Chinese Appliance and Electronics Giant Expands in Gwinnett County

June 26, 2009, METRO ATLANTA, – In partnership with Gwinnett County and Gwinnett Chamber Economic Development, Hisense Corporation USA – a division of China's largest manufacturer and distributor of flat-panel screens, Hisense Company Ltd. - and the State of Georgia, announce the expansion of its North American headquarters operation in Gwinnett. The expansion will produce $800K in capital investment for Gwinnett and Georgia and create 35-40 new high-wage jobs (average salary of $55K+) for research & development and its call center over the next three to five years. This announcement takes place during Gwinnett's business recruitment mission to China and is being finalized at a formal ceremony in Qingdao. Attendees include Chinese company representatives, Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister, Gwinnett Chamber President Jim Maran and Chamber Vice President Nick Masino. Gwinnett County Commission Chairman Charles Bannister commented, 'This win proves the value of international business recruitment missions. Through our continued focus on economic development and these recruitment missions, we are able to work with quality organizations like Hisense to bring high-wage job opportunities to Gwinnett citizens and showcase to the world what a great location Gwinnett County is for business.'   Hisense Company Ltd. is the largest flat panel screen manufacturer and distributor located in China's Shandong Province. Founded 30 years ago as a small workshop enterprise, Hisense Group has since developed into an integrated business with commercial interests in the appliance and electronics industries. Hisense is the only company in Georgia fully-owned by a Chinese government (the city of Qingdao), and with this expansion, will become a permanent property owner in Gwinnett, having previously (since 2001) leased their space in the community after moving from California. 'The decision by Hisense to expand its presence in Georgia testifies once again to our state's success in fostering an international business environment,' said Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. 'Georgia's ready workforce and access to global markets continue to provide Chinese companies a robust platform to grow their business.'   Hisense joins an emerging industry of Chinese-based companies with presence in Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. Its expansion follows that of another Chinese business, PAX Technologies, who chose Gwinnett County and the city of Norcross for its North American headquarters location. PAX, a global leader in providing secure card electronic payment systems and Point-of-Sales (POS) software, is one of the fastest-growing POS manufacturers in China. The company's 2008 relocation brought 20 new jobs to Georgia and Gwinnett County. (For more information on PAX Technologies and its 2008 relocation to Georgia and Gwinnett, visit http://gov.georgia.gov/00/press/detail/0,2668,78006749_110479098_110622460,00.html.) Steven Cohen, Director of Hisense Corporation USA, said of this expansion, 'Gwinnett County offers much in the way of international business growth. With a strong workforce from which to recruit, a business friendly environment and close proximity to the world's busiest airport, it was a perfect fit for Hisense and that's why we chose to remain and expand in this progressive community.' The Gwinnett delegation toured Hisense Global Corporate headquarters in Qingdao, China, today and participated in the press conference where this announcement was made. They will be having dinner with Qingdao City Government, Party Officials and select industries of the city this evening for the purpose of creating and building additional business relationships, like that of Hisense, and potentially resulting in further business growth and jobs for Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta, Georgia.   Patrick Braswell of Colliers, Spectrum & Cauble assisted Hisense with their real estate selection. For more information on this release or on the Gwinnett delegation's mission to Asia, visit www.gwinnetteconomicdevelopment.com. For further information on Hisense or to contact Hisense Corporation USA, visit their website at www.hisense-usa.com. About Hisense Corporation USA Established in 2001, Hisense USA Corporation is a Georgia based subsidiary of the Hisense Company Ltd. headquartered in Qingdao, in the People's Republic of China. The aim of Hisense USA is to gradually introduce the full range of Hisense products into the North American market. This will include products such as televisions, refrigerators, air-conditioners, wine coolers, freezers and mobile phones. As the North American marketing arm of its China based parent, Hisense USA will distribute products through major national American retailers as well as with smaller regional outlets. Hisense USA will also oversee an aggressive North American Research and Development effort that works in unison with the R&D engineering teams in Mainland China. About Partnership Gwinnett and the Gwinnett Chamber Partnership Gwinnett is Gwinnett's economic and community development initiative. Led by the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce and a host of public and private partners, the initiative targets the retention and expansion of existing Gwinnett businesses in addition to the development of new business in five key market segments: Healthcare; Advanced Communications; Information Technology; Trade & Distribution; and Regional/Corporate Headquarters. The ultimate goal is to promote economic wealth & diversification, increase education and work force excellence, improve quality of life and heighten visibility through marketing and outreach programs for the entire Gwinnett community. Named one of the top three large chambers in the United States by ACCE, the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's membership varies from FORTUNE 1,000 companies to startups, and stretches across the Atlanta region, from Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport to UGA in Athens. Representing more than 7,200 members, the Gwinnett Chamber is the Southeast's 6th largest chamber and focuses on creating and growing quality job opportunities while enhancing the community's quality of life. The above release was provided to GDEcD by the Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development.