Interview with Rao Jun, Chairman of Nanjing Stepan Chemical Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Nanjing Jinling Stepan Chemical Co., Ltd.
This year, Nanjing Jinling Stepan Chemical Co., Ltd., a world-renowned chemical company and the world’s largest manufacturer and supplier of aromatic polyester polyols and anionic surfactants, was jointly invested by American Stepan Company and China Jinling Petrochemical Company. The 10th anniversary of the company’s establishment, a reporter from Tiantian Chemical Network recently had the honor to interview Mr. Rao Jun, the general manager of Nanjing Jinling Stepan Co., Ltd., during the meeting of the “China Polyurethane Exterior Wall Thermal Insulation Technology Symposium National Promotion Station. Beijing Station”.
Rao Jun, Chairman of Nanjing Stepan Chemical Co., Ltd. and General Manager of Nanjing Jinling Stepan Chemical Co., Ltd.
As we all know, phthalic anhydride polyester polyols produced by Jinling Stepan Co., Ltd. are widely used in engineering plastics, car seat cushions, equipment insulation, refrigerator cold storage and sandwich panels and other fields. 2014 is the tenth year that American Stepan has entered the Chinese market. Looking back on this decade, Stepan has maintained a sense of mystery in the industry with his “low-key and down-to-earth” style. Nevertheless, he can become a global polyester polyol manufacturer. A leader in the market, Stepan naturally attracted the attention of many people in the industry. When the reporter asked about the development and operation status of Stepan Company in recent years, Mr. Rao, who just took office recently, said frankly that Stepan entered the Chinese market for ten years. It is indeed relatively low-key, but sales and profits are in a state of rapid growth. In 2014, affected by the general economic environment and the overall downturn in the construction industry, products such as phthalic anhydride polyester polyols were affected to a certain extent, and the overall operating conditions in 2014 were slightly lower than expected. “Since the closure of domestic factories in February 2013, customers have been a little worried about us. Therefore, we have imported relevant raw materials from abroad regardless of cost, and strived to maintain market balance and customer needs; the company is now building a new factory in full swing, and increasing investment and Technology research and development to ensure that the scale and efficiency of new factories under construction will be improved. Our goal is to achieve complete localized production in the Chinese market in the future, to ensure product quality while controlling production costs; in the international market, we We will continue to increase investment and expand production. We have acquired a polyol factory in Poland and Bayer powder polyester resin business and factory in North America. We are full of confidence in the Chinese and Asian markets, and we will also invest in the first phase of the project and diversified production lines in the new chemical park to further expand the product market in other related fields. Therefore, China is one of the most important strategic markets for Stepan.” President Rao added in detail.
Rendering of administrative office and electric control building of Stepan (Nanjing) Chemical Co., Ltd.
During the interview, the reporter learned that, unlike other traditional chemical companies in Europe or North America who build factories and expand around the world, the mode of acquisition or merger is an important strategy in Stepan’s global expansion strategy. At present, 14 of Stepan’s 16 factories worldwide are acquired through acquisitions. The factory under construction in Nanjing is Stepan’s only self-built Asian factory besides the American factory, which is enough to show Stepan’s commitment to China. And the attention of the Asian market. In view of the fact that the polyol business has a leading position in the North American market with a high market share and still has room for development, Stepan plans to increase investment in polymer (polyol) products in the next 2-3 years to further expand the North American market The successful model of the model was replicated in other regions besides the United States. “In May of this year, we have established a R&D center in Nanjing. This is our business development plan in Asia. We hope to build a localized R&D center in Asia with China as the core and combine the Chinese market conditions to achieve localization of production, including for employees. Important measures such as conducting professional technical training and providing on-site technical services to customers are also one of the important factors for us to have a competitive advantage in the market.” Mr. Rao said. Regarding the future development plan of Stepan Company in China, Mr. Rao revealed that the company’s personnel structure framework is currently in the adjustment period, and it is also in the transformation stage; after the independent registration of the technology research and development center, Stepan (Nanjing) Chemical Technology Research and Development Co., Ltd. was established , to realize the separation of production and sales; after the completion of the new Nanjing factory, it will make a new appearance, and it is expected that the entire team will be fully staffed in 2016.
