Lenovo#Personal and business computing
{{short description|Chinese multinational technology company}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Lenovo Group Limited
| logo = Lenovo (2015).svg
| logo_size = 250px
| logo_caption = Lenovo's official logo since 2015{{cite web |url=https://news.lenovo.com/press-kits/|title=Lenovo has a new logo that it says is now 'more personal' |website=Business Insider|author-first1=Lara|author-last1=O'Reilly|date=1 June 2015}}
| image = Lenovo western headquarters (20170707113944).jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_caption = Headquarters in Haidian, Beijing, China
| native_name = 联想集团有限公司
| romanized_name = Liánxiǎng Jítuán Yǒuxiàn Gōngsī
| native_name_lang = zh-Hans
| type = Public
| traded_as = {{sehk|992}}
| industry = Computer hardware
Electronics
| foundation = {{start date and age|df=y|1984|11|1}} (as {{lang|zh-as|Legend 联想}})
Beijing, China
| founder = {{plainlist|
}}
| location = * Hong Kong{{cite web|url=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/about/locations/|title=Locations |website=Lenovo US }}
(registered office)
- Beijing, China
(Operational headquarters) - Morrisville, North Carolina, United States{{cite web|access-date=2020-07-04|title=Locations – Lenovo US|url=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/about/locations|website=Lenovo|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706060806/https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/about/locations|url-status=live}}
(Operational headquarters)
| area_served = Worldwide
| key_people = Yang Yuanqing (chairman & CEO)
| products = {{hlist|Personal computers|smartphones|servers|supercomputers|peripherals|printers|televisions|scanners|storage devices }}
| revenue = {{decrease}} US$56.863 billion (2024){{cite web |title=2023/24 Annual report |url=https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/lenovo/annual/2024/ar2024.pdf |website=Investor relations |publisher=Lenovo Group Limited |access-date=9 September 2024 |location=Hong Kong }}
| operating_income = {{decrease}} US$2.005 billion (2024)
| net_income = {{decrease}} US$1.102 billion (2024)
| assets = {{decrease}} US$38.750 billion (2024)
| equity = {{increase}} US$6.081 billion (2024)
| owner =
| num_employees = 69,500 (2024){{cite web |title=Lenovo Group Limited 2023/24 Environmental, Social and Governance Report |url=https://doc.irasia.com/listco/hk/lenovo/annual/2024/esr.pdf |website=Investor relations |publisher=Lenovo Group Limited |access-date=4 January 2025 |page=104 |date=June 2024}}
| subsid = {{plainlist|
- Motorola Mobility{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/lenovo-closes-acquisition-of-motorola-mobility-from-google/|title=It's official: Motorola Mobility now belongs to Lenovo – CNET|access-date=2014-12-25|work=cnet.com|archive-date=8 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170308141355/https://www.cnet.com/news/lenovo-closes-acquisition-of-motorola-mobility-from-google/|url-status=live}}
- Medion
}}
| homepage = {{URL|https://www.lenovo.com/|lenovo.com}}
}}
Lenovo Group Limited, trading as Lenovo ({{IPAc-en|l|ə|ˈ|n|oʊ|v|oʊ}} {{respell|lə|NOH|voh}}, {{lang-zh|c=联想|p=Liánxiǎng}}), is a ChineseMultiple sources:
- {{cite web |last1=Arthur |first1=Charles |date=12 May 2018 |title=Lenovo, the Chinese giant that plays by the rules … and loses |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/12/lenovo-chinese-giant-plays-rules-loses-patents |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908041142/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/may/12/lenovo-chinese-giant-plays-rules-loses-patents |archive-date=8 September 2020 |access-date=5 September 2020 |website=The Guardian}}
- {{cite web |last1=Cahill |first1=Kevin |date=1 July 2020 |title=Lenovo, top-of-the-world Chinese supercomputer supplier, sweeps all markets |url=https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252485400/Lenovo-top-of-the-world-Chinese-supercomputer-supplier-sweeps-all-markets |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926060338/https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252485400/Lenovo-top-of-the-world-Chinese-supercomputer-supplier-sweeps-all-markets |archive-date=26 September 2020 |access-date=9 September 2020 |website=Computer Weekly}}
- {{cite web |last1=Goh |first1=Brenda |date=20 February 2020 |title=China's Lenovo confident of managing virus impact, reports strong third quarter |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lenovo-results/chinas-lenovo-confident-of-managing-virus-impact-reports-strong-third-quarter-idUSKBN20E0E3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200922212748/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lenovo-results/chinas-lenovo-confident-of-managing-virus-impact-reports-strong-third-quarter-idUSKBN20E0E3 |archive-date=22 September 2020 |access-date=9 September 2020 |website=Reuters}}
- {{cite web |date=9 December 2019 |title=China's Lenovo Group first-quarter profit more than doubles, beats expectations |url=https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/15/chinas-lenovo-group-first-quarter-profit-more-than-doubles-beats-expectations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201126023053/https://www.euronews.com/2019/08/15/chinas-lenovo-group-first-quarter-profit-more-than-doubles-beats-expectations |archive-date=26 November 2020 |access-date=9 September 2020 |website=euronews}}
- {{cite web |last1=Schwankert |first1=Steven |date=26 May 2006 |title=Is Lenovo a 'Chinese company'? |url=https://www.infoworld.com/article/2655387/is-lenovo-a--chinese-company--.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527161916/https://www.infoworld.com/article/2655387/is-lenovo-a--chinese-company--.html |archive-date=27 May 2019 |access-date=9 September 2020 |website=InfoWorld}} multinational technology company specializing in designing, manufacturing, and marketing consumer electronics, personal computers, software, servers, converged and hyperconverged infrastructure solutions, and related services.{{cite web|access-date=2020-07-04|title=Locations – Lenovo US|url=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/about/locations|website=Lenovo|archive-date=6 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200706060806/https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/about/locations|url-status=live}} Its global headquarters are in Beijing, and Morrisville, North Carolina, United States;{{cite web |title=Lenovo |url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/lenovo/#5e34f9285a93 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916070940/https://www.forbes.com/companies/lenovo/#5e34f9285a93 |archive-date=16 September 2020 |access-date=9 September 2020 |website=Forbes |quote=Headquartered in Beijing, it's the world's largest PC vendor by unit sales and fourth biggest smartphone maker.}}{{cite web |title=Lenovo Group Ltd Hong Kong Listing |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/992:HK |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021232821/https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/992:HK |archive-date=21 October 2020 |access-date=9 September 2020 |website=Bloomberg |quote=Address: No 6 Chuang Ye Road Shangdi Information Beijing, 100085 China}} it has research centers at these locations, elsewhere in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, in Stuttgart, Germany, and in Yamato, Kanagawa, Japan.{{Cite web |title=NFL Sponsor Lenovo Launches Second-Annual Fantasy Coach of the Year Contest |url=https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/nfl-sponsor-lenovo-launches-second-annual-fantasy-coach-of-the-year-contest/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Lenovo StoryHub |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Lenovo Accelerates Artificial Intelligence Initiatives to Solve Humanity's Greatest Challenges |url=https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/lenovo-accelerates-artificial-intelligence-initiatives-to-solve-humanitys-greatest-challenges/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Lenovo StoryHub |language=en-US}}
Lenovo originated as an offshoot of a state-owned research institute.{{cite journal |author=Wei Xie & Steven White |date=September 2004 |title=Sequential learning in a Chinese spin-off: The case of Lenovo Group Limited |url=}} Then known as Legend and distributing foreign IT products, co-founder Liu Chuanzhi incorporated Legend in Hong Kong in an attempt to raise capital and was successfully permitted to build computers in China,{{Cite web |date=7 August 2002 |title=A computer legend in the making |url=https://www.cnet.com/tech/tech-industry/a-computer-legend-in-the-making/ |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=CNET |language=en}} and were helped by the American AST Research.{{Cite web |date=12 August 2002 |title=A fast-growing Legend in China |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/a-fast-growing-legend-in-china/ |access-date=2024-12-05 |website=ZDNET |language=en}} Legend listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1994 and became the largest PC manufacturer in China and eventually in Asia; they were also domestic distributors for HP printers, Toshiba laptops, and others. After the company rebranded itself to Lenovo, it acquired IBM's PC business including its ThinkPad line in 2005, after which it rapidly expanded abroad.{{Cite web |last=Holstein |first=William J. |title=Lenovo Goes Global |url=https://www.strategy-business.com/article/00274 |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=Strategy+business |language=en-us}} In 2013, Lenovo became the world's largest personal computer vendor by unit sales for the first time,{{Cite web |date=2014-01-10 |title=Gartner Says Worldwide PC Shipments Declined 6.9 Percent in Fourth Quarter of 2013 |url=http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2647517 |access-date=2024-11-20 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110052948/http://www.gartner.com/newsroom/id/2647517 |archive-date=10 January 2014 }} a position it still holds as of 2024.{{cite web |date=11 January 2024 |title=Gartner Says Worldwide PC Shipments Increased 0.3% in Fourth Quarter of 2023 but Declined 14.8% for the Year |url=https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/01-10-2024-gartner-says-worldwide-pc-shipments-increased-zero-point-three-percent-in-fourth-quarter-of-2023-but-declined-fourteen-point-eight-percent-for-the-year |access-date=11 January 2024 |publisher=Gartner}}
Products manufactured by the company include desktop computers, laptops, tablet computers, smartphones, workstations, servers, supercomputers, data storage devices, IT management software, and smart televisions. Its best-known brands include its ThinkPad business line of notebooks, the IdeaPad, Yoga, LOQ, and Legion consumer lines of notebooks, and the IdeaCentre, LOQ, Legion, and ThinkCentre lines of desktops. Lenovo is also part of a joint venture with NEC, named Lenovo NEC Holdings, that produces personal computers for the Japanese market. The company also operates Motorola Mobility which produces smartphones.
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History
=1984–1993: Founding and early history=
Lenovo was founded in Beijing on 1 November 1984 as Legend by a team of engineers led by Liu Chuanzhi and Danny Lui. Initially specializing in televisions, the company migrated towards manufacturing and marketing computers.File:BeijingInstituteOfComputingTechnologyChineseAcademyOfSciences.jpg by a team of eleven engineers from the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), led by Liu Chuanzhi.]]
Liu Chuanzhi and his group of ten experienced engineers, teaming up with Danny Lui,{{Cite web |date=2006-07-22 |title=DANNY LUI |url=http://www.greatergoodradio.com/2006/07/22/danny-lui/ |access-date=2022-09-15 |website=Greater Good Radio – Leaders Inspiring Leaders |language=en-US}} officially founded Lenovo in Beijing on 1 November 1984, with 200,000 yuan.{{cite news |last1=Chen |first1=Wency |title=Lenovo founder Liu Chuanzhi set to retire |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/China-tech/Lenovo-founder-Liu-Chuanzhi-set-to-retire |access-date=9 November 2019 |publisher=Nikkei Asia |date=17 December 2019 |archive-date=18 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218020051/https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/China-tech/Lenovo-founder-Liu-Chuanzhi-set-to-retire |url-status=live }} The Chinese government approved Lenovo's incorporation on the same day. Jia Xufu (贾续福), one of the founders of Lenovo, indicated that the first meeting in preparation for starting the company was held on 17 October the same year. Eleven people, the entirety of the initial staff, attended. Each of the founders was a member of the Institute of Computing Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The 200,000 yuan used as start-up capital was approved by Zeng Maochao (曾茂朝). The name for the company agreed upon at this meeting was the Chinese Academy of Sciences Computer Technology Research Institute New Technology Development Company.
The organizational structure of the company was established in 1985 after the Chinese New Year. It included technology, engineering, administrative, and office departments. The group first attempted to import televisions but failed. It rebuilt itself as a company doing quality checks on computers. It also tried and failed to market a digital watch.{{cite news |title=China's High-Tech Hero |author=Dickie, Mure |newspaper=Chief Executive |date=1 January 2005}}
File:Yang yuanqing lenovo ceo by bill cramer.jpg
In May 1988, Lenovo placed its first recruitment advertisement on the front page of the China Youth News. Such ads were quite rare in China at the time. Out of the 500 respondents, 280 were selected to take a written employment exam. 120 of these candidates were interviewed in person. Although interviewers initially only had the authority to hire 16 people, 58 were given offers. The new staff included 18 people with graduate degrees, 37 with undergraduate degrees, and three students with no university-level education. Yang Yuanqing, the current chairman and CEO of Lenovo, was among that group.
Liu Chuanzhi received government permission to form a subsidiary in Hong Kong and to move there along with five other employees. Liu's father, already in Hong Kong along with Lui, furthered his son's ambitions through mentoring and facilitating loans. Liu moved to Hong Kong in 1988. To save money during this period, Liu and his co-workers walked instead of taking public transportation. To keep up appearances, they rented hotel rooms for meetings.
In 1990, Lenovo started to manufacture and market computers using its own brand name. Some of the company's early successes included the KT8920 mainframe computer. It also developed a circuit board that allowed IBM-compatible personal computers to process Chinese characters.
=1994–1998: IPO, second offerings and bond sales=
Lenovo (known at the time as Legend) became publicly traded after a 1994 Hong Kong IPO that raised nearly {{US$|30 million|link=yes}} at {{HK$|1.33|link=yes}} per share.{{citation |date=30 March 2022 |title=FAQ |publisher=Lenovo |url=https://investor.lenovo.com/en/ir/faq.php}} Prior to the IPO, many analysts were optimistic about Lenovo. On its first day of trading, the company's stock price hit a high of {{HK$|2.07}} and closed at {{HK$|2.00}} suggesting an initial under-valuing of the company. Proceeds from the offering were used to finance sales offices in Europe, North America and Australia, to expand and improve production and research and development, and to increase working capital.
By 1996, Lenovo was the market leader in China and began selling its own laptop.{{cite book |last1=Greeben |first1=Mark J. |last2=Yip |first2=George S. |last3=Wei |first3=Wei |title=Pioneers, Hidden Champions, Changemakers, and Underdogs |date=15 March 2019 |publisher=MIT Press |isbn=9780262352345 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cZ7uDwAAQBAJ&dq=lenovo+publicly+traded+1994&pg=PT34 |access-date=22 November 2020}} By 1998 it held 43 per cent of the domestic computer market share in China, selling approximately one million computers.
Lenovo released its Tianxi ({{lang|zh|天禧}}) computer in 1998. Designed to make it easy for inexperienced Chinese consumers to use computers and access the internet, one of its most important features was a button that instantly connected users to the internet and opened the Web browser. It was co-branded with China Telecom and it was bundled with one year of Internet service. The Tianxi was released in 1998. It was the result of two years of research and development. It had a pastel-colored, shell-shaped case and a seven-port USB hub under its screen. As of 2000, the Tianxi was the best-selling computer in Chinese history. It sold more than 1,000,000 units in 2000 alone.{{cite news |last=Sima |first=Katherine |date=19 December 2005 |title=Lenovo's design strategy drives success |url=http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20051219/NEWS/312199974/lenovo-s-design-strategy-drives-success |newspaper=Plastics News |location=United States |access-date=7 April 2015 |archive-date=14 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150414100751/http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20051219/NEWS/312199974/lenovo-s-design-strategy-drives-success |url-status=live }}
=1999–2010: IBM purchase and sale of smartphone division=
File:Lenovo ThinkPad Logo.jpg laptop computer. Lenovo purchased the ThinkPad line from IBM in 2005.]]{{Further information|Acquisition of the IBM PC business by Lenovo}}
To fund its continued growth, Lenovo issued a secondary offering of 50 million shares on the Hong Kong market in March 2000 and raised about {{US$|212 million|link=yes}}. It rebranded to the name Lenovo in 2003 and began making acquisitions to expand the company.
Lenovo acquired IBM's personal computer business in 2005, including the ThinkPad laptop and ThinkCentre desktop lines.{{cite news |last=Lemon |first=Sumner |title=Lenovo Completes Purchase of IBM's PC Unit |date=2 May 2005 |url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/120670/lenovo_completes_purchase_of_ibms_pc_unit.html |magazine=PC World |at=pcworld.com |access-date=19 June 2012 |archive-date=5 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120705221505/http://www.pcworld.com/article/120670/lenovo_completes_purchase_of_ibms_pc_unit.html |url-status=live }} Lenovo's acquisition of IBM's personal computer division accelerated access to foreign markets while improving Lenovo's branding and technology.{{cite web |first=Craig |last=Stephen |title=China's Lenovo may be one-off success |url=http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-08-19/commentary/33271403_1_lenovo-smartphone-market-thinkpad |website=MarketWatch |date=20 August 2012 |access-date=20 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822164932/http://articles.marketwatch.com/2012-08-19/commentary/33271403_1_lenovo-smartphone-market-thinkpad |archive-date=22 August 2012 |url-status=dead }} Lenovo paid {{US$|1.25 billion}} for IBM's computer business and assumed an additional {{US$|500 million}} of IBM's debt. This acquisition made Lenovo the third-largest computer maker worldwide by volume.{{cite news |first=Zhou |last=Xiaoyan |url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90778/8025108.html |title=Lenovo, on top of the PC world |newspaper=People's Daily |at=People's Daily Online |date=19 November 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=7 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507081932/http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90778/8025108.html |url-status=live }} Lenovo's purchase of the Think line from IBM also led to the creation of the IBM/Lenovo partnership, which works together in the creation of Think-line of products sold by Lenovo.
On the purchase of IBM's personal computer division, Chuanzhi said in 2012: "We benefited in three ways from the IBM acquisition. We got the ThinkPad brand, IBM's more advanced PC manufacturing technology and the company's international resources, such as its global sales channels and operation teams. These three elements have shored up our sales revenue in the past several years." The employees of the division, including those who developed ThinkPad laptops and ThinkCentre desktops, became employees of Lenovo.
