In recent years, amid the persistent COVID-19 pandemic, complex and volatile international political and economic landscapes, sharp currency fluctuations, and other adverse factors, the international operations of BPG’s industrial companies have faced unprecedented challenges. Difficulties such as restrictions on employee travel, obstacles in product transportation and installation, and delays in international payments have tested the foundation of BPG’s decades-long business across more than 100 countries. At the same time, intense competition in the domestic power and energy equipment market has further heightened pressures. To sustain its global presence, BPG and its subsidiaries have adopted a dual approach. On one hand, they innovated in business and communication models by leveraging remote online negotiations, strengthening overseas sales channels, and conducting virtual factory tours via live streaming to maintain engagement with international clients. On the other hand, they seized opportunities as pandemic restrictions eased abroad, mobilizing key overseas teams to proactively explore and expand into international markets. These efforts have yielded encouraging results.
Major Breakthroughs in Key International Markets Such as Turkey
In March 2022, in line with the company's strategic decision to "start strong and secure victories," Mr. Qi Guangming, the head of foreign trade operations at Nanjing Electric, voluntarily took the initiative to conduct business on the front lines overseas. At a time when the domestic and international pandemic situation remained uncertain, his decision embodied the spirit of "to take a risk despite knowing the dangers." Driven by a deep commitment to preserving the overseas channels the company had built over decades, he courageously embraced pressure, took calculated risks, and acted decisively. While adhering strictly to pandemic prevention measures, Mr. Qi traveled to Turkey and Chile over a seven-month period, securing orders worth nearly RMB 20 million. Through his actions, he demonstrated and embodied a spirit of resilience, responsibility, and dedication.
In the Turkish market, Nanjing Electric's composite insulators broke through the monopoly barriers of the local market, outperforming both domestic Turkish manufacturers and renowned international competitors to enter the Turkish market for the first time. These products have since been successfully deployed in Turkey's highest-voltage transmission lines, laying a critical foundation for expanding into neighboring Middle Eastern markets. In the Chilean market, initial efforts to establish Nanjing Electric brand and enhance its market recognition have yielded positive results, with the successful acquisition of a RMB 3 million order for composite and glass insulators, marking a strong start to operations in the region. Meanwhile, the foreign trade department of Nanjing Electric has intensified its focus on the Indian market, further consolidating its market position. Through persistent and progressive efforts, the department secured its first post-pandemic glass insulator project order exceeding RMB 20 million, significantly bolstering confidence in the company's overseas market expansion.
Consolidating the Indian market and deeply exploring customer needs
The Indian market holds immense demand for Chinese power equipment and represents a critical overseas market for the company. Amidst the current international landscape and bilateral relations, the key challenge lies in leveraging the company's product and technological strengths to address order fulfillment and after-sales service for products such as HV bushings and composite insulators. This effort aims not only to further expand in India but also to explore future development strategies for the Nashik factory in India. To tackle this, a four-member team led by Hao Jingtao from Nanjing Electric Technology Group, and including Chen Xiongqing and Ding Shilin from Nanjing Electric High Voltage Bushing Company, along with Shen Weitao from the Foreign Trade Company, has embarked on a renewed journey to India.
The four-member team successively visited companies responsible for projects under India's national power grid and met with technical and administrative heads of PGCIL. During these meetings, they engaged in in-depth and detailed discussions on the current fulfillment and delivery of products, as well as future cooperation intentions. The team also conducted follow-up visits to several key substations, where they held technical exchanges and product presentations with substation technicians and responsible personnel.
Project visit and exchange
During the on-site inspection at the Nashik factory, the working team resolved long-standing production equipment malfunctions that had plagued the facility for years. Additionally, they conducted further technical training on product technology for the factory’s technical staff, earning high praise from the Indian management in charge of the factory.
On-site research at the Nashik factory
18 Months of Dedication in Africa: Earning the Trust of Overseas Clients
Since late 2020, to ensure the timely delivery of the EPC project for submarine cables and distribution network lines in the Kalangala region of Uganda—a strategic partnership with the Uganda Rural Electrification Agency—and to enhance customer satisfaction, Jia Yuxiao, head of the African office of Baiyun Mingde (Beijing) International Engineering Management Company, voluntarily remained stationed in Uganda. His responsibilities included: managing on-site project tasks such as route surveys, land acquisition and construction mobilization, safety and environmental oversight, and camp establishment. He also liaised with key stakeholders including supervisors, construction subcontractors, and government agencies, handling permits and approvals. Internally, he contributed to optimizing the design and construction plans for the submarine cables and distribution network lines.
Regional government mobilization and land acquisition applications
Using this project as a blueprint, Jia Yuxiao compiled risk considerations, document templates, and management tools gathered during the execution process. He summarized the overall workflow, management techniques, and operational details for overseas power transmission and distribution EPC projects, taking into account cost, schedule, quality, safety, and environmental factors. Based on this, he developed the "Full Process Management Regulations for Engineering Project Contracting," tailored to the company's current stage, thereby accumulating valuable experience for the company's future overseas EPC projects. Additionally, to support the smooth delivery of products from BPG's industrial companies during the pandemic, Jia Yuxiao applied to work as an after-sales engineer at a power station in Tanzania. There, he successively completed on-site installation guidance and commissioning for equipment such as 220kV main transformers, station service transformers, GIS, LV AC switchboards, UPS, and battery packs from several BPG subsidiaries. His efforts ensured the timely commissioning of the BPG product series, earning high recognition from the client.
Product installation guidance
Uganda project site camp
Temporary on-site camp at the Tanzania power station
Amid the pandemic, market development personnel face immense challenges. They often work away from home for extended periods—six months, a year, or even longer, with some overseas staff staying abroad for two, three, or more years. Yet, upholding the core values of proficiency, sincerity, innovation, and future, they remain steadfast in their roles, serving customers wholeheartedly and exemplifying the responsibility and dedication of BPG. Looking ahead, BPG will continue to thoroughly implement the "14th Five-Year Plan" development strategy, steadfastly advance the dual-circulation model for both international and domestic markets, consistently expand the scale and enhance the reputation of its overseas operations, and strive to embark on a new chapter of high-quality enterprise development.
