Gu Jiandang: In 32 years, he helped a German hidden champion company establish roots in China…

Source: Zhenghe Island (ID: zhenghedao)

Getting to know a new high-quality entrepreneur every day:

Today, I want to introduce an old friend, Gu Jiandang.

You might not have heard of him—he’s the head of Phoenix Electric China, a longtime neighbor on Zhenghe Island, and has been part of Zhenghe Island for nearly 10 years. He is currently the Executive Chairman and Secretary-General of Jiangsu Zhenghe Island.

He has worked at Phoenix for 32 years. In those 32 years, he’s done one thing: make this German company more local in China than many domestic companies. People in the industry jokingly call him “the most Chinese German company boss.”

Think about it—industrial products like connection terminals seem insignificant, right? But their presence is everywhere in China’s distribution cabinets and control rooms. They’ve spent 32 years turning a small industrial component into a “safety standard,” which is the business of Phoenix Electric China under his leadership.

What’s even more impressive is that he has always stood on the bridge between China and Germany.

German technology, Chinese manufacturing—he understands both sides. Over the years, industry upheavals have come one after another. He’s been caught up in them, but he always says: “Rooted in China” is not just a slogan; it’s about truly immersing himself.

Recently, he announced a “reset and second entrepreneurship.” After 32 years, why start over? He says, “If you don’t change, you die; only by changing do you have a chance.” That’s Gu Jiandang.

An industrialist who’s always reinventing himself.

Respect to this old neighbor and old friend on the island, and I sincerely look forward to him continuing to innovate!