Despite Lenovo acquiring the "Think" brand from IBM, IBM still plays a key indirect, background role in the design and production of the Think line of products. Today, IBM is responsible for overseeing servicing and repair centers, and is considered an authorized distributor and refurbisher of the Think line of products produced by Lenovo.{{cite web|date=2012-10-08|title=IBM and Lenovo – United States|url=http://www.ibm.com/ibm/us/en/pcannouncement/|access-date=2020-11-08|website=www.ibm.com|language=en-US|archive-date=5 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205104819/https://www.ibm.com/ibm/us/en/pcannouncement/|url-status=live}}
IBM also acquired an 18.9% share of Lenovo in 2005 as part of Lenovo's purchase of IBM's personal computing division.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibm.com/investor/ircorner/article/lenovo-acquisition.wss |title=IBM Investor relations — IR News and views {{pipe}} 1 May 2005 Lenovo completes acquisition of IBM |publisher=Ibm.com |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=23 November 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123184551/http://www.ibm.com/investor/ircorner/article/lenovo-acquisition.wss |url-status=live }} In the years following the deal, IBM sold their stake in Lenovo, with a final sale in 2011 completing their divestment.{{Cite web |last=Jönsson |first=Anette |title=IBM sells remaining shares in Lenovo |url=https://www.financeasia.com/article/ibm-sells-remaining-shares-in-lenovo/248717 |access-date=2022-10-30 |website=FinanceAsia}}
Mary Ma, Lenovo's chief financial officer from 1990 to 2007, was in charge of investor relations. Under her leadership, Lenovo successfully integrated Western-style accountability into its corporate culture. Lenovo's emphasis on transparency earned it a reputation for the best corporate governance among mainland Chinese firms. While Hong Kong-listed firms were only required to issue financial reports twice per year, Lenovo followed the international norm of issuing quarterly reports. Lenovo created an audit committee and a compensation committee with non-management directors. The company started roadshows twice per year to meet institutional investors. Ma organized the first-ever investor relations conference held in mainland China. The conference was held in Beijing in 2002 and televised on China Central Television (CCTV). Liu and Ma co-hosted the conference and both gave speeches on corporate governance.
Lenovo sold its smartphone and tablet division in 2008 for {{US$|100 million|link=yes}} in order to focus on personal computers and then paid US$200 million to buy it back in November 2009.{{cite news |last1=Nuo |first1=You |last2=Ning |first2=Yang |title=Lenovo to take on the big boys with LePhone |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-05/11/content_9833293.htm |newspaper=China Daily |date=11 May 2010 |access-date=28 February 2013 |url-status=live |archive-date=7 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507102034/http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2010-05/11/content_9833293.htm}} {{As of|2009}}, the mobile division ranked third in terms of unit share in China's mobile handset market.{{cite press release |title=Lenovo to Acquire Mobile Handset Business |publisher=Lenovo |date=27 November 2009 |url=http://www.lenovo.com/news/us/en/2009/11/mobile-handset.html |access-date=30 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225011821/http://www.lenovo.com/news/us/en/2009/11/mobile-handset.html |archive-date=25 December 2010}} Lenovo invested {{CN¥|100 million|link=yes}} in a fund dedicated to providing seed funding for mobile application development for its LeGarden online app store. As of 2010, LeGarden had more than 1,000 programs available for the LePhone. At the same time, LeGarden counted 2,774 individual developers and 542 developer companies as members.{{cite news |title=Lenovo bets on app projects to boost sales |newspaper=South China Morning Post |date=24 November 2010 }}
=2011–2013: Re-entering smartphone market and other ventures=
File:VibeXLaunch.jpg smartphone at a launch event, 2014]]
On 27 January 2011, Lenovo formed a joint venture to produce personal computers with Japanese electronics firm NEC. The companies said in a statement that they would establish a new company called Lenovo NEC Holdings, to be registered in the Netherlands. NEC received US$175 million in Lenovo stock. Lenovo was to own a 51% stake in the joint venture, while NEC would have 49%. Lenovo has a five-year option to expand its stake in the joint venture.{{cite news |url=http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/01/27/nec-lenovo-form-pc-joint-venture-nec-posts-wider-loss/ |work=Fox Business |title=NEC, Lenovo Form PC Joint Venture As NEC Posts Wider Loss |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=10 January 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924040129/http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2011/01/27/nec-lenovo-form-pc-joint-venture-nec-posts-wider-loss/ |url-status=live }}
This joint venture was intended to boost Lenovo's worldwide sales by expanding its presence in Japan, a key market for personal computers. NEC spun off its personal computer business into the joint venture. As of 2010, NEC controlled about 20% of Japan's market for personal computers while Lenovo had a 5% share. Lenovo and NEC also agreed to explore cooperating in other areas such as servers and tablet computers.{{cite news |title=With NEC venture, Lenovo eyes Japan |first=David |last=Ranii |newspaper=Cary News (North Carolina) |date=2 February 2011}}
Roderick Lappin, chairman of the Lenovo–NEC joint venture, told the press that the two companies will expand their co-operation to include the development of tablet computers.{{cite news |title=Lenovo, NEC to jointly develop tablets: Report |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/lenovonec-tablets-nikkei-idINL3E8I43S220120704 |newspaper=Reuters |date=4 July 2012 |access-date=9 October 2014 |archive-date=14 October 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014090906/http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/07/04/lenovonec-tablets-nikkei-idINL3E8I43S220120704 |url-status=dead }}
In June 2011, Lenovo announced that it planned to acquire control of Medion, a German electronics manufacturing company. Lenovo said the acquisition would double its share of the German computer market, making it the third-largest vendor by sales (after Acer and Hewlett-Packard). The deal, which closed in the third quarter of the same year, was claimed by The New York Times as "the first in which a Chinese company acquired a well-known German company."
This acquisition will give Lenovo 14% of the German computer market. Gerd Brachmann, chairman of Medion, agreed to sell two-thirds of his 60 per cent stake in the company. He will be paid in cash for 80 per cent of the shares and will receive 20 per cent in Lenovo stock. That would give him about one percent of Lenovo.{{cite news |title=Lenovo to Buy German PC Maker |url=https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/lenovo-to-buy-german-electronics-firm-medion/ |first=Chris V. |last=Nicholson |newspaper=The New York Times |date=2 June 2011 |access-date=20 September 2020 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013937/https://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/06/01/lenovo-to-buy-german-electronics-firm-medion/ |url-status=live }}
In September 2012, Lenovo agreed to acquire the Brazil-based electronics company Digibras, which sells products under the brand-name CCE, for a base price of R$300 million (US$148 million) in a combination of stock and cash. An additional payment of R$400 million was made dependent upon performance benchmarks.{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-cce-lenovo-idUKBRE8841GJ20120905|title=China's Lenovo to buy Brazilian electronics company CCE|access-date=15 September 2012|work=Reuters|date=5 September 2012|archive-date=17 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120917002514/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2012/09/05/uk-cce-lenovo-idUKBRE8841GJ20120905|url-status=dead}}{{cite magazine|url=http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4395447/Lenovo-to-acquire-Brazil-s-biggest-PC-maker|title=Lenovo to acquire Brazil's biggest PC maker|access-date=15 September 2012|magazine=EE Times|date=5 September 2012|archive-date=31 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121031081847/http://www.eetimes.com/electronics-news/4395447/Lenovo-to-acquire-Brazil-s-biggest-PC-maker|url-status=live}} Prior to its acquisition of CCE, Lenovo already established a $30 million factory in Brazil, but Lenovo's management had felt that they needed a local partner to maximize regional growth. Lenovo cited their desire to take advantage of increased sales due to the 2014 World Cup that would be hosted by Brazil and the 2016 Summer Olympics and CCE's reputation for quality.{{cite news |last=Mehta |first=Stephanie N. |url=http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/09/05/urgency-drives-lenovo-deal-in-brazil/ |title=Urgency drives Lenovo deal in Brazil — Fortune Tech |publisher=Tech.fortune.cnn.com |date=5 September 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=15 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115171513/http://tech.fortune.cnn.com/2012/09/05/urgency-drives-lenovo-deal-in-brazil/ |url-status=dead }} Following the acquisition, Lenovo announced that its subsequent acquisitions would be concentrated in software and services.{{cite news |last=Yun |first=Liau |url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-to-stop-buying-hardware-companies/ |title=Lenovo to stop buying hardware companies |work=ZDNet |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=7 January 2013 |archive-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110000904/http://www.zdnet.com/cn/lenovo-to-stop-buying-hardware-companies-7000004752/ |url-status=live }}
File:LenovoEMCSigning.jpg standing in the middle (fifth from the left) in the back row]]
In September 2012, Lenovo agreed to acquire the United States–based software company Stoneware, in its first software acquisition. The transaction was expected to close by the end of 2012; no financial details have been disclosed.{{cite news|url=https://thenextweb.com/asia/2012/09/18/lenovo-buys-us-based-stoneware-strengthen-cloud-computing-services/|title=Lenovo buys US-based Stoneware to strengthen its cloud computing services|publisher=The Next Web|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042309/https://thenextweb.com/asia/2012/09/18/lenovo-buys-us-based-stoneware-strengthen-cloud-computing-services/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://news.lenovo.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1631|title=Lenovo Acquires Stoneware to Expand Secure Cloud Computing|publisher=Lenovo|access-date=18 September 2012|archive-date=21 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921232136/http://news.lenovo.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=1631|url-status=dead}} Lenovo said that the company was acquired in order to gain access to new technology and that Stoneware is not expected to significantly affect earnings. More specifically, Stoneware was acquired to further Lenovo's efforts to improve and expand its [https://www.lenovo.com/ca/en/servers-storage/solutions/cloud-computing/ cloud-computing] services. For the two years prior to its acquisition, Stoneware partnered with Lenovo to sell its software. During this period Stoneware's sales doubled. Stoneware was founded in 2000. As of September 2012, Stoneware is based in Carmel, Indiana, and has 67 employees.{{cite news |title=Lenovo Acquires U.S. Software Firm |first=Paul |last=Mozur |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443995604578003412572479272 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=18 September 2012 |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812140929/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10000872396390443995604578003412572479272 |archive-date=12 August 2017 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Lenovo Makes First Software Buy to Expand in Cloud Computing |url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-18/lenovo-makes-first-software-purchase-to-expand-cloud-computing |newspaper=Bloomberg Businessweek |date=18 September 2012 |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-date=22 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120922003854/http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-09-18/lenovo-makes-first-software-purchase-to-expand-cloud-computing |url-status=dead }}
Lenovo re-entered the smartphone market in 2012 and quickly became the largest vendor of smartphones in mainland China.{{cite news |url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2012/11/05/2003546896 |title=Lenovo Eying Growth in China Smartphone Sector |series=CNA |newspaper=Taipei Times |at=taipeitimes.com |date=5 November 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012 |archive-date=2 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502112817/http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2012/11/05/2003546896 |url-status=live }} Entry into the smartphone market was paired with a change of strategy from "the one-size-fits-all" to a diverse portfolio of devices. These changes were driven by the popularity of Apple's iPhone and Lenovo's desire to increase its market share in mainland China. Lenovo surpassed Apple Inc. to become the No. 2 provider of smartphones in the domestic Chinese market in 2012. However, with approximately 100 smartphone brands sold in China, this only equated to a 10.4% market share.
In May 2012, Lenovo announced an investment of US$793 million in the construction of a mobile phone manufacturing and R&D facility in Wuhan, Hubei.{{cite book |first=Melanie |last=Lee |editor=Chris Lewis |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lenovo-mobile-idUSBRE84603620120507 |title=Lenovo to launch mobile devices facility in central China |work=U.S. |access-date=7 May 2012 |series=Reuters |at=reuters.com |date=6 May 2012 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924163833/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/05/07/us-lenovo-mobile-idUSBRE84603620120507 |url-status=live }}
In 2013, Lenovo created a joint venture with EMC named Iomega.{{cite web|url=https://corporate.delltechnologies.com/en-us/newsroom/announcements/2013/01/20130103-02.htm|title=Lenovo and EMC Create LenovoEMC JV to Bring Network Attached Storage to SMBs and Distributed Enterprise Sites|date=3 January 2013|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131161928/https://corporate.delltechnologies.com/en-us/newsroom/announcements/2013/01/20130103-02.htm|url-status=live}} The venture took over Iomega's business and rebranded all of Iomega's products under the LenovoEMC brand, and designed products for small and medium-sized businesses that could not afford enterprise-class data storage.{{cite web|url=https://www.pcworld.com/article/2025141/lenovo-and-emc-partner-on-storage-for-smbs.html|title=Lenovo and EMC partner on storage for SMBs|first1=Tony|last1=Bradley|first2=PCWorld {{pipe}} About {{pipe}} Practical IT insight from Tony|last2=Bradley|date=11 January 2013|website=PCWorld|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=23 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923202405/https://www.pcworld.com/article/2025141/lenovo-and-emc-partner-on-storage-for-smbs.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/storage-giant-emc-unites-with-pc-oem-lenovo-on-new-joint-venture/|title=Storage giant EMC unites with PC OEM Lenovo on new joint venture|first=Lee|last=Hutchinson|date=3 January 2013|website=Ars Technica|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131152121/https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2013/01/storage-giant-emc-unites-with-pc-oem-lenovo-on-new-joint-venture/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/lenovoemc-forms-to-bring-nas-solutions-to-businesses-of-all-sizes|title=LenovoEMC Forms to Bring NAS Solutions to Businesses of All Sizes|first=Brad Chacos 11|last=January 2013|website=LaptopMag|date=11 January 2013|access-date=26 January 2021|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203111059/https://www.laptopmag.com/articles/lenovoemc-forms-to-bring-nas-solutions-to-businesses-of-all-sizes|url-status=live}} Lenovo has since retired all of the LenovoEMC products on their product page advising that the products are no longer available for purchase on lenovo.com.{{cite web|url=https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/systems/storage/nas/lenovoemc/|title=LenovoEMC Network Storage {{pipe}} Lenovo UK|website=www.lenovo.com|access-date=15 March 2019|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715133436/https://www.lenovo.com/gb/en/systems/storage/nas/lenovoemc/|url-status=live}}
=Since 2014: Purchase of IBM server lines and other acquisitions=
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IBM sold its x86-based server lines, including System x and Blade Center, to Lenovo in 2014.{{cite web |url=http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2014/01/23/lenovo_buy_systemx/ |title=It was inevitable: Lenovo stumps up $2.3bn for IBM System x server biz |last1=Kunert |first1=Paul |date=23 January 2014 |website=channelregister.co.uk |publisher=The Register |access-date=23 January 2014 |archive-date=24 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140124073230/http://www.channelregister.co.uk/2014/01/23/lenovo_buy_systemx/ |url-status=live }} Lenovo says it will gain access to more enterprise customers, improve its profit margins, and develop a closer relationship with Intel, the maker of most server processors, through its acquisition of IBM's x86-based server business.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerkay/2014/05/12/how-lenovo-can-turn-liabilities-into-assets/|title=How Lenovo Can Turn Liabilities Into Assets|first=Roger|last=Kay|work=Forbes|access-date=2 September 2017|archive-date=29 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529055219/https://www.forbes.com/sites/rogerkay/2014/05/12/how-lenovo-can-turn-liabilities-into-assets/|url-status=live}} On 1 October 2014, Lenovo closed its acquisition of IBM's server division, with the final price put at $2.1 billion.{{cite press release |publisher=Reuters |date=29 September 2014 |title=Lenovo says $2.1 billion IBM x86 server deal to close on Wednesday |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lenovo-ibm-deals-idUSKCN0HO08N20140929 |access-date=1 July 2017 |archive-date=17 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117105338/http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/09/29/us-lenovo-ibm-deals-idUSKCN0HO08N20140929 |url-status=live }} Lenovo said this acquisition came in at a price lower than the previously announced $2.3 billion partially because of a change in the value of IBM inventories. The deal was already approved by Europe and China. Per Forbes, the United States Department of Treasury Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) was reportedly the last major hurdle for Lenovo, since the United States had the strictest policies.{{cite news |last=Moorhead |first=Patrick |date=2014-06-26 |title=IBM-Lenovo Server Agreement Basically A Done Deal |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/2014/08/26/ibm-lenovo-server-agreement-basically-a-done-deal/ |newspaper=Forbes |access-date=2015-05-09 |archive-date=29 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180529055655/https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/2014/08/26/ibm-lenovo-server-agreement-basically-a-done-deal/ |url-status=live }}
After closing, Lenovo said that its goal was to become the world's largest maker of servers. Lenovo also announced plans to start integrating IBM's workforce.{{cite web|title=Lenovo Set to Close IBM Deal, Eyes Top Spot in Server Business|first=Juro|last=Osawa|date=29 September 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-gains-all-approvals-for-ibm-deal-1411964681 |access-date=27 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141004081610/http://online.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-gains-all-approvals-for-ibm-deal-1411964681|archive-date=4 October 2014|url-status=live}} The acquisition added about 6,500 new employees to Lenovo. Lenovo said that it has no immediate intent to cut jobs. Lenovo said that positions in research and development and customer-facing roles such as marketing would be "100% protected", but expected "rationalization" of its supply chain and procurement.{{cite web |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/technology/jobs-cuts-not-ruled-out-as-lenovo-swallows-ibms-x86-server-business/story-e6frgakx-1227081684268?nk=ee236b4d15a8cede4c5ea897e25788e6 |title=Jobs cuts not ruled out as Lenovo swallows IBM's x86 server business|work=The Australian|access-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014005032/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/technology/jobs-cuts-not-ruled-out-as-lenovo-swallows-ibms-x86-server-business/story-e6frgakx-1227081684268?nk=ee236b4d15a8cede4c5ea897e25788e6|archive-date=14 October 2014|url-status=live}}
On 29 January 2014, Google announced it would sell Motorola Mobility to Lenovo for US$2.91 billion. As of February 2014, Google owned about 5.94% of Lenovo's stock. The deal included smartphone lines like the Moto X, Moto G, Droid Turbo, and the future Motorola Mobility product roadmap, while Google retained the Advanced Technologies & Projects unit and all but 2,000 of the company's patents.{{cite web|url=http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=13000CSAERZY|title=Lenovo CEO Vows To Turn Around Motorola in 6 Quarters – Mobile Tech on CIO Today|access-date=5 March 2014|url-status=live |archive-date=5 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305211930/http://www.cio-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=13000CSAERZY}} Lenovo received royalty free licenses to all the patents retained by Google.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/China-s-Lenovo-finds-treasure-in-other-companies-5486350.php|title=China's Lenovo finds treasure in other companies' castoffs|first=Drake|last=Bennett |date=17 May 2014|work=SFGate|access-date=5 June 2014|url-status=live|archive-date=21 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140521033441/http://www.sfgate.com/technology/article/China-s-Lenovo-finds-treasure-in-other-companies-5486350.php}} Lenovo received approval from the European Union for its acquisition of Motorola in June 2014.{{cite web|url=http://wraltechwire.com/european-union-approves-lenovo-acquisition-of-google-motorola-mobility/13776122/#dyou3JjCfqaGPsle.99|title=European Union approves Lenovo's Google Motorola acquisition -TechWire Insider: Editor's Blog at WRAL TechWire |publisher=WRAL TechWire|access-date=3 July 2014|url-status=live |archive-date=14 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714121923/http://wraltechwire.com/european-union-approves-lenovo-acquisition-of-google-motorola-mobility/13776122/#dyou3JjCfqaGPsle.99}} The acquisition was completed on 30 October 2014. Motorola Mobility remained headquartered in Chicago, and continued to use the Motorola brand, but Liu Jun, president of Lenovo's mobile device business, became the head of the company.{{cite web|first=Tom|last=Warren|title=Motorola is now part of Lenovo|work=The Verge |date=30 October 2014|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/30/7130879/motorola-is-now-part-of-lenovo|access-date=30 October 2014|url-status=live|archive-date=3 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042328/https://www.theverge.com/2014/10/30/7130879/motorola-is-now-part-of-lenovo}}{{cite news|title=Lenovo Completes Motorola Acquisition |url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-completes-motorola-acquisition-1414665138|access-date=30 October 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=30 October 2014|url-status=live |archive-date=2 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141102054116/http://online.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-completes-motorola-acquisition-1414665138}}{{subscription required}}
