In 1984, the Chinese company Haier signed a refrigerator manufacturing technology contract with the German company Liebherr. Later in that year, Haier CEO Zhang Ruimin left China for the first time to visit the company’s new German partner.
At a German supermarket, Zhang saw no Chinese-made goods. His trip coincided with a local festival. The German accompanying Zhang pointed to the fireworks and said: ‘Those were imported from your country’. Zhang's blood started to boil when he heard that. Would Chinese people always have to rely on the four great inventions of our ancestors?
During the . . .
Members Only Content
This content is available for logged in members of the Thinkers50 website. Learn about membership or register as a member and gain access to this content free of charge for a limited time. If you are already signed up, please check your email and verify your account.
Haier’s 1,000 Day Revolution
Everyone is a maker – turning employees into makers
