Zhang Ruimin
Born 1949 · Age 76
Founder of Haier Group; transformed a failing state refrigerator factory into a global appliance and IoT platform company. Known for management innovations including the Rendanheyi model and extreme quality-driven culture.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Laizhou, Shandong, China
Zhang Ruimin was born to a working-class family; parents worked in a local garment factory.
Joined Red Guards during Cultural Revolution (youth political activity)
As a youth Zhang joined the Red Guards and attended rallies; after the movement disbanded he avoided being sent down to the countryside.
Apprenticeship at Qingdao metal-processing factory
Took a job as an apprentice at a Qingdao metal-processing factory; rose within the firm over subsequent years.
Became manager of local appliance company (city-level post)
Appointed as a manager of a local appliance company in Qingdao before taking over the refrigerator plant.
Traveled to Germany to study partner technology
Early in his tenure Zhang visited the company's German partner, learning quality/technology gaps.
Appointed director of Qingdao Refrigerator Factory
Became general manager/director of the insolvent Qingdao Refrigerator Factory, the predecessor of Haier Group.
Destroyed 76 defective refrigerators to teach quality
Zhang famously had workers smash 76 defective fridges to dramatize quality problems and begin cultural change.
Redesigned washing machines for rural use
After discovering villagers used washers to clean vegetables, Zhang directed engineers to redesign machines to wash produce without clogging.
Haier won first national gold medal for refrigerator quality
Under Zhang's leadership Haier won the first national gold medal for quality in China's refrigerator industry.
Haier began diversification and M&A campaign
From 1991 Zhang pursued mergers/acquisitions and industrial park developments across washers, TVs, and air conditioners.
Established Haier Group; became president
Zhang founded Haier Group (formal establishment) and took the role of president, starting diversification and expansion.
Haier began exporting to Middle East & Africa
Haier started shipping products to the Middle East and Africa, marking early international expansion.
Earned MBA (University of Science and Technology of China)
Wharton biography indicates Zhang earned an MBA in 1995 from USTC (master's in business administration).
Qingdao transferred Red Star Electric Appliances shares to Haier
In July 1995 the Qingdao municipal government transferred all of Red Star's shares to Haier; Red Star had been loss-making.
Award: Five-Star Diamond Lifetime Achievement (American Academy of Hospitality Science)
Recognized by the American Academy of Hospitality Science with a lifetime achievement award.
Award: Entrepreneur of the Year (Asia Weekly)
Named Entrepreneur of the Year by Asia Weekly.
First Chinese business leader to speak at Harvard
Zhang spoke at Harvard University in 1998, becoming the first Chinese business leader on the Harvard podium.
Entered U.S. market with niche products
Haier began selling in the U.S. (minifridges, wine coolers) as an entry strategy into America.
Became chairman of the board of Haier Group
Zhang was named chairman of Haier's board in 1999 as the company continued globalization.
Invested US$30M to build Haier Industrial Park in South Carolina
Zhang invested US$30 million in 1999 to build an industrial park in South Carolina to produce locally for the U.S.
Haier claimed up to 60% of electric wine cooler market
By around 2000 Haier claimed a dominant share of the niche electric wine cooler market in the U.S./globally.
Attended 30th World Economic Forum; spoke at IMD Lausanne
Zhang attended WEF in January/May 2000 and was invited to speak at IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Award: CCTV China Economic Personality of the Year
Zhang was named CCTV China Economic Personality of the Year in 2001.
C.E.O. film based on Zhang's story premiered
The film 'C.E.O.' (co-produced by China Film Group and Shandong Film Studio) premiered in 2002 based on Zhang's life.
Member of the 16th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
Zhang became a member of the CCP's 16th Central Committee in 2002.
Haier revenues surpassed US$12 billion; 30,000+ employees
By 2005 Haier reported revenues over $12B and employed over 30,000; Zhang was named by Financial Times among '50 most respected business leaders'.
Haier announced expansion at Camden, South Carolina facility
Haier publicly announced a new expansion at its Camden (SC) facility in March 2007 to grow U.S. manufacturing capacity.
Listed on Forbes China Philanthropy List; BusinessWeek recognition
Zhang and Haier began receiving broader recognition on philanthropic and influence lists around 2009.
Began large-scale experiment: self-managed micro teams (start)
Zhang began introducing the self-managed team model (micro-companies) around 2009 as part of organizational reform.
Acquired Sanyo's white goods businesses in Japan & SE Asia
On 18 October 2011 Haier acquired the white-goods businesses of Sanyo Electric in Japan and Southeast Asia.
End of 2012: eradication of most middle management to enable teams
By the end of 2012 Zhang removed most middle management to accelerate self-managed teams (transition to user-centric platform).
Completed acquisition of Fisher & Paykel (New Zealand)
Haier finalized the Fisher & Paykel acquisition in December 2012; its NZ R&D centers became part of Haier's global R&D network.
Announced Haier entered new 'networking' strategy stage
On Haier's 28th anniversary (26 Dec 2012) Zhang declared Haier's new strategy focused on networking and platformization.
Keynote: Academy of Management (recognized as 'philosopher-CEO')
Zhang gave the keynote at the Academy of Management annual meeting in 2013, recognized for management philosophy and Haier's platform shift.
Haier 2013 milestone: 55M units sold; US$29.5B revenue; ~70,000 employees
Haier reported selling ~55 million major appliances in 2013, sales grew 14% to $29.5B, with ~70,000 employees and 24 plants worldwide.
Introduced IoT-connected product 'Air Box' and platform collaborations
Haier launched Air Box (smart climate device) integrating user input and working with Samsung and Apple; pivot to IoT products emphasized.
Thinkers50: Ideas into Practice Award (2015)
Zhang was included in Thinkers50 rankings and received the 2015 Ideas into Practice Award.
Invested in Pune industrial park, India (construction start)
In November 2017 Haier invested in and began construction of an industrial park in Pune with five connected plants; full output projected 3.8M units/year.
Award: Forbes China Lifetime Achievement Award
In October 2019 Zhang received the Forbes China Lifetime Achievement Award.
Haier Biomedical listed on Shanghai Star Board (688139)
Qingdao Haier Biomedical listed 25 Oct 2019: 79,267,900 shares issued at RMB 15.53/share on the SSE Star Board (Haier's IoT-era spin-off IPO).
Resigned as Haier Chairman and CEO; succeeded by Liang Haishan
Zhang stepped down from chairman and CEO roles in 2021; Liang Haishan succeeded him.
Legacy: Rendanheyi model widely cited (platform management model)
Zhang's Rendanheyi (user-employee-customer centric) and platformized management model gained prominence as Haier transitioned to IoT and open ecosystems.
Public record: recognized as Haier founder and veteran CEO
Profiles and corporate pages continue to document Zhang's role in transforming Haier into an IoT ecosystem brand; he remains a prominent business thinker.
Key Achievement Ages
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