Looking back at history, we are not only reviewing the years gone by, but also drawing strength for the journey ahead. Since its establishment, Xi'an Xiwuer Electronic Information Group has weathered many storms and witnessed countless glorious moments.
From its early days as a small workshop for electronic components to becoming today's comprehensive electronic information group, every step has been built on the wisdom and hard work of countless employees. In the long river of history, every stage has its unique mark and value; like coordinates in time, they guide us to understand the past, reflect on the present, and look to the future.
Let us walk together into the depths of history and explore the turning points and stories that once shaped the development of Xiwuer.
From a Thatched Hut to a Smart Factory — Xi Wu Er Marks 48 Years as a Chinese Electronic Components Leader
XI’AN, China — October 24, 2024 — Xi’an Xi Wu Er Electronic Information Group Co., Ltd. (“Xi Wu Er Group”), a Chinese state-owned enterprise specializing in sensitive electronic components and sensors, today published a retrospective of its corporate history, tracing its evolution from a small radio components workshop founded in 1976 to a specialized, intelligent manufacturing operation serving telecom, power, rail, defense, and new energy markets worldwide.
The company, formerly known as Xi’an Radio Factory No. 2, is now a municipality-owned sole proprietorship and one of China’s leading manufacturers of varistors, surge protection devices, high-voltage ceramic capacitors, and thermistors. Its story reflects nearly half a century of China’s industrial modernization — and, increasingly, its export ambitions.
Company Overview
Founded in June 1976 in a set of thatched huts in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, Xi Wu Er Group began production in January 1977, manufacturing power transformers, coils, and other components for television manufacturers.
Today the company is:
• A municipality-owned, wholly state-funded enterprise
• A flagship electronic components enterprise under China’s 13th and 14th Five-Year Plans
• A Vice Chairman Unit of the Sensitive Components and Sensors Industry Association
• A Deputy Director Unit of the Voltage-Sensitive Society under the Chinese Institute of Electronics
• A recognized Shaanxi “Specialized, Refined, Differentiated & Innovative” enterprise
• A Shaanxi High-Tech Enterprise and holder of the Shaanxi Famous Brand designation
Its core product lines include varistors and surge protection devices, high-voltage ceramic capacitors and power sensors, and thermistors and other sensitive components and sensors, used across communications, power, rail, meteorology, home appliances, defense, and new energy sectors.
Milestone Timeline
Founding Era (1976–1985)
• 1976 — Xi’an Radio Factory No. 2 established in a few thatched huts.
• 1977 — Production formally begins: power transformers and coils for TV manufacturers.
• 1985 — Introduces a color-TV flyback transformer production line from Japan, becoming China’s largest flyback transformer manufacturer.
Expansion & Diversification (1988–1998)
• 1988 — Merges Xi’an No. 3 Wire Factory; partners with Xi’an Jiaotong University to develop zinc oxide varistors.
• 1991 — Builds China’s largest-scale varistor production line.
• 1992 — Acquires Beida Street Market, relocating its staff and resolving employee housing.
• 1994 — Becomes the first in Northwest China to obtain ISO9002 certification.
• 1996 — Establishes a thermistor production line.
• 1997 — Merges Xi’an High-Voltage Ceramic Capacitor Factory.
• 1998 — Merges Xi’an Transistor Factory; develops automotive rectifier diodes (produced until 2003).
Modernization & Global Reach (2000–2008)
• 2000 — Varistor and thermistor projects receive state treasury technical-upgrade support; technology reaches international advanced level.
• 2001 — Wholly restructured as a state-owned sole proprietorship; renamed Xi’an Xi Wu Er Electronic Information Group Co., Ltd.
• 2002 — Adopts a product business-division management model.
• 2003 — Becomes Xi’an’s first company to deploy ERP software.
• 2004 — Achieves ISO9001 certification.
• 2005 — First ISO14001 certification; exports exceed USD 5 million for the first time.
• 2006 — Begins divesting non-core businesses to sustain core profitability.
• 2008 — Restructures under the Industrial Asset Management Company, retaining core operations while redeploying surplus staff.
Innovation & Specialization (2010–2019)
• 2010 — Develops solar lightning-protection combiner boxes; builds a dedicated production line.
• 2012 — Develops high-speed-rail dry-type capacitor assemblies and NTC thermistor products.
• 2013 — Invests RMB 8 million in a third technical upgrade of varistor production, raising automation.
• 2014 — Invests RMB 5 million in varistor technical upgrades.
• 2016 — Upgrades varistor lines for the smart electricity meter market; invests RMB 2 million in additional Ф25 triple-machine capacity.
• 2019 — TMOV varistors obtain UL certification; invests over RMB 13 million in automation upgrades across varistor and capacitor production; earns ISO45001 certification.
Scale & Smart Manufacturing (2020–2024)
• 2022 — Construction begins on a new 38-mu (≈2.5 ha) plant with over 40,000 m² of floor space; structure topped out in August.
• 2023 — Recognized as a Shaanxi “Specialized, Refined, Differentiated & Innovative” enterprise.
• 2024 — New plant completed: 38 mu, over 45,000 m², dedicated to digital-intelligent advanced manufacturing.
Core Products & Technologies
Xi Wu Er Group’s product portfolio centers on sensitive components and sensors:
• Varistors & Surge Protection Devices (SPD) — including TMOV varistors with UL certification, used in power systems, communications, and renewables.
• High-Voltage Ceramic Capacitors & Power Sensors — for rail, power transmission, and industrial applications.
• Thermistors (NTC/PTC) & Sensitive Components — serving smart meters, home appliances, and automotive electronics.
The company maintains its own Shaanxi Provincial Enterprise Technology Center and the Xi’an High-End Equipment Surge Protection Engineering Technology Research Center.
Certifications & Industry Standing
Xi Wu Er Group holds an extensive portfolio of national, provincial, and international credentials:
• ISO9001 (Quality) · ISO14001 (Environment) · ISO45001 (Occupational Health & Safety)
• Shaanxi Famous Brand · Shaanxi High-Tech Enterprise · Shaanxi Industry Star Enterprise
• National-Level Safety Enterprise · National Quality & Efficiency Advanced Enterprise
• Xi’an Quality Management Award
The company is also a testing partner of the Shaanxi Electronic Product Supervision & Inspection Institute and the Shaanxi Meteorological Bureau for varistor and lightning-protection testing.
About Xi Wu Er Group
Xi’an Xi Wu Er Electronic Information Group Co., Ltd. (formerly Xi’an Radio Factory No. 2) is a municipality-owned, wholly state-funded enterprise founded in June 1976. A key player under China’s Five-Year Plans, the company manufactures varistors, surge protection devices, high-voltage ceramic capacitors, thermistors, and sensors for communications, power, rail, meteorology, appliances, defense, and new energy markets.