TCL ramping up tech innovation to meet demand

Home appliance maker TCL Corp said it will ramp up technology innovation related to its refrigerator and washing machine products, and make personalized intelligent products to meet consumers' demands.

"We will continue to push forward with our Double Plus strategy, which means intelligence plus internet and products plus services, with a focus on technological innovation and users' involvement, so as to boost the transformation and upgrading of the nation's home appliance industry," said Wang Xianju, general manager of TCL's white goods department.

The Guangdong province-based company has launched a dirt-free washing machine, which protects clothing from dirt within washing machines and cross-contamination from other garments. TCL's all-in-one inverter air-cooled refrigerator features fast cooling, narrowed temperature differences, energy savings and low noise output.

Wang said the company attaches great importance to users' healthy lifestyles and is dedicated to providing users with considerate services, as well as building an ecosystem ranging from products, retail and after-sales services.

TCL shipped more than 1 million washing machines in the first half of the year. Its revenue increased 16.6 percent year-on-year, according to company data.

"The rapid development of China's economy and the change of consumer demographics have brought about new demands for upgraded household appliances. Enterprises must capture and lead such new demands in the market," said Wei Jun, general manager of the white goods department at consultancy China Market Monitor Co Ltd.

Zhang Xiaoguang, general manager of TCL's brand management center, said the company aims to become a global leader in intelligent products manufacturing and internet services. It is positioning itself to compete with international brands with a global vision and pattern, and accelerating Chinese brands' efforts to go global in the new era, he said.

The company has 75,000 employees, 23 research and development centers, and 21 manufacturing facilities worldwide. It has set up sales branches in more than 80 countries and regions worldwide, with operations spanning over 160 countries and regions.

"We will continue to explore markets in Europe and North America by strengthening our market share and brand influence. We will further invest in key emerging countries such as India, Russia and Argentina to establish local industrial capacity," said Li Dongsheng, TCL chairman and CEO, in an earlier interview.

Statistics from Beijing-based consultancy All View Cloud said refrigerator sales revenue in the domestic market reached 54.9 billion yuan ($8 billion) from January to June, up 7.1 percent year-on-year.

Sales of household washing machines rose to 31 million units in the first half, an increase of 3.4 percent compared with same period last year, according to AVC.