In April 2014, Lenovo purchased a portfolio of patents from NEC related to mobile technology. These included over 3,800 patent families in countries around the world. The purchase included standards-essential patents for 3G and LTE cellular technologies and other patents related to smartphones and tablets.{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-buys-mobile-3g-lte-technology-patent-portfolio/|title=Lenovo buys mobile, 3G, LTE technology patent portfolio|first=Charlie|last=Osborne|work=ZDNet|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=12 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112050835/http://www.zdnet.com/lenovo-buys-mobile-3g-lte-technology-patent-portfolio-7000028130/|url-status=live}}
In May 2015, Lenovo revealed a new logo at Lenovo Tech World in Beijing, with the slogan "Innovation Never Stands Still" ({{lang-zh|c=创新无止境}}). Lenovo's new logo, created by Saatchi, can be changed by its advertising agencies and sales partners, within restrictions, to fit the context. It has a lounging "e" (similar to the Google logo) and is surrounded by a box that can be changed to use a relevant scene, solid color, or photograph. Lenovo's Chief Marketing Officer David Roman said, "When we first started looking at it, it wasn't about just a change in typography or the look of the logo. We asked 'If we really are a net-driven, customer-centric company, what should the logo look like?' We came up with the idea of a digital logo first [...] designed to be used on the internet and adaptable to context."{{cite news |last=Snyder Bulik |first=Beth |date=28 May 2015 |title=Worldwide PC Leader Lenovo Rebrands For Post-PC World |url=http://adage.com/article/digital/lenovo-rebrands-logo-renewed-post-pc-push/298773/ |newspaper=Advertising Age |location=United States |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=2 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150602204659/http://adage.com/article/digital/lenovo-rebrands-logo-renewed-post-pc-push/298773/ |url-status=live }}
In early June 2015, Lenovo announced plans to sell up to US$650 million in five-year bonds denominated in Chinese yuan. The bonds were sold in Hong Kong with coupon ranging from 4.95% to 5.05%. This is only the second sale of bonds in Lenovo's history. Financial commentators noted that Lenovo was paying a premium to list the bonds in yuan given relatively low costs for borrowing in US dollars.{{cite news |last=Trivedi |first=Anjani |date=3 June 2015 |title=Lenovo Heats Up Hong Kong's Dim-Sum Bond Market |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-heats-up-hong-kongs-dim-sum-bond-market-1433327598 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |location=United States |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=7 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607170347/http://www.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-heats-up-hong-kongs-dim-sum-bond-market-1433327598 |url-status=live }}
Lenovo said that its x86 servers will be available to all its channel partners. Lenovo plans to cut prices on x86 products in order to gain market share.{{cite web|url=http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/300074266/lenovo-president-x86-to-be-fully-integrated-into-business.htm|title=Lenovo President: X86 To Be Fully Integrated Into Business|first=Michael|last=Novinson|work=CRN|date=2 October 2014|access-date=6 October 2014|archive-date=6 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006160226/http://www.crn.com/news/data-center/300074266/lenovo-president-x86-to-be-fully-integrated-into-business.htm|url-status=live}} This goes in alliance with IBM's vision of the future around cloud technologies and their own POWER processor architecture.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerweekly.com/news/450411363/IBM-results-show-shift-to-AI-and-cloud-business-focus|title=IBM results show shift to AI and cloud business focus|work=ComputerWeekly|access-date=30 May 2017|archive-date=6 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606172632/http://www.computerweekly.com/news/450411363/IBM-results-show-shift-to-AI-and-cloud-business-focus|url-status=live}}
In March 2017, Lenovo announced it was partnering with Fort Lauderdale, Florida–based software storage virtualization company DataCore to add DataCore's parallel I/O-processing software to Lenovo's storage devices.{{cite web |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/03/15/lenovo_server_based_storage_virtualization_datacore/ |title=Lenovo gets into server-based storage virtualization with DataCore |website=theregister.co.uk |date=2017-03-15 |access-date=2017-05-26 |archive-date=19 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519105935/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2017/03/15/lenovo_server_based_storage_virtualization_datacore/ |url-status=live }} The servers were reportedly designed to outperform Storage Area Network (SAN) SAN arrays.
In 2017, Lenovo formed a joint venture with Fujitsu and the Development Bank of Japan (DBJ).[http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/2017/1102-01.html "Fujitsu, Lenovo and DBJ form PC Joint Venture"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180109191146/http://www.fujitsu.com/global/about/resources/news/press-releases/2017/1102-01.html |date=9 January 2018 }}, Fujitsu Global, 2 November 2017. In the joint venture, Fujitsu would sell Lenovo a 51% stake in Fujitsu Client Computing Limited. DBJ would acquire a 5% stake.
In September 2018, Lenovo and NetApp announced about strategic partnership and joint venture in China. As part of strategic partnership Lenovo started two new lines of storage systems: DM-Series and DE-Series. Both storage systems using Lenovo hardware and NetApp software: DM-Series using ONTAP OS and DE-Series SANtricity OS.
In 2018, Lenovo became the world's largest provider for the TOP500 supercomputers.{{cite news |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180625005341/en/ |work=Business Wire |title=Lenovo Attains Status as Largest Global Provider of TOP500 Supercomputers |date=25 June 2018 |access-date=27 June 2018 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628044050/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180625005341/en/ |url-status=live }}
In 2020, Lenovo became a preferred data center innovation provider for DreamWorks Animation starting with Trolls World Tour.
On 12 January 2021, Lenovo filed an application to issue Chinese depositary receipts, representing newly issued ordinary shares, and to list them on the Science and Technology Innovation Board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange.{{Cite web |last=Song |first=Jingli |date=2021-01-13 |title=World's largest PC vendor Lenovo to list on Shanghai Star Market |url=https://kr-asia.com/worlds-largest-pc-vendor-lenovo-to-list-on-shanghai-star-market |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=KrASIA |language=en}}
In April 2021, Lenovo was reorganized into three divisions: The Intelligent Devices Group for PCs, Smartphones, Smart Collaboration products, Augmented and Virtual Reality solutions and Internet of Things devices, the Infrastructure Solutions Group (formally known as Data Center Group) for smart infrastructure solutions, and the Solutions and Services Group focused on services and industry-specific products.{{cite web | last=Alspach | first=Kyle | title=Lenovo Unveils Forthcoming Partner Program, Lenovo 360, To Unite PC And Data Center Businesses | website=CRN | date=22 June 2021 | url=https://www.crn.com/news/channel-programs/lenovo-unveils-forthcoming-partner-program-lenovo-360-to-unite-pc-and-data-center-businesses | access-date=9 April 2022}} That year, the company hit $60 billion in annual revenues.{{cite web | last=Haranas | first=Mark | title=Lenovo PC Sales Soar 46 Percent, Annual Revenue Hits $60B | website=CRN | date=28 May 2021 | url=https://www.crn.com/news/components-peripherals/lenovo-pc-sales-soar-46-percent-annual-revenue-hits-60b | access-date=10 April 2022}}{{cite web | last=Chanthadavong | first=Aimee | title=Lenovo full-year revenue soars past $60 billion mark following 20% uplift | website=ZDNet | date=27 May 2021 | url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-full-year-revenue-soars-past-60-billion-mark-following-20-uplift/ | access-date=10 April 2022}}
On 8 October 2021, Lenovo withdrew its application to list on the Shanghai Stock Exchange just days after it had been accepted by the exchange, citing the possibility of the validity of financial information in its prospectus lapsing as the reason. The price of the company's shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange dropped by over 17% following the news, which was its biggest intraday decline in over a decade.{{Cite news |last= |date=2021-10-11 |title=Lenovo stock drops 17% after withdrawing Shanghai listing application |language=en |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/technology/lenovo-stock-drops-17-after-withdrawing-shanghai-listing-application-2021-10-11/ |access-date=2022-08-12}}{{Cite web |last=Ouyang |first=Iris |date=2021-10-09 |title=Lenovo withdraws Star IPO in setback for China's tech centre stage |url=https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3151764/lenovo-withdraws-ipo-plan-shanghais-star-market-joint-setback |access-date=2022-08-12 |website=South China Morning Post |language=en}}
Name
File:CES 2012 - Lenovo (6764011613).jpg, 2012]]
"Lenovo" is a portmanteau of "Le-" (from Legend) and "novo", Latin ablative for "new". The Chinese name ({{lang-zh|s=联想|t=聯想|p={{audio|Zh-liánxiang.ogg|Liánxiǎng|help=no}}}}) means "association" (as in "association of ideas"), "associative thinking", or "connected thinking". It also implies creativity.{{cite journal |first=Todd |last=Crowell |title=Ever heard of Lenovo, Haier, CNOOC? You will |journal=Christian Science Monitor |year=2008 |issue=30–JUN–2005 |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0630/p13s02-stct.html |access-date=21 October 2008 |archive-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110001926/http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0630/p13s02-stct.html |url-status=live }} "Lianxiang" was first used to refer to a layout of Chinese typewriters in the 1950s organized into groups of common words and phrases rather than the standard dictionary layout.{{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/07/16/1-billion-people-100000-characters-1-typewriter-chinese/|title=90,000 Characters on 1 Keyboard|last1=Mullaney|first1=Thomas S.|date=2018-07-16|website=Foreign Policy|access-date=25 April 2020|archive-date=9 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109025539/https://foreignpolicy.com/2018/07/16/1-billion-people-100000-characters-1-typewriter-chinese/|url-status=live}}
For the first 20 years of its existence, the company's English name was "Legend". In 2002, Yang Yuanqing decided to abandon the Legend English name to expand beyond the Chinese home market. "Legend" was already in use worldwide by many businesses,{{cite web|title=Free Trademark Search – Legend|url=http://www.trademarkia.com/trademarks-search.aspx?tn=Legend|website=Trademarkia.com|access-date=22 March 2016|archive-date=5 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405170435/http://www.trademarkia.com/trademarks-search.aspx?tn=Legend|url-status=live}} making it impossible to register in many jurisdictions outside China. In April 2003, the company publicly announced its new English name, "Lenovo", with an advertising campaign including huge billboards and primetime television ads. Lenovo spent 18 million RMB on an eight-week television advertising campaign. The billboards showed the Lenovo logo against blue sky with a slogan that read, "Transcendence depends on how you think." By the end of 2003, Lenovo had spent a total of 200 million RMB on rebranding.{{cite book |title=The Lenovo Affair |last=Ling |first=Zhijun |year=2006 |publisher=John Wiley & Sons |location=Singapore |isbn=978-0-470-82193-0}}
Products and services
Lenovo is a manufacturer of personal computers, smartphones, televisions, and wearable devices. Some of the company's earliest products included the KT8920 mainframe computer and a circuit board that allowed IBM-compatible personal computers to process Chinese characters. One of its first computers was the Tianxi ({{lang|zh|天禧}}), released in 1998 in the Chinese market. It became the best selling computer in Chinese history in 2000.
=Personal and business computing=
Lenovo markets the ThinkPad, IdeaPad, Yoga, Legion and Xiaoxin ({{lang|zh|小新}}; Chinese market only) lines of laptops, as well as the IdeaCentre and ThinkCentre lines of desktops.{{cite web |last1=Fletcher |first1=Owen |first2=Shara |last2=Tibken |first3=Nathalie |last3=Tadena |title=Lenovo passes Dell to become world's No 2 PC maker |date=13 October 2011 |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lenovo-passes-dell-to-become-worlds-no-2-pc-maker-2011-10-13 |website=MarketWatch |access-date=13 October 2011 |archive-date=16 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111016040044/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/lenovo-passes-dell-to-become-worlds-no-2-pc-maker-2011-10-13 |url-status=live }} It expanded significantly in 2005 through its acquisition of IBM's personal computer business, including its ThinkPad and ThinkCentre lines. As of January 2013, shipments of THINK-branded computers have doubled since Lenovo's takeover of the brand, with profit margins thought to be above 5%.{{cite news |title=From guard shack to global giant; Chinese industry |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/news/business/21569398-how-did-lenovo-become-worlds-biggest-computer-company-guard-shack-global-giant?fsrc=rss |date=12 January 2013 |access-date=5 February 2013 |archive-date=24 February 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224154521/http://www.economist.com/news/business/21569398-how-did-lenovo-become-worlds-biggest-computer-company-guard-shack-global-giant?fsrc=rss |url-status=live }} Lenovo aggressively expanded the THINK brand away from traditional laptop computers in favor of tablets and hybrid devices such as the ThinkPad Tablet 2, ThinkPad Yoga, ThinkPad 8, ThinkPad Helix, and ThinkPad Twist; the shift came as a response to the growing popularity of mobile devices, and the release of Windows 8 in October 2012. Lenovo achieved significant success with this high-value strategy and in 2013 controlled more than 40% of the market for Windows computers priced above $900 in the United States.{{cite web |last=Reisinger |first=Don |url=http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57563331-92/lenovo-chief-were-in-the-pc-plus-not-post-pc-era/ |title=Lenovo chief: We're in the PC-plus, not post-PC era |website=CNET |date=2013-01-10 |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121231749/http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-57563331-92/lenovo-chief-were-in-the-pc-plus-not-post-pc-era/ |url-status=live }}
==ThinkPad==
{{Main|ThinkPad}}
File:Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Ultrabook.jpg Carbon from 2012 Ultrabook with extensive use of lightweight and durable carbon fibre technology{{cite web |last1=Tracy |first1=Phillip |title=Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Review |url=https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-7th-gen-2019 |website=LaptopMag |date=27 September 2019 |access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-date=2 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210202163533/https://www.laptopmag.com/reviews/laptops/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-7th-gen-2019 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Brant |first1=Tom |title=Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon |url=https://uk.pcmag.com/netbooks/122216/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-gen-7-2019 |website=PCMag |date=21 August 2019 |access-date=4 December 2020 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020153301/https://uk.pcmag.com/netbooks/122216/lenovo-thinkpad-x1-carbon-gen-7-2019 |url-status=live }}]]
The ThinkPad is a line of business-oriented laptop known for their boxy black design, modeled after a traditional Japanese bento.{{cite web|url=http://www.lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/2006/10/the-bento-box/|title=Design Matters: The Bento Box|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929211324/http://www.lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/2006/10/the-bento-box/|archive-date=29 September 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The ThinkPad was originally an IBM product developed at the Yamato Facility in Japan by {{nihongo|Arimasa Naitoh|内藤在正|Naitō Arimasa}};{{cite web |last1=Ohnesorge |first1=Lauren |title=Meet the "father of the ThinkPad" laptop |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2017/10/16/meet-the-father-of-the-thinkpad-laptop.html |website=Triangle Business Journal |access-date=22 November 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042315/https://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/news/2017/10/16/meet-the-father-of-the-thinkpad-laptop.html |url-status=live }} they have since been developed, manufactured and sold by both IBM and Lenovo after early 2005, following its acquisition of IBM's personal computer division. The ThinkPad has been used in space and was the only laptop model certified for use on the International Space Station until 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/space/space_thinkpad.html |title=IBM Archives: IBM ThinkPads in space |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720220124/http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/space/space_thinkpad.html |archive-date=20 July 2011 }}{{Cite web |title=REINVENT NEW FRONTIERS |url=https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/nasa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190902131647/https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/nasa.html |archive-date=2 September 2019 |access-date=2 September 2019 |website=hp.com}}
==ThinkCentre==
{{Main|ThinkCentre}}
The ThinkCentre is a line of business-oriented desktop computers which was introduced in 2003 by IBM and since has been produced and sold by Lenovo since 2005.{{cite web|title=Lenovo Company History|url=http://www.lenovo.com/lenovo/us/en/history.html|access-date=22 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120413184800/http://www.lenovo.com/lenovo/us/en/history.html|archive-date=13 April 2012|url-status=dead}} ThinkCentre computers typically include mid-range to high-end processors, options for discrete graphics cards, and multi-monitor support. Similar to the ThinkPad line of computers, there have been budget lines of ThinkCentre branded computers in the past. Some examples of this include: M55e series, A50 series, M72 series. These "budget" lines are typically "thin clients" however, meaning they are not standalone computers, rather, they are access points to a central server.{{cite web|title=ThinkCentre Desktop Features|url=http://shop.lenovo.com/us/desktops/thinkcentre|access-date=20 February 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214041833/http://shop.lenovo.com/us/desktops/thinkcentre|archive-date=14 February 2012|url-status=dead}}
==ThinkServer, followed by ThinkSystem==
{{Main|ThinkServer}}
The ThinkServer product line began with the TS100 from Lenovo.{{cite web|title=Lenovo ThinkServer TS100 review|url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/servers/235032/lenovo-thinkserver-ts100|access-date=19 December 2011|first=Dave|last=Mitchell|date=7 November 2008|archive-date=20 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120820060048/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/reviews/servers/235032/lenovo-thinkserver-ts100|url-status=live}} The server was developed under an agreement with IBM, by which Lenovo would produce single-socket and dual-socket servers based on IBM's xSeries technology. An additional feature of the server design was a support package aimed at small businesses. The focus of this support package was to provide small businesses with software tools to ease the process of server management and reduce dependence on IT support.{{cite web|title=ThinkServer Debut|url=http://www.lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/2008/08/thinkserver-debut/|access-date=19 December 2011|first=David|last=Hill|date=22 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614121512/http://www.lenovoblogs.com/designmatters/2008/08/thinkserver-debut/|archive-date=14 June 2011|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}
On 20 June 2017, Lenovo's Data Center Group relaunched the ThinkServer product line as ThinkSystem,{{cite web|title=Future-Defined Data Center – June 20 Announcement > Lenovo Press|url=https://lenovopress.com/lp0690-future-defined-data-center-june-20-announcement|access-date=2021-03-16|website=lenovopress.com}} which consisted of 17 new machine type models, in the catalog formate containing form factors such as Tower, 1U/2U, Blades, Dense and 4U Mission Critical Intel-based servers. Also within this relaunch contained a portfolio of Storage Arrays and of Fibre Channel SAN Switches and Directors. To further incorporate industry-leading partnerships into its portfolio, Lenovo struck an agreement with the processor company, AMD, to be able to supply customers with a choice of options between both Intel and AMD powered appliances. In August, 2019, the first two ThinkSystem platforms were introduced to the market containing a single AMD EPYC processor, the SR635 (1U) and the SR655 (2U).{{cite web|title=What's New – New AMD-Based Servers > Lenovo Press|url=https://lenovopress.com/lp1197-whats-new-amd-1s-launch|access-date=2021-03-16|website=lenovopress.com}} Again, in May 2020, Lenovo DCG further expanded its AMD offerings to incorporate 2-proc systems, the SR645 and the SR665,{{cite web|title=Lenovo Provides Customers with an EPYC Choice in Data Center Servers|url=https://www.lenovoxperience.com/newsDetail/283yi044hzgcdv7snkrmmx9oparaus06esozgjzeul5305t7|access-date=2021-03-16|website=lenovoxperience|language=en}} continuing to exemplify its approach to being the Most Trusted Data Center Advisor in the market.{{cite web|last=Haranas|first=Mark|date=2019-05-14|title=Lenovo's Kevin Hooper: Our Vision Is To Be The 'Most Trusted Data Center Partner In The Industry'|url=https://www.crn.com/slide-shows/data-center/lenovo-s-kevin-hooper-our-vision-is-to-be-the-most-trusted-data-center-partner-in-the-industry-|access-date=2021-03-16|website=CRN}}
==ThinkStation==
{{Main|ThinkStation}}
Lenovo ThinkStations are workstations designed for high-end computing. In 2008, IBM/Lenovo expanded the focus of its THINK brand to include workstations, with the ThinkStation S10 being the first model released.
