About AUX
AUX (Chinese: 奥克斯, Àokèsī) is a Chinese consumer electronics and industrial brand recognised internationally for its air conditioners and climate-control products. It operates as part of AUX Group, a diversified enterprise with interests in smart electricity, power distribution, new energy, and medical services. While the parent group was established in 1986, the AUX brand itself was launched when the company entered the air-conditioning sector in 1994. [1]
Basic Information
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | AUX |
| Chinese Name | 奥克斯 |
| Parent Group | AUX Group |
| Origin | China |
| Group Founded | 1986 |
| AUX Air-Conditioning Business Founded | 1994 |
| Main Industry | Air Conditioning / HVAC |
| Other Group Industries | Power utilisation, power distribution, new energy, medical services |
| Headquarters / Major Base | Ningbo, Zhejiang, China |
| Global Manufacturing | China, Thailand, Indonesia, Brazil, Poland, Germany, Mexico, Kenya, and others |
| Global R&D | 7 R&D centres |
| Employees | 40,000+ across AUX Group |
| Export Reach | 160+ countries and regions |
| Parent-Group Revenue (2025) | RMB 81.6 billion |
| Parent-Group Assets (2025) | RMB 76.4 billion |
The financial figures presented above reflect the consolidated performance of AUX Group rather than the AUX air-conditioning business unit alone. [2]
History
1986: Origins
AUX Group traces its beginnings to 1986, when entrepreneur Zheng Jianjiang (郑坚江) took over a struggling clock-parts factory in Longguan Village, Ningbo, China. The company subsequently diversified into electrical metering and other commercial ventures. [3]
1989: Electrical Metering
The group entered the electricity-meter industry, eventually developing the Sanxing brand. This venture laid the foundation for what is now the group’s smart power-utilisation and power-distribution businesses. [4]
1994: Entry into Air Conditioning
The pivotal year for the consumer brand was 1994, when AUX entered the air-conditioning industry. According to corporate records, the air-conditioning business experienced rapid growth during its first five years, establishing itself as one of China’s leading manufacturers in the category. [5]
2000s: Diversification
Throughout the 2000s, AUX expanded beyond home appliances to become a diversified conglomerate:
- 2000: Entered real estate development.
- 2006: Expanded into medical services.
- 2009: Commenced investment and financial operations. [6]
2011–2018: Technological Development
During this period, AUX strengthened its R&D infrastructure and manufacturing capabilities. Research facilities were established in locations including Hangzhou and Ningbo, alongside the development of a Japanese R&D centre focused on home appliances. [7]
2015: Overseas Manufacturing Expansion
A significant step in international expansion occurred with the establishment of manufacturing facilities in Brazil and Indonesia. [8]
2019: Direct-to-Consumer Innovation
AUX introduced an online direct-sale model for air conditioners, described by the company as an industry first. The completion of its Thailand manufacturing base also coincided with this period. [9]
2021–2022: Asian Games Partnership
AUX served as the official exclusive air-conditioner supplier for the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou 2022. [10]
2023 Onwards: International Acceleration
The company accelerated its overseas own-brand strategy by establishing sales subsidiaries in markets including Malaysia, Thailand, the United States, the UAE, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. [11]
By 2025, AUX reported further international growth, including new manufacturing bases in Mexico and Kenya, and the establishment of sales companies in countries such as Spain, Italy, and Indonesia.
Products and Services
While AUX Group operates across five major business areas, the AUX brand is primarily associated with air conditioning.
Air Conditioning Portfolio
As the flagship consumer-facing business, the product portfolio includes:
- Split air conditioners
- Residential AC systems
- Commercial air-conditioning equipment
- Portable air conditioners
- Inverter-based systems
- ODM/OEM air-conditioning products
On its international platform, AUX categorises products into OBM (own-brand manufacturing) and ODM offerings. Global series currently listed include the C-Series, C PRO-Series, M-Series, and Q-Series. [12]
R&D priorities for air conditioning focus on four key pillars: energy efficiency, comfort, health, and smart technology.
AUX Group Business Segments
It is important to distinguish between the consumer brand and the wider conglomerate. AUX Group currently comprises five major segments:
- Air Conditioning: Consumer appliance manufacturing with the objective of becoming a leading global home-appliance brand.
- Power Utilisation: Smart electricity products and comprehensive smart-power solutions.
- Power Distribution: Equipment and solutions for electrical distribution systems.
- New Energy: Ventures associated with green-energy development and newer energy technologies.
- Medical Services: Healthcare investment and hospital operations, with the group currently investing in or operating 50 hospitals. [13]
Structurally, AUX functions as a diversified industrial conglomerate with a prominent HVAC and appliance division, rather than solely as an air-conditioner manufacturer.
Manufacturing Footprint
AUX has transitioned towards a global manufacturing network. As of 2025, the group reports 17 manufacturing bases located in:
- China: Ningbo (multiple facilities), Nanchang, Ma’anshan, Wuhu, Zhengzhou
- Asia: Thailand, Indonesia
- Americas: Brazil (two facilities), Mexico
- Europe: Poland, Germany
- Africa: Kenya
Additionally, the group maintains 7 R&D centres in Ningbo, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Zhuhai, Shenzhen, Qingdao, and Japan. [14] Products from the global air-conditioning operation are exported to over 160 countries and regions. [15]
Technology and R&D
AUX positions technology as a central component of its competitive strategy. Corporate data indicates:
- 7 global R&D centres
- More than 10,000 patents
- Annual R&D investment equivalent to approximately 3.9% of sales
- Participation in national-level scientific and technology projects
- Nationally recognised technology and innovation credentials [16]
In manufacturing, factories utilise automated production and SCADA-based monitoring. The company states that more than 90% of data collection in critical production processes has been automated in relevant facilities. [17]
Brand Positioning
Historically known as a value-oriented Chinese manufacturer, AUX has evolved its international strategy to build AUX as an independent global consumer brand. The stated corporate mission is: “Leading Smart Living and Cultivating Great Talents.”
