History
1988
June 6
“Xinxiang Weihua Hoisting Machinery Factory” was established in Hanliao Village, Weizhuang Town, Changyuan County, Henan Province. Factory director Han Xianbao raised RMB 200,000 in registered capital and, in a hand-operated workshop covering less than 2,000 square meters, began Weihua Group’s entrepreneurial journey together with six rural workers.
1990
April
The factory began assembling and producing finished electric hoists. In addition to supplying local factories and mines in Changyuan, the products were also sold to Hebei, Shandong, Jiangsu, and other regions.
1992
March
The fully self-produced 0.25–10t electric hoists were launched on the market for the first time, marking the factory’s transition to having its own standardized products.
September
To test product quality, the factory built its first simple 5-ton electric hoist testing bench.
1993
June
Factory director Han Xianbao made a commitment to customers: “This is the kingdom of electric hoists—the most loyal partner for crane components. The people here are pioneering and enterprising, boundless in spirit. The products here are genuine and are sold far and wide. In the event of any counterfeiting or infringement, we are willing to bear all legal responsibility.” This commitment was written on the factory wall and became the motto of all employees.
1994
April
The factory established the Finance Department, Production Department, Office, and Technical Department. This initial middle-management structure laid the foundation for the company’s management system.
1995
December 31
The CD1 and MD1 series 0.5–10t wire-rope electric hoists produced by the factory obtained the “National Industrial Product Manufacturing License” issued by the State Bureau of Machinery Industry.
Within the year
Factory director Han Xianbao proposed the entrepreneurial philosophy: “Once we do business for the first time, we are friends forever.”
1996
June 6
The factory relocated to a new plant at No. 66, Weizhuang Town Industrial Park, which was built with an investment of more than RMB 6 million. The new facility covered an area of 45,300 square meters, and the workforce expanded to more than 100 employees. With its clean environment and well-planned layout, it quickly became a well-known, well-managed “garden-style factory” in the Xinxiang region.
June
The trademark registration certificate for the “graphical Weihua trademark in traditional Chinese characters” was issued, marking the company’s ownership of its own registered trademark.
1997
November 20
Xinxiang Weihua Hoisting Machinery Factory officially became a member of the China Heavy Machinery Industry Association.
December 30
Factory director Han Xianbao decided to launch complete crane manufacturing projects, marking the company’s move toward large-scale production.
1998
The factory successively established single-girder and double-girder crane production lines, forming six major product series—such as LX, LD, and QD—with more than 50 varieties.
1999
September 8
The company proposed the development philosophy: “Create the international Weihua brand and revitalize China’s national industry.”
Within the year
The company manufactured a 32T bridge crane for the Merowe Dam project in Sudan, representing the company’s first batch of export products and marking its entry into the international market.
2000
January 21
The company passed the ISO9001 international quality management system audit and certification by the China Fangyuan Certification Center, signifying a new level in the construction of its quality management system.
March
The company formally proposed its business philosophy for the first time: “Success is built on integrity, and hard work will always be rewarded.”
2001
The company achieved annual sales revenue of RMB 52.46 million and paid RMB 1.55 million in taxes, representing year-on-year increases of 58.97% and 121.43%, respectively.
2002
August 11
“Weihua” products were recognized as a “China Well-Known Brand” by the China Brand Development Promotion Committee.
Within the year
The Group proposed the slogan: “Weihua Cranes—Making the World Easier!”
2003
June
The company granted equity shares to 50 employees.
November 28
The company headquarters officially relocated from No. 66, Weizhuang Industrial Park to the new plant on Wenming West Road, Changyuan County.
2004
October 1
The founding conference of Weihua Group Co., Ltd. was held, during which the unveiling ceremonies for Weihua Group Co., Ltd. and Henan Weihua Technology Co., Ltd. took place.
2005
January 20
The company successfully designed and manufactured two 200T double-girder overhead cranes for Yunnan Zhanhua, pioneering the company’s entry into large-tonnage crane manufacturing.
December 31
Four major scientific and technological projects of the Group—the 200t double-main-girder gantry crane, a 40/5t gantry crane with a lifting height of 400 m for hydraulic engineering, the QD300/100t-22.5m A3 overhead crane, and the Sti series European-style wire-rope electric hoist—passed appraisal by the Henan Provincial Department of Science and Technology and were awarded Henan Provincial Scientific and Technological Achievement honors.
2006
July 14
The LJMJ 40.5t–20m rail-mounted container gantry crane manufactured by the Group passed type testing, marking a major breakthrough in the development of high-end products.
