It might be surprising to know that some of America’s iconic brands, ones considered embodied in American culture, are actually owned by foreign companies. From beloved ice cream makers to trusted household staples, these brands have quietly changed hands over the years. Acquiring “American-made” brands has been marketed towards foreign companies as a great way to business in the U.S. proposing various benefits.
American brands are bought by foreign companies primarily for market access, technology, and their U.S. customer base. The U.S. offers one of the largest consumer markets globally, making it an attractive destination for companies seeking to expand their reach and diversify their revenue streams. Additionally, acquiring established American brands bought by foreign companies allows them to tap into existing distribution channels and brand loyalty.
This accelerates their growth in the competitive U.S. market. Access to advanced technology and innovation embedded in American industries also motivates these acquisitions, especially in sectors like manufacturing and tech. This exchange of ownership is not a recent phenomenon; it has been ongoing for decades, intensifying with globalization and the interconnectedness of world economies.
For example, Chinese buyers alone agreed to spend over $11 billion in deals to acquire U.S. companies in 2012. As the global economy evolves, foreign ownership of American brands continues to grow, blending international influence with American heritage. Here are 7 big American brands that quietly became foreign-owned.
1. Akrion Systems LLC
Akrion Systems LLC was acquired in 2018 by China’s Naura Technology Group Co., Ltd. for $15 million. It is a U.S.-based supplier of advanced wafer surface preparation technology for the semiconductor industry headquartered in Allentown, Pennsylvania. This acquisition, notable as the first Chinese purchase of a U.S. semiconductor company approved by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) under the Trump administration.