- Supplier summits reveal how major appliance groups communicate priorities to upstream partners.
- Midea’s scale gives it influence over cost, quality and delivery expectations.
- For suppliers, alignment with large appliance groups requires both capacity and responsiveness.
On October 27, a two-day Cleaning Appliances Supply Chain Conference for Midea's Washing Machine Division kicked off.
Early Mornings and Extensive Supplier Engagement
At 8:30 AM on the 27th, I arrived at Xiaotuobo. A large banner was prominently displayed at the entrance, ensuring that all employees and visitors could see it. With over 200 suppliers registered for this event, due to limited space, only a hundred were selected to attend the on-site meetings. Other unselected suppliers need not worry; similar events will be held in the future as Midea remains open to high-quality suppliers.
Approximately fifty suppliers set up booths each day, with half of them present in the morning and the other half in the afternoon. This arrangement was designed to ensure that all suppliers could connect directly with the top leadership of the washing machine division, enabling genuine project and business development rather than just a superficial appearance.
On the 27th morning, President Xiao led his team to conduct detailed matchmaking meetings with various suppliers, while R&D Director Hai Feng and Procurement Director Ji also took part. This approach allowed all suppliers to feel the commitment of the washing machine division and the direct interaction with top-level management. The essence of business is human connection and trust; once both parties establish trust, they are more willing to invest resources in future projects, thereby increasing the likelihood of success.
Leadership Engagement Ensures Supplier Confidence
The division's president, senior R&D director, and procurement director each led their teams to engage with different suppliers. This direct engagement was intended to convey the washing machine division’s commitment and ensure that suppliers felt valued. By fostering personal connections at the highest levels, both parties can build trust, which is crucial for successful long-term business relationships.
The goal of these meetings was not just to showcase products but to establish a foundation of mutual trust and understanding. This approach ensures that future projects are more likely to succeed as all stakeholders are aligned and committed to shared goals.
My Experience at the Cleaning Appliances Supply Chain Technology Conference
I was part of Mr. Xiao's team as we visited each booth one by one. The suppliers were indeed impressive; they showcased their latest technologies across a wide range of cleaning appliances. Many innovative applications that I hadn't anticipated became clearer during this visit.
Some acquaintances recognized me and greeted me, giving me the feeling that "maybe I'm becoming well-known." Despite the morning's rapid pace—visiting over 20 suppliers and engaging in deep discussions—the team convened an internal debriefing meeting at around 11:30. They identified promising suppliers for potential integration into existing projects.
The afternoon session followed a similar pattern, with quick reviews and decisions made by the team. Some suppliers received notifications to visit for factory inspections next week.
For two days, I accompanied Mr. Xiao. The top executives from various business units were fully involved, directly engaging suitable suppliers. According to my observations, around 2-300 friends from Midea participated, including representatives from R&D, design, procurement, and product management departments.
The supplier evaluations were overwhelmingly positive. Initially, they thought it would be a simple supplier conference with general presentations by industry leaders. However, the focus was on direct product and project discussions, leading to immediate connections with project managers for suitable projects. The efficiency of these meetings surpassed that of many startups by three times.
Midea's executives also highly praised this event. They gained a clear understanding of the latest technological applications in the industry within a short period, providing valuable insights into future technical trends. Additionally, the presence of suppliers and team members facilitated quicker consensus on component selection for projects, accelerating their implementation.
From my perspective, I am optimistic about Midea achieving billion-dollar sales in its cleaning segment. My initial goal was to invite top-tier suppliers from the industry to participate in this conference, ensuring they wouldn't miss out on Midea's growth opportunities. The actual outcome exceeded my expectations significantly.
I have attended numerous trade shows before, and most of them were underwhelming. When I planned the 11.18 Cleaning Appliances Supply Chain Technology Conference, I was concerned about its effectiveness. However, after this event, I am certain that what I'm doing will benefit everyone greatly and contribute to industry development.
In the future, my primary task is to connect all participants in the global cleaning appliances industry more efficiently. During the next wave of industry growth, I aim to make a small but significant contribution.
I would like to promote an event: from November 18-19, I will host a two-day supply chain technology conference at the Wuzhong Baijin Hanjia Hotel in Suzhou. Over 100 exhibitors and approximately 3-400 professional attendees (including leading appliance manufacturers, brands, and e-commerce procurement and R&D teams) are expected to participate.
Additionally, I have organized a two-day forum with eight keynote speakers sharing insights on the cleaning appliances and outdoor robotic lawn care industries. This will help everyone avoid common pitfalls.
I also prepared a lucky charm for all participants, wishing them success in their endeavors. These items are free of charge, and I encourage everyone to sign up.
