Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group Co., Ltd., headquartered in Binzhou, Shandong Province, has grown from a small oil and cotton processing workshop into one of the world’s leading textile and aluminum manufacturers, repeatedly ranking among the Fortune Global 500. Under the leadership of Chairman Zhang Bo, the private enterprise has become a symbol of China’s manufacturing strength, transformation, and innovation.
Founded in 1998, Weiqiao now employs nearly 100,000 people across 17 domestic and overseas production bases. Since 2012, it has been included in the Global 500 for 13 consecutive years, with 2024 revenues reaching 558.3 billion yuan. The group’s businesses span textiles, home furnishings, aluminum, thermal power, salt chemicals, and increasingly, new energy, new materials, and lightweight automotive solutions.
Championing Innovation in Traditional Manufacturing
Zhang Bo emphasizes that Weiqiao’s success stems from its relentless pursuit of technological progress in so-called “red ocean” industries. “Even in highly competitive markets, we can move faster, innovate better, and swim ashore ahead of others,” he remarked.
The group operates 16 world-class intelligent textile factories and a leading full-process automotive lightweight research and manufacturing base. Each year, Weiqiao develops more than 3,000 new products, holds over 2,800 patents, and has achieved 19 internationally leading technological breakthroughs.
Green Transformation in Yunnan
A milestone in its sustainable development came on July 9, 2025, when Weiqiao launched its second green aluminum industrial base in Yunnan Province. By relocating more than two million tons of electrolytic aluminum capacity from coal-powered Shandong plants to Yunnan’s hydropower-rich region, the company has dramatically cut carbon emissions while boosting local economic development. Zhang Bo hailed the project as an example of how private enterprises can simultaneously advance environmental goals, business performance, and social well-being.
Commitment to Employees and Communities
Alongside its industrial leadership, Weiqiao continues to strengthen its “family culture.” On August 15, 2025, the company awarded scholarships of 10,000 yuan each to 63 children of employees entering university, marking the 10th consecutive year of its education support program. Over the past decade, Weiqiao has provided 3.27 million yuan in scholarships, reinforcing its commitment to employee welfare and talent development.
Building Future-Oriented Partnerships
Weiqiao has also become a hub for national talent cultivation and financial cooperation. On August 16, participants of the “New Era Private Entrepreneurs Training Program” (organized by the United Front Work Department and Tsinghua University) visited Weiqiao for field study, exploring its innovation platforms, smart factories, and lightweight base. Zhang Bo shared insights on inheriting entrepreneurial spirit and advancing Chinese modernization.
On August 22, the group signed a strategic cooperation agreement with China Merchants Bank, pledging closer collaboration in financial innovation, industrial upgrading, and global expansion. Days later, on August 26, Shandong Vice Commerce Director Zhang Qingwei praised Weiqiao’s achievements in high-end, intelligent, and green development during a research visit, encouraging the enterprise to further enhance its global competitiveness.
Toward a Century-Strong Enterprise
For Zhang Bo, who succeeded his father and company founder Zhang Shiping in 2018, Weiqiao’s mission extends beyond growth figures. “Manufacturing is the foundation of a nation,” he said. “We must not only provide high-quality products but also constantly reduce costs, innovate materials, and empower entire industry chains.”
Looking ahead, Weiqiao aims to accelerate breakthroughs in high-performance aluminum alloys, automotive lightweighting, and emerging industries, while nurturing thousands of innovation projects and technological talents through its Binzhou Weiqiao National Science and Technology Institute and related platforms.
As Zhang Bo concluded at the State Council press briefing in July: “China’s private enterprises are standing at the right moment, with immense opportunities ahead. With joint efforts, there will be more and more moments when private enterprises prove that they are capable and indispensable.”