September 6
At the grand conference commemorating the 10th anniversary of the implementation of the State Council’s “Outline for Quality Revitalization” and honoring advanced units in quality-driven city development, held in Beijing, Weihua-brand overhead and gantry cranes were awarded the title of “China Top Brand Product.”
October 17
The State Administration for Industry and Commerce awarded the Group the title of “National Enterprise Honoring Contracts and Keeping Credit.”
2007
February 13
The Weihua Primary School, built with a donation of RMB 1.5 million from the Group, was completed, solving schooling difficulties for more than 600 children.
May 13
The Weihua brand combined trademark (graphic plus traditional Chinese “Weihua” characters) was judicially recognized as a “China Well-Known Trademark.”
July 20
The China Machinery Industry Enterprise Management Association awarded the Group the title of “China’s Top 500 Machinery Enterprises.”
2008
April 29
The Group’s labor union was awarded the title of “National Model Workers’ Home.”
November 6
The Group’s “GLQ40 Dual-Drive AC Variable-Frequency Port Rubber-Tired Gantry Crane” project was included in the 2008–2009 National Torch Program.
2009
February 23
Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, renowned mechanical engineering expert, and distinguished educator Yang Shuzi was appointed as a senior advisor to the Group.
July 28
The Group was awarded the title of “Top 100 China Equipment Manufacturing Enterprises” by the China Institute of Industrial Economics, the World Enterprise Competitiveness Laboratory, and Global Manufacturing Review.
November 7
The 400-meter lifting-height gantry crane developed by the Group was recognized by the China Enterprise Confederation and the China Entrepreneurs Association as holding the “World Record for the Greatest Lifting Height of a Gantry Crane.”
2010
October 18
The Group was approved by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the National Postdoctoral Management Committee to establish a “Postdoctoral Research Workstation.”
November 16
The Group was jointly approved by the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the General Administration of Customs, the Ministry of Finance, and the State Administration of Taxation as a “Nationally Recognized Enterprise Technology Center” (17th batch).
2011
April 28
Han Xianbao, Chairman and President of the Group, was awarded the “National May 1st Labor Medal” by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and attended the commendation ceremony in Beijing.
May 18
Henan Weihua Agriculture and Forestry Co., Ltd. was officially registered, marking the Group’s formal entry into the agriculture and forestry sector.
June 17
The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and the Ministry of Finance jointly announced that the Group was selected as one of the first batch (55 nationwide, only 2 in Henan) of “National Technology Innovation Demonstration Enterprises.”
2012
June 28
At the National Conference on Creating Excellence and Striving for Advancement held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, the Party Committee of Weihua Group was awarded the title of “National Advanced Grassroots Party Organization.”
August 17
The Group’s project “Key Technologies for Lightweight Overhead and Gantry Cranes” was included in the “2012 National Torch Program.”
2013
May 18
Liu Yunshan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat, convened a Party-building symposium in Anyang. Yu Youfei, Party Secretary and President of the Group, attended and reported on Weihua’s service-oriented Party organization development. Liu Yunshan commended Weihua Group’s Party-building work and requested relevant central departments to pay attention to Weihua’s development.
June 8
A research delegation led by Niu Qiaodi, Deputy Inspector of the Second Bureau of the Central Organization Department, visited Weihua to conduct a special study on Party-building work in non-public enterprises.
August 23
The Group held the 2013 “Golden Autumn Education Support” ceremony, granting RMB 600,000 in financial aid to 200 outstanding underprivileged college students.
December
The Group’s crane electrical anti-sway automatic positioning control system was appraised as internationally leading; the fully automated metallurgical charging overhead crane was appraised as internationally advanced; and the 100t fully hydraulic-driven rubber-tired gantry crane was appraised as domestically leading.
2014
February 26
The Group was awarded the “National Machinery Industry Quality Award.”
November
Weihua successfully designed and manufactured a point-line meshing cylindrical gear reducer.
2015
April 28
Wu Qingfu, a senior technical worker of the Group, was honored as a National Model Worker and received congratulations from central leaders including Xi Jinping and Li Keqiang at the Great Hall of the People.
June 26
The Group’s extra-large intelligent grab dredger, developed under the National “863 Program” and a national key scientific research project, passed acceptance by the Ministry of Science and Technology with unanimous approval.
September
Weihua Group ranked No. 460 among the “2015 China’s Top 500 Manufacturing Enterprises.”
