From planes to PCs, the world's market-leading companies
Daniel Coughlin
08 June 2018
Global market leaders
Ever wondered which company makes the most TVs, cars or cosmetics? From Boeing to Samsung, we take a look at the firms that produce the most goods by sector.
TVs: Samsung
South Korean colossus Samsung has been the world's largest TV manufacturer since 2006. The mammoth electronics company sells three TVs a second and accounts for 20% of the global market.
Plastics: DowDuPont
The world's largest chemicals company by a long-shot, DowDuPont was formed last year following the merger of Dow Chemical and DuPont. The multinational is the leading global producer of plastics, including polystyrene and synthetic rubber.
Aircraft: Boeing
When it comes to manufacturing aircraft, America's Boeing is number one in the world, but French arch rival Airbus comes a close second. From 2007 to 2016, Boeing produced 5,718 planes against Airbus' 5,644, and continues to have the edge.
Dairy products: Nestlé
The world's largest food company, Nestlé is the leading manufacturer of dairy products, from infant formula to skimmed milk. Last year, the Swiss firm topped Rabobank's Dairy Top 20 with a dairy turnover of $24 billion (£18bn). France's Danone was ranked second with $18.3 billion (£13.6bn).
Household appliances: Midea
Western consumers may not be familiar with Midea, but the Chinese firm is actually the world's biggest producer of major household appliances, including refrigerators, washer-dryers and ovens. The company, which operates mainly in developing countries, also produces more air conditioning units than any other.
PCs: HP
HP is the planet's premier manufacturer of desktop computers, laptops and netbooks, shipping more devices than any other company. Last year, the American tech firm had a 21.5% market share, ahead of China's Lenovo, which had 20.8%.
Cars: Volkswagen AG
Volkswagen AG surpassed Toyota in 2016 to become the world's leading carmaker. Last year, the German auto giant, which was founded in 1937 to produce the iconic Beetle, sold a staggering 10 million vehicles and turned over $269 billion (£202bn).
Clothing: Inditex
Spanish fashion group Inditex is largest clothing manufacturer and retailer in the world. Its brands, which include Zara, Massimo Dutti and Bershka, operate in 93 countries and generate $22.1 billion (£16.5bn) annually.
Beer: Anheuser-Busch InBev
Headquartered in Belgium, brewing giant Anheuser-Busch InBev is the world's biggest beer producer. The beverage behemoth, which absorbed SAB Miller in 2016, owns market-leading brands from Budweiser to Stella Artois and turns over $17.2 billion (£12.8bn) a year.
Steel: ArcelorMittal
The world's leading steel-maker, Luxembourg-based ArcelorMittal produces 114 million tonnes of the metal annually and generates revenues of $68.7 billion (£51.3bn). The firm is expected to be protected from the much-publicised Trump administration tariff hikes, thanks to extensive operations within the US.
Toilets: Toto
Japan's Toto is the global number one toilet manufacturer. The Kitakyushu-based company is known for its Washlet toilet seat, which features an integrated bidet for optimum hygiene. Last year, the firm turned over $5.2 billion (£3.9bn).
Trains: CRRC
The world's largest rolling stock manufacturer, China's CRRC produces trains for the domestic market and has won lucrative contracts to supply rolling stock to the London Underground, Los Angeles Metro Rail, Sydney Trains and more.
Computer chips: Samsung
In addition to being the world's largest TV manufacturer, Samsung is the biggest chipmaker on the planet, having eclipsed Intel, which held the top spot for the past couple of decades. Last year, the South Korean conglomerate's semiconductor division grossed $69.1 billion (£52bn) against runner-up Intel's revenue of $62.8 billion (£47bn).
Tyres: Bridgestone
Japan's Bridgestone is the world's leading tyre manufacturer. The company reported $26.2 billion (£19.5bn) in tyre-related sales last year, beating French firm Michelin, which turned over $23.4 billion (£17.4bn).
Chocolate: Mondelez International
Formally known as Kraft Foods, Mondelez International is the largest chocolate maker globally. The American multinational has a bewildering array of confectionery brands in its portfolio, including Milka, Cadbury, Toblerone and Côte d'Or and operates in over 160 countries.
