Iconic American Companies Owned by Chinese Investors

PankajOctober 17, 2023

73. Studio 8

Headquarters: Culver City, CA
Bought By: Fosun International Group
Headquarters: Shanghai

American entertainment company Studio 8 was set up by Jeff Robinov, Mark Miner, and John Graham just six years ago. The production company has been behind movies like Alpha, White Boy Rick, and Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk. Not long after the company was launched it was announced Studio 8 had partnered with Fosun International.

Studio 8 @GCRS / Twitter.com

Fosun and Studio 8 have worked closely ever since to produce many different projects. “There will be more opportunities to share Chinese elements and stories in Studio 8’s Chinese co-productions,” said Fosun in a statement. “This investment is a significant strategic footprint for Fosun in the global movie and entertainment industry.”

74. Switchbox Labs

Headquarters: Seattle
Bought By: Lenovo
Headquarters: Hong Kong

Seattle-based company Switchbox Labs was bought by Lenovo back in 2009 for an unspecified amount. The company founders stayed with the company underneath the new Lenovo leadership, providing their expertise.

“Innovation is the lifeblood of our company, and despite the current challenges in the worldwide economy and PC industry, we are committed to investing in strategies and technologies that will help deliver exceptionally engineered products and services to our customers,” said CEO William Amelio in a statement. “Switchbox Labs is doing some interesting work, and we are pleased that Switchbox is joining Lenovo.”

75. Ivanka Trump Brand

Headquarters: New York City
Bought By: N/A
Headquarters: N/A

While Ivanka Trump’s fashion line and related business ventures may not be owned by Chinese investors per se, her ties to China are indisputable. After her father’s election, she applied for several trademarks with China, and at least 16 that were linked to Ivanka’s brand were fast-tracked.

China’s Trademark Office approved these trademarks for products as varied as clothing, shoes, jewelry, and sunglasses. One year later, China also approved trademarks for more varied businesses, including

76. Dearborn Mid-West Co LLC

Headquarters: Taylor, MI
Bought By: Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd
Headquarters: Hubei, China

With a company name like Dearborn Mid-West Co LLC, many may assume that the design and integration business would be entirely born and bred in America. While that may be the case, Dearborn evolved and was bought by Hubei Huachangda Intelligent Equipment Co. Ltd.

The company indirectly controls Dearborn Mid-West as a subsidiary, meaning that it stays out of many of the bigger decisions. The purchase was made official in 2014 when the Chinese manufacturer bought the then Nevada-based company in a quiet deal. As of 2020, the American headquarters for Dearborn is in Taylor, MI.

77. AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc

Headquarters: Leawood, Kansas
Bought By: Dalian Wanda Group
Headquarters: Beijing, China

AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc is the largest movie theater chain in the world, spanning multiple continents with its superior entertainment offerings. In 2012, this renowned entertainment titan was bought by Dalian Wanda Group, a powerful Chinese conglomerate that operates in diverse sectors from real estate to entertainment.

The transaction, valued at a staggering $2.6 billion, signaled China’s burgeoning ambition to become a significant player in the global entertainment industry. This takeover, alongside Wanda’s other Hollywood investments, has positioned the group at the forefront of Sino-American cinematic ties, reshaping the landscape of international cinema.

78. Cirrus Aircraft

Headquarters: Duluth, Minnesota
Bought By: China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA)
Headquarters: Zhuhai, Guangdong, China

Cirrus Aircraft is a distinguished manufacturer of small, piston-powered aircraft and jets headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota. The company was bought by China Aviation Industry General Aircraft (CAIGA), a prominent Chinese state-owned aerospace manufacturer, in 2011.

The acquisition, which was worth approximately $210 million, made headlines as one of the first major forays of Chinese corporations into the American aviation industry. This strategic move not only bolstered China’s technological and manufacturing prowess but also further expanded its influence in the global aviation industry, marking an important milestone in China’s aviation history.