Ninghai's "Intelligent Manufacturing" Sets Sail for the World

Excerpted from Today's Ninghai on June 28th, by reporter Chen Jun

        "This is the 'Splendid Ningbo' official content library, where we keep our secret weapons for overseas promotion. Foreign businesses learn about Ningbo, get to know Ninghai, and recognize XILIN through these materials," explained a staff member from XILIN， as they logged into the "Splendid Ningbo" website for the reporter.

        Last year, XILIN opened a Facebook account under its brand name XILIN. During its operation, the account periodically uploaded visual and textual materials sourced from "Splendid Ningbo," covering humanities, history, natural environments, technological manufacturing, as well as promotional videos of Ninghai City. To their surprise, this garnered numerous followers. "Currently, the account has amassed around 50,000 followers, with some transitioning from online engagement to offline partnerships," the staff member remarked.

        XILIN, a national high-tech enterprise, specializes in the production of a range of forklifts, electric pallet trucks, stackers, and other warehouse handling equipment. Since its establishment in 1985, XILIN, eager to share China's stories with the world, has forged collaborations with over 200 foreign distributors, and the XILIN trademark is registered in 68 countries and regions globally.

       "How did you build and sustain such a vast international client net?" the reporter eagerly inquired upon meeting the company's Honorary Chairman Chu Jiwang. "Treat others with courtesy and sincerity," he replied succinctly, revealing XILIN's business philosophy rooted in Chinese culture.

      "For instance, when entertaining foreign guests, we serve homestyle meals," shared Chu Jiwang. Contrary to hosting banquets at luxury hotels, XILIN usually arranges for feasts in its own cafeteria, without fancy foreign wines, cigarettes, or exotic fruits and snacks like pistachios and American grapes. Instead, they present local delicacies such as potatoes, tofu, and crabs. "Serving Ninghai cuisine with the most authentic ingredients is our way of showing heartfelt sincerity," he elaborated.

        The homely hospitality embodies camaraderie, while culturally rich Chinese gifts express respect and friendship.

        Flashing back 37 years, when XILIN's predecessor, Ninghai Plastic Ninth Factory, was on the brink of collapse, Chu Jiwang learned about a US company seeking a Chinese manufacturer for packing and strapping load benders. Through bidding, XILIN secured the trial production opportunity and, after over a year of innovative efforts, achieved a sample acceptance rate of 96%. With the agreement of the customer, XILIN secured its first foreign trade order—10,000 load binders. Upon farewell to the sample inspector, Mr. Roberts, Chu Jiwang presented him with a Longquan sword, saying, "In the hearts of Chinese people, the sword embodies the noble spirit of gentlemen, sharp and gleaming when drawn. By giving you this sword, I want to demonstrate the innate courage, perseverance, and responsibility of Zhejiang entrepreneurs. I also want Mr. Roberts to rest assured that the order will be delivered on schedule." Since then, their friendship has become a legend in the industry. Today, the sword still hangs in Mr. Roberts' home in the US, symbolizing their enduring bond.

        Starting from the business of load binders, XILIN embarked on a path of continuous growth and expansion. It ventured into developing hand pallet trucks, acquired a gas equipment factory, moved into new factories, and so on. By 2002, XILIN's export amount of hand pallet truck surpassed 150,000 units, listing as the Top 1 among the Hand Pallet Truck Exporters.

       "We will continue to make quality products and introduce foreign businesses to China's cultural and natural landscapes and our goal is to showcase Made-in-China to the world and internationally disseminate China's stories," concluded Chu Jiwang.