Stepan (Nanjing) Chemical Technology R&D Co., Ltd.
With the rapid development of globalization and integration of the world economy and increasingly fierce competition in the international market, Stepan must have his own successful experience to become a leader in the global polyester polyol market. When talking about sharing the company’s successful experience, Mr. Rao said modestly, “Enterprises that can succeed abroad may not necessarily succeed in entering China. Stepan’s success lies in persistence, and development lies in ideas; adhere to ideas and product quality ���Improve technical services, this is our successful experience in foreign countries, we must also persist in China; in the face of the Chinese market, we must be more flexible, fast and efficient to adapt to the environment and development needs, control costs and prices, optimize Product performance to meet different customer needs. “When talking about Stepan’s competitive advantage, Mr. Rao said confidently, “Our core competitiveness lies in “product quality-oriented”, and we have technical service advantages. High-quality product performance has established a good reputation for us in the industry. Word-of-mouth and reputation; Stepan’s product series are complete and diverse. We provide technical services for different types of customers. In the process of product development, we make products more in line with customer needs and usage through synthesis, application development, and process improvement. , the pre-sales and after-sales services of the products are the same; for example, we have provided product technical support for a leading domestic polyurethane sheet manufacturer. Experts visit customers on a regular basis to customize solutions, which has won the recognition of customers. These are the main reasons for Stepan’s high market share in the United States. We will also maintain these competitive advantages in China. “When it comes to disadvantages, Mr. Rao objectively stated that although the production cost of the product will not be high, the application cost will be high. As far as the current Chinese market is concerned, Stepan’s new product promotion speed is not high enough and needs to be further improved.” In the future, we will increase marketing efforts according to the needs of the Chinese market, which also requires the media and the continued recommendation of the Polyurethane Industry Association. “Mr. Rao emphasized.
In the face of the obvious overcapacity in the domestic chemical industry, Premier Rao shared some of his experience and opinions after a rational analysis: 1. In view of Stepan’s successful experience in the US market, it is only a matter of time before China’s thermal insulation market rises , Stepan is optimistic about the future demand of the Chinese market for polyurethane and polyester polyols, and has confidence in building factories in China to expand production; A process, with the test of time and the market, excellent companies with distinctive products must be able to develop in the industry in the long run; 3. When dealing with overcapacity, Stepan advocated adjusting focus in different fields, such as some new, future Explore areas, use existing resources to develop, balance and make up for product differentiation. “We can look at the pros and cons of products and develop R&D capabilities from the inside of the company through the phenomenon of overcapacity. During this period of time, the company can conduct self-examination, adjustment, integration, strengthen personnel training, and optimize the supply chain. I believe that , Enterprises that can stand the test and survive must be valuable enterprises.” Mr. Rao emphasized.
Before the interview ended, Mr. Rao expressed his support for the recent national promotion of polyurethane exterior wall insulation in China sponsored by China Polyurethane Industry Association and undertaken by Tiantian Chemical Network. For the future and sound development of the thermal insulation market, we hope that the relevant national departments can increase the supervision of the industry to make its operation more standardized. “With the leap of the thermal insulation market, this will be the biggest opportunity for our company. We must believe that our efforts are worthwhile and will usher in the spring of polyurethane.” Mr. Rao said firmly. (Zheng Yiwen, special correspondent of Tiantian Chemical Industry Network)
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About American Stepan:
American Stepan (Stepan) was founded in 1932 and is the world’s largest Aromatic Polyester Polyols and Anionic Surfactants Manufacturer and Supplier. It has a number of proprietary and patented technologies and decades of application experience in the field of polyester polyols. There are 18 production bases in the world, with a variety of proprietary and patented technologies.
About polyester polyol
Phthalic anhydride polyester polyol is an important raw material for polyurethane production, widely used in external wall insulation, refrigerator cold storage, equipment insulation, car seat cushions, paint glue Adhesives and engineering plastics and other fields.
Such asReprinted, please indicate the source: Tiantian Chemical Network
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