==ThinkVision==
{{Main|ThinkVision}}
High-end monitors are marketed under the ThinkVision name. ThinkVision displays share a common design language with other THINK devices such as the ThinkPad line of laptop computers and ThinkCentre line of desktop computers. At the 2014 International CES, Lenovo announced the ThinkVision Pro2840m, a 28-inch 4K display aimed at professionals. Lenovo also announced another 28-inch 4K touch-enabled device running Android that can function as an all-in-one PC or an external display for other devices.{{cite web|url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/ces-2014-lenovo-talks-up-799-4k-display-that-works-with-existing-computers/|title=CES 2014: Lenovo talks up $799 4K monitor that works with existing computers|first=Jason|last=Hiner|date=10 January 2014|work=TechRepublic|access-date=7 February 2014|archive-date=14 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140214144747/http://www.techrepublic.com/article/ces-2014-lenovo-talks-up-799-4k-display-that-works-with-existing-computers/|url-status=live}}
At the 2016 International CES, Lenovo announced two displays with both USB-C and DisplayPort connectivity. The ThinkVision X24 Pro monitor is a 24-inch 1920 by 1080 pixel thin-bezel display that uses an IPS LCD panel. The ThinkVision X1 is a 27-inch 3840 by 2160 pixel thin-bezel display that uses a 10-bit panel with 99% coverage of the sRGB color gamut. The X24 includes a wireless charging base for mobile phones. The X1 is the first monitor to receive the TUV Eye-Comfort certification. Both monitors have HDMI 2.0 ports, support charging laptops, mobile phones, and other devices, and have Intel RealSense 3D cameras in order to support facial recognition. Both displays have dual-array microphones and 3-watt stereo speakers.{{cite web|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/9890/lenovo-launches-thinkvision-displays-with-usbc-docking-at-ces|title=Lenovo Launches ThinkVision Displays With USB-C Docking At CES|first=Brett|last=Howse|access-date=17 February 2016|archive-date=17 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160217050725/http://anandtech.com/show/9890/lenovo-launches-thinkvision-displays-with-usbc-docking-at-ces|url-status=live}}
==IdeaPad==
{{Main|IdeaPad}}
File:Lenovo IdeaPad.jpeg at a launch event in Japan, 2009]]
The IdeaPad line of consumer-oriented laptops was introduced in January 2008. The IdeaPad is the result of Lenovo's own research and development; Unlike the ThinkPad line, its design and branding were not inherited from IBM nor are they designed/developed by IBM.
The IdeaPad's design language differs markedly from the ThinkPad and has a more consumer-focused look and feel.{{cite web|title=Lenovo IdeaPad Hands-On Roundup|url=http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4188|quote=For starters, the design of the IdeaPads marks a significant change for Lenovo. Unlike the "all business" classic ThinkPad line that Lenovo inherited from IBM, the IdeaPads have a consumer-focused feel.|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105083135/http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4188|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Lenovo IdeaPad Hands-On Roundup|url=http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4188|quote=The glossy screens feature a flush-mount bezel which makes the transition from LCD to keyboard look incredibly smooth.|access-date=3 October 2011|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105083135/http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4188|url-status=live}}
On 21 September 2016, Lenovo confirmed that their Yoga series is not meant to be compatible with Linux operating systems, that they know it is impossible to install Linux on some models, and that it is not supported.{{cite web|url=http://news.lenovo.com/news-releases/corporate/lenovo-statement-on-linux-support-for-yoga.htm|title=Lenovo Statement on Linux Support for Yoga {{!}} Lenovo Newsroom|website=news.lenovo.com|access-date=2016-09-22|archive-date=26 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926133438/http://news.lenovo.com/news-releases/corporate/lenovo-statement-on-linux-support-for-yoga.htm|url-status=dead}} This came in the wake of media coverage of problems that users were having while trying to install Ubuntu on several Yoga models, including the 900 ISK2, 900 ISK For Business, 900S, and 710, which were traced back to Lenovo disabling and removing support for the AHCI storage mode for the device's Solid State Drive in the computer's BIOS, in favor of a RAID mode that is only supported by Windows 10 drivers that come with the system.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37431299|title=Lenovo's Signature laptops refuse to install Linux|date=2016-09-21|newspaper=BBC News|access-date=2016-09-22|archive-date=20 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120010725/https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-37431299|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2016/09/21/lenovo-confirms-that-linux-wont-work-on-yoga-900-and-900s-laptops/|title=Lenovo confirms that Linux won't work on Yoga 900 and 900S laptops|website=VentureBeat|date=22 September 2016|access-date=2016-09-22|archive-date=17 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170917214052/https://venturebeat.com/2016/09/21/lenovo-confirms-that-linux-wont-work-on-yoga-900-and-900s-laptops/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/lenovo-denies-deliberately-blocking-linux-on-windows-10-pcs/|title=Lenovo denies deliberately blocking Linux on Windows 10 PCs – TechRepublic|website=TechRepublic|date=21 September 2016 |access-date=2016-09-22|archive-date=24 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160924204418/http://www.techrepublic.com/article/lenovo-denies-deliberately-blocking-linux-on-windows-10-pcs/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-reportedly-blocking-linux-on-windows-10-signature-edition-pcs/|title=Lenovo reportedly blocking Linux on Windows 10 Signature Edition PCs (updated)|last=Kingsley-Hughes|first=Adrian|website=ZDNet|access-date=2016-09-22|archive-date=3 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200103141944/https://www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-reportedly-blocking-linux-on-windows-10-signature-edition-pcs/|url-status=live}} Lenovo has since released an alternative firmware that has restored the AHCI mode to the drive controller to allow installation of Linux operating systems.{{cite web|url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/10/28/lenovo_downward_dogs_with_yoga_bios_update_supporting_linux_installs/|title=Lenovo downward dogs with Yoga BIOS update supporting Linux installs|last=Martin|first=Alexander|date=28 October 2016|website=The Register|access-date=24 March 2019|archive-date=25 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190625232640/https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/10/28/lenovo_downward_dogs_with_yoga_bios_update_supporting_linux_installs/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/yoga-series/yoga-900-13isk2/downloads/ds119354|title=(Linux Only) BIOS Update for Windows 10 (64-bit) – Yoga 900-13ISK2 – US|website=pcsupport.lenovo.com|access-date=2019-03-24|archive-date=15 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715133451/https://pcsupport.lenovo.com/us/en/products/laptops-and-netbooks/yoga-series/yoga-900-13isk2/downloads/ds119354|url-status=live}}
==IdeaCentre==
{{Main|IdeaCentre}}
All IdeaCentres are all-in-one machines, combining processor and monitor into a single unit. The desktops were described by HotHardware as being "uniquely designed". The first IdeaCentre desktop, the IdeaCentre K210, was announced by Lenovo on 30 June 2008.{{cite web|title=Lenovo announces its first desktop, IdeaCentre K210|url=https://techcrunch.com/2008/06/30/lenovo-announces-its-first-desktop-ideacentre-k210/|access-date=22 September 2011|date=30 June 2008|archive-date=20 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920032015/http://techcrunch.com/2008/06/30/lenovo-announces-its-first-desktop-ideacentre-k210/|url-status=live}} While the IdeaCentre line consists only of desktops, it shares design elements and features with the IdeaPad line. One such feature was Veriface facial recognition technology.
At CES 2011, Lenovo announced the launch of four IdeaCentre desktops: the A320, B520, B320, and C205.{{cite web|title=Lenovo Introduces New Line Of IdeaCentre Desktops / All-In-One PCs At CES|url=http://hothardware.com/News/Lenovo-Introduces-New-Line-Of-IdeaCentre-Desktops--AllInOne-PCs-At-CES/|access-date=22 September 2011|first=Ray|last=Willington|date=4 January 2011|archive-date=5 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111205204030/http://hothardware.com/News/Lenovo%2DIntroduces%2DNew%2DLine%2DOf%2DIdeaCentre%2DDesktops%2D%2DAllInOne%2DPCs%2DAt%2DCES/|url-status=dead}} In the autumn of 2012, the firm introduced the more powerful IdeaCentre A720, with a 27-inch touchscreen display and running Windows 8.{{cite web|title=Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 Review|url=http://www.thinkcomputers.org/lenovo-ideacentre-a720-review/|access-date=19 November 2012|first=Bob|last=Buskirk|date=8 November 2012|archive-date=10 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121110155223/http://www.thinkcomputers.org/lenovo-ideacentre-a720-review/|url-status=live}} With a TV tuner and HDMI in, the A720 can also serve as a multimedia hub or home theater PC.{{cite web|title=Lenovo IdeaCentre A720 Review|url=http://www.thinkcomputers.org/lenovo-ideacentre-a720-review/5/|access-date=25 November 2012|date=8 November 2012|archive-date=17 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217040634/http://www.thinkcomputers.org/lenovo-ideacentre-a720-review/5/|url-status=live}}
In 2013, Lenovo added a table computer to the IdeaCentre line. The Lenovo IdeaCentre Horizon, introduced at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show is a 27-inch touchscreen computer designed to lay flat for simultaneous use by multiple people. Thanks to its use of Windows 8, the Horizon can also serve as a desktop computer when set upright.{{cite web |url=http://now.msn.com/lenovo-debuts-giant-ideacentre-horizon-table-pc |title=Lenovo debuts giant IdeaCentre Horizon Table PC |publisher=msnNOW.com |date=7 January 2013 |access-date=2013-02-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217032039/http://now.msn.com/lenovo-debuts-giant-ideacentre-horizon-table-pc |archive-date=17 February 2013 |df=dmy-all }}
==Legion and LOQ==
{{Main|Lenovo Legion|Lenovo LOQ}}
Legion is a series of laptops and tablets from Lenovo targeting gaming performance. The first Legion brand laptops was revealed at CES 2017, the Legion Y520 and the Legion Y720.{{cite web|title=Lenovo Legion Y720 and Y520 laptops launch for your gaming and VR needs|date=3 January 2017|url=https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-legion-y720-and-y520-laptop-launch-for-your-gaming-and-vr-needs-03469351/|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=27 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027045942/https://www.slashgear.com/lenovo-legion-y720-and-y520-laptop-launch-for-your-gaming-and-vr-needs-03469351/|url-status=live}} On 6 June 2017, a high-performance model, the Legion Y920, equipped with Intel's seventh-generation quad-core i7-7820HK and Nvidia GTX 1070 discrete graphics, was launched.{{cite web|title=Lenovo's Legion Y920 is a high-end gaming laptop (with a price to match)|date=18 May 2017 |url=https://www.techspot.com/news/69379-lenovo-legion-y920-high-end-gaming-laptop-price.html|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026035914/https://www.techspot.com/news/69379-lenovo-legion-y920-high-end-gaming-laptop-price.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Lenovo's Legion Gets Bigger with Y920: 17-inch G-SYNC, Core i7-K, GTX 1070, TB3|url=https://www.anandtech.com/show/11419/lenovos-legion-grows-bigger-with-y920-17-core-i7-kseries-geforce-gtx-1070|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026061231/https://www.anandtech.com/show/11419/lenovos-legion-grows-bigger-with-y920-17-core-i7-kseries-geforce-gtx-1070|url-status=live}}
At E3 2018, Lenovo announced three new laptops with new redesigned chassis, Y530, Y730 and Y7000.{{cite web|title=New Lenovo Legion Gaming PCs are Stylish on the Outside, Savage on the Inside|url=https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/new-lenovo-legion-gaming-pcs-are-stylish-on-the-outside-savage-on-the-inside/|access-date=23 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026230010/https://news.lenovo.com/pressroom/press-releases/new-lenovo-legion-gaming-pcs-are-stylish-on-the-outside-savage-on-the-inside/|url-status=live}}
In 2020, Lenovo launched Legion 3, 5, and 7, where Legion 7 is the highest specification of the series.
In 2021, Lenovo launched Legion 5 pro with AMD 5th series CPU and Nvidia 30s GPU.{{cite web|date=2021-11-10|title=Lenovo Legion 5 Pro review: Bargain for hardcore gamers|url=https://tech.hindustantimes.com/laptops-pc/reviews/lenovo-legion-5-pro-review-bargain-for-hardcore-gamers-71636513118947.html|access-date=2021-11-22|website=HT Tech|language=en}}
In March 2023, Lenovo launched the LOQ gaming sub-brand which is aimed towards budget and new-to-gaming markets.{{cite web |url=https://www.techradar.com/news/lenovo-launches-loq-gaming-laptops-under-dollar1000 |title=Lenovo launches LOQ affordable gaming laptops because we're all broke right now |website=TechRadar |date=23 March 2023}}{{cite web |url=https://www.techtimes.com/articles/289414/20230323/lenovo-unveils-newest-budget-friendly-loq-gaming-laptops-specs-prices.htm |title=Lenovo Unveils Newest Budget-Friendly LOQ Gaming Laptops: Specs, Prices, and More |website=Tech Times |date=23 March 2023}}
=Smartphones=
{{Main|Lenovo smartphones}}
File:ThinkPad Tablet 2.jpg from front and back]]
As of January 2013, Lenovo only manufactured phones that use the Android operating system from Google. Numerous press reports indicated that Lenovo planned to release a phone running Windows Phone 8, According to J. D. Howard, a vice president at Lenovo's mobile division, the company would release a Windows Phone product if there is market demand.{{cite web |url= http://www.mobilenapps.com/articles/6343/20130111/lenovo-windows-phone-8-plans-full-force-first-device-out.htm |title= Lenovo's Windows Phone 8 Plans In Full Force: First Device Out In 2013? |publisher= Mobile & apps |date= 2013-01-11 |access-date= 2013-09-28 |archive-date= 13 January 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130113025755/http://www.mobilenapps.com/articles/6343/20130111/lenovo-windows-phone-8-plans-full-force-first-device-out.htm |url-status= live }}
Lenovo has implemented an aggressive strategy to replace Samsung Electronics as Mainland China market's top smartphone vendor. It has spent $793.5 million in Wuhan in order to build a plant that can produce 30 to 40 million phones per year. Data from Analysys International shows that Lenovo experienced considerable growth in smartphone sales in China during 2012. Specifically, it saw its market share increase to 14.2% during 2012's third quarter, representing an increase when compared to 4.8% in the same quarter of 2011. IDC analysts said that Lenovo's success is due to its "aggressive ramping-up and improvements in channel partnerships". Analysys International analyst Wang Ying wrote, "Lenovo possesses an obvious advantage over rivals in terms of sales channels." The company's CEO, Yang Yuanqing, said, "Lenovo does not want to be the second player ... we want to be the best. Lenovo has the confidence to outperform Samsung and Apple, at least in the Chinese market."{{cite web |first=Zak |last=Islam |url=http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Lenovo-Smartphones-Manufacturer-Samsung-China,20231.html |title=Lenovo Aims to Beat Samsung as China's Top Smartphone Maker |publisher=Tomshardware.com |date=2013-01-14 |access-date=2013-09-28 }}
According to IHS iSuppli, Lenovo was a top-three smartphone maker in China with a 16.5% market share in the first quarter of 2012. According to a May report released by IDC Lenovo ranks fourth in the global tablet market by volume.{{cite news |title=Lenovo Spending $800 Million to Boost Smartphones, Tablets |first=Chloe |last=Albanesius |url=https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404055,00.asp |newspaper=PCMag |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=7 May 2012 |archive-date=12 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012054355/http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2404055,00.asp |url-status=live }} As of November 2012, Lenovo was the second largest seller of mobile phones in China when measured by volume.
