Midea is a brand of Chinese company, focused on design and production of electrical appliances. It was founded in 1968 and today is one of the Fortune 500 companies and the largest manufacturer of robots in the world.
Meaning and history
Midea Group was founded by He Xiangjian in 1968 as a small workshop producing bottle lids. Over the decades, Midea transformed from a modest local operation into a global powerhouse in the home appliances and HVAC industries. The company’s journey is marked by several key milestones and achievements. In the 1980s, Midea expanded its product line to include electric fans, marking its initial foray into the home appliance market. The 1990s saw further diversification with the introduction of air conditioners, which soon became one of Midea’s flagship products. By the early 2000s, Midea had established itself as a significant player in both domestic and international markets, driven by a relentless focus on innovation and quality.
Midea’s main achievements include numerous accolades and industry recognitions. The company has been listed on the Fortune Global 500 for several consecutive years, reflecting its substantial revenue and global influence. Midea has also invested heavily in research and development, establishing multiple innovation centers around the world. These efforts have resulted in over 60,000 patents, positioning Midea as a leader in technological advancements within the home appliance sector. Notably, Midea’s acquisition of German robotics firm KUKA in 2016 underscored its commitment to integrating cutting-edge technology into its operations, further enhancing its competitive edge.
Today, Midea stands as one of the largest home appliance manufacturers globally, with a comprehensive portfolio that spans across various segments. The company employs over 150,000 people and maintains a robust distribution network that ensures its products reach millions of consumers worldwide. Midea’s commitment to sustainability and smart technology continues to drive its growth, as it aims to create a better life for consumers through innovative, energy-efficient solutions. The company’s current position in the market is a testament to its strategic vision and operational excellence, making it a trusted name in households and industries across the globe.
What is Midea?
Midea is a leading global company specializing in the production of home appliances and HVAC systems. With a presence in over 200 countries, Midea is renowned for its innovative and high-quality products that cater to the needs of households and businesses alike. The company is a market leader, continuously driving growth through technological advancements and sustainability initiatives.
1981 – 1994
While the 1981 logo is a far cry from the current one, there’s a kind of continuity in their design. The core of the pictorial part of the old logo is the “M” glyph combined with a roundel. And this is exactly what forms the most distinctive element of several logo versions released later. Other than the “M’ and the circle combination, though, this design wasn’t very memorable.
1994 – 1999
The authors of this design have probably consulted the 1981 logo, but for one reason or another, they didn’t rely on its heritage. The only thing these two versions bear in common is probably the fact that the typeface is a highly legible sans. However, in the 1994 logo, only the first letter is uppercase. Also, the glyphs appear much lighter.
1999 – 2006
It looks like, this time, the designers deliberately tried to rely on the brand’s old logo. At least, it’s a likely source of the “M” plus circle emblem. However, it’s also possible that they just wanted to use this combination as a way to represent Midea’s first product, the air conditioner. At least the swirls do look like an abstract representation of moving air.
Interestingly, everything apart from the “M” seems to be based not on the 1981 logo but on the 1994 version. In other words, the 1999 design seems like a combination of the best features of its two predecessors.
2006 – 2017
The color scheme was simplified – it was now just blue. This color perfectly fits Midea’s heritage as an air conditioner manufacturer. The letters were slightly modified to enhance legibility, but these alterations were minor and didn’t affect the overall style of the wordmark.
2009 (unused)
The unused version developed in 2009 drew inspiration from the old wordmark introduced in 1994. They both feature an unpretentious sans serif font and don’t have any pictorial elements. The first letter is capitalized in both of them, while all the rest are given in lower case. The glyphs on the new design are a bit sleeker and better thought through.
2017 – Today
The Midea logo is bright and distinct. It’s use of color and font reflects the brand’s leading positions in the market. The logo is innovative, fresh and friendly.
The brand uses custom bold typeface with rounded “d”, “e” and “a” and classic straight “i”. The main element of the logo is the letter “M” with a playful “tail” and a round framing, coming out of the letter.
The bright Midea blue color looks vivid and energetic on a white background, evoking the sense of progressive movement and innovation approach. The Midea logo is a symbol of brand’s dynamics and power.