He founded Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. (Fuyao Group), building it from scratch, changing the history of Chinese people's inability to produce automotive glass independently; he spent more than 100 million yuan winning anti-dumping lawsuits twice over several years, becoming a model for Chinese entrepreneurs to protect their rights; he starred in the documentary American Factory, which won an award at the 92nd Academy Awards (Oscars 2020); and he donated 10 billion yuan to establish a university to train professionals in national industries.
This is not fiction, a made-up script, but the real life story of entrepreneur Cao Dewang.
Employees test products at Fuyao Glass Russia production facility in Kaluga. [Photo courtesy of Fuyao Group]
"His achievements go far beyond the auto glass sector," said the independent panel of judges for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year. After 40-plus years of growth, Fuyao Group, founded in 1987, has become the world's largest provider of auto glass, with a market value of more than 110 billion yuan. Cao is also known as the "King of Glass" and is legendary for his story.
Regarding the road to business success, Cao said that it is mainly driven by technological innovation, enabling the enterprise to shift from "manufacturing" to "intelligent manufacturing" and putting Industry 4.0 into action.
SELF-RELIANCE AND IMPROVEMENT THROUGH MAKING GLASS FOR CHINESE
How can we make top-notch auto glass?
In 1983, Cao, a buyer at a custom glass factory in Gaoshan Town, Fuqing City, Fujian Province, took over that small factory, which was on the verge of collapse due to years of losses. In less than a year, he turned their deficits into profits, and the small factory became a prelude to the story of Fuyao Group. In 1984, Cao once heard while in a taxi in Mount Wuyi: "Be careful not to break the windshield; it is imported from Japan and is not available in China." This comment from a taxi driver always stuck with him, stirring in him feelings of national self-esteem. "I am determined to make glass for us Chinese!"