In May 2013, Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing indicated that the company had aimed to release smartphones in the United States within the next year. Later in October, Lenovo expressed interest in acquiring the Canadian smartphone maker BlackBerry Limited. However, its attempt was reportedly blocked by the Government of Canada, citing security concerns due to the use of BlackBerry devices by prominent members of the government. An official stated that "we have been pretty consistent that the message is Canada is open to foreign investment and investment from China in particular but not at the cost of compromising national security".{{cite web|title=Lenovo's BlackBerry takeover was reportedly thwarted by the Canadian government|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/11/5/5069430/lenovo-bid-for-blackberry-blocked-by-canadian-government|work=The Verge|date=5 November 2013|access-date=30 January 2014|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125143217/http://www.theverge.com/2013/11/5/5069430/lenovo-bid-for-blackberry-blocked-by-canadian-government|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Lenovo wants to sell phones in the US within a year|url=https://www.theverge.com/2013/5/26/4367726/lenovo-looks-to-bring-its-smartphones-to-the-us-market-within-a-year|work=The Verge|date=26 May 2013|access-date=30 January 2014|archive-date=2 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202094254/http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/26/4367726/lenovo-looks-to-bring-its-smartphones-to-the-us-market-within-a-year|url-status=live}}
In January 2014, Lenovo announced a proposed deal to acquire Motorola Mobility to bolster its plans for the U.S. market.{{cite web|title=Google sells Motorola to Lenovo for $2.91 billion|url=https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/29/5358620/lenovo-reportedly-buying-motorola-mobility-from-google|work=The Verge|date=29 January 2014|access-date=30 January 2014|archive-date=4 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004013559/https://www.theverge.com/2014/1/29/5358620/lenovo-reportedly-buying-motorola-mobility-from-google|url-status=live}} Microsoft officially announced that Lenovo had become the hardware partner of Windows Phone platform at the Mobile World Congress 2014.{{cite web|url=http://gsminsider.com/2014/02/lenovo-windows-phone-news/|title=Microsoft Announces Motorola Owner Lenovo As New Windows Phone Hardware Partner|access-date=23 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223182448/http://gsminsider.com/2014/02/lenovo-windows-phone-news/|archive-date=23 February 2014|url-status=dead}} In January 2016, Lenovo announced at CES that the company would be producing the first Tango phone.By author, outlet. "[https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/07/lenovo-is-making-the-first-google-project-tango-phone/ Lenovo Is Making The First Google Project Tango Phone] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622035518/https://techcrunch.com/2016/01/07/lenovo-is-making-the-first-google-project-tango-phone/ |date=22 June 2017 }}." 8 January 2016.
Lenovo plus Motorola was the 3rd largest producer of smartphones by volume in the world between 2011 and 2014.{{cite web | title=How Samsung, Apple, Huaaei Lenovo, Xiaomi performed in 2015 | date=28 January 2016 | publisher=telecomlead | url=http://www.telecomlead.com/telecom-statistics/samsung-apple-huawei-lenovo-xiaomi-performed-2015-66927 | access-date=11 June 2017 | archive-date=7 April 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160407213409/http://www.telecomlead.com/telecom-statistics/samsung-apple-huawei-lenovo-xiaomi-performed-2015-66927 | url-status=live }} Since Lenovo's acquisition of Motorola Mobility, the combined global market share of Lenovo plus Motorola has fallen from 7.2% in 2014 to 3.9% in the third quarter of 2016.{{cite web |title=Press Release: Apple, Huawei, and Xiaomi Finish 2015 with Above Average Year-Over-Year Growth, as Worldwide Smartphone Shipments Surpass 1.4 Billion for the Year, According to IDC |date=27 January 2016 |publisher=IDC |url=https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS40980416 |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170607065424/https://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=prUS40980416 |archive-date=7 June 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |publisher=Lenovo Group Limited |title=2016/17 Interim Report |access-date=8 June 2017 |url=https://www.lenovo.com/ww/lenovo/pdf/report/E_099220161114a.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506095429/https://www.lenovo.com/ww/lenovo/pdf/report/E_099220161114a.pdf |url-status=live }} A number of factors have been cited as the cause of this reduced demand, including the fact that Lenovo relied heavily on carriers to sell its phones, its phones lacked strong branding and unique features to distinguish them in the competitive Chinese market where a weak economy and saturated market is slowing demand{{cite web |first=John |last=Kang |date=29 September 2016 |title=What Happened To Lenovo, Once A Top Chinese Smartphone Maker? |newspaper=Forbes |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkang/2016/09/29/what-happened-to-lenovo-once-chinas-top-smartphone-maker/#294c410d7031 |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-date=28 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161228013632/http://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkang/2016/09/29/what-happened-to-lenovo-once-chinas-top-smartphone-maker/#294c410d7031 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |first=John |last=Pletz |date=25 August 2015 |title=Lenovo's problem isn't Moto |url=http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150825/BLOGS11/150829959/lenovos-problem-isnt-moto |newspaper=Crain's Chicago Business |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042320/https://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20150825/BLOGS11/150829959/lenovo-s-problem-isn-t-moto |url-status=live }} and the culture clash between a more hierarchical PC company and the need to be nimble to sell rapidly-evolving smartphones.{{cite web |title=Lenovo and Motorola are repeating the mistakes of HP and Palm |first=Vlad |last=Savov |date=17 May 2016 |newspaper=The Verge |url=https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/17/11097990/lenovo-motorola-hp-palm-mistakes |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042322/https://www.theverge.com/2016/5/17/11097990/lenovo-motorola-hp-palm-mistakes |url-status=live }} In response to the weak sales, Lenovo announced in August 2015 that it would lay off 3,200 employees, mostly in its Motorola smartphone business.{{cite web |title=Lenovo battles with Motorola problems, sacks 3200 |date=14 August 2015 |first=Graeme |last=Philipson |publisher=ITWire |url=https://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/mobility/69015-lenovo-battles-with-motorola-problems |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-date=19 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219165520/http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/mobility/69015-lenovo-battles-with-motorola-problems |url-status=live }}
In the reorganization which followed, Lenovo was uncertain how to brand its Motorola smartphones. In November 2015, members of Lenovo management made statements that Lenovo would use the Motorola brand for all its smartphones.{{cite web |title=(Updated) Report: Lenovo Mobile to be dissolved and sell all phones under the Motorola branding |first=Matthew |last=Benson |date=24 November 2015 |publisher=Android Authority |url=http://www.androidauthority.com/report-says-lenovo-mobile-will-be-dissolved-and-merged-with-motorola-637304/ |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-date=12 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312055101/http://www.androidauthority.com/report-says-lenovo-mobile-will-be-dissolved-and-merged-with-motorola-637304/ |url-status=live }} Then, in January 2016, Lenovo announced that it would be eliminating the Motorola brand in favor of "Moto by Lenovo". The company reversed course in March 2017 and announced that the Motorola brand name would be used in all regions in future products. "In 2016, we just finished transforming ourselves," Motorola Chairman and President Aymar de Lencquesaing said in an interview, "We have clarity on how we present ourselves."{{cite web |first=Roger |last=Cheng |date=1 March 2017 |title=Moto Z, this is your mission: Make Motorola relevant again |website=CNET |url=https://www.cnet.com/news/motorola-phones-moto-z-motomods-mission-lenovo-mwc-2017/ |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-date=27 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527172527/https://www.cnet.com/news/motorola-phones-moto-z-motomods-mission-lenovo-mwc-2017/ |url-status=live }}
=Smart televisions=
{{Main|Lenovo LeTV}}
File:Lenovo A30 TV Set Top Box.jpg
In November 2011, Lenovo said it would soon unveil a Smart TV product called LeTV, expected for release in the first quarter of 2012. "The PC, communications and TV industries are currently undergoing a "smart" transformation. In the future, users will have many smart devices and will desire an integrated experience of hardware, software and cloud services." Liu Jun, president of Lenovo's mobile-Internet and digital-home-business division.{{cite news |title=Lenovo Sets Web-Linked TV |first1= Loretta |last1=Chao |first2=Owen |last2=Fletcher |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=30 November 2011}} In June 2013 Lenovo announced a partnership with Sharp to produce smart televisions. In March 2014, Lenovo announced that it projected smart television sales surpassing one million units for 2014. The same month Lenovo released its flagship S9 Smart TV.{{cite web|url=http://www.ecns.cn/business/2014/03-28/107117.shtml|title=Lenovo aims to sell 1m smart TVs|access-date=7 April 2014|archive-date=8 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140408220833/http://www.ecns.cn/business/2014/03-28/107117.shtml|url-status=live}}
=Wearables=
Rumors that Lenovo was developing a wearable device were confirmed in October 2014 after the company submitted a regulatory finding to the Federal Communications Commission. The device, branded a "Smartband", has a battery life of seven days. It has an optical heart-rate monitor and can be used to track distance and time spent running and calories burned. It can also notify the user of incoming calls and texts.{{cite web|url=http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/391096/lenovo-smartband-has-seven-day-battery-life#ixzz3FNgMCvwS|title=Lenovo smartband has seven-day battery life|access-date=6 October 2014|archive-date=8 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008080941/http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/391096/lenovo-smartband-has-seven-day-battery-life#ixzz3FNgMCvwS|url-status=live}} It can also unlock computers without the use of a password. The Smartband went on sale in October 2014. Lenovo started offering the device for sale on its website without a formal product announcement.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/lenovos-smartband-doesnt-just-track-your-fitness-it-unlocks-your-computer/|title=Lenovo Smartband doesn't just track fitness, it unlocks your computer|date=27 October 2014|publisher=CBS Interactive|work=CNET|access-date=20 February 2020|archive-date=18 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718030623/https://www.cnet.com/news/lenovos-smartband-doesnt-just-track-your-fitness-it-unlocks-your-computer/|url-status=live}}
=IoT / Smart Home=
In 2015 Lenovo launched a strategic cooperation with IngDan ({{lang|zh|硬蛋}}), a subsidiary of Chinese electronics e-commerce company Cogobuy Group, to penetrate into the intelligent hardware sector.{{cite web|url=https://www.marketscreener.com/COGOBUY-GROUP-16917146/news/Cogobuy-Lenovo-to-Build-Intelligent-Hardware-Ecosystem-20455145/|title=Cogobuy : Lenovo to Build Intelligent Hardware Ecosystem {{!}} MarketScreener|last=MarketScreener|date=2015-05-28|website=www.marketscreener.com|access-date=2019-01-21|archive-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121175122/https://www.marketscreener.com/COGOBUY-GROUP-16917146/news/Cogobuy-Lenovo-to-Build-Intelligent-Hardware-Ecosystem-20455145/|url-status=live}} Lenovo wanted to procure High-Tech hardware in the then newly emerging Internet of Things (IoT) economy{{cite web|url=https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2015/lenovo-urges-biz-to-procure-high-tech-hardware/|title=Lenovo Urges Biz To Procure High-Tech Hardware|last=PYMNTS|date=2015-06-01|website=PYMNTS.com|access-date=2019-01-21|archive-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121143521/https://www.pymnts.com/news/b2b-payments/2015/lenovo-urges-biz-to-procure-high-tech-hardware/|url-status=live}} and formed a strategic partnership with Cogobuy in which it previously primarily bought IC components from.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2016/05/20/sales-surge-56-cogobuys-electronics-marketplaces/|title=Sales surge 56% on Cogobuy's electronics marketplaces|last=Nona|first=Tepper|date=2016-05-20|website=Digital Commerce 360|access-date=2019-01-21|archive-date=21 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121175116/https://www.digitalcommerce360.com/2016/05/20/sales-surge-56-cogobuys-electronics-marketplaces/|url-status=live}} Cogobuy's supply chain was utilized by Lenovo to procure consumer devices and bridge gaps in their proprietary hardware and software development.{{cite web|url=https://www.avaval.com/zh-hk/our-experience/143-english/news-feed/2237-1420418-en20418-0|title=艾華迪集團 – Cogobuy Launches Strategic Cooperation with Lenovo to Build Intelligent Hardware Open Ecosystem|date=2015-05-29|website=www.avaval.com|access-date=2019-01-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190121232519/https://www.avaval.com/zh-hk/our-experience/143-english/news-feed/2237-1420418-en20418-0|archive-date=21 January 2019|url-status=dead}} At the IFA 2018, Lenovo launched several Home automation products.{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/30/lenovo-launches-a-bunch-of-smart-home-products/|title=Lenovo launches a bunch of smart home products|date=30 August 2018|publisher=TC techcrunch|first=Brian|last=Heater|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-date=5 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905115235/https://techcrunch.com/2018/08/30/lenovo-launches-a-bunch-of-smart-home-products/|url-status=live}}
=Lenovo Connect=
At the Mobile World Congress in 2016, Lenovo introduced Lenovo Connect, a wireless roaming service. This service works across devices, networks, and borders for customers in China and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East and Africa). Lenovo Connect eliminates the need to buy new SIM cards when crossing borders. Lenovo Connect started service for phones and select ThinkPad laptops in China in February 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/mobility/300079742/mobile-world-congress-2016-8-breakthrough-products-lenovo-just-revealed.htm/pgno/0/6?itc=refresh|title=Mobile World Congress 2016: 8 Breakthrough Products Lenovo Just Revealed|first=Lindsey|last=O'Donnell|work=CRN|date=21 February 2016|access-date=8 March 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308224954/http://www.crn.com/slide-shows/mobility/300079742/mobile-world-congress-2016-8-breakthrough-products-lenovo-just-revealed.htm/pgno/0/6?itc=refresh|url-status=live}}
Operations
Lenovo has operations in over 60 countries,{{cite web |date=20 March 2016 |title=How Lenovo Became The Largest PC Maker In The World |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jnylander/2016/03/20/how-lenovo-became-the-largest-pc-maker-in-the-world/?sh=2990cf3e388b |website=Forbes}} and sells its products in around 180 countries.{{cite web |title=Who We Are |url=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/about/whoweare/?orgRef=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.google.com%252F |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=Lenovo US}} Lenovo's principal facilities are in Beijing, Singapore, and Morrisville, North Carolina, United States, with research centers in Beijing, Singapore, Morrisville, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Chengdu, Nanjing,{{cite news|url=http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/2012-10/20/content_15833823.htm|title=Lenovo snaps up former Motorola employees|date=20 October 2012|first=Tuo|last=Yannan|work=China Daily|access-date=25 January 2016|archive-date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201182515/http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/us/2012-10/20/content_15833823.htm|url-status=live}} Wuhan{{cite web|url=https://thenextweb.com/asia/2012/05/07/lenovo-begins-work-on-800m-chinese-research-center-to-boost-mobile-innovation/|title=Lenovo Plans $800 Million Mobile Innovation Center in China|first=Jon|last=Russell|work=The Next Web|date=7 May 2012|access-date=18 June 2018|archive-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906014146/https://thenextweb.com/asia/2012/05/07/lenovo-begins-work-on-800m-chinese-research-center-to-boost-mobile-innovation/|url-status=live}} and Yamato (Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan).[http://www.lenovo.com/lenovo/US/en/locations.html Locations] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100714075115/http://www.lenovo.com/lenovo/US/en/locations.html |date=14 July 2010 }}, Lenovo.com (US). Retrieved 22 October 2009. Lenovo operates manufacturing facilities in Chengdu and Hefei in China, and in Japan. A {{convert|7500|ft2|m2|order=flip|abbr=out|adj=on}} global flagship opened in Beijing in February 2013.{{cite news |first=Bruce |last=Einhorn |date=3 January 2013 |title=In China's Smartphone Market, Lenovo Gets Busy |magazine=Bloomberg Businessweek |at=businessweek.com |url=http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-03/in-chinas-smartphone-market-lenovo-gets-busy |access-date=26 January 2013 |archive-date=21 January 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130121233227/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-01-03/in-chinas-smartphone-market-lenovo-gets-busy |url-status=dead }}
File:Shenzhen Lenovo building 2018.jpg, Guangdong]]
Lenovo's manufacturing operations are a departure from the usual industry practice of outsourcing to contract manufacturers. Lenovo instead focuses on vertical integration in order to avoid excessive reliance on original equipment manufacturers and to keep down costs.{{cite news |title=Lenovo to Build Production Base in Argentina |newspaper=SinoCast Daily Business Beat |date=19 December 2011}} Speaking on this topic, Yang Yuanqing said, "Selling PCs is like selling fresh fruit. The speed of innovation is very fast, so you must know how to keep up with the pace, control inventory, to match supply with demand and handle very fast turnover." Lenovo benefited from its vertical integration after flooding affected hard-drive manufacturers in Thailand in 2011, as the company could continue manufacturing operations by shifting production towards products for which hard drives were still available.{{cite web |url=http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/Lenovo_seeks_to_build_its_brand.news?ID=30086 |title=Lenovo seeks to build its brand |date=10 July 2012 |publisher=Warc |access-date=10 July 2012 |archive-date=2 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102061041/http://www.warc.com/LatestNews/News/Lenovo_seeks_to_build_its_brand.news?ID=30086 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=As Rivals Outsource, Lenovo Keeps Production In-House |first=Loretta |last=Chao |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303302504577325522699291362 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=12 July 2012 |date=9 July 2012 |archive-date=11 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311070306/http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303302504577325522699291362 |url-status=live }}
Lenovo began to emphasize vertical integration after a meeting in 2009 in which CEO Yang Yuanqing, and the head of Lenovo's supply chain, analyzed the costs versus the benefits of in-house manufacturing, and decided to make at least 50% of Lenovo's manufacturing in-house. Lenovo Chief Technology Officer George He said that vertical integration is having an important role in product development. He stated, "If you look at the industry trends, most innovations for" PCs, smartphones, tablets and smart TVs are related to innovation of key components—display, battery and storage. Differentiation of key parts is so important. So we started investing more ... and working very closely with key parts suppliers." Previously, lack of integration due to numerous foreign acquisitions and an excessive number of "key performance indicators" (KPIs) was making Lenovo's expansion expensive and creating unacceptably slow delivery times to end-customers. Lenovo responded by reducing the number of KPIs from 150 to 5, offering intensive training to managers, and working to create a global Lenovo culture. Lenovo also doubled-down on vertical integration and manufacturing near target markets in order to cut costs at time when its competitors were making increased use of outsourcing offshoring. By 2013, Lenovo ranked 20th on Gartner's list of top 50 supply chains, whereas in 2010 the company was unranked.{{cite web|url=http://www.strategy-business.com/article/00274?pg=2|title=Lenovo Goes Global|first=William J.|last=Holstein|date=8 August 2014|work=strategy+business|access-date=12 August 2014|archive-date=12 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210412/http://www.strategy-business.com/article/00274?pg=2|url-status=live}}
In 2012, Lenovo partially moved production of its ThinkPad line of computers to Japan. ThinkPads will be produced by NEC in Yamagata Prefecture. {{nihongo|Akemi Watanabe|渡辺朱美|Watanabe Akemi}}, president of Lenovo Japan, said, "As a Japanese, I am glad to see the return to domestic production and the goal is to realize full-scale production as this will improve our image and make the products more acceptable to Japanese customers."{{cite news |title=Lenovo Moves ThinkPad Production Back to Japan |first=Constantin |last=Murariu |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/Lenovo-Moves-ThinkPad-Production-Back-to-Japan-279443.shtml |newspaper=Softpedia |date=5 July 2012 |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-date=9 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120709034726/http://news.softpedia.com/news/Lenovo-Moves-ThinkPad-Production-Back-to-Japan-279443.shtml |url-status=live }}
In October 2012, Lenovo announced that it would start assembling computers in Whitsett, North Carolina. Production of desktop and laptop computers, including the ThinkPad Helix began in January 2013. {{As of|July 2013}}, 115 workers were employed at this facility. Lenovo has been in Whitsett since 2008, where it also has centers for logistics, customer service, and return processing.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231969/Lenovo_to_open_first_U.S._manufacturing_plant_in_N.C._|title=Lenovo to open first U.S. manufacturing plant in N.C.|magazine=Computerworld|date=2 October 2012|access-date=4 October 2012|archive-date=13 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121013234601/http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9231969/Lenovo_to_open_first_U.S._manufacturing_plant_in_N.C._|url-status=live}}{{cite web |first=Kelly |last=Poe |url=http://www.news-record.com/news/article_b1b9cb78-cdf8-11e2-ab5d-0019bb30f31a.html |title=Lenovo cranks up Whitsett plant |publisher=News-Record.com |date=2013-06-05 |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042328/https://greensboro.com/news/article_b1b9cb78-cdf8-11e2-ab5d-0019bb30f31a.html |url-status=live }}
In 2015, Lenovo and Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, a government-sponsored business park for technology firms, reached a deal to "jointly build a cloud service and product research and development center".{{cite news |author= |title=Lenovo Group Will Build Development Center In Hong Kong's Cyberport |url=http://www.chinatechnews.com/2015/02/09/21401-lenovo-group-will-build-development-center-in-hong-kongs-cyberport |newspaper=China Tech News |agency=Asia Media Network |date=2015-02-09 |access-date=2015-03-09 |archive-date=17 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150317151152/http://www.chinatechnews.com/2015/02/09/21401-lenovo-group-will-build-development-center-in-hong-kongs-cyberport |url-status=live }} Lenovo's Asia Pacific data center will also be housed in Cyperport.
