What 38 Years of Craftsmanship Can Teach Us About Long-Term Brand Value
Manufacturing remains the cornerstone of China’s economic strength — powered by the vision and resilience of private entrepreneurs. Among them stands Mr. Chen Jianhua, founder of Xingdong, a trailblazer who played a pivotal role in shaping the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Over the years, Mr. Chen has not only witnessed Shenzhen’s rise but actively contributed to it by cultivating generations of skilled professionals in the mold industry.
It is through the dedication and craftsmanship of countless workers from across the nation that Shenzhen transformed from a humble fishing village into the global innovation hub it is today. Xingdong's story is a tribute to their spirit — and a testament to the power of industrial excellence driven by purpose
As you approach Shenzhen Xingdong Plastic Mold Products Co., Ltd., the rhythmic hum of machinery and the focused energy of skilled workers paint a vivid picture of a thriving manufacturing hub. When the Slkor Micro Semicon editorial team visited the company, we found Mr. Chen Jianhua in his second-floor office at 10 AM, enjoying a quiet moment with his wife and their beloved dog, “Xingxing.”
“Xingxing is 14 now,” Mr. Chen shared with a warm smile. “His hearing and vision aren’t what they used to be, but he insists on coming to work with me every day — never asking for a paycheck, and refusing to stay home even when I try to send him back.”
Mr. Chen Jianhua, like Song Shiqiang of Kinghelm and Slkor, is part of a wave of entrepreneurs from China’s Sichuan-Chongqing region who helped power Shenzhen’s industrial rise. A self-made expert who began his career on the factory floor, Mr. Chen entered the mold industry in 1987 and now brings 38 years of craftsmanship and innovation to his company.
He recalls his early days vividly: starting as a high school graduate and apprentice, he spent 10 months doing nothing but mold polishing. Frustrated, he once told his mentor, “Is this all I’m going to do?” His mentor replied, “This is the foundation — you need to master the basics before anything else.” That early lesson in patience and precision became the cornerstone of his success.
After being laid off, Mr. Chen took a leap of faith. With only three second-hand injection molding machines, he launched his own business. Today, Xingdong stands as a testament to resilience, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of Chinese manufacturing.
In 1997, as China’s sweeping state-owned enterprise reforms reshaped the economy, Chen Jianhua’s then-company, Xianke Precision Mold, was merged and restructured. After being laid off, Chen took a bold step — teaming up with two partners to launch a new venture called "Qingdong Electronics." With just three machines and a shared vision, they began taking orders and building molds from scratch.
As the business grew, differences in management philosophy gradually emerged. In 2003, Chen made the courageous decision to strike out on his own. He founded Shenzhen Xingdong Plastic Mold Products Co., Ltd., choosing the name “Xingdong” to symbolize the “Eastern Star” — a beacon of boundless future potential.
Over the past 22 years, Xingdong has evolved into a robust enterprise, now operating with over 90 pieces of advanced equipment across three major production bases: Shenzhen, Zhongshan, and Anhui. The company specializes in producing precision molds for a wide range of products — from EV charging connectors and shared power banks to car air purifiers, laptop casings, and even smart litter boxes.
“As long as it involves mold technology, we can make it,” Chen Jianhua says confidently — a statement that reflects not just technical capability, but a mindset rooted in innovation, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to quality.
Inside Xingdong’s showroom, a stunning collection of precision mold samples tells the story of decades of craftsmanship and innovation. Leading the way, founder Chen Jianhua proudly showcased key highlights:
"These are molds we’ve developed over the years," he explained. "This litter box mold, for example, took nearly 90 days to complete — the design and production process is exceptionally complex."
He gestured toward a row of sleek black components. “These require our high-end Frank injection molding machines housed in Building 6. Most domestic equipment can’t meet the precision and strength required — at least, not yet.”
Among the most impressive examples were laptop casings, which Xingdong has produced for top-tier global and domestic brands including Lenovo, Tsinghua Tongfang, Acer, Toshiba Japan, and Great Wall.
