In business, to become the world's number one is a tall order, sounds too ambitious. It really is. But for Chigo, a Chinese air conditioning manufacturer, “it's just a matter of a few more years.” It is on track. Established only in 1994 in the famous Chinese industrial city Foshan, Guangdong, Chigo's unwavering commitment to perfection at the outset is paying off. “We are now the number one AC manufacturer in China, and is also listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange,” said Li Xinghao, chairman of the board and executive director of Chigo Holding Ltd., owner of Chigo Air Conditioning Co. Ltd. During a recent meeting with senior officials of Zagzoog for Home Appliances at the Zagzoog headquarters in Jeddah - Chigo's exclusive distributor in Saudi Arabia, Li, his wife and their accompanying delegation outlined Chigo's corporate structure and the company's strategies not only to further strengthen its share in the Saudi market, but to be a global leader. Chigo has gained 15 percent of the Saudi market since it entered the country five years ago. According to Mohammad S. Zagzoog, president of Zagzoog for Home Appliances, under their enhanced partnership - in which Chigo will introduce in the Kingdom its 60-cycle commercial ACs aside from other types of home ACs and provide all the necessary assistance required to best serve the customers - it is targeting to increase Chigo's local market share to 10 percent in three years. The chairman of Chigo said that at present the company has global network in 150 countries and has passed international quality certifications, including Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO). It has possessed more than 150 self-developed techniques and patents. Chigo products have obtained more than 400 certificates issued by international and national authorities. Chigo chariman also pledged to invest more in Saudi Arabia, as it is Chigo's prime market. Moreover, Li stressed that Chigo is the only air conditioning manufacturer that has post-doctoral research center, adding that for this year alone, the company has allocated $120 million for quality development. Ghigo Group has invested large amount to establish advanced reliability labs. Its Measurement and Testing Lab has been certified by Lab National Certification Committee. Chigo Group advocates standard testing for reliable AC and sets a good example by their actions. Basing on strict testing of “Safety Indicator”, “Adaptability Indicator”, “Stability Indicator” & “Compression Resistance Indicator”, Chigo quantifies the standard of good AC indeed. He explained that its continuous and unyielding drive for excellence inspired the company to produce “the best ACs in the world.” He also said that it is Chigo's corporate philosophy to regard its distributors as “co-owners” of the company so that they would pursue the same path toward excellence for the complete satisfaction of customers. Chigo always aims for “long-term cooperation” with foreign dealers, he noted, adding that “we at Chigo want to grow up together” with them. He assured Zagzoog of the fast and professional service at all times, without delay. Li explained that Chigo could guarantee prompt action anytime since the company produces each and every part of the air conditioning unit, except the compressor which comes from Panasonic. He added though that Chigo has been a long-time original equipment manufacturer for international AC brands like Mitsubishi, LG, Hyundai, Carrier, Voltas and Valiant. He summed up Chigo AC's success in three words, they are: “super energy saving, super health and super silence.” “These three super S … along with our competitive price” will lead us to become world's number one in time, Li said with conviction. __
