Haier Group U.S. Expansion Case Report

Whirlpool is the world’s largest producer and marketer of small and large home appliances such as mixers, food processors, washing machines, refrigerators, air conditioners, etc. Whirlpool also has a long standing relationship with Sears, which sells Whirlpool products under the brand name Kenmore. In addition to its North American presence (both manufacturing and sales), Whirlpool also has a strong presence in Mexico, and Europe. Being the largest producer in the world has helped Whirlpool to compete on lower costs through economies of scale and through its Global Procurement Organization (GPO). In addition, its large networks also help in

Although the company has been in business for over a hundred years it has encountered several challenges. One weakness is its image. As described earlier this image is not conducive to one to be associated with the kindler, softer side of humanity. Another threat or weakness is the continued outsourcing of manufacturing of parts and accessories into overseas markets and companies. Although, there is no set percentage

*Corporate structure & effective information management systems facilitated communication, as did close relationships with suppliers

Haiser entered into overseas markets as a contract manufacturer for multinational brands in early 1990s. First exported products to UK, then Germany, France and Italy. It also establisted joint ventures to explore the foreign markets; i.e. established a JV with Mitsubishi to set up China’s largest AC (“air conditioners”) production plant in 1994, in 1995 set up a JV with a local firm in India to produce refrigerators and ACs, in 1997 establised a JV with a Yugoslav company in Belgrade to produce ACs.

CompuCo is attempting to move from a domestic producer to that of an international producer. In order to achieve this feat, the company must have an international focus in regards to its overall business operations. It is quite apparent from the case, that CompuCo does not have the will or desire to be proactive with its international subsidiaries. In order to achieve greater international success, Dr. Durand must first alter the company culture. First, all international subsidiaries should be treated as a primary business irrespective of their individual performance. It seems, through reading the case, that much more emphasis is placed on French product development and applications that is given to its international counterparts. This is a detriment to business as many of CompuCo's international customers have differing tastes and sentiments in regards to product offerings. The case cites numerous examples of this between both French and American consumers. French consumers, for example, like to read product manuals and prefer complexity over simplicity. Their American counterparts however prefer ease of use, and a simple design. The company was slow to discern these changes in consumer demands and elected instead to emphasize its French product design. This created consumer ill-will and

New Product Development : the aggressive investment strategy into R&D division led to speed in releasing new products in the market. This gave the company higher ROI returns projections. The faster cycle of innovation led to multiple product availability in the market which led to further increasing the gap between them and the competitions and also the company indulged in manufacturing self brand products rather than Co-branded or Partnerships.

Describe how Haier uses activity sharing and the transfer of core competencies to create value. (related diversification strategy)

They started selling quality furniture, bedrooms and other things made of wood but in 1930 because of the Great depression they started to look for other market and products so the company could survive this economic situation that affect all the US. Because of this they started

5) Another example of creating value by using a related diversification strategy was when Haier applied innovation to product design and production from the Liebherr Corporation of Germany. This strategic move created value by not only competing and expanding its product categories, but also by creating market needs. (pg. 7) The activity sharing and market need helped create product breakthroughs like washing machines that operated without detergent or water, and refrigerators that needed no compressors. (pg. 8) Another example of creating value was when Haier entered a strategic business alliance with Sanyo. Sanyo wanted to increase its competiveness in China taking advantage of Haier’s extensive distribution network, whereas Haier hoped to enter the Jampanese market by utilizing Sanyo’s distribution and service centres’s. (pg. 12) In the end Zhang Ruimin utilized this diversification strategy in an attempt to gain market power. B.Also discuss how Haier can use unrelated diversification strategy to create value.

Canadian Appliance Manufacturing Co. Ltd (CAMCO) was created in 1998 under the joint ownership of Canadian General Electric Ltd. and General Steel Wares Ltd. (G.S.W.). CAMCO purchased the production facilities of Westinghouse Canada Ltd. under which the brand name White-Westinghouse was

Haier is a Chinese electronical appliances producer and it decided to take a 20 per cent stake in Fisher & Paykel Appliances Company (F&P) which is a New Zealand company. According to their agreement, besides the stake, Haier will also take two seats on F&P’s board and also they will cooperate in various business functions, including product development, sourcing, manufacturing and marketing. This action brought win-win situation to both companies. For Haier, unlike its domestic acquisition strategy, this alliance strategy enabled access to well established

Its primary objective was, simply put, to become the “most recognized and respected brand in the world.” This objective required most of the

Haier business strategy was to enter niche markets, where they could compete with industry giants. Competing with top global international players like Samsung and LG in a number of segments, as well as with Whirlpool and Electrolux specifically in white goods, one of the main problems for Haier was how to clearly show its commitment to quality products and differentiate itself from them. Haier did not want to fall into a trap of general customers’ perception over the Chinese products as of being low quality. Another challenge was to compete with multiple brands producer (i.e Kelon), while Haier was focusing on genuine

These minor details are what set Electrolux apart from the competition. The company’s ability to function as a team allowed them to gain different perspectives and create in a shorter time period than the rest. The case study proves that when it comes to the consumers, they do not care about price as much as they do effectiveness. If the product gives the consumer exactly what they need and want, they are more than willing to pay the price. A company’s success depends solely on each department’s ability to function as one and without teamwork this task is impossible.

For international business strategy, Hill and Jones (2004) suggested that there is four basic components of strategy development need to be addressed by a firm in order to succeed in foreign markets. These components are: ¡¥distinctive competence¡¦, ¡¥scope of operations¡¦, ¡¥resource deployment¡¦, and ¡¥synergy¡¦. By applying the theory, it is revealed that Whirlpool¡¦s distinctive competence is its brand name ¡V Whirlpool, the world¡¦s largest white-goods manufacturer. For the scope of operations, Whirlpool is specialised in broad middle market niche of white-goods products. In terms of resource deployment, Whirlpool allocates the resources equally to its three product lines. As far as synergy concern, due to the poor business performance of Bauknecht and Ignis, Whirlpool is not benefited in whole.