Linglong

<p>Shandong Linglong Tyre Co., Ltd. represents one of China's most remarkable industrial transformation stories, evolving from a struggling local manufacturing plant into one of the world's top ten tyre manufacturers. The company's origins trace back to 1975 with the establishment of the Zhaoyuan Tire Manufacturing & Repairing Plant, a modest facility that would eventually become the foundation for one of Asia's most successful tyre enterprises. However, the company's true renaissance began in 1987 when it was reorganised as Shandong Linglong Tire Co., Ltd. under the visionary leadership of Wang Xicheng during China's transformative reform and opening period.</p><p>The mid-1980s marked a critical turning point for the company, which found itself in dire financial straits with outdated equipment and inefficient production techniques that threatened its very survival. The 1987 reorganisation proved to be the catalyst for extraordinary growth, as new management implemented comprehensive modernisation programmes and embraced technological innovation. This strategic transformation coincided perfectly with China's economic liberalisation, positioning Linglong to capitalise on the rapidly expanding domestic and international markets for automotive products.</p><p>The 1990s witnessed unprecedented expansion for Linglong, with annual production values skyrocketing from approximately 100 million renminbi in 1991 to an impressive 1.1 billion by 2002. This eleven-fold increase demonstrated the company's exceptional execution of growth strategies and market penetration. The momentum continued through the following decade, with production values reaching 10.6 billion RMB by 2008, and further accelerating to 20 billion RMB by 2013, establishing Linglong as a major force in the global tyre industry.</p><p>Today, Linglong operates as a truly global enterprise with seven research institutions, seven strategically located production bases, and over 19,000 employees worldwide. The company's manufacturing facilities span across China (Zhaoyuan, Dezhou, Liuzhou, Jingmen, Changchun), Thailand, and Serbia, ensuring optimal geographic coverage for international markets. This impressive infrastructure supports production capabilities that serve 173 countries through more than 100,000 marketing outlets worldwide, demonstrating Linglong's remarkable global reach and distribution network.</p><p>Listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2018 under ticker symbol 601966, Linglong has consistently maintained its position among the global top ten tyre enterprises and ranks within the top five in mainland China. The company's comprehensive product portfolio encompasses passenger car tyres, commercial vehicle tyres, off-the-road tyres, and specialised industrial applications, all developed through cutting-edge research and development capabilities. Linglong's transformation from a failing local plant to a FTSE-listed global manufacturer exemplifies China's industrial evolution and demonstrates how strategic leadership, technological innovation, and market-focused growth can create world-class manufacturing enterprises capable of competing successfully on the international stage.</p>