Xingdong’s sample room isn’t just a display — it’s a testament to world-class mold engineering, trusted by industry leaders across consumer electronics, automotive accessories, and smart home products.
"These molds are for internal components used in Midea’s refrigerator compressors — each compressor requires about ten plastic parts," explained Chen Jianhua. "I still remember that back in 2003, we delivered molds worth over 1.1 million RMB to Midea. Today, our Zhongshan facility alone generates over 70 million RMB in annual sales."
Xingdong began its partnership with Midea, one of the world’s leading home appliance brands, the same year the company was founded. Thanks to outstanding product quality and reliable delivery, Xingdong was honored with Midea’s "Qualified Supplier" award in 2005 — a recognition of both trust and technical excellence.
As the collaboration deepened, Xingdong expanded its manufacturing footprint by establishing branch facilities in Zhongshan and Anhui, ensuring responsive, localized support for Midea’s growing production needs.
Stepping into Xingdong’s mold manufacturing workshop reveals a highly organized and efficient production environment. Chen Jianhua personally guided the reporter through each phase of the process, noting, “We’ve rented Buildings 5, 6, and 7 to house our dedicated workshops for mold fabrication, injection molding, and painting/printing. The facility runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.”
He pointed to a series of shared power bank molds and added, “We produce a variety of models — including 8-port and 10-port versions — with a daily output of approximately 1,300 units.” Despite their seemingly simple appearance, Chen emphasized that many of these molds involve highly intricate processes, requiring the precise installation of numerous internal components to meet rigorous performance and durability standards.
Xingdong invests heavily in top-tier equipment, with many key machines imported from Japan. Chen Jianhua explained that domestic alternatives still fall short in terms of precision and stability, which limits their use in certain high-spec applications. “For example,” he said, “ultra-thin laptop shells require special hot-melt processes that current local equipment can't support.”
He then pointed to an imposing 1600-ton injection molding machine and shared: “We initially acquired this for producing radome molds for Ericsson’s 5G base stations. Now, it's also used to manufacture large-scale products like litter boxes.” Due to its massive weight, the machine demanded reinforced structural support: “We had to excavate the factory floor and pour a 1.1-meter-thick concrete slab just to support it,” he noted, underscoring the scale and precision behind Xingdong’s manufacturing capabilities.
From raw material sourcing to final product inspection, Xingdong maintains a rigorous, end-to-end quality assurance system, with dedicated specialists overseeing every stage. Chen Jianhua emphasized the company’s strict approach to supplier selection, explaining that due to inconsistent quality control among some domestic suppliers, Xingdong primarily relies on imported materials to ensure superior quality. He recalled a costly lesson when a domestic supplier’s materials caused defects in products destined for overseas markets, resulting in client compensation. Since that experience, Xingdong has reinforced its commitment to uncompromising quality standards to safeguard customer trust and product reliability.
At 57, Chen Jianhua is gradually stepping back from day-to-day management at Xingdong, entrusting operations to the apprentices he personally trained. “Many key supervisors and managers here learned their skills directly from me,” he shares proudly. Yet, he expresses concern over the aging workforce—the average age of frontline workers exceeds 50—and notes that only technical roles in Building 7 attract younger talent. “Young people born in the ’90s and ’00s, even if they pick up some skills, are often reluctant to stay in this line of work.” Chen hopes more young professionals will join the factory, dedicate themselves to mastering the craft, and carry forward the legacy.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Chen recalls the relentless focus on quality control, timely delivery, and maintaining smooth operations. Now, with more time for himself, he enjoys reading and practicing Tai Chi, while still staying connected through WeChat, offering guidance whenever technical or operational challenges arise.
From age 19 to 57, Chen Jianhua has devoted 38 years to advancing the mold industry. Beyond building a cutting-edge mold manufacturing enterprise, he has nurtured generations of skilled professionals. His story embodies the heart of China’s manufacturing evolution—the relentless pursuit of technology and an unwavering commitment to quality that define the true “Craftsman Spirit.”
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