At Tai Li Group's research institute, Shi Zhengbing demonstrates the functions of a new generation of vacuum compression bags that were recently introduced to the market. [Photo by Wen Bo]

When interviewed on November 22, Shi Zhengbing, chairman of Zhongshan-based Tai Li Group, had just returned from the SPACEnter Space Science and Technology Institute the previous day. The residual food processor developed and produced by this Company accompanied astronauts to space seven times to assist China's space industry in solving the problem relating to food residue disposal.

In the 1990s, Shi Zhengbing went south to work and founded Tai Li Group in 1999. "We have a dream to become a technology company like Huawei in the home furnishing domain," he said.

Among the honor plaques Tai Li received, two were presented by the China Astronaut Research and Training Centre in commemoration of their contributions to the Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-9, as well as their successful manned missions to Tiangong-1 and Shenzhou-10.

Tai Li Group's research institute has three floors. Individual laboratories are reserved for senior engineers, chief engineers, scientists and chief scientists, each of who has R&D projects and tasks.

"We have worked out innovative management practices 15 years ago. We also name new products after the R&D staff, giving them both material and spiritual rewards," Shi Zhengbing said. Tai Li Group's annual investment in innovation accounted for 6 to 7% of its operating income, and the figure is expected to increase to 10% in the future.

After entering the smart home industry, Shi Zhengbing led the Company through 20 years of innovation and realized the global distribution of products. In 2004, Tai Li set up a special intellectual property protection department, and today owns thousands of patents around the world.

In addition to its presence in the Europe and America, Tai Li Group always uses its own brands in China and the newly expanded Belt and Road markets. As people start to pursue better life, home storage field ushers in a multi-billion yuan market. As a leading company in this niche, Tai Li is also entering its second rapid growth period.