Alumni Stories A Pioneering Force Behind 3D Printing: Chen Xiaohai (FMBA 2021) Drives New Wave of Manufacturing

A Pioneering Force Behind 3D Printing: Chen Xiaohai (FMBA 2021) Drives New Wave of Manufacturing

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    Recognising the importance of transformation in conventional manufacturing to keep up to the ever-changing world, Chen Xiaohai (FMBA 2021), Chairman of Shenzhen Aurora Technology Limited, ventured into the 3D printing territory with a view to spearheading the new business forms of manufacturing underpinned by additive manufacturing.

    From product sale to financial investment, and from frontline to global markets, Chen has covered a lot of ground in manufacturing. He crossed paths with 3D printing and Aurora Technology as he engaged himself as an angel investor in 2009 during his time in the securities investment business. A decade later, Chen has officially taken the helm of Aurora Technology with confidence in driving a new wave of evolution of the traditional manufacturing industry through the use of 3D printing and his extensive hands-on experience.

     

    Reigning in the 3D Printing Industry

    The business-savvy has long recognised the prospect of 3D printing as an angel investor and has since keeping tabs on the promising industry. It is natural for him to shift from investor to purveyor. “The social network and professional resources that I have built over time come in handy as I drive the industry towards a period of rapid development.”

    Summarising his management experience in varied companies over the years, Chen gives us his top tips. “Managers should earnestly work on the core business components of their companies. Unlike traditional manufacturing, new manufacturing is first and foremost about capital and technology.” Two years at the helm of Aurora Technology, he adopts a multi-pronged approach by recruiting most suitable talent, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, as well as scouting human resources in academia and the industry for new breakthrough in research and development.

     


    Chen Xiaohai hopes to develop the company into a mega-scale 3D printing supplier with the latest technologies

     

    Met Kindred Minds in FMBA

    Chen does not underestimate the importance of a comprehensive mindset despite his extensive industry experience, which is why he enrolled for the FMBA programme in 2020. Looking back on the journey, he confesses that he has benefited a lot from his mentors and the learning platform, but those days with former classmates are the sweetest bit. “There was a sense of camaraderie when we worked together on projects, and this solid alumni network has laid the foundation for future business cooperation.”

    Chen met some of his staunchest allies at Aurora Technology from the FMBA programme. One of his schoolfellows is now the company’s Legal Consultant. Some new shareholders are from the same programme and two senior alumni hold tenures as Chief Supervisor and Director respectively. “Our company’s Chief Supervisor captained our team in the 16th Gobi Challenge, and we came off with a Grand Prize for CUHK!” Chen gushed in pride. “The FMBA alumni are leaders in their own fields. If we pour our expertise together, we can accomplish big goals.”

     


    The tough trial of 16th Gobi Challenge gives Chen fond memories that reflect solidarity of the CUHK alumni community.

     

    Breaking Away From Traditional Manufacturing

    Chen believes that technological upgrade is an unstoppable trend in manufacturing. As one of the key advanced manufacturing technologies, 3D printing is set to open new market ripe with substantially profitable opportunity. “Additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing are going to replace subtractive manufacturing. My goal is to transform our company into a new mega-scale supplier with this revolutionary technology.” At this stage, he looks forward to seeing more alumni join the field to share the fruits of success from the budding industry.

    The Greater Bay Area remains the pivot for the development of his company as “it is blessed with top-notch institutes and R&T talent, not to mention that many of our clients such as Huawei and BYD are based in the area.” Taking advantage of the close link between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, Chen has plans to set up office in Hong Kong as a bridgehead to further tap into the export channels of 3D printed products and earn his company a place in the international new manufacturing landscape.