Interview with Ye Ye, Assistant General Manager of Zhejiang Jinlong Motor Co., Ltd.

Life motto: I have once fought against the world's challenges, striving only to live with a clear conscience.

　　Corporate Vision: May Jinlong forever remain the industry leader.

　　At the opening remarks, we introduced a nationally recognized high-tech enterprise, a model company in China’s machinery industry, and a well-known name in China’s electric motor sector… Yet when a 28-year-old, somewhat impulsive young man stepped in to take charge of this illustrious family-owned business, it was inevitable that he’d draw curious—and sometimes skeptical—gazes from the outside world. Recently, when Ye Ye, Assistant General Manager of Jinlong Motor Company, finally agreed to an interview, the public finally got a rare glimpse into the intriguing life of Taizhou’s mysterious “second-generation rich.”

　　Finding a foothold for survival in times of crisis

　　Reporter (hereinafter referred to as "R"): As one of the leading enterprises in China's motor industry, has Jinlong Motor been affected by this round of financial crisis?

　　Ye Ye (hereinafter referred to as Ye): As an export-oriented enterprise, Jinlong Motor exports more than 95% of its products to international markets such as Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. After years of actively expanding into global markets, the company now boasts a stable base of loyal customers and has consistently ranked first in China for exports of small- and medium-sized three-phase asynchronous motors for the past five consecutive years. So far, this financial crisis hasn’t significantly impacted sales—between January and May, the company achieved sales revenue of approximately 200 million yuan, roughly on par with last year. Nevertheless, due to factors like fluctuating foreign exchange rates and rising raw material costs, the company’s profitability has already begun to decline, and the negative effects of the financial crisis are gradually becoming more apparent.

　　Note: It is understood that last year, Jinlong Motor achieved an output value of over 500 million yuan and employs more than 1,300 people. "When a ship is large, it’s hard to turn around"—could you please share how Jinlong is currently navigating and addressing this financial crisis?

　　Ye: Indeed, large enterprises face numerous challenges—such as high operating costs and complex management processes—resulting in several "weak links" compared to smaller businesses. However, as one of the leading companies in Taizhou's motor industry, Jinlong Electric Motor has successfully navigated multiple crises and has now built up considerable resilience against risks. Currently, we are primarily implementing the following measures: First, expanding our market presence. Right now, everyone in the company is actively tapping into the domestic market, aiming to gradually increase our share of sales within China by establishing a robust marketing network. Second, investing heavily in technological upgrades. In recent years, Jinlong Electric Motor has poured over 300 million yuan into constructing a brand-new factory campus spanning more than 220 mu, while also importing state-of-the-art equipment directly from the U.S., Taiwan, and other regions. Today, not a single piece of machinery in the new facility is outdated; instead, all equipment meets world-class standards. Finally, strengthening our management practices. For instance, I’m currently overseeing raw material procurement and consumables control—areas where, with careful optimization, there’s still plenty of room to uncover profitable opportunities.

　　Note: According to relevant data, the Guangqiao Road area alone is home to over a hundred motor enterprises of various sizes, and price wars there are raging fiercely. In the face of increasingly intense competition ahead, how will Jinlong Motor secure its survival?

　　Ye: As Taizhou's motor industry has grown, price wars have consistently followed—never letting up for a moment. The reason Jinlong Motor has been able to achieve rapid development and expansion, I believe, lies primarily in its unwavering commitment to innovation, ensuring it stays firmly ahead on the technological front. Currently, the company boasts 236 engineering and technical personnel, including over 30 professors, doctors, and engineers directly involved in developing new products. Back in 2003, the company established the "Jinlong Motor Shanghai Technical Research Center" in Shanghai and subsequently signed technology development agreements with Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Shanghai Institute of Electrical Science. Following their successful collaboration in 2005 to develop servo motors with Shanghai Jiao Tong University, last year the company once again joined forces with Zhejiang University to kick off research on high-efficiency permanent-magnet motors. This project has now been officially included in the national "863" Program.

　　In future competition, King Long Company firmly believes that innovation wins the world, while price wars lead nowhere.

　　Hone your ability to tackle challenges through learning.

　　Note: In Taizhou, there are numerous private enterprises, the vast majority of which are family-owned businesses. As the "second-generation rich" prepare to step into the spotlight, there’s much speculation and varying opinions from the outside world. As the future successor of Jinlong Electric Motor, do you feel this pressure?

　　Ye: I don’t like the term “second-generation rich.” In fact, in Luqiao, I have many friends who are the sons of CEOs of major companies. On a daily basis, they work diligently and lead modest lives—no different from kids from ordinary families.

　　Personally speaking, I don’t care what others think of me—what matters most is learning from my parents, mastering their business strategies and their wisdom for navigating the world. If there’s any pressure at all, it mainly stems from the challenge of passing down these invaluable skills to the next generation.

　　Note: Some say that your generation has a much broader perspective and significantly higher educational attainment compared to your father's generation. Do you think "knowledge heroes" can truly surpass "grassroots heroes"?

　　Ye: Practice is the true source of knowledge. While my father’s generation may indeed have had slightly lower formal education compared to ours, when it comes to actual expertise, that’s not necessarily the case. Take my father, for instance—he single-handedly handled everything from marketing and management to finance. Under his leadership, the factory achieved annual sales of 400 to 500 million yuan—almost entirely thanks to his tireless efforts. Moreover, he personally designed every aspect of the new factory, from stamping and production lines to precision machining and final assembly. If you compare him to today’s doctoral and master’s students in universities, I’d argue that my father knows just as much—if not more—than they do.

　　Note: In your opinion, what do you think is most admirable about your father's generation? And do you believe you might be able to do even better than him in the future?

　　Ye: To me, my father is the best teacher in my life. I believe the most admirable qualities he embodies are as follows: First, his relentless dedication to his career. My father doesn’t smoke, drink alcohol, or play cards—he’s practically devoted entirely to the factory. His only joy in life is ensuring that this enterprise thrives. Sometimes, I just can’t understand what drives him to work so tirelessly. Second, his optimistic and open-minded attitude when facing challenges. After decades navigating the business world through countless ups and downs—including the Asian financial crisis, when “Jinlong” was on the brink of collapse due to complex debt issues—he never lost heart or gave up. I still remember vividly how, during those tough times, whenever I called him from abroad, he never once sighed or complained. Finally, his generous spirit and genuine way of treating others. When working alongside him, he often reminded us that if we’re constantly nitpicking and unable to embrace others’ strengths, we’ll never achieve anything meaningful. That’s why he always emphasized that by truly attracting and nurturing talent from all walks of life, Jinlong is sure to soar into greatness in the future.

　　For me, the most important thing right now is to learn from and carry forward all the outstanding qualities of my parents—whether it’s their approach to business management, their wisdom in how to navigate life, or even their mastery of craftsmanship and artistry. As for whether I can surpass them, that’s a question best left for the future to answer.

　　Source: Taizhou Net | Author: