About Hisense

A Trusted Name in Consumer Electronics

Established 1969

Here at Hisense, we believe that everything we do should make your life simpler, better and more entertaining. That’s why, it is our aim to make the latest technologies accessible to everyone through thoughtfully designed and expertly built products. For almost 5 decades Hisense have been committed to developing innovations in consumer electronics. Today, we are the No.1 TV brand in China, Australia & South Africa, employing over 100,000 people across 66 overseas companies and offices. We also utilise 3 high-end international production facilities in Europe, Central America and South Africa, as well as boasting 25 research & development centres worldwide, including a strategic partnership with MIT Media Lab. All of which have the sole aim of delivering high quality, cutting-edge and affordable products that improve the life of our consumers.

1969

In September 1969, the predecessor of Hisense – Qingdao No. 2 Radio Factory – was established as a semiconductor radio manufacturer. Just a dozen of employees

1970

In August 1970, Qingdao No. 2 Radio Factory produced the first 14-inch electronic tube TV set of Shandong Province. That year also saw a total of 82 TV sets manufactured there, marking the start of the company’s existence in China’s TV industry.

1976

In September 1976, China’s first 9-inch transistor black-and-white TV set with all-plastic shell was developed there, and the 12-inch transistor TV with wood-plastic structure was also produced.

1979

In 1979, the Qingdao TV General Factory was established with Qingdao No. 2 Radio Factory as the main entity, combining the Qingdao No. 8 Electronic Component Factory.

1984

The company introduced a world-class color TV production line and produced the first generation of color TVs under the Qingdao brand. It took only three years to localize color TV production.

1987

The 18-inch 47CD840QDX color TV set from Qingdao earned the Qingdao Quality Product Certificate. In 1988, it won the first prize for Qingdao Science and Technology Achievements in Standardization. It also received a gold medal at the first Beijing International Exposition and a silver medal for National Quality Product.

1993

The company encouraged employees to brainstorm a new name. The brand Qingdao was officially renamed Hisense. The Chinese trademark 海信 and the English trademark Hisense, with a red and blue circle logo, were officially adopted in 1994.

1996

In October 1996, Hisense South Africa Enterprise (Pty) Ltd. was established. Becoming China’s largest TV production base in South Africa, with an annual production of over 200,000 TV sets.

1997

In April 1997, Hisense split its core TV business assets and was listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Qingdao Hisense Electric Co., Ltd. (600060) became a public company.

2001

Hisense entered the refrigerator industry by forming strategic partnerships, expanding its range of white goods. The following year, it acquired Beijing Snowflake Refrigerator Factory, establishing a full-fledged refrigerator production base.

2002

Hisense and Hitachi jointly established Qingdao Hisense Hitachi Air-conditioning Systems Co., Ltd., entering the large commercial air conditioner market.

2003

In September 2003, Hisense held its first global customer conference and announced its goal of focusing on overseas markets.

2006

In April 2006, Hisense completed the acquisition of Kelon. By then, Hisense owned Hisense Electric and Kelon Electric, listed in Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong. It also owned three brands: Hisense, Kelon, and Rongsheng.

2010

Mr. Zhou Houjian, Chairman of Hisense Group, delivered a keynote speech titled "From Made in China to Created in China – Technologies and Products in Emerging Markets" at the CES Summit in the United States. He was the first Chinese entrepreneur to speak at this summit.

2011

In September 2011, Hisense TV won the "Asia Quality Award of Excellence," the highest quality award in Asia, appraised by representatives from quality associations of 17 countries, including Japan, South Korea, China, and India.

2013

In March 2013, Hisense and the China-Africa Development Fund signed the South African Home Appliance Industrial Park Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement. Which included the addition of our Atlantis Factory where we manufacture fridges and tv's for distribution in South Africa as well as exports

2015

In November 2015, Hisense launched a smart TV equipped with Hi-ViewPro, A self-developed TV chip by Hisense.

2016

In January 2016, Hisense became an official sponsor of the 2016 European Cup, the first Chinese sponsor in the event's 56-year history.

2017

In February 2017, Hisense Laser Company won the second prize of the Shandong Science and Technology Progress Award for its "Research and Industrialisation of Key Technologies for High-Definition Ultra-Short-Focus Laser TV." On April 6, 2017, Hisense became an official sponsor of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the first Chinese consumer electronics brand to sponsor the event. 

2018

Hisense was named "Enterprise with the Best Overseas Image" for the fourth consecutive year and was awarded "Top 10 BrandZ Chinese Global Brand Builders." On August 7, 2018, the European Commission approved Hisense Group's acquisition of Slovenia’s white goods manufacturer Gorenje, accelerating Hisense's globalization.

2019

Hisense group celebrated its 50th Anniversary.

2022

Hisense successfully delivered its first batch of South African-made combi refrigerators to the United Kingdom.

2023

Hisense South Africa signs a letter of intent for the Tevolution Museum with the Western Cape Government in October.

2024

Bringing fans closer to the excitement of European football, Hisense is an official sponsor of UEFA Euro 2024. This partnership celebrates a shared passion for excellence, delivering immersive experiences and uniting football enthusiasts around the world for Europe’s biggest stage.

2024

Reinforcing its commitment to innovation and global sports excellence, Hisense proudly continues its partnership with Real Madrid in 2024. This collaboration brings fans closer to the action, celebrating a shared dedication to performance, quality, and achieving greatness both on and off the field.

2025

Reinforcing its commitment to innovation and global sports excellence. As an official sponsor for FIFA 2025 this collaboration highlights Hisense’s dedication to uniting fans across the globe, celebrating the passion, precision, and spirit of the world’s most beloved sport.

Hisense S.A. (PTY) Ltd. entered the South African market in 1996. The company is based in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, and in Century City, Cape Town. Hisense has a national footprint with offices in the country’s 2 major centers, allowing the company to distribute our products to over 3,000 chain stores and 500 home appliance franchise stores. In addition, our products are exported to more than 10 countries in the neighboring regions, including Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and Lesotho. In June 2013, Hisense launched our R350 million, state-of-the-art consumer electronics and home appliance manufacturing facility in Atlantis Industrial Park, Cape Town, which is capable of producing 1,000,000 TVs per annum and 500,000 fridges per annum. Our continuous efforts over the last 23 years have helped grow Hisense’s LED TV and refrigeration market share by 25% and 14% respectively. This signifies Hisense’s presence in the region, being rated third in the marketplace for refrigeration. Moreover, to complement Hisense S.A.’s existing product range, new categories were launched during 2012 that include the production of washing machines and mobile communication devices. With our eco-friendly and energy-saving product range, Hisense will continue to offer our ‘reimagine your life’ products to the South African consumer.