Chinese consul general visits Fuyao: ‘Unbelievable’

In closely watched talks, U.S. and Chinese negotiators are working out the details of a new trade relationship, one that American negotiators hope will give U.S. firms greater access to the world’s most populous market while protecting American innovations.

President Donald Trump and his economic adviser Larry Kudlow have said the two sides are nearing a deal.

“It’s in the interest of both countries and also the development and prosperity of the whole world,” said Ping, whose tour of Fuyao was accompanied by a host of Dayton-area and Ohio leaders, including Cheryl Schrader, president of Wright State University; Carolyn Rice, Montgomery County commissioner, and many others.

“When you see the investment by Fuyao (in Moraine) — unbelievable,” Ping said.

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With more than 2,300 workers, Fuyao Glass America’s West Stroop Road plant is the world’s largest auto glass manufacturing complex.

Jeff Liu, who oversees the entire plant, along with a glass-making operation in Mount Zion, Ill., said the plant is weighing another expansion to its facility to make more room for additional warehousing. He also said that Fuyao Chairman Cho Tak Wong recently acquired German bankrupt car parts firm SAM Automotive Group, adding to his portfolio of auto-related interests.

Shane Imwalle, a senior vice president at Beavercreek-based engineering firm Woolpert, told Ping that his company helped Fuyao convert a former General Motors assembly plant into its sprawling new home that supplies most North American automakers.

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"When General Motors left, this place was like the Titanic at the bottom of the ocean," Imwalle said in a roundtable discussion before a tour of the plant with Ping. "I grew up less than a kilometer from here. This is very personal for me."

Liu gestured to Imwalle and told Ping: “These are all relationships with local businesses.”

Added Liu, “Fuyao’s success, we can’t do it without your help. We’re here for the long run.”

Trotwood city officials said Wednesday they have been in preliminary discussions with Fuyao about constructing a 200,000- to 300,000-square-foot building near a rail line in the city close to its business park.

“We had the opportunity to meet with Fuyao’s president recently and he was discussing how the company is doing. We presented him with information on some of the sites we have. One of them is a 43-acre site with rail. They voiced as what I perceive and what the city’s team perceived as a level of interest,” said Fred Burkhardt,executive director of the Trotwood Community Improvement Corporation.