Chen Yu, chief executive officer of OED Technologies, examines the quality of an e-paper product at a workshop of Guangzhou OED Technologies Co in Guangzhou, Guangdong province. (Photo provided to China Daily)
Under Chen Yu's leadership, Guangzhou OED Technologies is set to go places
"I have a dream. In the near future, I hope to see our company's e-paper displays almost everywhere in our living environment, on walls, TVs and watches, even our shoes and clothes." That's Chen Yu, chief executive officer, Guangzhou OED Technologies, which is based in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province.
The company identifies itself as one of the two major electronic-paper display suppliers in the world, engaged in the design, development, manufacture, assembly, and marketing of thin film electrophoretic displays, primarily panels for e-readers, electronic shelf labels and other related low-power display applications.
The fact that OED Technologies began mass production of e-paper display panels only at 2011-end, and is up against established rivals who are willing to adopt means fair and foul to slow down its growth on their home turf, does not faze Chen.
For, OED Technologies has already come a long way, and is intent on going the distance. Its journey over the years under Chen's leadership is seen as a bright spot in the history of China Inc.
After returning from the United States in 2005, Chen began working in the Guangzhou-based Sun Yat-sen University, where he led a team in the research and development of e-paper display technologies.
In 2008, he set up OED Technologies with the support of angel investors. The company's initial registered capital was 60 million yuan.
Now, to realize Chen's dream, OED, which currently has a team of about 100 research and development staff, will invest 500 million yuan into technology research.
"We are continuing efforts in technology research and development. Advanced technologies would help boost sales in overseas markets, especially in emerging countries and regions in the years ahead," said Chen.
Overseas sales of OED increased to more than 50 million yuan ($7.67 million) in 2015, according to a company source.
"The market, both domestically and internationally, is very huge as technologies of e-paper display can be used widely," said Chen.
The company's website indicates the wide range of applications of e-paper. In addition to e-book readers and electronic shelf labels, e-paper film is used in digital signs, information billboards, watches, mobile device displays, health and fitness displays.
So, to meet the growing market demand for e-paper displays, OED has started construction of a new factory in Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province.
"Following strong investment in technologies, China, the birthplace of paper-making in ancient times, can also lead the global e-paper display industry," said Chen.
Towards this end, OED has jointly developed a soft e-paper display laboratory with Sun Yat-sen University, which is strongly supported by top researchers.
According to Chen, OED will start exporting its products to the US, where the market is dominated by global e-paper display producers such as E-Ink Corporation, a supplier to Amazon, maker of the widely-used e-reader Kindle.
"We are positioning to break the global market rule by shipping advanced technologies and products to traditional markets," said Chen. "After years of research and development, you need to bring your advanced technologies of e-paper display to the market," said Chen.
