12 hidden champion firms visit Bao'an to seek cooperation

Representatives form 12 hidden champion enterprises from Germany were invited to visit Bao’an District from April 18 to 19. 

Representatives from 12 hidden champion enterprises from Germany visit the Xinqiaodong Advanced Manufacturing Industrial Park during their visit to Bao'an District from April 18 to 19. Photos from"宝安湾" app

These companies are involved in sectors such as semiconductor manufacturing, laser equipment manufacturing, and home furnishings. Many of them are family-run businesses with a long history, with the oldest dating back more than 200 years. 

As well as learning about the urban landscape and local customs of Bao'an District, the German entrepreneurs also visited the Xinqiaodong Advanced Manufacturing Industrial Park and two local companies, Insta360 and Sunwoda.

Insta360, a pioneering company specializing in panoramic cameras, has grown rapidly since its founding in 2015 to become a global leader in intelligent imaging technologies. 

Sunwoda Electronic Co. Ltd. is a Shenzhen-based global leader in the lithium-ion battery industry. 

A scene at the matchmaking event April 19. 

At a matchmaking event held April 19 at Union R&D Center, Guangdong’s first headquarters base for specialized and sophisticated companies, representatives from the 12 companies introduced their enterprises, discussed development requirements, and explained the purpose of their visit. 

Uwe Halliger of the Abacus Group stated that the main purpose was to assess the feasibility of investing in a highly automated grain, oil, and food production base in China. He expressed a desire to work with strong, skilled, and experienced Chinese food suppliers. 

The German entrepreneurs noted that the visit enabled more German small- and medium-sized companies (SMEs) to understand the importance of the Chinese market and potential Chinese partners. 

More than 50 companies also attended the matchmaking event in Bao'an. After the meeting, Chinese entrepreneurs and their German counterparts exchanged business cards to explore future cooperation opportunities.

Enterprise representatives pose for a group photo. 

The term "hidden champions," introduced by German professors Holman Simon and Theodore Levitt, describes SMEs that dominate their markets but are typically overlooked. Hidden champion enterprises predominantly consist of manufacturing firms distinguished by their unique technologies and operational processes. Their numbers serve as a significant indicator of a nation's comprehensive technological prowess.