Lenovo assembles smartphones in Chennai, India through a contract manufacturing agreement with Flex.{{cite news |author= |title=Lenovo looking to double local production in India by next year: Report |url=http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/lenovo-looking-to-double-local-production-in-india-next-year-report-289099.html |newspaper=Tech 2 |location=India |date=26 November 2015 |access-date=1 December 2015 |archive-date=28 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151128051325/http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/lenovo-looking-to-double-local-production-in-india-next-year-report-289099.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tech/lenovo-to-locally-manufacture-over-50-of-its-devices-in-2016-1198007.html|title=Lenovo to locally manufacture over 50% of its devices in 2016|work=IBNLive|access-date=4 February 2016|archive-date=6 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160206223817/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/tech/lenovo-to-locally-manufacture-over-50-of-its-devices-in-2016-1198007.html|url-status=live}} In November 2015, Lenovo announced that it would start manufacturing computers in Pondicherry.{{cite news |author= |title=We will Make in India to sell in India: Yang Yuanqing |url=http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-top-story/we-will-make-in-india-to-sell-in-india-yang-yuanqing-115112000051_1.html |newspaper=india Infoline News Service |location=India |date=20 November 2015 |access-date=6 November 2015 |archive-date=5 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205151241/http://www.indiainfoline.com/article/news-top-story/we-will-make-in-india-to-sell-in-india-yang-yuanqing-115112000051_1.html |url-status=live }}
=Accusations of slave labor by supplier=
In August 2020, The Intercept reported that Lenovo imported about 258,000 laptops from the Chinese manufacturer Hefei Bitland Information Technology, a company, among others, accused by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute of using Uyghur forced labor. In July 2020, the United States Commerce Department added 11 companies, including Hefei Bitland, implicated in human rights abuses on the Entity List. Lenovo took some shipments out of the distribution, but other shipments were distributed to consumers.{{cite web|last1=Hvistendahl|first1=Mara|last2=Fang|first2=Lee|date=2020-08-21|title=Kids May Be Using Laptops Made With Forced Labor This Fall|url=https://theintercept.com/2020/08/21/school-laptops-lenovo-chromebooks-china-uyghur/|access-date=2020-08-24|website=The Intercept|language=en-US|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824104921/https://theintercept.com/2020/08/21/school-laptops-lenovo-chromebooks-china-uyghur/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Ruser|first=Vicky Xiuzhong Xu, Danielle Cave, James Leibold, Kelsey Munro, Nathan|title=Uyghurs for sale|url=https://www.aspi.org.au/report/uyghurs-sale|access-date=2020-08-24|website=www.aspi.org.au|language=en|archive-date=24 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824215335/https://www.aspi.org.au/report/uyghurs-sale|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Commerce Department Adds Eleven Chinese Entities Implicated in Human Rights Abuses in Xinjiang to the Entity List|url=https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2020/07/commerce-department-adds-eleven-chinese-entities-implicated-human|access-date=2020-08-24|website=U.S. Department of Commerce|language=en|archive-date=21 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200721012800/https://www.commerce.gov/news/press-releases/2020/07/commerce-department-adds-eleven-chinese-entities-implicated-human|url-status=live}}
In late July, Lenovo informed its customers it had stopped manufacturing with Bitland and was moving production of related devices to other suppliers.{{Cite news|title=U.S. faces back-to-school laptop shortage|language=en-US|newspaper=Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/ap-exclusive-us-faces-back-to-school-laptop-shortage/2020/08/22/13281908-e4eb-11ea-82d8-5e55d47e90ca_story.html|access-date=2021-12-07|issn=0190-8286}}
Corporate affairs
=Business trends=
The key trends for Lenovo are (as of the financial year ending March 31):{{Cite web |title=Lenovo Group Fundamentalanalyse {{!}} KGV {{!}} Kennzahlen |url=https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/Lenovo-Group-Aktie/HK0992009065 |access-date=2024-07-23 |website=boerse.de |language=de}}{{Cite web |date=2022-12-03 |title=Lenovo Group Key Figures (2013-2020) |url=https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/Lenovo-Group-Aktie/HK0992009065#guv |access-date=2024-07-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203102125/https://www.boerse.de/fundamental-analyse/Lenovo-Group-Aktie/HK0992009065#guv |archive-date=3 December 2022 }}
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! !Revenue (US$ bn) !Net profit (US$ bn) !Total assets (US$ bn) !Employees |
2013
|33.8 |0.63 |16.8 |35,000 |
2014
|38.7 |0.81 |18.3 |54,000 |
2015
|46.2 |0.82 |27.0 |60,000 |
2016
|44.9 |−0.12 |24.9 |60,000 |
2017
|43.0 |0.53 |27.1 |52,000 |
2018
|45.3 |−0.18 |28.4 |54,000 |
2019
|51.0 |0.59 |29.9 |57,000 |
2020
|50.7 |0.66 |32.1 |57,000 |
2021
|60.7 |1.1 |37.9 |71,500 |
2022
|71.6 |2.0 |44.5 |75,000 |
2023
|61.9 |1.6 |38.9 |77,000 |
2024
|56.8 |1.1 |38.7 |69,500 |
=Headquarters=
File:Taikoo Place.jpg is in Taikoo Place, Hong Kong.]]
Alongside Beijing, the company has operational centres in Lorong Chuan, Singapore, and Morrisville, North Carolina"[http://www.lenovo.com/lenovo/xe/en/locations.html Locations]". ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130217051211/http://www.lenovo.com/lenovo/xe/en/locations.html Archive]) Lenovo. Retrieved on 12 October 2012. "Executive Headquarters Morrisville 1009 Think Place Morrisville, NC 27560 USA""[http://www.lenovo.com.cn/Public/public_bottom/contact.shtml 联系我们]". ([https://web.archive.org/web/20121005114302/http://www.lenovo.com.cn/Public/public_bottom/contact.shtml Archive]) Lenovo. Retrieved on 12 October 2012. "行政总部 地址:1009 Think Place Morrisville, NC 27560 USA" (near Raleigh in the Research Triangle metropolitan area)"[http://www2.nccommerce.com/eclipsfiles/13646.pdf Lenovo plans HQ in N.C.]" ([https://web.archive.org/web/20130615074231/http://www2.nccommerce.com/eclipsfiles/13646.pdf Archive]) Associated Press at the Charlotte Observer. Friday 17 March 2006. Retrieved on 12 October 2012. in the United States.McGregor, [https://archive.org/details/partysecretworld00rich p. 204]. As of October 2012, the Morrisville facility has about 2,000 employees.{{cite news |url=http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/news/article.asp?docKey=600-201210100004KRTRIB__BUSNEWS_58_17343-1¶ms=timestamp%7C%7C10/10/2012%2012:04%20AM%20ET%7C%7Cheadline%7C%7CLenovo%20launches%20'convertible'%20tablets%20%5BThe%20News%20%26%20Observer%20(Raleigh%2C%20N.C.)%5D%7C%7CdocSource%7C%7CKnight%20Ridder/Tribune%7C%7Cprovider%7C%7CACQUIREMEDIA%7C%7Cbridgesymbol%7C%7CUS;AAPL&ticker=AAPL |title=Lenovo launches "convertible" tablets |newspaper=The News & Observer |location=Raleigh, N.C. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728190630/http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/news/article.asp?docKey=600-201210100004KRTRIB__BUSNEWS_58_17343-1¶ms=timestamp%7C%7C10%2F10%2F2012%2012%3A04%20AM%20ET%7C%7Cheadline%7C%7CLenovo%20launches%20%27convertible%27%20tablets%20%5BThe%20News%20%26%20Observer%20%28Raleigh%2C%20N.C.%29%5D%7C%7CdocSource%7C%7CKnight%20Ridder%2FTribune%7C%7Cprovider%7C%7CACQUIREMEDIA%7C%7Cbridgesymbol%7C%7CUS%3BAAPL&ticker=AAPL |archivedate=28 July 2013 |date=10 October 2012}} Lenovo identifies its facilities in Beijing, Singapore, and Morrisville as its "key location addresses","[https://www.teamkci.com/lenovo-factsheet-2012-march Fact Sheet Mar 2012]". teamkci.com. Retrieved on 18 March 2012. where its principal operations occur. The company's registered office is on the 23rd floor of the Lincoln House building of the Taikoo Place in Quarry Bay, Hong Kong."[http://www.lenovo.com/ww/lenovo/pdf/report/E_099220120531d.pdf 2011/12 Annual Report Lenovo Group Limited]". ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120710223157/http://www.lenovo.com/ww/lenovo/pdf/report/E_099220120531d.pdf Archive]) Lenovo. p. 177. Retrieved on 12 October 2012. "REGISTERED OFFICE 23rd Floor, Lincoln House, Taikoo Place, 979 King's Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong"
Previously the company's U.S. headquarters were in Purchase, Harrison, New York. About 70 people worked there. In 2006, Lenovo announced that it was consolidating its U.S. headquarters, a logistics facility in Boulder, Colorado, and a call center in Atlanta, to a new facility in Morrisville. The company received offers of over $11 million in incentive funds from the local Morrisville, North Carolina, area and from the State of North Carolina on the condition that the company employs about 2,200 people.Hogan, Patrick. "Lenovo shifting U.S. headquarters to Morrisville, but will cut 300–350 Triangle jobs". Triangle Business Journal. Thursday 16 March 2006. Updated Friday 17 March 2006. [http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2006/03/13/daily27.html p.1] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217105009/http://www.bizjournals.com/triangle/stories/2006/03/13/daily27.html |date=17 February 2013 }}. Retrieved on 12 October 2012. In early 2016, Lenovo carried out a comprehensive restructuring of its business units.{{cite news |last=Yin |first=Dave |date=21 March 2016 |title=Lenovo completely restructures major business units and senior leadership |url=http://www.computerdealernews.com/news/lenovo-completely-restructures-major-business-units-and-senior-leadership/47118 |newspaper=CDN |access-date=11 April 2016 |archive-date=3 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403231517/http://www.computerdealernews.com/news/lenovo-completely-restructures-major-business-units-and-senior-leadership/47118 |url-status=usurped }}
=Ownership=
In 2009, China Oceanwide Holdings Group, a private Investment company based in Beijing, bought 29% of Legend Holdings, the parent company of Lenovo, for ¥2.76 billion.{{cite news |title= China Oceanwide buys Lenovo parent stake for $404 mln |publisher= Thomson-Reuters. |date= 4 September 2009 |url= https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssITServicesConsulting/idUSSHA6289420090904 |first= Melanie |last= Lee |access-date= 1 July 2017 |archive-date= 11 February 2021 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20210211035954/https://www.reuters.com/article/rbssITServicesConsulting/idUSSHA6289420090904 |url-status= live }} {{As of|2018|3|31}}, 65% of Lenovo stock was held by the general public, 29% by Legend Holdings, 5.8% by Yang Yuanqing, and 0.2% by other directors.{{cite web|url=https://static.lenovo.com/ww/lenovo/investor_resources.html|title=Financial Information – Fact Sheet|access-date=5 September 2018|archive-date=6 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906090325/https://static.lenovo.com/ww/lenovo/investor_resources.html|url-status=live}}
Responding to claims that Lenovo is a state-owned enterprise, CEO Yang Yuanqing said, "Our company is a 100% market oriented company. Some people have said we are a state-owned enterprise. It's 100% not true. In 1984 the Chinese Academy of Sciences only invested $25,000 in our company. The purpose of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to invest in this company was that they wanted to commercialize their research results. The Chinese Academy of Sciences is a pure research entity in China, owned by the government. From this point, you could say we're different from state-owned enterprises. Secondly, after this investment, this company is run totally by the founders and management team. The government has never been involved in our daily operation, in important decisions, strategic direction, nomination of the CEO and top executives and financial management. Everything is done by our management team."{{cite news |title=Q&A; Chinese Computer Giant Showcases Capitalist Credentials; Chairman of Lenovo, which acquired IBM's PC unit, says the firm has few government ties |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=4 May 2006}}
As of 2014, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, owns 11.7% of Lenovo and IBM owns 37.8%.{{cite news |title=How Lenovo Built a Chinese Tech Giant |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-makes-bet-on-smartphones-1391081203 |newspaper=The Wall Street Journal |date=30 Jan 2014 |at=32.5% of 36% is 11.7% |access-date=6 August 2020 |archive-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803134907/https://www.wsj.com/articles/lenovo-makes-bet-on-smartphones-1391081203 |url-status=live}}
In early 2006, the U.S. State Department was harshly criticized for purchasing 16,000 computers from Lenovo. Critics argued that Lenovo was controlled by the Chinese government and a potential vehicle for espionage against the United States. Yang spoke out forcefully and publicly to defend Lenovo. He said, "We are not a government-controlled company." He pointed out that Lenovo pioneered China's transition to a market economy and that in the early 1990s had fought and beaten four state-owned enterprises that dominated the Chinese computer market. Those firms had the full backing of the state while Lenovo received no special treatment.{{cite news|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-04-19/lenovos-foreign-affairs|title=Lenovo's Foreign Affairs|first=Steve|last=Hamm|date=20 April 2006|url-access=subscription|access-date=8 February 2017|archive-date=11 February 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211075413/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2006-04-19/lenovos-foreign-affairs|url-status=live}} The State Department deal went through. Yang worried that fears about Lenovo's supposed connections to the Chinese government would be an ongoing issue in the United States. Yang worked to ease worries by communicating directly with Congress.
Yang dramatically increased his ownership stake by acquiring 797 million shares in 2011. As of June 2011, Yang owned an 8 per cent stake in Lenovo. He previously owned only 70 million shares. In a statement, Yang said, "While the transaction is a personal financial matter, I want to be very clear that my decision to make this investment is based on my strong belief in the company's very bright future. Our culture is built on commitment and ownership – we do what we say, and we own what we do. My decision to increase my holdings represents my steadfast belief in these principles."{{cite news |title=Lenovo CEO makes huge stock purchase |first=David |last=Ranii |newspaper=The News & Observer (Raleigh, North Carolina) |date=17 June 2011}}
=Corporate culture=
=Leadership=
==Yang Yuanqing==
{{Main|Yang Yuanqing}}
File:Yang Yuanqing.jpeg, Lenovo's Chairman and CEO]]
Yang Yuanqing is the chairman and chief executive officer of Lenovo. One of his major achievements was leading Lenovo to become the best-selling personal computer brand in China since 1997. In 2001, Bloomberg Businessweek named him one of Asia's rising stars in business.{{cite news|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/380f96ea-f3f0-11dd-9c4b-0000779fd2ac.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20150506202418/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/380f96ea-f3f0-11dd-9c4b-0000779fd2ac.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 May 2015|title=Lenovo chief replaced in reshuffle|date=6 February 2009|work=Financial Times|first=Kathrin|last=Hille|access-date=8 February 2009}} Yang was president and CEO of Lenovo until 2004, when Lenovo closed its acquisition of IBM's PC division, after which Yang was succeeded as Lenovo CEO by IBM's Stephen M. Ward Jr. Ward was succeeded by William Amelio on 20 December 2005. In February 2009, Yang replaced Amelio as CEO and has served in that capacity ever since. Yang was chairman of Lenovo's board from 2004 to 2008, and returned as chairman in 2012 alongside his role as CEO.
