Appliance Business Cast Off by GE Thrives Under Chinese Ownership

LOUISVILLE, Ky.—When General Electric Co. agreed to sell its appliance unit to a Chinese manufacturer in 2016, the future wasn’t clear for the business, its workers or the tens of millions of U.S. households owning GE appliances.

Nearly six years later, GE Appliances is growing, having increased its U.S. market share every year since 2017. Since being bought by Qingdao, China-based Haier Group, GE Appliances has invested about $1.5 billion in technology and new products, and added about 3,000 jobs for a total U.S. workforce of 15,000. In October, the company announced an additional $450 million investment and 1,000 new jobs at its main Appliance Park campus in Louisville that makes washers, dryers, dishwashers and refrigerators.