Midea, Electrolux launch three North American joint ventures

Midea and Electrolux have begun operating three joint ventures in North America covering refrigerators and washing machines, according to etnews.com. The ventures aim to double annual production of the two product lines by expanding local manufacturing.

The two companies signed the joint venture contract in April 2025. Electrolux transferred a 65% stake in its refrigerator plant in Juarez, Mexico, and a 45% stake in its washing machine plant in Anderson, South Carolina, to Midea. Sales of refrigerators and freezers in North America are handled by a separate 50-50 joint venture.

The companies will jointly run North American research and development, production and marketing for 15 years. Electrolux's North American revenue is about 45 billion kronor, roughly one third of the group total.

The arrangement follows a difficult period for Electrolux in the region: the company posted an operating loss as first-quarter North American demand fell 10%. In June 2025 it completed a rights issue of about 9.06 billion kronor, of which 1 to 1.5 billion kronor is allocated to the Midea cooperation.

Midea has been building its US position. In the first half of 2025, its US own-brand manufacturing revenue rose 24% year on year, with a 46% share of the US packaged home air conditioner market and nearly 15% of top-freezer refrigerators. The North American appliance market is also home to Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Whirlpool and Haier, which acquired GE Appliances in 2016.