Chairman Cho Tak Wong, founder of Fuyao Glass, has been honoured with the Phoenix Award ‘Glass person of the year’.
The award was presented at a banquet held in Mr. Wong’s honour in Ohio, which was attended by prestigious members of the glass industry and a selection of guests from Mr Wong’s family and Fuyao Glass.
Mr Wong was also visiting the area to open Fuyao Glass’ new automotive glass plant, which will employ 2,000 people in the local area.
The Phoenix Award is presented each year to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the glass industry, whether that be in the field of science, art, or production.
The award winner is decided upon by a committee made up of suppliers to the glass industry.
Mr Wong, or Chairman Cho as he is known, was born and raised in rural China, and started out selling tobacco and fruit on the streets of his hometown.
After convincing his local government to start a small factory for tempered glass, he went on to create Fuyao Glass, which is now China’s largest exporter of automotive glass.
The company has 11 production sites across China and subsidiaries in the USA, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Russia, Germany and Hong Kong.
The company’s customers include Audi, Bentley, BMW, Fiat, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Volkswagen and Volvo.
On accepting the award, Chairman Cho said:
“I am very excited, and also moved by this award.
“One of my interpretations is that it is to congratulate me, that I have been successful.
“The other interpretation is of encouragement, meaning, ‘you’ve been doing ok, but keep on going’.”
He also thanked his friends and employees, stating that the award should go to them for their great support and encouragement.
