Hongkou District Party Secretary Li Qian met with Oliver Wehking, Chairman and CEO of German company HORA (Holter Regelarmaturen GmbH & Co. KG) on November 20, to discuss opportunities for collaboration and shared development.
HORA, one of Germany’s largest manufacturers of control valves, is renowned as a “hidden champion” in the industry.
Known for its precision German engineering and high-quality manufacturing philosophy, the company has received prestigious accolades, including the German TOP100 Innovation Award and the “Manufacturing Excellence Award,” often referred to as the "Oscar of Manufacturing."
In December 2023, HORA established its wholly owned subsidiary, Holter Valve Technology (Shanghai) Co., in Hongkou, with its office on the 38th floor of Sinar Mas Plaza.
The investment marks a significant milestone, with HORA choosing Hongkou as its initial base in China, setting a new benchmark for other hidden champions entering the Chinese market.
Li warmly welcomed Wehking and his delegation, praising HORA’s contributions to the global control valve industry and the excellence of German manufacturing.
He highlighted Germany’s status as China’s largest trading partner in Europe and noted the rapid growth of bilateral economic relations, with both countries deeply intertwined along the value chain as suppliers, producers, and consumers.
Li emphasized Hongkou’s commitment to creating an international business environment that attracts foreign investment and promotes trade.
He assured that Hongkou would continue to offer comprehensive support to foreign-invested enterprises like Holter Valve Technology, facilitating their high-quality development in China.
Li also expressed hope that HORA would leverage its strengths to introduce advanced German technologies and management practices to the Chinese market, injecting fresh momentum into Sino-German economic cooperation.
Wehking expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and support his company has received from Hongkou District in areas such as company registration, site selection, and setup.
He emphasized HORA’s confidence in Hongkou’s strategic advantages and policies, noting that the district's support has enabled the company to accelerate its market expansion in China.
HORA plans to increase its investment in Hongkou and contribute to the district's high-quality economic development.
The meeting was attended by Hongkou Deputy District Mayor Chen Shuai, General Manager of Holter Valve Technology Yang Cheng, and HORA Chief Financial Officer Guido Wesseler, signaling a strong commitment to fostering continued collaboration between HORA and Hongkou District.