Lenovo Group has secured its debut position on a prestigious global ranking that evaluates corporate excellence, claiming the top spot among mainland Chinese companies. The 2026 "World's Best Companies" list, published jointly by TIME magazine and research firm Statista, features global heavyweights such as Nvidia and Microsoft, with Lenovo entering for the first time at 51st place globally with a score of 87.51 points, the highest among companies from mainland China on the list. Its performance in "growth" received a "very high" rating, and Lenovo stands out as one of the newcomers to this year's edition of the ranking.

The Chinese company, known for manufacturing personal computers, smartphones, and tablets, achieved record sales and rising annual profits, fueled by its emerging AI server business. The TIME "World's Best Companies" list, now in its fourth year, evaluates global enterprises across three dimensions: employee satisfaction, revenue growth, and sustainability transparency. Employee satisfaction draws on survey feedback from over 200,000 workers worldwide, revenue growth examines performance over the past three years, and sustainability transparency is measured through a composite ESG index built from multiple key performance indicators. This recognition underscores Lenovo's success in seizing AI opportunities and driving growth through its hybrid AI strategy.

AI infrastructure strength drives growth leap

The AI server business highlighted by TIME has delivered significant results. International Data Corporation's latest data for the second quarter of 2026 shows Lenovo's global x86 server shipments reached 286,000 units, up 45.6% year-over-year, clinching the top spot globally for the first time. During the same period, Lenovo's x86 server revenue hit $8.26 billion, surging 96% year-over-year, ranking second globally with a mere 0.6 percentage point gap behind the market leader. This milestone in core computing infrastructure follows Lenovo's 2013 achievement of becoming the world's number one PC maker.

Lenovo's manufacturing base in Hungary, alongside its robust smart manufacturing capabilities and global supply chain network, underpins the rapid expansion of its AI infrastructure business. In the first fiscal quarter of 2026/27, revenue for the Infrastructure Solutions Group (ISG) nearly doubled year-over-year, with operating margins reaching 9.1%, both setting all-time highs. Growth is driven jointly by cloud service providers and enterprise clients, positioning infrastructure as a key source of group growth and profitability. In the same quarter, Lenovo's AI server order backlog surged to more than double the previous quarter, exceeding RMB 360 billion, reflecting strong enterprise AI demand and Lenovo's competitive edge in AI infrastructure.

Large-scale delivery relies on manufacturing and technology capabilities. In June 2026, Gartner's Top 25 Supply Chain ranking placed Lenovo fifth, making it the only Asia-Pacific high-tech manufacturer to consistently remain in the global top ten for multiple years. By the end of fiscal 2025/26, Lenovo's annual server production capacity, covering AI, general computing, and storage systems, exceeded 70,000 racks, including over 11,000 direct liquid-cooled racks tailored for AI workloads.

Consistent record-breaking results solidify growth foundation

Lenovo's recently disclosed financial performance further illustrates its growth momentum. For fiscal 2025/26, annual revenue reached RMB 589.9 billion, marking the best yearly result in company history. AI-related revenue doubled year-over-year, accounting for 33% of total annual revenue. Entering fiscal 2026/27, first-quarter revenue climbed to RMB 183.4 billion, up 43% year-over-year, while adjusted net profit jumped 176%, setting another quarterly record. This marks a fresh single-quarter performance milestone for Lenovo.

Alongside growth, Lenovo's business mix is becoming more balanced. The smart devices segment maintains a leading position in the global PC market, infrastructure profitability is improving, and the solutions and services segment continues to expand. In the first quarter, AI-related revenue reached 35% of total revenue, covering AI terminals, AI servers, and AI services. The hybrid AI strategy is translating into tangible revenue contributions, driving sustained operational improvement.

Long-term commitment reflected in daily operations

The sustainability transparency score in this year's ranking ties into Lenovo's years of practice and continuous disclosure. In fiscal 2025/26, Lenovo completed its first full cycle of long-term ESG indicators. This year, the company published its 20th consecutive ESG report, reviewing five years of progress and unveiling new ESG key performance indicators and targets through 2030. Lenovo has introduced its next-generation Neptune liquid cooling technology, significantly reducing data center energy consumption and enabling enterprise clients to operate more efficiently and sustainably.

Through self-generated renewable energy, power purchase agreements, and renewable energy certificates, renewable energy now accounts for over 90% of Lenovo's global operational electricity use. From 2021 to 2026, Lenovo's philanthropic initiatives, expanding access to technology and educational resources, have benefited more than 25 million people. By 2030, Lenovo aims to use 100% zero-carbon electricity across global operations, expand the use of sustainable materials, scale up recycling of end-of-life products, and further refine its responsible AI program. For a company operating in 180 markets worldwide, these goals are embedded in daily work across products, manufacturing, supply chain, and services.

From leading the PC era globally to advancing AI democratization through its hybrid AI strategy, Lenovo Group is converting AI opportunities into business growth. Being named to TIME's 2026 "World's Best Companies" list reflects the results of this transformation, as well as the operational and governance capabilities built up over time. With AI terminals, AI infrastructure, and AI services developing in tandem, Lenovo is steadily cementing its position as a leading enterprise in the global AI ecosystem.