Dong Mingzhu

Gree Electric Appliances sees a surge in demand for air conditioning due to rising temperatures. The company, expanding its retail footprint with 656 “Dong Mingzhu Health Home” stores, also announced a 20 yuan per unit pay increase for its installation technicians. This move, echoing a similar initiative in 2016, aims to ensure customer satisfaction and value the crucial role of installers during peak season.

Gree Electric’s “Dong Mingzhu Health Home” is rapidly expanding, with a new store opening in Shijiazhuang, bringing the total to 656, aiming for 3,000 by 2025. This growth underscores Chairwoman Dong Mingzhu’s influence, leveraging her brand recognition for direct consumer engagement. She highlighted her past contributions, emphasizing her role in leading Gree’s significant revenue growth and shareholder value creation.

China unveiled two new international standards for refrigeration compressors in Zhuhai, the first such ISO standards in two decades. 格力电器’s Chairwoman, Dong Mingzhu, acknowledged the standards’ development, also addressing public perception of her demanding management style, revealing a commitment to detail while recognizing criticisms. Her reflections included past experiences as a single mother, leading to online observations about her “tough” exterior and “soft heart.”

Gree’s Marketing Director, Zhu Lei, discussed the unexpected online reunion between Dong Mingzhu and former employee Meng Yutong. He clarified it was a natural interaction, not a marketing ploy, emphasizing genuine care and transparency. Despite speculation, Zhu stated there were no issues with the reunion. The live stream drew millions of views and significant sales. They also came together for a grand opening of the first-ever “Dong Mingzhu Healthy Home” flagship store.

Gree Electric’s success stems from CEO Dong Mingzhu’s emphasis on product quality and innovation. She highlights the “Rose” air conditioner’s “wind-free” technology, designed for comfortable, natural cooling and heating. Dong emphasizes Gree’s pioneering approach, claiming they’ve revolutionized air conditioning by addressing consumer health concerns. She underscores the company’s commitment to quality and integrity, believing lasting success requires focusing on consumer needs, not merely cost.

Economist Lang Xianping criticized Meng Yutong’s departure from Gree Electric, viewing it as a wasted opportunity. He argued Meng’s success was due to her association with Dong Mingzhu and that leaving her mentor was short-sighted. Lang believes Meng undervalued Dong’s influence and the potential benefits, like introductions or advantageous alliances, it provided. A subsequent livestream featuring both women, however, hinted at a reconciliation, boosting Gree’s viewership and sales.

Gree Electric’s Chairwoman Dong Mingzhu criticized online marketing tactics that prioritize fleeting buzz over product quality, contrasting them with Gree’s commitment to genuine consumer trust. She emphasized the importance of in-house manufacturing to maintain quality control, rejecting OEM practices despite potential cost benefits. Gree’s strategy focuses on long-term sustainability through its dedication to producing all components, ensuring product reliability and customer satisfaction.

Dong Mingzhu, chairwoman of Gree Electric, inaugurated a new store in Zhengzhou. During a live product demonstration, she interrupted a sales associate’s comment about a soup pot, emphasizing the importance of focusing on product details. Dong, known for her directness, explained this wasn’t criticism but a focus on excellence, a sentiment seemingly supported by the audience.

Dong Mingzhu, Gree Electric Chairperson, reunited with former protégé Meng Yutong in a livestream event two years after their professional split. Meng shared behind-the-scenes content, expressing gratitude for Dong’s mentorship, while Dong acknowledged Meng’s 2022 exit due to policy violations but emphasized their enduring personal bond. She clarified Meng’s departure aligned with academic pursuits, leaving future collaboration possibilities post-studies. Meng rose to prominence after a 2021 promotion following her reality TV success, initially touted as Dong’s successor. Though her 2023 resignation sparked speculation, both framed it as a career divergence. Analysts view the reunion as symbolic of Gree’s evolving leadership strategy and Dong’s lasting influence in Chinese industry. (99 words)

Gree Electric’s Chairwoman Dong Mingzhu reunited with former protégé Meng Yutong in a high-profile livestream, drawing 2.92 million viewers and generating 5 million yuan ($690,000) in sales. The event, seen as a strategic shift amid Gree’s 7.26% revenue decline in 2024, downplayed past tensions, with Dong reframing Meng’s 2023 exit as growth-focused. While air conditioners sold briskly, a luxury beauty device flopped, highlighting Gree’s struggle to diversify beyond HVAC systems (78% of revenue). Analysts question if Dong’s celebrity-driven digital push, including her livestreaming pivot since 2020, can sustain growth against rivals like Xiaomi, as she balances personal branding with institutional resilience.