World Entrepreneur Of The Year - Overview - Ernst & Young - Global

MONTE CARLO, 31 MAY 2009 – Cao Dewang, Chairman of China's Fuyao Glass Industry Group, was last night named the Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009 at an awards ceremony held in Monte Carlo’s Salle des Etoiles. Cao was picked from among the 43 entrepreneurs vying for the title, each of whom had already been named the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year in their home countries.

About Cao Dewang and Fuyao Glass Industry Group
Cao Dewang emerged from humble beginnings to become one of China’s most successful entrepreneurs. He started his own business at the age of 16, peddling cut tobacco. He also worked as a farmer, chef and fruit seller. In 1976 Cao began work as a merchandiser for the Fuqing Gao Shan Special Glass Factory.

Cao founded Fuyao Group in 1987, to specialize in the production of automotive safety glass and industrial technological glass. In 1993, it was the first company in its sector in China to be listed in the Shanghai Stock Exchange. The group has more than 10,000 employees and has glass production facilities in Fuqing, Changchun, Chongqing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Beijing and modern float-glass production bases in Fujian, Jilin, Inner Mongolia and Hainan. It has established a complete sales network across the country, and also has business offices in America, Japan, Korea, Australia, Russia, and Germany.

“Entrepreneurs achieve great things and are real drivers of the global economy,” said Jim Turley, Global Chairman and CEO of Ernst & Young. “Their vision, leadership, determination and sheer hard work inspires all of us at Ernst & Young. Through his long career, Cao has epitomized the entrepreneurial spirit and is very worthy of the title Ernst & Young World Entrepreneur Of The Year 2009.”

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