Stride into a new stage
By Enid Chen
Photos by Yao Fan


Name: Dr Li Yue
Nationality: German
Position: President of Linde Gas, Greater China

In 1995, Linde Gas entered the Chinese market and established its first company in mainland China. Linde Gas Xiamen Ltd, is a solely owned foreign enterprise which specializes in the production and marketing of high－quality gases to a wide range of industrial sectors, scientific and pharmaceutical fields. This year marks the tenth anniversary of Linde Gas Xiamen Ltd, on which occasion we interviewed Dr Li Yue, President of Linde Gas Greater China.

Investment benefits are beyond expectation

Q: Before Linde Gas Xiamen was founded in 1995, you did an exploratory research in Xiamen. What you saw in Haicang then was a vast wild land and green fields. Did you foresee that it would take on a new look as a modern industrial base, where your company has a boundless supply of gases for almost all sectors of industry, for which the gas is a basic raw material and an invisible helper?

A: After traveling all around China to explore business opportunities, we finally set up our business in Xiamen, which is now enjoying a sound and healthy development. At that time, we had three choices for the company's location: Jimei, Haicang and Xinglin. After some research and investigation, we finally located our company in Jimei. There was no strong foreign gas supplier in Xiamen before we came. Therefore, we thought there might be more opportunities yet to come, while a lot of companies are in need of high-quality gas. Later, a lot of foreign enterprises and some newly-founded enterprises became our customers. The gas supply model here ranges from gas in cylinders, bulk liquid gas supply, on-site supply to pipeline networks. Looking back on the past ten years, we are happy about what we have achieved. Linde Gas Xiamen started to break even shortly after three years, which was beyond our expectation.

Q: At the end of 2004, a nitrogen pipeline connecting Jimei and Haicang was built and put into operation. Can you give us a brief introduction to this project?

A: Xianglu Petro-chemicals Co Ltd, which is one of our biggest customers, is in need of a continuous and reliable supply of high-quality gas after it enlarged its PTA project. Since the 30-kilometer pipeline was finished and put into function last year, it has been going pretty smoothly. The production capacity of the newly built air separation plant and pipeline are also able to meet their increasing demands, as we had expected.

Vision for the next years

Q: Linde Gas Xiamen has been producing quite satisfactorily, what is the company's vision and strategy for the next ten years?

A: Generally speaking, Linde Gas Xiamen's development is quite satisfactory. The business has been increasing at an annual rate of 30% to 40%. As the cardinal number increases, it's a bit hard for us to continue to grow at a 30%-plus annual rate in the next ten years. However, we still have a large potential market in Xiamen and other parts of Fujian Province. We have laid a solid foundation and gained a firm footing during the first ten-year period, having set up new companies in Shanghai, Beijing, Ningbo, Suzhou, Shenzhen and Tangshan. Based on the existing network, we will stride into a new stage of development over the next ten years and build a stronger and wider network throughout China.

Unlike such durables as electronic appliances, our product is invisible gases, which can only be consumed once. So besides the excellent quality of our product, our service to the customers also counts. With more than 125 years' experience, Linde Gas is able to provide high-quality subsequent service by finding valuable gas applying solutions and a reliable on-going supply. One of Linde's philosophies is "we take the lead". We not only take the lead in product quality and reliability, but service to boot. The quality of our service ensures long-term supply and demands relationships with our customers. Furthermore, we can also help our customers with technology support and find the best solution in case of technological problems, since Linde is playing a technology-pioneering role in the global market. And it will continue to have a leading position in the future.

Q: What is your attitude towards localization of a foreign－invested enterprise? What is the best way to make the enterprise best fit into the local culture?

A: As a matter of fact, localization is a process which takes some time. When the company was first set up, there were some foreign experts here, who provided technology, management support and training for the local employees. As for the foreigner experts, language and cultural differences pose the biggest barrier, which might lead to some inconvenience and misunderstandings. Localization is inevitable, but now we still have some foreign technology experts, who bring in new concepts to refresh and improve our know-how.

About Dr Li

Q: Can you briefly talk about your work experience?

A: After graduating from Tsinghua University, I went to Germany for further education, and to work for an IT research center for several years. In 1994, I joined Linde Gas Hong Kong. I have been the General Manager of Linde Gas Xiamen since 2000.

Q: From your point of view, what are the most important qualifications for being a successful general manager? What is your management style?

A: First of all, a general manager should be keen-sighted and have an incisive mind about the market changes, the company's development and potential challenges. It's critical that he is risk-oriented, since no one can rest on success and come to a standstill. Secondly, good communication skills are a must for a top manager. It's important for us to hear different opinions and suggestions before making decisions. Thirdly, we should trust our staff and know how to delegate tasks. As the General Manager, I usually don't interfere in what my staff is doing and I give them space for their career development.

Q: What are your hobbies?

A: I'm fond of collecting cameras. There are many kinds of cameras that I have collected so far, most of which were made in Germany before the 50's. In my spare time, I like to take apart the cameras and re-assemble them, from which I can see and study their fine technologies and find some pleasure.



林德气体(厦门)有限公司是德国林德集团气体分部在中国大陆设立的第一家子公司, 成立于1995年. 在该公司成立十周年之际, 本刊采访了林德气体中国总裁李跃博士. "十年前, 我们在海沧考察时, 看到的是农田、山野, 如今这里是一个现代化的工业区. 而林德气体正为这里的工厂源源不断地输送工业‘血液'. 公司十年来取得的成就超出了我们的预期. "

Vocabulary
invisible 无形的
gas in cylinder 瓶装气体
bulk liquid gas 液态气体
nitrogen 氮
cardinal 基数的
know- how 技能
incisive 敏锐的