April 2021
Teaching Note
HBS Case Collection

Wuxi Lead Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.

By: John R. Wells and Benjamin Weinstock

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:5

Abstract

Within 20 years of launch, entrepreneur Wang Yanquing had built Wuxi Lead into the world’s largest manufacturer of equipment for manufacturing capacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and fuel cells. The first big choice an entrepreneur faces is what sector to compete in. At first flush – at the time of the case – the rechargeable battery market had many attractions. It was large, growing rapidly, and the technology was evolving fast. What opportunities did this present to the entrepreneur? For most entrepreneurs, deciding to compete upstream by producing cell manufacturing equipment appeared to be a risky choice. However, Wuxi Lead was well placed, having built a strong reputation in capacitor manufacturing equipment which involved similar technology. In founding Wuxi Lead, Wang Yanquing took skills in solving engineering problems for his capacitor manufacturing employer and built a business by solving similar problems for other capacitor producers. Along the way, he endured many hardships and addressed many challenges. The case tracks his entrepreneurial journey.