2016
March 29
The Group appointed Zhang Tiegang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and expert in safety technology and engineering, as the resident academician of the Weihua Academician Workstation.
April 21
Henan Weihua signed a comprehensive contract in Bangkok with the Port Authority of Thailand and ITD Construction of Thailand for infrastructure construction and equipment of the Laem Chabang Port container terminal. Weihua will provide a complete solution for the new rail yard and related container handling equipment.
September 22
The National Development and Reform Commission officially approved the establishment of the “National-Local Joint Engineering Research Center for Lightweight Hoisting Equipment,” led by Weihua Group—marking the Group’s first national-level engineering research center qualification.
2017
January
The Group’s project “Railway-Dedicated Container Gantry Crane Based on IoT and Composite Anti-Sway Technology” won the Second Prize of the 2016 Henan Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award.
September 11
Henan Weihua Mechanical Engineering Research Institute Co., Ltd. (Weihua Research Institute) officially obtained the Grade B Design Qualification Certificate for the Construction Industry (Construction Engineering).
December
Following evaluation and appraisal organized by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, Weihua Group was awarded the title of “National Manufacturing Single Champion Demonstration Enterprise (2017).”
2018
April
The fully automatic roll-changing crane independently developed by Weihua Group, with completely proprietary intellectual property rights, was officially put into operation. This achievement broke the long-standing foreign technological monopoly, with product performance reaching an internationally advanced level.
July 9
Han Hong’an, Chairman of the Group, issued a call to all Weihua employees: to review the past, learn from benchmarks, and, with a “reset” mindset, embark on a new journey of Weihua Group’s “second entrepreneurship, second takeoff, and second wealth creation.”
October 30
Henan Weihua Heavy Machinery Co., Ltd. was awarded the “2018 National Quality Benchmark” for its experience in implementing an “Internet+ design, manufacturing, and service” quality innovation model.
2019
May 23
Weihua cranes contributed to the rollout of China’s 600 km/h high-speed maglev prototype test vehicle.
June 25
Weihua Group was awarded the title of “National Advanced Collective of the Machinery Industry,” the highest honor in China’s machinery industry system.
July 2
Weihua’s PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system officially went live.
September
Weihua was selected for the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s national “Green Factory” list.
November 1
Weihua Construction Group was awarded the 2019 National Construction Industry AAA Credit Enterprise title, the highest credit honor in the construction industry.
2020
January 31
Weihua Group mobilized 32 tons of relief supplies to support Wuhan in the fight against COVID-19.
March 27
The Group’s project “R&D and Industrialization of a Big Data Management System for the Logistics Equipment Industry” was shortlisted for the 2020 Big Data Industry Development Pilot Demonstration Projects of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.
August 6
The first intelligent coating production line in China’s hoisting industry, constructed by Weihua, was officially put into operation.
November 19
AICrane, the artificial intelligence crane independently developed by Weihua, completed on-site application at the steel coil warehouse management system of Weihua Intelligent Industrial Park. Tests showed its performance had reached an internationally advanced level.
November 20
Weihua Group was awarded the title of the 6th “National Civilized Unit.”
November 24
Weihua employee Xia Weixin was awarded the 2020 “National Model Worker” honor by the CPC Central Committee and the State Council.
2021
May 28
Weihua Group held its 2021 new product launch and sales conference, unveiling the New Chinese-style crane.
June 6
The 2nd Junzi Culture Festival and the 33rd anniversary celebration of Weihua Group were held at Weihua Intelligent Industrial Park. Yang Chaoming, Qian Niansun, and Cai Yunchuan were invited as guest speakers.
October 20
Xu Lejiang, Vice Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and Party Secretary and Executive Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce, visited Weihua for inspection and research.
December
Weihua Intelligent Hoisting Equipment Industrial Design Center was successfully selected for the “National Industrial Design Center” list.
2022
February 8
Weihua’s Party-building case was included in the book “Collection of Outstanding Innovative Party-Building Cases of Chinese Enterprises.”
May 25
Lou Yangsheng, Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee, visited Weihua Intelligent Industrial Park for inspection.
July 4
Weihua’s 2,000-ton gantry crane was successfully delivered to China’s largest offshore wind power hub port.
August 26
Han Hong’an, Chairman of Weihua Group, was elected Vice Chairman of the 13th Henan Federation of Industry and Commerce.
September 16
Han Hong’an, Chairman of Weihua Group, was awarded the title of “National Outstanding Entrepreneur.”
