Hisense refrigerators are made by Hisense Group Co., Ltd., a Chinese multinational appliance and electronics manufacturer founded in 1969 and headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China.
The company is fully independent and publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, with no foreign parent company owning or controlling it.
Hisense started as a small radio factory and grew over five decades into one of the world’s largest appliance manufacturers, operating in more than 130 countries.
Refrigerators sold under the Hisense name in the United States are available at major retailers including Lowe’s, Best Buy, and Home Depot.
The company has more than 14 production facilities worldwide and is actively expanding refrigerator manufacturing capacity outside of China.
In October 2024, Hisense announced a $250 million investment to build its largest refrigerator plant outside China in Nuevo Leon, Mexico, with a target capacity of two million units per year.
| Manufacturer | Hisense Group Co., Ltd. |
| Founded | 1969, Qingdao, China |
| Headquarters | Qingdao, Shandong Province, China |
| Parent Company | None (independent, publicly listed) |
| Main Production Countries | China, Mexico, South Africa, Serbia, Egypt |
| Largest Plant Outside China | Nuevo Leon, Mexico (under expansion, 2024) |
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Who Owns Hisense Group?
Hisense Group is an independent Chinese enterprise publicly listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Qingdao Hisense Electric Holdings Co., Ltd. holds approximately 29.9% of shares, with the remaining roughly 70% spread across institutional investors, retail shareholders, and employee holdings.
No foreign parent company owns Hisense. It is not a division of LG, Samsung, Haier, or Whirlpool, though it entered a washing machine joint venture with Whirlpool in China in 2008.
Hisense also acquired a 95% controlling stake in Slovenian appliance maker Gorenje in 2018, expanding its European manufacturing and brand footprint. For refrigerators specifically, production is handled through its subsidiary Hisense Kelon Electrical Holding Limited.
Where Are Hisense Refrigerators Made?
The largest concentration of Hisense refrigerator production is in Qingdao, China, where the company operates its flagship facilities with advanced robotics and automated assembly lines. Beyond China, Hisense manufactures refrigerators in Mexico, South Africa, Serbia, and Egypt.
The Nuevo Leon plant in northern Mexico began phase one refrigerator production and phase two stove production, with two more expansion phases still to come. When fully built out under its $250 million program, that campus will produce two million refrigerators per year.
The South Africa and Serbia plants serve European and African markets, while the Egypt facility covers North Africa and the Middle East. Hisense also has a separate TV and electronics plant in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, purchased from Sharp in 2015, which is distinct from the appliance operations in Nuevo Leon.
How Long Has Hisense Been Making Refrigerators?
Hisense expanded into refrigerators in the 1990s as it grew beyond its original television and radio business. The company later acquired Kelon, a Chinese home appliance specialist with deep refrigeration expertise dating back to the 1980s, which gave Hisense a significant jump in cooling technology and manufacturing capacity.
By the 2000s, Hisense refrigerators were mainstream across China, and by the 2010s the brand was actively pushing into American and European markets. The Lowe’s retail partnership in the United States was an important milestone in reaching North American consumers already familiar with Hisense televisions.
Are Hisense Refrigerators Made in the USA?
Hisense refrigerators sold in the United States are not manufactured on U.S. soil. Units on American retail shelves are produced in China or Mexico and then imported. Hisense does maintain a U.S. subsidiary called Hisense USA Corporation, which handles distribution, marketing, and customer support for North America.
The expanding Nuevo Leon, Mexico facility is the closest production point to the U.S. market and is specifically intended to supply the American continent. A growing share of Hisense refrigerators on U.S. shelves will be built in Mexico once all four construction phases at that plant are complete.
Hisense vs. LG Refrigerators: What Is the Difference?
Hisense and LG are two entirely separate companies with no shared ownership. Hisense is a Chinese company based in Qingdao, while LG Electronics is a South Korean conglomerate headquartered in Seoul.
LG refrigerators sit in the mid-to-premium segment and are well known for the InstaView door-in-door panel, linear compressor technology with a 10-year warranty, and a broad range of French door and counter-depth models. LG manufactures its own compressors in South Korea and holds numerous patents on cooling technology.
Hisense positions its refrigerators as value-focused alternatives with competitive pricing, particularly targeting buyers who want larger capacity units at a lower price point. As the Mexico expansion brings fresher units to market with shorter shipping times, Hisense is closing the availability gap for U.S. buyers.
Are Hisense and Haier the Same Company?
No. Hisense and Haier are two separate Chinese companies and direct competitors in the global appliance market. Both are headquartered in Qingdao, which causes confusion, but they operate under completely different ownership structures with no shared parent.
Haier is the company behind the GE Appliances brand in the United States, having acquired GE’s home appliance division in 2016. Haier Group and Hisense have no corporate connection. They are independent rivals competing aggressively in refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners across the same global markets.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hisense Refrigerators
Is Hisense a good brand for refrigerators?
Hisense refrigerators have earned solid marks for value and capacity at their price point. The brand is particularly competitive in the large-capacity French door and top-freezer segments, and units at Lowe’s generally earn positive reviews for their feature set relative to cost.
Who makes Hisense compressors?
Hisense sources compressors from third-party manufacturers for many of its refrigerator models, unlike LG which produces its own compressors in-house. The specific supplier varies by model line, but Hisense conducts quality testing at its Qingdao facilities before units ship.
Does Hisense make refrigerators under other brand names?
Hisense sells refrigerators primarily under the Hisense name. Through its Gorenje ownership and European operations, some Gorenje-branded refrigerators share Hisense manufacturing infrastructure, but Hisense does not secretly manufacture refrigerators for major competing brands.
Where can I buy Hisense refrigerators in the United States?
Hisense refrigerators are available at Lowe’s, Best Buy, Home Depot, and through major online retailers. Lowe’s is the brand’s primary brick-and-mortar retail partner in the U.S. and typically carries the widest selection. For other Chinese-owned appliance brands worth comparing, see Who Makes Midea Appliances and Where Are LG Appliances Made.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.