Toshiba Visual Solutions for $113 million, expanding its presence in the premium television market.
• 2018: Hisense became the majority shareholder in Slovenian appliance manufacturer Gorenje, acquiring 95.4% of shares for approximately $340 million, adding European appliance manufacturing capabilities and the Asko premium brand.

In 2020, Hisense introduced the world's first 8K 10-bit HDR screen TV based on an AI-powered HDR algorithm. In May 2022, Hisense launched its first 4K Fire TV in partnership with Amazon, integrating streaming capabilities into its television products.

At CES 2026, Hisense announced the UR9 and UR8 series, bringing RGB Mini-LED technology to screen sizes from 55 to 100 inches. The company has developed proprietary image processing chips in-house, and its premium models compete with TVs costing 30-50% more from Samsung and LG.

Hisense was an official sponsor of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar and the 2024 UEFA European Championship. The company is an official sponsor of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, using these high-profile partnerships to build global brand recognition.

Hisense publishes an annual ESG report covering environmental performance, social responsibility, and corporate governance. The company has set targets for improving energy efficiency across its product lines and reducing emissions from its manufacturing operations.

The company's environmental initiatives include developing energy-efficient products that reduce consumer electricity consumption, implementing waste reduction programs in manufacturing, and complying with environmental regulations across its global operations. Hisense has invested in cleaner production technologies and renewable energy at its manufacturing facilities in China.

Hisense is not a Certified B Corporation. The company's sustainability claims are self-reported in its annual ESG report. Some environmental metrics are subject to Chinese regulatory oversight, but independent third-party verification of all claims is limited.

On supply chain ethics, Hisense maintains supplier codes of conduct addressing environmental standards, labor practices, and responsible sourcing. The company's supply chain includes component suppliers in China, South Korea, Taiwan, and other countries. Hisense has not faced major public scrutiny over supply chain labor practices, though the broader Chinese electronics manufacturing sector has faced criticism for working conditions.

Hisense has received recognition at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) multiple times. The company's ULED XD TV was named a CES Innovation Awards honoree. At CES 2026, Hisense received recognition for its RGB Mini-LED technology.

The company has been recognized by industry research firms including OMDIA and Counterpoint Research as the world's second-largest television manufacturer by shipment volume.

Hisense products have received ratings from Consumer Reports and other consumer testing organizations, generally scoring well for value and features in the mid-range segment.

The company's sports sponsorship portfolio (FIFA World Cup, UEFA European Championship) represents significant brand investment, though these are sponsorship agreements rather than independent awards.

Hisense has faced scrutiny related to its acquisition of brand rights from other manufacturers. The 2015 acquisition of Sharp's Mexico facility and TV brand rights for the Americas was controversial. Sharp's then-owner Foxconn later disputed the scope of the brand licensing agreement, leading to legal tensions. The dispute was eventually resolved, and Hisense continues to sell Sharp-branded televisions in the Americas.

The 2017 acquisition of Toshiba Visual Solutions for $113 million proceeded without major regulatory objections. Hisense has maintained the Toshiba TV brand and invested in its product development.

Hisense faces ongoing scrutiny as a Chinese company operating in international markets. The company must comply with trade regulations, tariffs, and national security reviews in various countries. In the United States, Hisense has not faced the level of scrutiny directed at Huawei or TikTok, but the broader geopolitical tension between the U.S. and China creates regulatory risk for all Chinese electronics companies.

On product quality, Hisense has faced occasional consumer complaints about television reliability and warranty service, particularly in North American markets where the brand is still building its service infrastructure. These complaints are common among value-oriented electronics brands and have not resulted in major regulatory action or class action lawsuits.

The company has not faced significant environmental violations. Hisense's manufacturing operations in China are subject to Chinese environmental regulations, and the company states that it complies with applicable standards. International manufacturing facilities in Mexico, Slovenia, and South Africa are subject to local environmental regulations.