Aucma (Chinese: 澳柯玛; pinyin: Àokē mǎ) is a Chinese manufacturing and technology enterprise headquartered in Qingdao, Shandong Province. Founded in 1987, the company initially built its reputation through the production of freezers and refrigeration appliances. It has since expanded its operations into smart refrigeration, commercial cold-chain equipment, household appliances, smart-home manufacturing, biomedical refrigeration, and international trade 1.

The company is particularly recognized for its expertise in refrigeration and cold-chain technology. Aucma describes itself as a manufacturer of refrigeration appliances and comprehensive cold-chain products, with sales reaching more than 100 countries and regions. Its publicly listed subsidiary, Aucma Co., Ltd., has been traded on the Shanghai Stock Exchange under stock code 600336 since 2000 2.

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Foundation (1987)

Aucma traces its origins to 1987, when the Qingdao Hongxing Electric General Factory established the Huanghai Freezer Factory based on its former No. 1 Washing Machine Factory. This entity served as the predecessor to the modern Aucma corporation. During its early years, the company focused heavily on refrigeration equipment, investing in production-line improvements, quality management, and product development rather than immediate diversification.

Early Growth (1990s)

In 1990, Aucma developed its first independently designed freezer, the BD150L, which passed inspection and entered commercial production. The company subsequently expanded capacity through technological renovation of its facilities 4. In March 1990, the firm invested approximately RMB 35 million to upgrade production capabilities, achieving an annual freezer-production capacity of about one million units.

Between 1987 and 1995, Aucma concentrated on freezers, establishing a strong reputation in the Chinese market. In 1995, Chinese statistical and industry authorities recognized the company as the “China Freezer King” (中国电冰柜大王). Additionally, the company began developing environmentally friendly technologies, starting work on CFC-free refrigeration in the early 1990s and completing its fluorine-free conversion by 2000 5.

Expansion and Diversification

During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Aucma expanded beyond conventional household freezers into several new areas:

• Refrigerators and freezers
• Commercial refrigeration equipment
• Medical and pharmaceutical storage equipment
• Automatic vending machines
• Household appliances
• Other refrigeration-related equipment

The company developed its first pharmaceutical storage cabinet in 2000 and later introduced temperature-controlled products for professional applications.

Public Listing

The corporate structure evolved significantly in the late 1990s. Qingdao Aucma Co., Ltd. was established in December 1998, and its shares were listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange on December 29, 2000, under the code 600336. The listed entity is commonly referred to as Aucma Co., Ltd. in English and 澳柯玛股份有限公司 in Chinese.

Aucma’s evolution can be categorized into five distinct phases:

1. Freezer Manufacturing (1987–1995): Focus on establishing reputation as a major producer of freezers.
2. Appliance Diversification (1990s–2000s): Expansion into refrigerators, commercial refrigeration, medical units, and vending machines.
3. International Expansion: Development of export markets, with current sales in over 100 countries and regions.
4. Cold-Chain Transformation: Moving from individual appliances to complete cold-chain systems covering storage, transportation, and consumption links.
5. Smart Technology and IoT: Emphasis on integrating refrigeration with Internet of Things (IoT), big data, intelligent manufacturing, and digital services, described as the “Internet + full cold chain” strategy.

Refrigeration and Cold Chain

Refrigeration remains the core of Aucma’s business. The portfolio includes household freezers, refrigerators, commercial freezers, display units, ice makers, commercial cold-chain equipment, and specialized refrigeration systems. The company states that its freezer production and sales have maintained a leading position in the industry for many years.

Smart Cold Chain

A strategic shift involves the development of smart cold-chain systems rather than selling isolated appliances. This concept covers temperature-controlled operations from production through storage, transportation, and consumption. Aucma aims to provide solutions from the “first kilometer” to the “last kilometer,” including customized options for controlled-temperature requirements.

