Founded in 1994 by Philippe Samuel and Stéphane Bibas, Schneider Consumer Group, which started out as an importer, is now a fully-fledged manufacturer, mastering the entire chain from product design to distribution, including content management. Schneider Consumer Group focuses on investment in the development of its products, some of which are designed 100% in France or via its subsidiary in China, which opened in 2003. Schneider Consumer Group designs and subcontracts the manufacture of products marketed under the brand names THOMSON for telephony, air treatment and small household appliances, SCHNEIDER for television sets, audio and video ranges and household appliances, and RADIOLA for television sets, audio and video ranges and large household appliances and SCHOLTES for built-in appliances. The group is the leading French distributor in the home appliances market and currently has a team of 160 employees and a turnover of €175 million. Schneider Consumer also owns Schneider Consumer Services (a company specialising in after-sales service) and has a subsidiary in China, Schneider Consumer Asia.