Current strategic emphases include competitive pricing, energy efficiency, smart connectivity, comfort, product design, manufacturing scale, and localised overseas operations. The company reports receiving over 20 international design awards annually, including iF, Red Dot, IDEA, and Good Design recognitions.
OBM and ODM Operations
AUX operates simultaneously in branded and manufacturing-oriented markets:
- OBM (Original Brand Manufacturer): Selling products under the AUX brand through its international air-conditioning business.
- ODM (Original Design Manufacturer): Designing and manufacturing products for third-party brands.
This dual capability allows AUX to function as a brand owner, manufacturer, technology developer, and supplier concurrently. Its global website explicitly distinguishes between OBM and ODM air-conditioning offerings. [18]
International Presence
Internationalisation has accelerated significantly since the 2010s. Manufacturing now extends beyond China to include Indonesia and Thailand in Asia; Poland and Germany in Europe; Brazil and Mexico in the Americas; and Kenya in Africa.
Rather than relying exclusively on exports from China, AUX has established dedicated sales organisations in individual foreign markets. This marks an evolution from a domestic exporter to a multinational HVAC and appliance company with local operational capabilities. [19]
Corporate Scale
According to AUX Group’s published figures for 2025:
- Revenue: RMB 81.6 billion
- Total Assets: RMB 76.4 billion
- Employees: 40,000+
- Manufacturing Bases: 17
- R&D Centres: 7
- Hospitals Invested/Operated: 50
The combined brand value of AUX and Sanxing exceeds RMB 57.1 billion, based on World Brand Lab valuations. [20] These metrics describe the broader AUX Group and should not be attributed solely to the air-conditioning brand.
Listed Companies and Corporate Structure
AUX Group’s corporate structure involves multiple listed entities:
- Sanxing Electric: 601567.SH
- AUX International: 02080.HK
- AUX Electric: 02580.HK
Notably, AUX Electric was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2025. [21] When reviewing financial or corporate information, it is necessary to distinguish between AUX Group, AUX Electric, and the AUX consumer brand.
Manufacturing Quality and Reputation
As part of its international expansion, AUX has emphasised quality assurance, citing recognition such as the “Award of Pioneer for High Quality” and “Award of Quality Benchmark.” In the Chinese market, the company highlights a 60-day no-reason-return policy as evidence of product confidence. [22]
However, quality, features, compressor technology, warranty terms, and after-sales support can vary substantially by specific model and country. The reputation of the wider group does not uniformly apply to every individual product.
Market Significance
AUX occupies a distinct position in the global appliance industry due to several factors:
- Manufacturing Scale: A large network enabling high-volume production.
- Vertical Capabilities: Engineering expertise derived from experience in electrical equipment and power systems.
- Internationalisation: Significant investment in overseas manufacturing and sales infrastructure.
- Dual Model: Ability to compete under its own brand while serving as an ODM supplier.
- Domestic Foundation: Rapid growth during China’s home-appliance expansion era starting in 1994.
- Technological Shift: Increasing focus on efficiency, smart integration, and design over price alone.
In the competitive landscape, AUX sits alongside major Chinese manufacturers like Gree, Midea, Haier, and Hisense. While Japanese and Korean brands traditionally hold premium positioning, AUX represents a large-scale Chinese manufacturer transitioning towards a more global, technology-driven brand identity.
Recent Developments (2025–2026)
Recent strategic activity has focused on continued global expansion. Key developments in 2025 included the Hong Kong listing of AUX Electric, the commissioning of manufacturing bases in Mexico and Kenya, and the expansion of overseas sales organisations.
Content published on global platforms increasingly targets specific overseas needs, including European sales growth and air conditioner selection for tropical climates. [23] This indicates a strategic shift where international markets serve as primary growth engines rather than secondary export destinations.
Summary
AUX is a Chinese multinational brand founded in the air-conditioning industry in 1994 by the broader AUX Group, which itself originated in 1986. Best known for air conditioners, AUX has grown into one of China’s significant HVAC manufacturers and is expanding internationally through its own-brand products, ODM manufacturing, overseas factories, and local sales organisations. Its parent group has diversified into smart electricity, power distribution, new energy, and medical services. By 2025, AUX Group reported RMB 81.6 billion in revenue, more than 40,000 employees, 17 manufacturing bases, and seven R&D centres. Today, AUX is attempting to evolve from a primarily China-focused, value-oriented air-conditioner manufacturer into a global home-appliance and HVAC brand with increasing emphasis on technology, efficiency, smart living, and international markets. [24]
References
- About AUX
- About AUX_AUX Group
- 奥克斯AUX集团介绍_发展战略_奥克斯集团官网
- About
- AUX Global | Professional Air Conditioning Solutions and Manufacturing
- AUX Global | Professional Air Conditioning Solutions and Manufacturing
- Air Conditioning_AUX Group
- AUX Group Home
- AUX Group Home
- AUX Group Home
- AUX Group Home
- 奥克斯-创领智能生活,培养优秀人才
- 奥克斯-创领智能生活,培养优秀人才
- 奥克斯-创领智能生活,培养优秀人才
- AUX Group Home
- 奥克斯-创领智能生活,培养优秀人才
- Tentang Kami
- AUX Global | Professional Air Conditioning Solutions and Manufacturing
- About AUX Air | Our Story
- AUX UAE | Air Conditioning | About AUX
- AUX UAE | Air Conditioning | About AUX
- AUX USA | Air Conditioning | About AUX
- AUX Air Conditioning | Leading Provider Of Air Conditioners
- About