In 2012, Yang received a $3 million bonus as a reward for record profits, which he in turn redistributed to about 10,000 of Lenovo's employees. According to Lenovo spokesman, Jeffrey Shafer, Yang felt that it would be the right thing to, "redirect [the money] to the employees as a real tangible gesture for what they done." Shafer also said that Yang, who owns about eight per cent of Lenovo's stock, "felt that he was rewarded well simply as the owner of the company".{{cite news |title=CEO of Lenovo Gives $3 Million in Bonuses to Employees |first=Lyneka |last=Little |url=https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/07/ceo-of-lenovo-gives-3-million-in-bonuses-to-employees/ |newspaper=ABC News |date=23 July 2012 |access-date=3 August 2012 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042320/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business/2012/07/ceo-of-lenovo-gives-3-million-in-bonuses-to-employees/ |url-status=live }} The bonuses were mostly distributed among staff working in positions such as production and reception who received an average of {{CNY|2000}} or about {{US$|314}}. This was almost equivalent to a monthly salary of an average worker in China.{{cite news |title=Lenovo CEO Yang Yuanqing is sharing the wealth—literally |first=Jena |last=McGregor |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-leadership/post/lenovo-ceo-yang-yuanqing-is-sharing-the-wealthliterally/2012/07/24/gJQA3VBJ7W_blog.html |newspaper=Washington Post |date=25 July 2012 |access-date=4 August 2012 |archive-date=31 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120731123213/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-leadership/post/lenovo-ceo-yang-yuanqing-is-sharing-the-wealthliterally/2012/07/24/gJQA3VBJ7W_blog.html |url-status=live }} Yang made a similar gift of {{US$|3.25 million}} again in 2013.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/02/lenovo-ceo-bonus-given-to-hourly-workers_n_3856763.html?ir=Business |work=Huffington Post |first=Caroline |last=Fairchild |title=CEO Shares $3.25 Million Bonus With Hourly Workers |date=2 September 2013 |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085712/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/02/lenovo-ceo-bonus-given-to-hourly-workers_n_3856763.html?ir=Business |url-status=live }}
According to Lenovo's annual report, Yang earned {{US$|14 million}}, including {{US$|5.2 million}} in bonuses, during the fiscal year that ended in March 2012.{{cite news|title=CEO gives part of his bonus to employees|first1=CY|last1=Xu|first2=Madison|last2=Park|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/19/business/lenovo-bonus-ceo/index.html|newspaper=CNN|date=25 July 2012|access-date=4 August 2012|archive-date=7 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507085317/https://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/19/business/lenovo-bonus-ceo/index.html|url-status=live}}
In 2013, Barron's named Yang one of the "World's Best CEOs".{{cite web |last=Bary |first=Andrew |url=http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052748704836204578362542870655514.html |title=Barron's Names World's Best CEOs - Barrons.com |publisher=Online.barrons.com |date=2013-03-25 |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-date=2 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002171908/http://online.barrons.com/article/SB50001424052748704836204578362542870655514.html |url-status=live }}
==Liu Chuanzhi==
{{Main|Liu Chuanzhi}}
Liu Chuanzhi is the founder and former chairman of Lenovo. Liu was trained as an engineer at a military college and later went on to work at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Like many young people during the Cultural Revolution, Liu was denounced and sent to the countryside where he worked as a laborer on a rice farm. Liu claims Hewlett-Packard as a key source of inspiration. In an interview with The Economist he stated that "Our earliest and best teacher was Hewlett-Packard." For more than ten years, Lenovo was Hewlett-Packard's distributor in China.{{cite news |title=Face value: Legend in the making |url=http://www.economist.com/node/780748 |newspaper=The Economist |date=15 September 2001 |access-date=6 February 2013 |archive-date=22 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622093652/http://www.economist.com/node/780748 |url-status=live }} In reference to Lenovo's later acquisition of IBM's personal computer unit Liu said, "I remember the first time I took part in a meeting of IBM agents. I was wearing an old business suit of my father's and I sat in the back row. Even in my dreams, I never imagined that one day we could buy the IBM PC business. It was unthinkable. Impossible."
==Board of directors==
In early 2013, Lenovo announced the addition of Yahoo! founder Jerry Yang to its board.{{cite news |last1=Mozur |first1=Paul |last2=Kim |first2=Yun-Hee |title=Jerry Yang Joins Lenovo Board as "Observer" |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323549204578315674228759996 |access-date=22 November 2020 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=20 February 2013 |archive-date=20 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201020183341/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424127887323549204578315674228759996 |url-status=live }} Lenovo's CEO Yang Yuanqing said, "Jerry's appointment as an observer to our board furthers Lenovo's reputation as a transparent international company." Just prior to the appointment of Jerry Yang, Tudor Brown, the founder of British semiconductor design firm ARM, was also appointed to Lenovo's board. Speaking of both men Yang Yuanqing said, "We believe that they will add a great deal to our strategic thinking, long-term direction and, ultimately, our ability to achieve our aspirations in the PC plus era."
Marketing and sponsorships
In 2009, Lenovo became the first personal computer manufacturer to divide countries into emerging markets and mature markets. Lenovo then developed a different set of strategies for each category. Lenovo's competitors have widely adopted the same approach. In 2012, Lenovo made a major effort to expand its market share in developing economies such as Brazil and India through acquisitions and increased budgets for marketing and advertising.
=Celebrity sponsorships and endorsements=
In October 2013, Lenovo announced that it had hired American actor Ashton Kutcher as a product engineer and spokesman. David Roman, Lenovo's chief marketing officer, said, "His partnership goes beyond traditional bounds by deeply integrating him into our organization as a product engineer. Ashton will help us break new ground by challenging assumptions, bringing a new perspective and contributing his technical expertise to Yoga Tablet and other devices."[https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/10/29/ashton-kutcher-joins-lenovo-as-newest-product-engineer/3306987/ Ashton Kutcher joins Lenovo as product engineer] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107022529/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2013/10/29/ashton-kutcher-joins-lenovo-as-newest-product-engineer/3306987/ |date=7 November 2017 }}. Usatoday.com (2013-10-30). Retrieved on 2013-12-08. Kobe Bryant became an official ambassador for Lenovo smartphones in China and Southeast Asia in early 2013.{{cite web |author1=Blue Focus |title=Lenovo Smartphone Launches its Major Branding Campaign by Allying with Kobe Bryant |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lenovo-smartphone-launches-its-major-branding-campaign-by-allying-with-kobe-bryant-219235791.html |website=PR Newswire |date=12 August 2013 |access-date=26 November 2020 |archive-date=13 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160313081434/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lenovo-smartphone-launches-its-major-branding-campaign-by-allying-with-kobe-bryant-219235791.html |url-status=live }} Bryant appeared in a social campaign titled "The Everyday Kobe Challenge" for the launch of Lenovo IdeaPhone K900 in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines in the same year.{{cite web |title=Kobe Bryant promotes Lenovo's K900 |url=https://www.marketing-interactive.com/kobe-bryant-promotes-lenovos-k900 |website=Marketing Interactive |date=17 September 2013 |access-date=26 November 2020 |archive-date=23 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923190855/http://www.marketing-interactive.com/kobe-bryant-promotes-lenovos-k900/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/27/business/international/lenovo-no-1-in-pcs-aims-at-us-smartphone-market.html?_r=0 |work=The New York Times |first=Eric |last=Pfanner |title=King of PCs, Lenovo Sets Smartphone Ambitions |date=26 December 2013 |access-date=27 February 2017 |archive-date=31 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231152904/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/12/27/business/international/lenovo-no-1-in-pcs-aims-at-us-smartphone-market.html?_r=0 |url-status=live }}
=Sporting sponsorship=
File:Official 2008 Summer Olympics Torch in Vilnius.jpg Torch was designed by Lenovo.]]
Lenovo was an official computer sponsor of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy, and the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. When asked about Lenovo's brand Yang Yuanqing said, "The Beijing Olympics were very good for brand awareness in countries like the US and Argentina, but not good enough."{{cite news |url= http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/it-business/the-world-according-to-yang-yuanqing-lenovo-chief-executive/story-e6frganx-1225850006476 |title=The world according to Yang Yuanqing, Lenovo chief |first=Foo |last=Fran |work=The Australian |date=6 April 2006 |quote=Outside |access-date=4 February 2013}} The NFL has been a Lenovo customer since 2007. In July 2012, Lenovo and the National Football League (NFL) announced that Lenovo had become the NFL's "Official Laptop, Desktop and Workstation Sponsor." Lenovo said that this was its largest sponsorship deal ever in the United States. NFL stars Jerry Rice, DeAngelo Williams, and Torry Holt were on hand for the announcement and a celebration with 1,500 Lenovo employees. Lenovo's sponsorship will last at least three years.{{cite news |title=Lenovo becomes an NFL sponsor |first=David |last=Ranii |url=http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/07/25/2220073/lenovo-joins-team-nfl.html#storylink=misearch |newspaper=News Observer |date=25 July 2012 |access-date=28 September 2012 |archive-date=7 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121007103148/http://www.newsobserver.com/2012/07/25/2220073/lenovo-joins-team-nfl.html#storylink=misearch |url-status=live }}
Lenovo is a technology partner of Ducati Corse in Grand Prix motorcycle racing since 2018. For the 2021 MotoGP it will become main sponsor for the Bolognese.{{cite news |url= https://www.sportspromedia.com/news/ducati-motogp-lenovo-title-sponsor|title=Ducati MotoGP team call up Lenovo as title sponsor|first=Sam |last=Carp |work=SportsPro |date=12 February 2021 |access-date=28 February 2021}}
Lenovo is also an official partner of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes who play in nearby Raleigh, North Carolina. In 2024, Lenovo bought the naming rights to the their arena, renaming it Lenovo Center.
Lenovo and FC Internazionale, in 2019, have signed a multi-year sponsorship agreement that makes Lenovo the Global Technology Partner of the Nerazzurri company.{{cite news |url=https://www.lenovo.com/us/en/smarter/sports/inter-milan-boosts-game-with-lenovo-tech/|title=With Lenovo tech, Inter keeps its brand at the top of the game|publisher=lenovo.com|access-date=26 June 2021}} In May 2021, Lenovo and Motorola Mobility decided to celebrate with a limited edition of Motorola Razr totally customized and produced in 2021 numbered pieces, to honor Inter who won their 19th Scudetto.{{cite news |url=https://www.inter.it/it/news/2021/05/14/inter-campione-d-italia-motorola-razr-5g-limited-edition.html|title=Motorola dedica all'Inter campione d'Italia un'esclusiva limited edition RAZR 5G |date= 14 May 2021|publisher=inter.it|access-date=26 June 2021|language=it}} In July 2021 there was the launch of the new Inter Home shirt for the 2021–22 season, they unveiled the introduction of Lenovo as a sponsor on the back of the shirt.{{cite news|url=https://www.inter.it/en/news/2021/07/13/partnership-inter-lenovo-back-of-shirt-sponsor.html|title=New chapter in the partnership between Inter and Lenovo|date=13 July 2021|website=inter.it|access-date=21 July 2021|language=en}} In October 2024, Lenovo was named the official technology partner of FIFA.{{cite web|url=https://inside.fifa.com/about-fifa/commercial/media-releases/lenovo-named-official-fifa-technology-partner|title=Lenovo named Official FIFA Technology Partner|publisher=FIFA|access-date=October 15, 2024}}
=Television, internet, and other media=
Lenovo used a short-film entitled The Pursuit in its "For Those Who Do" campaign launched in 2011. The film depicted a mysterious young woman using the IdeaPad Yoga 13 to stay one-step-ahead of her evil pursuers. Martin Campbell, who previously worked on action movies and James Bond films such as GoldenEye and the remake of Casino Royale, shot this film. Lenovo was the first Chinese company to make use of such marketing techniques.
In May 2015, Lenovo hosted its first ever "Tech World" conference in Beijing.{{cite news |last=Sacco |first=Dominic |date=6 June 2015 |title=Lenovo's new look, Smart Shoes and robot research – we look back on Tech World |url=http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/lenovo-s-new-look-smart-shoes-and-robot-research-we-look-back-on-tech-world/036319 |newspaper=PCR |location=United Kingdom |access-date=8 June 2015 |archive-date=7 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607171436/http://www.pcr-online.biz/news/read/lenovo-s-new-look-smart-shoes-and-robot-research-we-look-back-on-tech-world/036319 |url-status=live }} ZUK Mobile, a separate company formed by Lenovo in 2014, announced several products at Tech World. These included slim power banks, 3D printers that can print food such as chocolate, an outdoor sound box, and a Wi-Fi based control system for home automation.
=China=
In its home market China, Lenovo has a vast distribution network designed to make sure that there is at least one shop selling Lenovo computers within 50 kilometers of nearly all consumers. Lenovo has also developed close relationships with its Chinese distributors, who are granted exclusive territories and only carry Lenovo products.
As of July 2013, Lenovo believes that urbanization initiatives being pushed by former premier Li Keqiang will allow it to sustain sales growth in China for the foreseeable future. Speaking at Lenovo's annual general meeting in Hong Kong in 2013, Yang Yuanqing said: "I believe urbanisation will help us further increase the overall [domestic] PC market." Yang also stressed the opportunity presented by China's relatively low penetration rate of personal computers. Lenovo previously benefited from the Chinese government's rural subsidies, part of a wider economic stimulus initiative, designed to increase purchases of appliances and electronics. That program, which Lenovo joined in 2004, ended in 2011. Lenovo enjoys consistent price premiums over its traditional competitors in rural markets and a stronger local sales and service presence.{{cite news |last=Hille |first=Kathrin |url=http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/da66ab1e-e9fe-11e2-b2f4-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2Yk2jG67n |title=Lenovo optimistic about China's economy |newspaper=Financial Times |publisher=FT.com |date=2013-07-11 |access-date=2013-09-28 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303042321/https://www.ft.com/content/da66ab1e-e9fe-11e2-b2f4-00144feabdc0#axzz2Yk2jG67n |url-status=live }}
=India=
Lenovo has gained significant market share in India through bulk orders to large companies and government agencies. For example, the government of Tamil Nadu ordered a million ThinkPads from IBM/Lenovo in 2012 and single-handedly made the firm a market leader. Lenovo distributes most of the personal computers it sells in India through five national distributors such as Ingram Micro and Redington.
Given that most smartphones and tablets are sold to individuals Lenovo is pursuing a different strategy making use of many small state-centric distributors. Amar Babu, Lenovo's managing director for India, said, "To reach out to small towns and the hinterland, we have tied up with 40 regional distributors. We want our distributors to be exclusive to us. We will, in turn, ensure they have exclusive rights to distribute Lenovo products in their catchment area."{{cite news |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-26/news/38040354_1_million-smartphones-lenovo-india-amar-babu |work=The Times Of India |title=Can Lenovo protect its leadership in PCs & gain share in mobile, tablet businesses in India? |date=26 March 2013 |access-date=5 April 2013 |archive-date=29 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130329073115/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2013-03-26/news/38040354_1_million-smartphones-lenovo-india-amar-babu |url-status=dead }} As of 2013, Lenovo had about 6,000 retailers selling smartphones and tablets in India. In February 2013, Lenovo established a relationship with Reliance Communications to sell smartphones. The smartphones carried by Reliance have dual-SIM capability and support both GSM and CDMA. Babu claims that the relative under penetration of smartphones in India represents an opportunity for Lenovo.
Lenovo has assembled a team of senior managers familiar with the Indian market, launched mobile phones at all price points there, and worked on branding to build market share. As of February 2014, Lenovo claims that its sales of smartphones in India have been increasing 100% per quarter while the market is only growing 15–20% over the same period. Lenovo did marketing tests of its smartphones in November 2012 in Gujarat and some southern cities, where Lenovo already had a strong presence. Lenovo's strategy has been to create awareness, maintain a broad selection of phones at all price points, and develop distribution networks. Lenovo partnered with two national distributors and over 100 local distributors. As of February 2014, more than 7,000 retail outlets in India sold Lenovo smartphones. Lenovo has also partnered with HCL in order to set up 250 service centers in 110 cities.{{cite web|url=http://www.financialexpress.com/news/lenovo-creates-a-big-mobile-buzz/1228658?rheditorpick|title=Lenovo creates a big mobile buzz|first=Sudhir|last=Chowdhary|work=The Financial Express|date=24 February 2014|access-date=5 March 2014|archive-date=28 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140228064100/http://www.financialexpress.com/news/lenovo-creates-a-big-mobile-buzz/1228658?rheditorpick|url-status=live}}
In India, Lenovo grants distributors exclusive territories but allows them to sell computers from other companies. Lenovo uses its close relationships with distributors to gain market intelligence and speed up product development.
Lenovo reported a year-on-year increase of about 951% in tablet sales in India for the first quarter of 2014. Canalys, a market research firm, said Lenovo took market share away from Apple and Samsung in the country.{{cite web|url=http://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/item/36827-the-tech-business-week-len|title=The tech business week: Lenovo to double Irish workforce, Duolog opens Texas offices|work=Silicon Republic|date=12 May 2014 |access-date=5 June 2014|archive-date=7 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140607000749/http://www.siliconrepublic.com/business/item/36827-the-tech-business-week-len|url-status=live |author1=Siliconrepublic }}
=Africa=
Lenovo first started doing business in South Africa, establishing a sales office, and then expanded to East African markets such as Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda, and Rwanda. West Africa followed when Lenovo set-up a Nigerian legal office and then expanded to Ghana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Botswana.
