German executive sees growth in exciting market

TIANJIN-Volker Palm, a German, still remembers his first impression of China.

"When I was 16, my friend's father returned from a summer trip to Shanghai. He shared his great experiences with wide eyes," recalls 55-year-old Palm.

Young Palm was impressed by his description of Shanghai, so he was determined to explore China's vast market.

In the early 1990s, Palm came to China, selling electronic components in many cities across the country, where he spotted tremendous business opportunities.

"During those days, if 1,000 samples were brought to an expo, all would be distributed by the end. Even if 50,000 samples were brought in, there would be none left," says Palm, adding that Chinese companies had a great interest in various new products from Germany.

Optimistic about the dividend of China's reform and opening-up, especially the country's demand to develop the manufacturing industry, Palm first moved to Beijing to engage in a sales role.

Around 2010, Palm learned about North China's Tianjin, a municipality adjacent to Beijing, at a promo event held in Germany.

As a city with one of China's major ports, Tianjin also boasts a solid industrial foundation, a complete manufacturing industry chain and a considerable number of technical personnel.

"I noticed that the local government had invested much in high-end manufacturing," says Palm.

As Palm learned more about Tianjin, he became deeply attracted by the coastal city's development prospects. In 2012, Palm joined a Tianjin subsidiary of a German manufacturing company. He has been working here ever since.

Over time, Palm realized his dream and became the CEO of WAGO Electronic (Tianjin) Co.

Under his guidance, the company set up an R&D team and aimed to bolster its sales. In 2018, the company increased capital and expanded production by importing a batch of automation equipment from Germany.

The R&D team at WAGO localized the equipment to achieve more than double its production efficiency. Tianjin's efforts in improving educational institutions and attracting talent also benefited the company's development.

"They are doing well in machinery, with a good education level. You'll find great talent in Tianjin, especially in areas like mold manufacturing and metal processing," he says.

With the upgrade of the manufacturing industry in China, the company has kept expanding its business domestically and abroad.

"Customers in emerging industries, such as lithium battery production and intelligent logistics, have just started to use our products, so we think the Chinese market is full of opportunities for us," says Palm.