Beijing, 05 November (STA) - Slovenian home appliances maker Gorenje launched its own-brand premium products on the Chinese market on Monday, just months after it was acquired by Chinese appliance maker Hisense.

Gorenje appliances will for now be available at selected retailers in China, with additional distributors to be introduced by the end of the year. The company plans to have the full product range available at most sales locations in the first quarter of 2019.

Speaking at the product launch in Beijing, CEO Franjo Bobinac said entering the Chinese market was "an extraordinary opportunity for growth and the strengthening of our global presence, although the market is very competitive and demanding."

"We are ready for this challenge and are looking forward to present our innovative premium products to Chinese customers," he was quoted as saying in a Gorenje press release.

In Slovenia Gorenje is best known for its refrigerators and washing machines, but it produces the whole range of household appliances. It recently announced it would also start manufacturing Hisense-branded TVs in Slovenia.