The establishment of overseas plants, research and development centers and the acquisition of a number of international intelligent automation solution makers have helped boost business growth for Midea Group, a traditional home appliance maker based in Guangdong province, according to senior company executives.

Midea currently has 17 research and development centers in eight countries, with more than $2.9 billion being invested in the R&D area over the past five years, according to the company.

The company is also planning to set up more R&D centers in Austria, Germany and Singapore in the near future, aiming to make its products more locally-tailored and globally competitive.