Who Owns Lenovo ?

Exactly 39 years ago, in 1985, Lenovo launched its series of computers for the first time. The products were named ThinkPad. This was a successful model that quickly rose to prominence and popularity across the world. Moreover, it was, at the time, aptly known as the IBM of laptops.

Owing to the founder’s futuristic strategies, acquisitions, and expansive vision, the company today sells some of the best laptops and computer systems in the world and has over 100 different types of computer and technology products such as desktops, smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.

Started in 1984 by a visionary Chinese businessman named Yuan Tien-Hsiung, Yuan’s immediate focus was to compete with the Western technological markets (mainly the US).

Before understanding who owns Lenovo, it is important to know that as part of his corporate ambitions, he wanted go to toe-to-toe with American computer and technology giant, IBM.

To make this goal a reality, Tien-Hsiung began focusing on developing and launching computers that were fit for everyday use and were very economical. And the first computer the company developed was none other than the ThinkPad. One of the most attractive selling points of the Lenovo ThinkPad was the fact that it was durable and reliable.

Image credit Tariq Mahmud Naim — Image credit: Tariq Mahmud Naim

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A Short Jump Into the History and Background of Lenovo

Before knowing who owns Lenovo, did you know that the Chinese technology giant did not actually start with this name?

That’s right, the company launched as “Legend” and initially developed and sold Chinese character extension software for important PCs back in the day. This is initially how they made money. It was in 1985 that the company designed and developed its first computer system.

However, 9 years later after Legend was established, the company would go public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in 1994. Two years later, the company (still under the name Legend) would launch another self-brand desktop computer system. The business would primarily focus on investing in and around the Chinese markets.

In a short amount of time, the company would quickly rise to become one of the most cherished, powerful, and in-demand PC companies in China. In the early to mid-2000s, the tech company gradually began spreading its influence, turning to Western markets.

This is particularly why Legend, in 2003, changed the name of the company to Lenovo for the European and American markets while still being marketed as Legend in the Chinese markets.

However, it was also explained that the company had to change its name to Lenovo due to copyright issues as there were already plenty of businesses with the name Legend in the international market.

In 1995, the Chinese technology business became a publicly traded organization and had a $400 million initial stock offering. In the next four years, the company experienced exponential growth in sales, climbing to a staggering $2 billion in sales. This was also the very same time the company would acquire IBM’s personal computer division.

One of the Biggest Employers In the World

Did you know that Lenovo employs over 100,000 people across the globe? The company initially started in 1946, however, at the time, the business only manufactured and sold typewriters. It was 38 years later that the company would shift gears and produce its first computer.

In 2012, the company was named the biggest personal computer manufacturer in the world, also in the same year, selling $10 billion worth of computers, laptops, tablets, smartphones, and much more. A year later, Lenovo would come ahead of Apple to become the world’s 2nd biggest smartphone producer.

Having been around for more than three decades, today, the multinational company employs over 100,000 employees in Asian, European, American, North American, and Latin American, markets. However, it has retained its headquarters in Beijing, China where a majority of Lenovo products are manufactured.

Image credit Shawn Rain — Image credit: Shawn Rain

Lenovo’s Acquisition History

The Company Acquired Motorola Mobility

In 2014, Lenovo bought Motorola Mobility from Google in a power move to solidify its position as one of the biggest and most popular tech companies in the world. However, this deal with Google also cemented Lenovo’s position and presence in the US markets by a major percentage.

The deal was struck between the two companies for approximately $2.9 billion consisting of a combination of stocks and cash payments. But it was also agreed that Google would retain control of most of Motorola’s patents.

The Company Acquired IBM’s PC Business

In 2005, Lenovo completely acquired IBM‘s personal computer division. While the initial acquisition started years ago, it was completed in 2005. This helped the Chinese tech company develop a new foreign IT market, entering as a powerful competitor.

Thanks to its aggressive expansion and acquisition role, Lenovo quickly dominated the PC systems manufacturing industry and in 2024 became the largest personal computer business. Closing this transaction was the long dream of Lenovo’s founder.

The company paid IBM over $1.25 billion which consisted of $600 million worth of Lenovo shares and $650 million in cash.

The Company Acquired FCNT

In September 2023, Lenovo acquired the Japanese technology company FCNT Ltd. The company designed and manufactured smartphones launched under the famous brand names Arrows and Rakuraku.

Lenovo would use this acquisition to develop a new product development and marketing group, further innovating and optimizing its smartphone production business. The group will run under the name FCNT but will be a new entity.

Who Are The Biggest Shareholders of Lenovo?

In a nutshell, the biggest shareholder of Lenovo is none other than the parent company “Legend Holdings” itself. The company controls 31% of the company. However, Legend Holdings is run and managed by the CAS (Chinese Academy of Sciences) as well as Legend’s own supervisory executives.

Another big shareholder of the Lenovo Group is the current CEO of the company, Yang Yuanqing. He has a 5.9% control in the company. The third largest shareholder is Black Rock, an asset management and holding company with a 1.3% controlling interest in Lenovo.

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