Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Gree will embark on a diversified and internationalized development path, with its business expanding from traditional household electric appliances to smart equipment manufacturing and other emerging industries.

Consumers browse Gree-made air conditioners. 

In 2018, the company's gross revenue exceeded 200 billion yuan ($29 billion) through its four major business sectors: household appliances, high-end equipment, telecommunication devices and air conditioners. 

White household appliances are and will remain a knockout product for Gree, said Wang Jingdong, vice president of Gree. Statistics show that the operating revenue of its household appliances increased about 1.5 times from 1.5 billion yuan ($217 million) in 2015 to 3.8 billion yuan ($550 million) in 2018.

A Gree worker assembles an air conditioner.

In the meantime, the company is delving into the smart household appliance sector relying on 5G, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies. It strives to provide zero-carbon smart home solutions integrating energy, air, health, security and lighting.

Back in 2013, Gree set up its smart equipment manufacturing department, which was upgraded into a subsidiary in 2015. As hard as it might seem, the company has since been on track for self-reliable development backed by independent research.

"We must stick to independent research and development, building our own talent pool and R&D team, as well as mastering core technology. Only in this way can we lead the industry and the world," said Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree.

The smart equipment manufacturing sector has now grown into a new engine for the company. Operating revenue rose from 2.1 billion yuan ($304 million) in 2017 to 3.1 billion yuan ($449 million) in 2018, a year-on-year increase of 46.19 percent. Gree-made numerically-controlled machine tools and high-end servo motors for industrial robots are believed to reach an internationally advanced level. 

Visitors watch a musical performance by Gree's robot band. [Photos courtesy China Daily]