Glass: Saint-Gobain
Founded in 1665, venerable Parisian company Saint-Gobain made mirrors for the French royal family and kitted out iconic historic buildings from the Palace of Versailles to Milan Railway Station and London's Crystal Palace. Now the world's premier glassmaking company, it turns over around $47 billion (£35bn) annually.
Paper: International Paper
Contrary to what you might think, the global paper and pulp industry is flourishing in the digital age. The biggest player is US firm International Paper. It produces more paper products than any other company worldwide and reported revenues of $21.7 billion (£16.2bn) last year.
Oil: Saudi Aramco
Saudi Arabia's leading energy company, Saudi Aramco manages the world's largest onshore and offshore oil fields, pumping out billions of barrels of the black stuff annually. In the first quarter of 2017 alone, the Dhahran-based firm, which is the world's most profitable and valuable enterprise, turned over $33.8 billion (£25.2bn). You can read more about the countries that produce the most oil here.
Smartphones: Samsung
As well as dominating the global TV and computer chip markets, Samsung is the world's number one smartphone manufacturer. The vast conglomerate shipped more than 317.3 million units in 2017, and represented 23.4% of the global market in the first quarter of this year.
Wine: E. & J. Gallo
Italy may be the world's top vino-producing nation, but California's E. & J. Gallo is the largest wine-making company. The Modesto-based firm has 90 brands including André, Barefoot Wine and Clarendon Hills and operates in 100 countries worldwide.
Construction equipment: Caterpillar
Famed for its work boots as well as its diggers, bulldozers and cranes, America's Caterpillar is the world's chief manufacturer of construction equipment. Its total revenues amount to a beefy $45.5 billion (£33.9bn) a year.
Cosmetics: L'Oréal
The biggest player in the $445 billion (£332bn) global beauty industry, L'Oréal posted sales of $30.6 billion (£22.8bn) last year. The French cosmetics giant owns a plethora of prestigious brands that include Lancôme, Garnier, Maybelline, Shu Uemura and Kiehl's.
Elevators and escalators: Otis
In pole position for the past 165 years, American firm Otis pioneered the development of the elevator and invented the escalator, and remains the world's largest manufacturer of vertical transportation systems. Last year, the company reported revenues of $12.3 billion (£9.2bn).
Bricks: Wienerberger
Though Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction equipment, Austria's Wienerberger is numero uno for bricks, as well as clay blocks. The building industry supplier has production sites in 27 countries and turns over $3.6 billion (£2.7bn) annually.
Coffee: Nestlé
Nestlé isn't just the world's top dairy company. The Swiss multinational is also the foremost global coffee producer. Its coffee brands, which range from instant favourite Nescafé, to pod-based wonders Nespresso and Dolce Gusto, generate $17 billion (£12.7bn) a year for the firm.
Farming machinery: Deere
Tractors, combine harvesters, you name it, American firm Deere manufactures more farming machinery than any other company. Last year, the Illinois company, which was established in 1837, turned over $29.7 billion (£22.1bn).
Copper: Codelco
An essential metal, copper is used in everything from wires and cables, to pipes, coinage and roofing. Chilean company Codelco is the world's foremost producer. It accounts for around 10% of total global copper production.
Lumber: West Fraser
North American wood products company West Fraser operates in Canada and the US, managing millions of acres of forest. Last year, the company's lumber sales totalled $3.6 billion (£2.7bn), making it the world's largest producer.
Cruise ships: Fincantieri
Sailing ahead of the competition, Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri manufacturers more cruise ships than any other company worldwide. The Trieste-based firm accounts for 32% of the international market, while Germany's Meyer Werft commands second place with 29%.
Tea: McLeod Russel
Partial to a cuppa or two? If you're fond of black tea, chances are it was grown in a McLeod Russel plantation. The Kolkata-based enterprise has estates and factories in India, Uganda, Rwanda and Vietnam that produce more than 100 million kilograms of black tea a year.
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