October 10
The Weihua Low-Carbon Intelligent Equipment Industrial Park, with a total investment of RMB 4 billion and a planned area of 1,500 mu, officially broke ground.
October 30
Weihua partnered with WTT World Table Tennis to support the successful conclusion of the “Xinxiang WTT World Cup Finals 2022.”
December 12
Han Hong’an, Chairman of Weihua Group, was elected Executive Committee Member of the 13th All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce.
December 30
Han Hong’an donated personal equity worth RMB 330 million to more than 240 outstanding mid- and grassroots-level core employees of Weihua Group.
2023
February
Construction of the Jiangsu Weihua High-End Intelligent Port Equipment Project commenced in full swing.
February
Weihua Group established Henan Weihua Modern Agriculture Group Co., Ltd., officially entering the agricultural sector.
February 5
Zhengzhou Weilay held a groundbreaking ceremony for its high-end intelligent parking garage project in the Zhengzhou Economic Development Zone.
March 23
Wang Kai, Governor of Henan Province, visited Weihua Intelligent Industrial Park for inspection.
April 18
The Changyuan flagship store of Minghua Tea officially opened.
April 24
Weihua Group won the First Prize of the National Excellent Corporate Culture Achievements Award.
May 22
Zhang Leiming, Member of the Standing Committee of the Henan Provincial Party Committee and Minister of the United Front Work Department, along with other provincial and municipal leaders, visited Weihua for inspection.
June 1
Jing Jinsong, Party Secretary and Director of the Henan Provincial Administration for Market Regulation, visited Weihua for inspection.
June 6
Weihua Group grandly held the Hoisting Industry Strategic Seminar and the 35th Anniversary Celebration of Weihua Group.
June 15
With a brand value of RMB 36.956 billion, Weihua Group was listed in the 2023 “China’s 500 Most Valuable Brands,” ranking 268th.
July 3
Weihua Group was successfully selected as an outstanding case in the 2022 “Industrial Strengthening” Enterprise History Compilation for its case “Empowering a Strong Manufacturing Nation with ‘Intelligent’ Manufacturing.”
September 26
Jiangsu Weihua Marine Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. held its commissioning ceremony.
October 17
Han Hong’an, Chairman of Weihua Group, was elected Chairman of the First Council of the Digital Empowerment Working Committee of the China Heavy Machinery Industry Association.
December 22
Liu Shangjin, Vice Governor of Henan Province, visited Weihua for inspection.
December 22
Weihua Group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the People’s Government of Ledong County, Hainan Province, in Haikou City.
2024
February 1
At Weihua Group’s 2023 Annual Summary and Commendation Conference, Han Hong’an, Chairman of Weihua Technology Group, proposed new goals for a “third entrepreneurship”: to recreate a miracle, to plan a new grand blueprint, and to further enrich employees.
In February 2024, Weihua was awarded the Nomination Award of the 5th China Quality Award.
October 11
On October 11, Weihua Marine held its full-capacity commissioning and wharf completion ceremony in Nantong, Jiangsu Province.
November 14
On November 14, the Hainan Weihua Low-Carbon High-End Technology Industrial Park project officially broke ground.
September 6
On September 6, Hassan, President of Tanzania, who was visiting China for the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation Summit, met with a delegation led by Li Guoqiang, Chairman of Weihua Group, in Beijing.
December 26
Weihua’s intelligent ultra-high-lift gantry crane for vertical shafts, with a lifting height of 658 meters, successfully passed on-site acceptance at a pumped-storage power station in Zhejiang Province, setting a new world record.
2025
January 9
At 9:05 a.m. on January 7, 2025, a magnitude-6.8 earthquake struck Dingri County, Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region. On January 8, the Party Committee of Weihua Group responded promptly, donating RMB 1 million in cash and RMB 500,000 worth of emergency supplies to support emergency rescue, transitional resettlement, and winter and livelihood保障 for the affected communities.
February 5
On February 2 (the fifth day of the Lunar New Year), Liu Ning, Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee, and Wang Kai, Governor of Henan Province, met in Zhengzhou with Han Hong’an, Chairman of Weihua Group, and other representatives of private entrepreneurs in Henan to discuss needs, future plans, and development.
March 26
The first domestically developed 3,000-ton gantry crane independently developed by Weihua Group was successfully installed at the Jiangsu Hailong Wind Power Base.
June 15
Liu Ning, Secretary of the CPC Henan Provincial Committee, visited Weihua for inspection and research.
