Disclaimer:
The materials cited in this article—including documents and videos—originate from social media and have not been confirmed by the company involved. Readers are advised to exercise discretion when interpreting or sharing this content.
Key Points
● A document dated August 24, circulating on Chinese social media, claims QISI will suspend operations and place employees on leave from August 25 to November 30.
● The notice refers to a “shutdown for rectification” (zhenggai), a term typically associated with regulatory compliance in China.
● QISI is the primary manufacturer of Geek Bar, a leading disposable vape brand in the U.S., and is linked to Elf Bar under the same controlling entity.
● The authenticity of the materials has not been confirmed, and QISI has not issued any public statement.
2Firsts, Shenzhen, August 28, 2025 —A document circulating on Chinese social media platforms appears to show that Shenzhen-based manufacturer QISI will suspend operations and place employees on leave from late August through the end of November 2025.
The document, titled “Notice on Employee Leave During Company Shutdown Period,” is dated August 24 and outlines two waves of leave beginning on August 25 and September 1, with all leave reportedly extending until November 30. 2Firsts has not independently verified the authenticity of the document.
QISI is known as a key manufacturer of Geek Bar, one of the top-selling disposable vape brands in the United States. Geek Bar and Elf Bar—another globally popular vape product—are understood to share the same ultimate controlling entity.
This document differs in tone and stated rationale from the unverified internal notices that circulated in June. At that time, QISI was reportedly scaling back production at its Zhuhai facility due to a “significant impact” on U.S. orders. By contrast, the current notice refers to a “shutdown for rectification” (zhenggai), a term commonly used in China to describe operational suspensions carried out in response to regulatory instructions or compliance-related issues. The nature of any such regulatory involvement, if any, has not been officially confirmed.
As of publication, QISI has not issued any public statement or response regarding the document or related reports.
In addition to the written notice, several videos have emerged on Chinese social media platforms that appear to show individuals claiming to be QISI employees expressing concerns about employment-related issues. One such video has received more than 300 comments, including claims that “workshop equipment and important documents have been removed.” 2Firsts has not verified the content or authenticity of these videos.
Commentary and speculation about the situation have also begun appearing on WeChat public accounts and other online platforms in China. The accuracy and context of such posts remain unclear.
In June, 2Firsts reported on social media posts suggesting that QISI had adjusted production due to declining overseas orders. The company did not comment on those reports at the time.
2Firsts will continue to monitor developments and provide updates should further verifiable information become available.
Cover image generated by ChatGPT
