Chen Yan, founder of Hubei Yagelite Electric Co., Ltd., is interviewed.

In Shiyan City, there is such an enterprise: eight or nine out of ten roadside box-type substations in the urban area are produced by it; over sixty percent of factories with photovoltaic roofs were built with its participation; among electric vehicle charging piles, those with the Tai Chi element design come from its hands.

This is Hubei Yagelite Electric Co., Ltd., located in the Maojian District of Shiyan. Founder Chen Yan graduated from Wuhan University of Technology with a degree in law in 2003. In 2010, while working as the Central China regional sales manager for a well-known electrical company in Shanghai, she resolutely returned to her hometown of Shiyan to start her entrepreneurial journey.

In its early days, Yagelite operated from a single 10-square-meter old room, with annual revenue of only a few hundred thousand yuan; today, the company occupies 20,000 square meters, and its output value is projected to exceed 300 million yuan in 2025. What is the story behind all this?

“There is no failure in life; success is experience, and setbacks are growth.” In the production workshop of Yagelite, Chen Yan explained her entrepreneurial philosophy.

“The Words ‘Difficulty’ Are Not in My Dictionary”

“My idea at the time was simple: to bring advanced technology back to my hometown,” Chen Yan recalled. As an automotive city, Shiyan had a certain demand for motor soft starters and frequency converters, so she first became an agent for related products from her former employer.

However, reality dealt her a heavy blow.

“The start was exceptionally difficult. Out of a hundred clients visited, ninety-nine would refuse,” Chen Yan admitted. In the early days, she worked 12-hour days, constantly on the move, but clients were generally unwilling to replace old equipment—after all, new products meant increased costs and changes in usage habits.

“Since being an agent wasn’t working, then transform into a manufacturer and create quality electrical products suitable for the local market.” Chen Yan quickly adjusted her direction, targeting the then-booming infrastructure construction in highways, municipal projects, and real estate, deciding to independently develop and produce high and low voltage electrical complete sets.

Subsequently, she brought in senior technician Li Bo from Xiangyang, hired three assembly workers, formed her own technical team, and began product development and process breakthroughs.

The company’s first order came from a small construction site. “We worked three consecutive all-nighters, tightened every screw repeatedly, and tested five times before delivery.” It was this meticulous attitude that impressed the client and helped Yagelite take a solid first step in Shiyan’s electrical market.

Relying on reliable quality and attentive service, the company gradually became a major supplier of compact box-type substations for Shiyan’s urban underground utility tunnels and, within just a few years, filled its factory with products.

“The words ‘difficulty’ are not in my life’s dictionary; all problems must find an answer,” Chen Yan said. Lacking funds to buy a car in the early startup phase, she rode on the back of others’ motorcycles to run errands and deliver materials; without clients, she visited door-to-door, gradually opening up the market.

“Three No-Discounts” Wins a Billion-Yuan Market

“The production schedule for the first quarter of 2026 is already fully booked,” Chen Yan stated. The company’s output value reached 180 million yuan in 2024 and is projected to exceed 300 million yuan in 2025.

After over a decade of development, Yagelite has built a diversified product system covering traditional electrical and new energy fields, holding more than 20 patents. Its core products, such as high and low voltage electrical complete sets and prefabricated substations, are widely used in power generation, transmission and distribution, construction, and other industries due to their excellent quality and advanced technology.

Simultaneously, the company actively expanded into the new energy sector. Its launched “integrated photovoltaic-storage-charging” solution achieves organic synergy between photovoltaic power generation, energy storage for peak shaving, and fast charging, becoming a notable dark horse in the industry.

On December 10, 2025, leveraging its advantages in the “integrated photovoltaic-storage-charging” field, Yagelite reached strategic cooperation agreements with renowned domestic and international companies like Siemens and China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Group Co., Ltd., signing 21 projects with a total value of 9.5 billion

Shiyan City

Shiyan City is a prefecture-level city in northwestern Hubei Province, China, best known as the “Motor City” for its role as a major hub for China’s automotive industry, particularly as the home of the Dongfeng Motor Corporation. Its modern significance is largely tied to this industrial development, which began in the late 1960s with the establishment of the “Second Automobile Works” as part of strategic Third Front construction during the Cold War era. The surrounding area also contains significant natural and cultural sites, including part of the Wudang Mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its ancient Taoist temples and martial arts history.

Maojian District

Maojian District is a modern urban district established in 1984 and serves as the administrative, economic, and cultural center of Shiyan City in Hubei Province, China. Its development is closely tied to the nearby Dongfeng Motor Corporation, one of China’s major automotive manufacturers, which spurred the area’s industrialization and growth from the late 1960s onward. Today, it is a key transportation and industrial hub in central China.

Wuhan University of Technology

Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) is a key national public university in Wuhan, China, founded in 1948 through the merger of several earlier institutions. It is particularly renowned for its programs in materials science, transportation, and automotive engineering, reflecting its historical focus on industrial and technological development. Today, it is a major multidisciplinary university under China’s “Double First-Class” initiative.

Shanghai

Shanghai is a major global metropolis and financial hub on China’s east coast, which grew from a modest fishing village into a significant treaty port following the 19th-century Opium Wars. Its iconic skyline, symbolized by the Pudong district’s skyscrapers like the Oriental Pearl Tower, reflects its rapid modern development, while areas such as the Bund preserve its colonial-era history and architectural legacy.

Xiangyang

Xiangyang is a historic city in Hubei Province, China, renowned for its ancient city walls and strategic location along the Han River. It famously withstood a prolonged Mongol siege during the 13th century, a pivotal event in the wars between the Southern Song Dynasty and the Mongol Empire. Today, its well-preserved fortifications and cultural relics make it a significant site for understanding medieval Chinese military history.

Siemens

Siemens is a global technology company founded in Berlin in 1847 by Werner von Siemens, which pioneered electrical engineering with inventions like the pointer telegraph. While not a single cultural site, its historical headquarters and factories in Berlin and Munich reflect Germany’s industrial heritage, and the company remains a leader in infrastructure, industry, and healthcare solutions worldwide.

China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Group Co., Ltd.

China Nuclear Industry 22nd Construction Group Co., Ltd. is a major state-owned enterprise specializing in construction and engineering for China’s nuclear power and national defense projects. It was established as part of China’s strategic nuclear industry development, playing a key role in building critical infrastructure since the mid-20th century. Today, it remains a vital contributor to the country’s nuclear energy expansion and large-scale industrial construction.

Tai Chi

Tai Chi, also known as Tai Chi Chuan, is an ancient Chinese internal martial art and mind-body practice deeply rooted in Taoist philosophy. Its origins are traditionally traced to the 12th-15th centuries, with many attributing its creation to the semi-legendary Taoist monk Zhang Sanfeng. Today, it is practiced worldwide primarily for its health benefits, meditation, and gentle, flowing movements that harmonize the body and mind.