01
Early Life
Born in Heze, Shandong Province in 1923 into a poor family, Dr. Chiang Chen experienced hardship and adversity from a young age, losing his parents early in life. These challenging circumstances fostered his unwavering resilience, laying the foundation for his future achievements.
02
1949: The Early Years in Hong Kong and a New Career Path
Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Dr. Chiang Chen relocated to Hong Kong, initially working various manual labour jobs including dockworker, textile factory worker, and miner. In 1955, a friend helped him secure a position at Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company (HAECO), marking the start of his lifelong career in mechanical engineering. Despite having only four years of formal education, his natural talent for mechanics quickly became evident. Through diligent study, keen observation, and a remarkable ability to learn, he rapidly mastered the intricacies of the trade, becoming a master engineer at HAECO within two years, laying a solid foundation for his future success.
03
1958: The Chen Hsong Story Begins
In 1957, Dr. Chiang Chen, already a respected engineer, was offered a lucrative position at a competitor of HAECO. However, due to insurmountable certification issues, the new company failed within a year. HAECO subsequently offered him a high-paying position to return, but Dr. Chiang Chen refused, instead choosing to forge his own path. 1958 marked a pivotal moment: with just HK$200, he and Tan Xiong co-founded Chen Hsong Machinery Factory, beginning the company's remarkable journey.
04
From Humble Beginnings to Industry Leader: The Two-Color Machine
Established in 1958, Chen Hsong initially operated as a small-scale machine repair shop. A pivotal moment came in 1959 with a customer's request for a dual-colour blow moulding machine—a technology that had eluded others. While his partner, Tan Xiong, doubted its feasibility, Dr. Chiang Chen, drawing inspiration from a childhood memory of observing the merging of river waters, developed a unique pressure balancing mechanism. This innovation resulted in Hong Kong's first successful dual-colour blow moulding machine, leading to the production of the iconic "Watermelon Ball" plastic footballs and establishing Chen Hsong's reputation for innovation and quality. The high demand and resulting profits marked a turning point for the young company.
05
1960s: A Strategic Shift: Entering the Injection moulding Market
By the early 1960s, Dr. Chiang Chen had identified the immense potential of the plastics industry. At that time, injection moulding machines were primarily imported, prompting him to focus on local development. His efforts led to the creation of Hong Kong's first 10-ounce in-line screw-type injection moulding machine in 1966, a significant achievement that earned him the Chinese Manufacturers' Association of Hong Kong's "New Product Award." This breakthrough played a vital role in the expansion of Hong Kong's plastics processing sector, contributing substantially to its economic rise among the "Asian Tigers."
06
1970s: The King of Toys Series: A Chen Hsong Success Story
The 1970s marked a period of significant economic expansion in Hong Kong, and Chen Hsong, under Dr. Chiang Chen's leadership, flourished. The company's unwavering dedication to quality and continuous improvement resulted in a strong market position. Capitalizing on Hong Kong's status as a global toy manufacturing hub, Chen Hsong introduced its flagship "King of Toys" series of high-end injection moulding machines. Production capacity was significantly boosted with the construction of a new factory in Fanling in 1972. The "King of Toys" series proved highly successful, becoming one of Chen Hsong's most popular and enduring product lines.
07
1980s: From Taiwan to International Expansion
By 1981, Chen Hsong had significantly expanded, opening a new 170,000 square-foot factory in Tai Po Industrial Estate, Hong Kong. However, Dr. Chiang Chen's ambition extended beyond Hong Kong. In 1980, he established Chen Hsong Taiwan, becoming the only Hong Kong injection moulding machine company to expand into the Taiwanese market. This marked the beginning of Chen Hsong's global expansion. By the late 1980s, Chen Hsong had become one of the world's largest manufacturers of injection moulding machines, solidifying its position as a global leader.
08
"Industrial Prosperity Strengthens the Nation": Dr. Chiang Chen's Guiding Principle
Despite residing in Hong Kong for many years, Dr. Chiang Chen maintained a deep commitment to his homeland, always identifying as a "national industrialist." His lifelong ambition was to contribute to China's development, give back to society, and help modernize its industrial base. This commitment is reflected in his guiding principle: "Enriching the Livelihood of People by Industry, Strengthening the Country through a Prosperous Society," inspired by the post-war economic recoveries of Japan and Germany. He believed that industrial growth would modernize China and improve the lives of its people, leading him to invest in his homeland.
09
1990s: Chen Hsong Goes Public
In 1991, Chen Hsong Holdings achieved a significant milestone by listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 00057.HK), becoming one of the few publicly traded companies in the international injection moulding industry.
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