Last week marked a major inflection point for two renowned household appliance brands. General Electric, once the world’s largest company by market size, announced it would split into three specialized businesses. Meanwhile in China, Zhang Ruimin announced he was stepping down from Haier Group, the electronics giant he founded.  Data: Haier Annual Reports The two companies’ trajectories are not unrelated: GE sold its household appliances division to Haier in 2016, one of many businesses the American conglomerate has spun off. That acquisition helped Haier consolidate its position at the top of North America’s appliances market. For 12 consecutive years, Haier has ranked as the world’s largest appliances brand by retail sales value, according to Euromonitor International. These days, when you buy a fridge, an AC unit or a washing machine, it’s more likely the seller will be Chinese than American. This week, The Wire looks at Haier Group, following its rise, and h