Founder: Fuyao looks to retool with robotics

Cao Dewang, founder and chairman of the Fuyao Glass Industry Group, believes that an economy based on manufacturing — with a high-tech twist — makes the most sense.

In a talk to international college students from the University of Cincinnati (UC), Cao stressed that such an economy is more sustainable.

On Friday, Cao gave a keynote speech at the Global Economic and Career Outlook Summit, organized by the Greater Cincinnati Chinese Chamber of Commerce and the Cincinnati Regional Economic Development Initiative.

"I never forget my initial vision of only doing one thing well — making auto glass. I used 35 years to get here," said Cao. "I began working (for Fuyao) as a salesperson. The history of Fuyao is my history. Today, we are the largest auto-glass maker in the world," Cao told the students.

Now, Fuyao, which was founded in 1987, has factories in nine countries and in five US states and provides glass for millions of autos a year, Cao said. It has more capacity than the other five major auto-glass makers combined and serves major brands such as Ford, BMW and Toyota.

Cao said that economic culture is changing, and it is difficult to find enough skilled workers in the US. Most skilled workers at Fuyao Glass America are over 60 years old, as many had watched such manufacturing jobs go to other countries in recent decades.

There is a need to utilize more robotics to improve production, Cao said.

"The US calls it the internet industry, Europe calls it Industry 4.0; in principal, the industry wants to use machines to improve productivity and lower costs," he said.

"We want, in two to five years, to become the company with the strongest technology," he said. "We aim to bring new technology and innovation to the industry. We want not only to be the largest in size but also the best in technology."

Cao invited the students to join Fuyao Glass America.

"We desperately need new technicians with software skills to run robots. The internet industry is more complicated. However, we will work toward that goal no matter what," said Cao, adding that Fuyao has undertaken various projects for technology innovation and R&D.

After $400 million in investment, Fuyao Glass America has started to see a profit, Cao said.

In Moraine, Ohio alone, Fuyao employs more than 2,300 people with prospects of hiring more next year. The company also plans to build a new factory in the US.

Cao criticized Wall Street for creating a virtual economy without creating real value, saying it's what drags an economy down.

Contact the writer at mayzhou@chinadailyusa.com