Tongzhou flagpoles go global

Tongzhou-based Nantong Yaolong Metal Manufacturing Co, the supplier of Chinese national flags for the Sept 3 military parade in Beijing, has long been a highly-regarded flagpole provider on international competitions.

Flags and flagpoles made by Nantong Yaolong Metal Manufacturing Co line the street around Tian'anmen Square in Beijing. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The world-class events include the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

Among them, the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics was a milestone for the company. It supplied 241 flagpoles for the event, seven of which were used at the Beijing National Stadium. The downwind rotation devices on top of the flagpoles worked with the blowers at the base to keep flags flying downwind, perfectly showcasing their solemnity and beauty.

Shortly after, having witnessed Yaolong's outstanding performance in the event, the Embassy of Turkmenistan struck a deal worth over 10 million yuan ($1.40 million) with the company. This marked the beginning of Yaolong's foreign trade. To date, its flagpoles have been exported to more than 40 countries.

Yaolong is further expanding its marketing channels through e-commerce. For example, uploading videos of the flagpole production processes to mainstream social media platforms like Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, has greatly enhanced awareness of its brand.

Stepping out of its comfort zone, the company is making strides towards high-end fields like sports intelligence and smart city construction. It has launched a series of systems for sports venues, including timing, scoring, and video replay, and is also developing smart street lamps that can be equipped with cameras, charging piles, and LED screens, and even can monitor air quality and air weather broadcasts.