Europe
Europe
Haier first entered Europe through Germany. The first imported technology used by the company came from Germany and in 1990 Haier exported 20,000 refrigerators to that country marking Haier's introduction into the European market. In addition to the The Haier Group's own trading companies, Haier also has research, design, and development centers in Italy, Holland Germany, and Denmark, as well as manufacturing facilities in Italy and OEM Factories in Romania and Ukraine. More than 96% of the staff at Haier's European operations are local employees.
Haier's products are sold in KESA, Media Market, Carrefour, Expert, and other major European retailers. The main products Haier sells in Europe are refrigerators, freezers, top-load washing machines, home air conditioners, water heaters, microwave ovens, dishwashers, television sets, computers and cell phones.
- In March 2001, Haier participated in the Domotechnica International Trade Fair for household appliances held in Cologne, Germany. Haier's stand covered 1000 square meters and featured 58 new products.
- On June 19, 2001, The Haier Group acquired the Italian Menigati Refrigerator Company. With the company's design and marketing centers in Milan, Haier achieved its goal of a Three-in-One operational framework in Europe, the second such framework in the world following Haier's success in the United States.
- In 2002, Haier entered the Bulgarian market as the first Chinese home appliance company to sell its products in Eastern Europe. In its first year, the company captured 10% of the Bulgarian home appliance market.
- In 2002, the largest home appliance magazine in the U.K., ERT reported that Haier products achieved an A+ for energy conservation. Haier's refrigerators were among the first A+-rated energy saving products introduced into the European market.
- Six models of Haier refrigerators achieved European A+ standards for energy conservation in 2002. In Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, consumers could receive a rebate of €100 for purchasing a Haier energy-efficient refrigerator.
- In May 2003, Haier's products made in Italy debuted at the two largest chain stores in Romania, after which Haier began exporting products to Bulgaria, Malta, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Albania, Ukraine, and Russia.
- On March 3, 2004, 5500 Haier laptops and computers arrived in France, making Haier the first Chinese company to export its own brand of computers overseas. Haier is a pioneer among China's PC brands in the international market.
- In May 2004, Haier's Double Drive Automatic Washing Machines won the Gold Medal of the Concours Lepine in France, the international invention award. The "Internet-based Air Conditioners," "Oxygen enriching device for air conditioners," and "Keeping Constant Distance from Television Devices" were awarded silver medals. The Haier Group was the only home appliance producer to win a gold medal.
- In July 2004, Haier Refrigerators won the German IF Design Award representing the highest achievement in the field of industrial design, out of 2293 other products from 35 countries.
- In January 2005, Haier's refrigerators were selected as "best sellers" in the UK by Ethical Consumer. In Germany, Haier's top-load washing machines won a bid for the Cologne and Aachen government's purchasing plans. In Russia, Haier was awarded a contract for its 42-inch plasma televisions by the Moscow Subway Authority.
- Haier's super-thin frequency conversion and super-thin high efficiency air conditioners won the German IF Design Award in 2005.
- On August 31, 2007, Haier was awarded a €24 million contract to provide 100,000 computers for the Macedonian Ministry of Education, the largest European order ever received by the company.
- In March, 2008, Haier's three-door refrigerators and detergent-free washing machines won the German Red Dot Award for their outstanding design.