Household Appliances

Beyond refrigeration, Aucma operates in the broader household-appliance sector. Products include washing machines, air conditioners, kitchen appliances, water-purification systems, and other electrical goods. These activities are grouped under the company’s smart-home appliances and manufacturing strategy.

Biomedical Refrigeration

Aucma develops specialized low-temperature equipment for medical and biological applications. Technologies include low-temperature storage for biological samples, while vaccine cold-chain systems have been deployed in parts of Africa and Asia.

Aucma maintains an extensive international sales network, stating that its products are available in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide. The company continues to expand overseas manufacturing capabilities. In 2025, Aucma announced the commencement of construction for an intelligent manufacturing factory in Indonesia, with a planned annual production capacity of approximately 500,000 refrigerators and freezers 6.

Technology is central to Aucma’s strategy. The company possesses advanced refrigeration core technologies and operates a national industrial design center alongside intelligent manufacturing facilities. The current strategic framework combines refrigeration technology with IoT, big data, intelligent manufacturing, and digital services, facilitating a transition from physical appliance manufacturing to integrated temperature-control systems.

Environmental technology has been integral to Aucma’s history. The company completed its transition to fluorine-free refrigeration around 2000 and received the China Ozone Protection Contribution Award. More recently, Aucma has emphasized green manufacturing and low-carbon development, earning recognition for green-factory and carbon-related initiatives.

The brand name is Aucma internationally and 澳柯玛 in Chinese. A historically prominent slogan is “没有最好，只有更好” (“There is no best, only better”). The corporate mission is described as “creating a happy temperature through technology” (“以科技创造幸福温度”), reflecting the emphasis on temperature-control technology.

Aucma’s current strategy is defined by a “1+2+N” framework:

• 1: Become a leading international innovative technology company in smart refrigeration.
• 2: Develop two principal businesses: smart cold chain/intelligent home manufacturing, and international trade/cross-border e-commerce.
• N: Develop multiple application scenarios, moving from individual products to integrated “product–scenario–ecosystem” solutions.

This evolution represents a shift from a freezer manufacturer to a refrigeration appliance company, then to a cold-chain equipment provider, and finally to a smart cold-chain technology company.

It is important to distinguish between the Aucma Holding Group and its publicly listed subsidiary, Aucma Co., Ltd. The holding group is a state-managed high-tech enterprise group in Qingdao, encompassing smart cold chain, intelligent home-appliance manufacturing, international trade, and cross-border e-commerce. The subsidiary, Aucma Co., Ltd., is the entity listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange.

Structure:
Aucma Holding Group
↳ Aucma Co., Ltd. (600336)
↳ Refrigeration / Appliances / Cold-chain / Related Businesses

Aucma’s strongest historical reputation lies in freezers and refrigeration rather than broad consumer electronics. Its competitive identity is that of a refrigeration and temperature-control specialist. Key strengths include long experience in refrigeration, large-scale freezer manufacturing, commercial refrigeration capabilities, cold-chain technology, specialized low-temperature storage, international distribution, and intelligent manufacturing.

Aucma is a Chinese refrigeration and appliance company founded in Qingdao in 1987. Originally established around freezer manufacturing, it became one of China’s best-known freezer brands during the 1990s, recognized as the country’s “Freezer King” in 1995. After listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2000, Aucma diversified into household appliances, commercial refrigeration, medical refrigeration, and vending equipment. In the 21st century, it has repositioned itself as a smart cold-chain and intelligent manufacturing company, combining refrigeration technology with IoT and digital solutions. Today, the group has international operations with products sold in more than 100 countries and regions.

1. AUCMA Overseas Website
2. 〖没有最好 只有更好〗全冷链创领者-澳柯玛
3. 青岛澳柯玛控股集团有限公司
4. 青岛澳柯玛控股集团有限公司
5. 〖没有最好 只有更好〗全冷链创领者-澳柯玛
6. 澳柯玛智能家居_澳柯玛家居_为生活定制美好