THE reform and opening policy of 1978 wrought dramatic and beneficial changes on the Chinese economy. Of private entrepreneurs who have contributed to China's ongoing economic boom, many are from poor rural backgrounds that precluded going to college. Those that succeeded got ahead by making intelligent decisions and grasping opportunities.
Song Deyin is one successful entrepreneur who has overcome humble beginnings and made his mark in China's business circles. He is currently president and chairman of the board of directors of the Beijing Silver Bridge Power S&T (Group), a concern with fixed assets of almost 200 million yuan.
Born in a rural village in the early 1960s when China's economy was at its lowest ebb since liberation in 1949, Song has six brothers and sisters. He started doing farm work as a teenager to help support the family. This was largely due to his mother, a rural cadre who took an active part in her children's education. She encouraged her children to contribute to farm work and household chores, giving them cash rewards when they fulfilled their tasks. This approach instilled business consciousness in Song and ambition to get ahead.
In 1978, Song Deyin signed up as a sailor and served in the navy for two years. This was a determining period in his life as he had the opportunity to meet more people, and to learn and exercise new skills. Upon being demobilized and returning to his home he was jobless until 1982 when he started work with a construction team. He quickly learned construction skills and was soon able to work independently by referring to architectural drawings, winning commendation from seasoned hands and his fellow workers. Influenced by the early 1980s trend of young people deciding to start their own businesses, Song left his construction job and opened an electrical appliances repair shop. It earned him enough to build a house in his village and get married.
Despite being richer than most of his contemporaries, Song kept an eye out for fresh sources of income. In 1986, he started a car windscreen manufacturing business that turned out to be highly profitable. This was at the time China imported certain automobiles but had no plants to produce necessary fittings and accessories. If a car windscreen shattered, its driver was obliged to buy an expensive imported replacement. Song soon saw the profit potential in this consumer gap. He established his own private plant and poached an experienced technician from the only windscreen manufacturing plant in Beijing by offering him a considerably higher salary.
The office building of Beijing Silver Bridge Power S&T (Group) Co., Ltd designed by Song Deyin.
Having chalked up profits of several million yuan, Song's intention was to go back home and relax for a few years, but friends convinced him to start a locomotive repair business. Curiosity prompted Song to act on their suggestion, and in July 1990, he opened a locomotive engine repair plant. Wanting to give his customers the best and conscious of his incomplete education Song employed professional technicians and college graduates in related fields. He had soon established a high reputation in engineering circles.
Having developed for over a decade, Song's company is now a high-tech corporation engaging in the manufacture, maintenance, research and development of locomotive engine and vehicle fittings. Its affiliated companies are the Beijing Silver Bridge Electrical Machinery Factory, Beijing Zhongtie Silver Bridge Locomotive and Vehicle Fittings Company, Beijng Silver Dish New Technology Company, Beijing Silver Bridge Real Estate, Beijing Silver Bridge Zhiye Science and Technology Development Company and the Beijing Silver Bridge Research Institute. The company also has cooperative arrangements with related industries abroad, most notably Thailand. Aware of rapid developments in the intellectual economy, Song applied the policy of increasing efficiency through strict management and advancing through science and technology. He intensified scientific research and formulated a strict system of quality control. This won him even more clients.
Easygoing Song has many friends who have brought a lot of business his way. This he acknowledges: "Friends have given me plenty of business opportunities, but sustaining success calls for hard work and putting heart and soul into the development of an enterprise."
Song's next plan is to expand his business by cooperating with large international locomotive engine manufacturing companies. "We have a good market and human resources, and large international companies have the necessary advanced technology. A partnership promises great potential for both sides," says Song. Like many other Chinese entrepreneurs, Song lacks information about suitable potential business partners, but is working hard to rectify this. "The Chinese railway market is huge, but the technological standard of Chinese locomotives is two decades behind. As in our auto manufacture, the first step is to introduce technology and spare parts before gradually increasing domestic production. Many business opportunities should arise during this process, and I shan't miss any," says Song Deyin with characteristic confidence and determination.
(China Today July 9, 2004)
