Harman International, the United States-based audio technology company, will draw on China's engineering expertise, advanced manufacturing capabilities and evolving consumer preferences to develop products for global markets, a senior executive said.
Jeffery Fay, senior vice-president of global product development and strategy for consumer at Harman International, said China is central to the company's global strategy, serving as both a major consumer market and a hub for technological innovation and product development.
Speaking at the company's booth during the ongoing 9th China International Import Expo in Shanghai, Fay said China plays a major role in Harman's business, not only as a consumer market but also as a source of insights into technological innovation, consumer preferences and the adoption of emerging technologies.
The US company, known for its JBL, Harman Kardon and AKG brands, employs about 5,200 people in China and operates four research and development centers in Shanghai; Suzhou, Jiangsu province; Chengdu, Sichuan province; and Shenzhen, Guangdong province.
Its Shenzhen operations alone employ about 1,100 people, including specialists in acoustics, software, engineering and product design.
Fay, who has been based in Shenzhen for three years, said Chinese consumers' willingness to embrace emerging technologies and their demand for personalized experiences provide valuable insights that help Harman develop products for international markets.
One example is AI Sound Boost, an audio technology developed by Harman's Shenzhen engineering team that uses algorithms to improve bass performance and sound clarity in compact speakers.
He said Harman is seeing rapid growth across the Asia-Pacific, as China's advanced manufacturing capabilities and extensive supply chain network support its regional expansion and help serve customers in other global markets.
Guan Lixin, a researcher specializing in marketing and consumption at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation in Beijing, said China's consumption upgrading and growing innovation capabilities are encouraging multinational companies to develop higher-value products locally for both domestic and international markets.
In July, the State Council approved a plan to expand consumption during the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), aiming to raise China's total retail sales of consumer goods to around 60 trillion yuan by 2030 and enhance consumption's contribution to economic growth.