According to Lenovo's general manager for Africa, Graham Braum, Lenovo's strategy is to put "great emphasis on products that sell well in Africa" and roll out "products alongside different African governments' rolling out of wireless technology". Products such as the Lenovo Yoga series are popular in Africa because of their long battery life, as many areas have unreliable electrical supply. Other popular products include the Lenovo netbooks, which were introduced in 2008.{{cite news |last=Dexing |first=Qin |date=2015-02-13 |title=Lenovo Expands to Africa |url=http://www.ecns.cn/business/2015/02-13/154889.shtml |newspaper=ECNS.com |access-date=2015-03-09 |archive-date=18 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218002301/http://www.ecns.cn/business/2015/02-13/154889.shtml |url-status=live }}
Lenovo picked Nigeria in 2013 to release its smartphone because unlike South Africa and other African countries, there is no requirement to partner with a local telecom firm to sell its phones.{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-09/lenovo-will-debut-first-africa-smartphone-in-nigeria-by-year-end.html |work=Bloomberg |first=Chris |last=Spillane |title=Lenovo Plans to Debut Africa Smartphone in Nigeria This Year |date=10 May 2013 |access-date=8 March 2017 |archive-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110002019/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-05-09/lenovo-will-debut-first-africa-smartphone-in-nigeria-by-year-end.html |url-status=live }}
In the long term, according to Braum, "Lenovo in Africa will focus on continuing to consistently supply personal computer products and allow this market to grow, while moving into new territory such as mobile and enterprise."
=Singapore=
Lenovo has had a presence in Singapore as early as its foundation, and with a focus on the Southeast Asia region, it is the location of one of Lenovo's three head offices.{{cite web |title=Locations {{!}} Lenovo Singapore |url=https://www.lenovo.com/sg/en/lenovo/locations/ |website=www.lenovo.com |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=en |quote=Address: 151 Lorong Chuan #02-01 New Tech Park Singapore 556741}} Registered as LenovoIn the past, Lenovo has maintained a strong presence in Singapore since its foundation. Over the years, its focus on the Southeast Asia region has led to the establishment of one of Lenovo's three head offices in Singapore. Previously known as Lenovo (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., the company operated from the New Tech Park in the Lorong Chuan district, situated in the North-East Region of Singapore.
However, in the present, Lenovo continues to thrive and evolve in Singapore. The company remains committed to the Southeast Asia market and has expanded its operations and engagement in the region. The office, still registered as [https://www.lenovo.com/sg/en Lenovo] (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., remains strategically located at the New Tech Park in the Lorong Chuan district. This location provides numerous advantages, such as access to key markets and a flourishing business environment in Singapore, which supports Lenovo's growth and success in the region.
Throughout the years, Lenovo's presence in Singapore has transitioned from its early establishment to a dynamic and forward-looking operation. The company's commitment to the Southeast Asia market and its continued investment in Singapore reflect its recognition of the region's strategic importance and the opportunities it presents. (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., it is located at the New Tech Park in the Lorong Chuan district of the North-East Region of Singapore.{{cite web |title=Lenovo Singapore Pte Ltd |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/profile/company/7730888Z:SP |website=www.bloomberg.com |access-date=16 February 2022}}
=United States=
In the United States, Lenovo began the "For Those Who Do" marketing campaign in 2010, created by the ad agency Saatchi & Saatchi. It was part of Lenovo's first-ever global branding campaign, beyond its domestic market in China.{{cite news|last=Salter|first=Chuck|title=Protect and Attack: Lenovo's New Strategy|url=http://www.fastcompany.com/1793529/protect-and-attack-lenovos-new-strategy|access-date=1 December 2013|newspaper=Fast Company|date=22 November 2011|archive-date=4 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204123508/http://www.fastcompany.com/1793529/protect-and-attack-lenovos-new-strategy|url-status=live}} "For Those Who Do" was designed to appeal to young consumers in the 18- to 25-year-old demographic by stressing its utility to creative individuals that Lenovo's advertising refers to as "doers".{{cite news|last=Vega |first=Tanzina |author-link=Tanzina Vega |title=Lenovo Aims a Campaign at the Apple Crowd |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/business/media/29adco.html?_r=0 |access-date=1 December 2013 |newspaper=New York Times |date=28 April 2011 |archive-date=20 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220052527/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/29/business/media/29adco.html?_r=0 |url-status=live}} One of Lenovo's operational centers is located in North Carolina, United States. Lenovo also started manufacturing products in the United States in 2012.{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/lenovo-start-manufacturing-computers-america/story?id=17388495|title=Lenovo to Start Manufacturing Computers in America|work=ABC News|access-date=17 April 2020|archive-date=11 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200111025625/https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/lenovo-start-manufacturing-computers-america/story?id=17388495|url-status=live}}
=Goodweird=
Lenovo launched a multi-year advertising campaign called "Goodweird" in the last half of 2015. Goodweird is designed to convey the idea that designs that seem strange initially often become familiar and widely accepted. The Goodweird campaign includes a video with famous images of early attempts to fly with the aid of homemade wings and a bicycle that transitions to a modern-day shot of a man soaring across mountains in a wingsuit before transitioning again to a shot of the Stealth Bomber. Lenovo worked with three agencies on Goodweird: London-based DLKW Low, We Are Social, and Blast Radius. Goodweird is part of Lenovo's wider strategy to appeal to millennials with an emphasis on design trendsetters. A portion of the funding for Goodweird is being directed to prominent YouTubers and Viners. BuzzFeed has been engaged to create relevant content.{{cite news |last=Slefo |first=George |date=30 September 2015 |title=New Lenovo Campaign Plays Up Weird in the Good Way |url=http://adage.com/article/advertising/lenovo-s-latest-campaign-weird-good/300669/ |newspaper=Ad Age |location=United States |access-date=10 October 2015 |archive-date=7 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151007013307/http://adage.com/article/advertising/lenovo-s-latest-campaign-weird-good/300669/ |url-status=live }}
Security and privacy incidents
=Superfish=
In February 2015, Lenovo became the subject of controversy for having bundled software identified as malware on some of its laptops. The software, Superfish Visual Discovery, is a web browser add-on that injects Pricing advertising into search engine results pages. To intercept HTTPS-encrypted communications, the software also installed a self-signed public key certificate.{{cite web|title=Researchers: Lenovo laptops ship with adware that hijacks HTTPS connections|url=https://www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-accused-of-pushing-superfish-self-signed-mitm-proxy/|website=ZDNet|access-date=4 June 2015|archive-date=20 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520110818/http://www.zdnet.com/article/lenovo-accused-of-pushing-superfish-self-signed-mitm-proxy/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Lenovo's security breakdown shows the danger of invisible systems|url=https://www.theverge.com/2015/2/19/8071745/superfish-lenovo-adware-invisible-systems|website=The Verge|date=19 February 2015|access-date=4 June 2015|archive-date=7 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150607231641/http://www.theverge.com/2015/2/19/8071745/superfish-lenovo-adware-invisible-systems|url-status=live}} When the Superfish public-key cryptography was compromised, it was also discovered that the same private key was used across all installations of the software, leaving users vulnerable to security exploits utilizing the key.{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/19/lenovo-accused-compromising-user-security-installing-adware-pcs-superfish|first=Alex|last=Hern|title=Lenovo accused of compromising user security by installing adware on new PCs|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 February 2015|access-date=19 February 2015|archive-date=19 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150219120811/http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/19/lenovo-accused-compromising-user-security-installing-adware-pcs-superfish|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/02/19/superfish-need-to-know/ |title=How Lenovo's Superfish "Malware" Works And What You Can Do To Kill It |work=Forbes |date=February 19, 2015 |access-date=February 20, 2015 |author=Fox-Brewster, Thomas |archive-date=20 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220170532/http://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/02/19/superfish-need-to-know/ |url-status=live }} Lenovo made between {{val|p={{US$}}|200000 |to| 250000|fmt=commas}} on its deal with Superfish.{{cite news |last=Fox-Brewster |first=Thomas |date=2015-02-27 |title=Lenovo Only Made Up To $250,000 From Nightmare Superfish Deal, Say Sources |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/02/27/lenovo-got-very-little-from-superfish-deal/ |newspaper=Forbes |access-date=2015-05-09 |archive-date=6 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171206211058/https://www.forbes.com/sites/thomasbrewster/2015/02/27/lenovo-got-very-little-from-superfish-deal/ |url-status=live }} In 2017 Lenovo agreed to pay {{US$|3.5 million}} as part of a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/09/05/ftc-settles-lenovo-over-built-snooping-software-scanned-users-computers/632775001/|title=FTC settles with Lenovo over a built-in snooping software, $3.5 million fine|first=Elizabeth|last=Weise|date=September 5, 2017|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=5 September 2017|archive-date=5 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170905222745/https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2017/09/05/ftc-settles-lenovo-over-built-snooping-software-scanned-users-computers/632775001/|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Lenovo Settles FTC Charges it Harmed Consumers With Preinstalled Software on its Laptops that Compromised Online Security |url=https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2017/09/lenovo-settles-ftc-charges-it-harmed-consumers-preinstalled-software-its-laptops-compromised-online |website=Federal Trade Commission |date=4 September 2017 |access-date=12 May 2024}} and announced an apology to its customers and stockholders.
The head of Superfish responded to security concerns by saying the vulnerability was "inadvertently" introduced by Komodia, which built the application.{{cite news |author= |title=Superfish fallout: Lenovo to give away free McAfee LiveSafe security suite |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150228/technology-latest/article/superfish-fallout-lenovo-give-away-free-mcafee-livesafe-security |newspaper=Deccan Chronicle |date=2015-02-28 |access-date=2015-03-09 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924180846/http://www.deccanchronicle.com/150228/technology-latest/article/superfish-fallout-lenovo-give-away-free-mcafee-livesafe-security |url-status=live }} In response to the criticism, Lenovo detailed that it would cease further distribution and use of the Superfish software, and offered affected customers free six-month subscriptions to the McAfee LiveSafe software.{{cite web|url=https://money.cnn.com/2015/02/19/technology/security/Lenovo-superfish/|title=Lenovo slipped "Superfish" malware into laptops|work=CNNMoney|date=19 February 2015|access-date=February 19, 2015|archive-date=8 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108125715/https://money.cnn.com/2015/02/19/technology/security/lenovo-superfish/|url-status=live}} Lenovo issued a promise to reduce the amount of "Software bloat" it bundles with its Windows 10 devices, promising to only include Lenovo software, security software, drivers, and "certain applications customarily expected by users".{{cite news|title=Lenovo Promises No More Bloatware Starting with Windows 10|url=http://www.maximumpc.com/lenovo-promises-no-more-bloatware-starting-windows-10-2015/|newspaper=Pcgamer|access-date=4 June 2015|archive-date=8 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150608003708/http://www.maximumpc.com/lenovo-promises-no-more-bloatware-starting-windows-10-2015/|url-status=live}} Salon tech writer David Auerbach compared the Superfish incident to the Sony DRM rootkit scandal, and argued that "installing Superfish is one of the most irresponsible mistakes an established tech company has ever made."{{cite news|last1=Auerbach|first1=David|title=You Had One Job, Lenovo|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/bitwise/2015/02/lenovo_superfish_scandal_why_it_s_one_of_the_worst_consumer_computing_screw.html|access-date=21 February 2015|work=Salon|date=20 February 2015|archive-date=1 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201181756/http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/bitwise/2015/02/lenovo_superfish_scandal_why_it_s_one_of_the_worst_consumer_computing_screw.html|url-status=live}}
=Lenovo Service Engine=
From October 2014 through June 2015, the UEFI firmware on certain Lenovo models had contained software known as "Lenovo Service Engine", which Lenovo says automatically sent non-identifiable system information to Lenovo the first time Windows is connected to the internet, and on laptops, automatically installs the Lenovo OneKey Optimizer program (software considered to be Software bloat) as well. This process occurs even on clean installations of Windows. It was found that this program had been automatically installed using a new feature in Windows 8, Windows Platform Binary Table, which allows executable files to be stored within UEFI firmware for execution on startup, and is meant to "allow critical software to persist even when the operating system has changed or been reinstalled in a "clean" configuration"; specifically, anti-theft security software. The software was discontinued after it was found that aspects of the software had security vulnerabilities, and did not comply with revised guidelines for appropriate usage of WPBT. On 31 July 2015, Lenovo released instructions and UEFI firmware updates meant to remove Lenovo Service Engine.{{cite web|title=Lenovo used Windows anti-theft feature to install persistent crapware|url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/lenovo-used-windows-anti-theft-feature-to-install-persistent-crapware/|website=Ars Technica|date=12 August 2015|publisher=Conde Nast|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-date=1 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201181615/https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2015/08/lenovo-used-windows-anti-theft-feature-to-install-persistent-crapware/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Windows and UEFI anti-theft mechanism makes systems less secure|url=http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-and-uefi-anti-theft-mechanism-makes-systems-less-secure/|date=13 August 2015|first=James|last=Sanders|website=TechRepublic|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=22 September 2015|archive-date=10 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910160044/http://www.techrepublic.com/article/windows-and-uefi-anti-theft-mechanism-makes-systems-less-secure/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Lenovo's Service Engine marks yet another bloatware blunder for the company|url=http://www.pcworld.com/article/2969365/security/lenovos-service-engine-marks-yet-another-bloatware-blunder-for-the-company.html|work=PC World|publisher=IDG|access-date=22 September 2015|first=Jared|last=Newman|date=12 August 2015|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924142809/http://www.pcworld.com/article/2969365/security/lenovos-service-engine-marks-yet-another-bloatware-blunder-for-the-company.html|url-status=live}}
=Lenovo Customer Feedback program=
At a third time in 2015, criticism arose that Lenovo might have installed software that looked suspicious on their commercial Think-PC lines. This was discovered by Computerworld writer Michael Horowitz, who had purchased several Think systems with the Customer Feedback program installed, which seemed to log usage data and metrics.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/2984889/windows-pcs/lenovo-collects-usage-data-on-thinkpad-thinkcentre-and-thinkstation-pcs.html|title=Lenovo collects usage data on ThinkPad, ThinkCentre and ThinkStation PCs|first=Michael|last=Horowitz|date=22 September 2015|work=Computerworld|access-date=25 October 2015|archive-date=29 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151029055836/http://www.computerworld.com/article/2984889/windows-pcs/lenovo-collects-usage-data-on-thinkpad-thinkcentre-and-thinkstation-pcs.html|url-status=live}} Further analysis by Horowitz revealed however that this was mostly harmless, as it was only logging the usage of some pre-installed Lenovo programs, and not the usage in general, and only if the user allowed the data to be collected. Horowitz also criticized other media for quoting his original article and saying that Lenovo preinstalled spyware, as he himself never used that term in this case and he also said that he does not consider the software he found to be spyware.{{cite web|url=http://www.computerworld.com/article/2995012/windows-pcs/trusting-lenovo.html|title=Trusting Lenovo|first=Michael|last=Horowitz|date=20 October 2015|work=Computerworld|access-date=25 October 2015|archive-date=22 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151022232004/http://www.computerworld.com/article/2995012/windows-pcs/trusting-lenovo.html|url-status=live}}
=Lenovo Accelerator=
As of June 2016, a Duo Labs report stated that Lenovo was still installing bloatware, some of which leads to security vulnerabilities as soon as the user turns on their new PC.{{cite web|url=https://www.cnet.com/au/news/unbox-your-laptop-security-risks-duo-labs-acer-asus-dell-hp-lenovo/|title=Unbox your laptop, and say hello to security risks|access-date=2016-09-25|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225032306/https://www.cnet.com/au/news/unbox-your-laptop-security-risks-duo-labs-acer-asus-dell-hp-lenovo/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Out-of-Box Exploitation — A Security Analysis of OEM Updaters|url=https://duo.com/assets/pdf/out-of-box-exploitation_oem-updaters.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160601181151/https://duo.com/assets/pdf/out-of-box-exploitation_oem-updaters.pdf|archive-date=1 June 2016|access-date=26 September 2016}} Lenovo advised users to remove the offending app, "Lenovo Accelerator".{{cite web|url=http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/lenovo-accelerator-danger|title=Lenovo Urges Windows 10 Users to Uninstall Dangerous Utility|date=3 June 2016|access-date=2016-09-26|archive-date=27 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927070636/http://www.laptopmag.com/articles/lenovo-accelerator-danger|url-status=live}} According to Lenovo, the app, designed to "speed up the loading" of Lenovo applications, created a man-in-the-middle security vulnerability.
=U.S. Marine network security breach=
In February 2021, Bloomberg Businessweek reported that U.S. investigators found in 2008 that military units in Iraq were using Lenovo laptops in which the hardware had been altered. According to a testimony from the case in 2010, "A large amount of Lenovo laptops were sold to the U.S. military that had a chip encrypted on the motherboard that would record all the data that was being inputted into that laptop and send it back to China". Lenovo was unaware of the testimony and the U.S. military did not inform the company of any security concerns. A Lenovo spokesperson stated that "we have no way to assess the allegations you cite or whether security concerns may have been triggered by third-party interference."{{Cite news|last1=Robertson|first1=Jordan|last2=Riley|first2=Michael|date=12 February 2021|title=The Long Hack: How China Exploited a U.S. Tech Supplier|language=en|work=Bloomberg Businessweek|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/features/2021-supermicro/|access-date=2021-02-17}}
See also
{{Portalbar|China|Companies|Telecommunication|Electronics|Technology}}
{{Clear}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
Further reading
- {{cite book |last1= Ling |first1= Zhijun |others= trans. Martha Avery |title= The Lenovo affair: the growth of China's computer giant and its takeover of IBM-PC |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=Mg7TdU9E3d0C |access-date= 16 September 2009 |year= 2005 |publisher= John Wiley & Sons [Asia] |location= Singapore |isbn= 978-0-470-82193-0 }}
- {{cite book |last1=Hamm |first1=Steve |title=The Race for Perfect: Inside the Quest to Design the Ultimate Portlable Computer |year=2008 |publisher=McGraw-Hill |location=New York |isbn=978-0071606103 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/raceforperfectin00hamm }}
External links
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