From Starbucks to Apple, many of the biggest companies in the world started in the United States. Before these businesses became leaders in their own fields, they had been small ventures. The world of business is never as straightforward as it might seem, however. A company might have been founded on US soil, but this does not mean that it will forever be based there. In fact, you will be surprised to hear that these brands have since ceased to be American. From IBM to Ben and Jerry’s to Holiday Inn, foreign investors have a big role in the future of these companies! If they had not swooped in at the right time, many of these businesses might no longer even be around.
If You Thought These Companies Are Still American, You Are Wrong
General Electric
In 1982, General Electric got its start as a pretty small brand. It has since grown at an exponential rate, however. It now dabbles in many other industries from healthcare to aviation to venture capital to power. This is one of those brands that feel very homegrown, partly thanks to the “Made in America” stamp on the products. But the truth is that it has been owned by a Chinese company called Haier ever since 2016. GE was purchased for $5.4 billion, which is definitely on the high end of things. Even though the products continue to be made in the United States, the decisions are ultimately made in China.
General Electric
