In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the international automotive glass industry, Cho Tak Wong, Chairman of Fuyao Glass Industry Group, has been selected as the 46th recipient of the Phoenix Award ‘Glass Person of the Year 2016’.
Born and raised in rural China, the life of Chairman Cho is a true rags-to-riches story. Having peddled cut tobacco and sold fruit on the streets of his hometown at the age of 16, he worked as a farmer and a chef, before joining Fuqing Ago Shan Special Glass Factory in 1976. Mr Cho was invited by the local authorities to take over the ailing flat glass processing business in 1983, a decision that soon led to the creation of a hugely successful Sino-foreign joint venture, manufacturing automotive safety and industrial technology glass throughout the world. In 1993, Fuyao Group became the first company in its sector in China to be listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Today, the Fuyao Group is China’s largest exporter of automotive glass, with 11 advanced production centres strategically located throughout the country, as well as international subsidiaries and business organisations in the USA, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Russia, Germany and Hong Kong. Customers include such global automotive producers as Audi, Bentley, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Fiat, Ford, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Volkswagen and Volvo. In 2009, Mr Cho became the first Chinese citizen to be named Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur of the Year. Alongside his extensive business commitments, Mr Cho is one of China’s foremost philanthropists, his Heren Charity Foundation seeking to offer poverty relief, disease prevention and infrastructure projects. “I have always believed that an entrepreneur carries three responsibilities” he comments, “mightiness of the nation, advancement of the society and abundance of the people. By achieving these three items, an entrepreneur can fully deserve his title.” The Phoenix Award Committee congratulates and acknowledges Mr Cho Tak Wong’s many achievements and looks forward to presenting him with the 46th Annual Phoenix Award at a banquet in Dayton, Ohio, USA this October.