Chinese, Brazilian home appliance giants eye closer cooperation

This undated photo shows 94-year-old Brazilian businessman Affonso Brando Hennel (L), who is founder of time-honored Brazilian home appliance manufacturer SEMP, talking with Li Dongsheng, chairman of China's electronics giant TCL Group, in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province. (Xinhua)

SHENZHEN, Feb. 26 (Xinhua) -- China's electronics giant TCL is eyeing closer cooperation with time-honored Brazilian home appliance manufacturer SEMP as heads of the two companies met in south China's Shenzhen this week.

The 94-year-old Brazilian businessman Affonso Brando Hennel, who is the founder of SEMP, arrived in the Chinese tech hub after a 23-hour flight to meet with Li Dongsheng, chairman of TCL Group. The objective of the meeting was to explore opportunities for collaboration and to expand their joint business into the photovoltaic (PV) sector.

Established in 1942, SEMP was the first company in Brazil to produce domestically-manufactured radios and televisions. Collaboration between TCL and SEMP dates back to 2016 when Hennel and Li joined hands for the establishment of the Brazil-based joint venture SEMP TCL.

Since then, the market share of SEMP TCL brand TV sets has continuously increased and now ranks among the top three in Brazil, with tremendous market potential as Brazil is the fifth most populated country in the world.

"The business opportunities between China and Brazil are growing tremendously. We place confidence in matching Brazil's necessities and China's capabilities as a supplier," said Hennel, adding that he believes the co-manufactured products have achieved great success in Brazil.

TCL Tech, the electrical branch of the company, generated over 160 billion yuan (about 23 billion U.S. dollars) in revenue in 2022. With 43 R&D centers and 32 manufacturing bases globally, TCL's business spans over 160 countries and regions.

Since its collaboration with TCL, SEMP has continuously carried out technological transformations in production, improved the efficiency of product quality control, and introduced innovative measures including automatic assembly to its manufacturing bases in Brazil.

According to Hennel, the story of the two companies is also a true reflection of Chinese enterprises accelerating participation in the international market and achieving win-win cooperation with the global market.

"China presents the greatest opportunity for Brazilian companies to establish partnerships," said Hennel. SEMP is happy to be able to start a new partnership in PV business with TCL in the future, he added.