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Case study on Chinese heavy industry companies' community relations in U.S.: a comparison between corporate effort and media representation

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CASE STUDY ON CHINESE HEAVY INDUSTRY COMPANIES’
COMMUNITY RELATIONS IN U.S.:
A COMPARISON BETWEEN CORPORATE EFFORT AND MEDIA
REPRESENTATION

by

Zhenlin Chen

A Thesis Presented to the
FACULTY OF THE USC GRADUATE SCHOOL
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree
MASTER OF ARTS
(STRATEGIC PUBLIC RELATIONS)

May 2015

ii

Copyright 2015 Zhenlin Chen

Dedication

This paper would not have been possible without the support from my family and friends.
Especially, I’d like to thank mom and dad for your unconditional love and unwavering support.
I’d also like to thank Jing Xu for accompanying me in this journey. It would have been a less
colorful life for me without you.
It’s not such an easy life for those who choose to study abroad. Here I would like to express my
respect to those who choose to leave home and work hard to earn his place in a foreign country.

iii

Acknowledgements

It’s been my great honor to have Professor Jay Wang, Professor Brenda Lynch and Professor
Kjerstin Thorson on my thesis committee. They have provided insightful thoughts and valuable
directions for the completion of this paper. I’d also like to give special gratitude to my thesis
chair, Professor Jay Wang, who has been a great mentor to me and given me many opportunities
in school. Last but not least, I’d like to thank my interview sources for their kind supports.

iv

Table of Contents

Dedication .................................................................................................................................. ii
Acknowledgements .................................................................................................................. iii
List of Figures .......................................................................................................................... vii
List of Tables .......................................................................................................................... viii
Abstract ................................................................................................................................. viiii
Preface....................................................................................................................................... ix
Research Methodology ..................................................................................................... ix
Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1
Chapter One: The Fast Growing Chinese Foreign Direct Investment to U.S. ........................... 3
Overview on Foreign Direct Investments in U.S. .............................................................. 3
Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in U.S. ....................................................................... 7
The Concept of Corporate Community Relations ........................................................... 10
Potential Obstacles for Chinese Heavy Industry Engaging Local Community ............... 16
Chapter Two: The Pioneers-Wanxiang and Sany in U.S. ........................................................ 21
Wanxiang in U.S. ............................................................................................................. 21
Sany in U.S. ..................................................................................................................... 22
Chapter Three: Summary of the Two Companies’ Community Relations in U.S. .................. 25
Wanxiang America’s Community Relations Campaigns ................................................. 25
Sany America’s Community Relations Campaigns ......................................................... 30
Chapter Four: Media Representation of the Two Companies’ Community Relations Campaigns
in U.S. ...................................................................................................................................... 37
Data Collection ................................................................................................................ 37
Search Methods ................................................................................................................ 39
Coding Criteria................................................................................................................. 39
Results .............................................................................................................................. 40
Part one: Analysis on Wanxiang America’s local media representation .................. 40
Part Two: Analysis on Sany America’s local media representation ......................... 44
Chapter Five: Conclusion ........................................................................................................ 48
Chapter Six: Discussion ........................................................................................................... 53
Research Limitations ....................................................................................................... 53
Drivers behind the Phenomenon ...................................................................................... 55
Strategic Recommendations............................................................................................. 57
References…………………………………………………………………………………….64
Appendices
Appendix A: Interview Notes…………………………………………………………...69
v

Appendix B: Analysis on Sany America's Corporate Community Relations Efforts…..82
Appendix C: Wanxiang America's Media Representation Analysis…………………….90
Appendix D: Sany America's Media Representation Analysis…………………………98
Appendix E: Media Report Analysis on Wanxiang America's 100 Thousand Strong
Initiatives………………………………………………………………………………101

vi

List of Figures

Figure 1: Foreign direct investment flows to the United States 2012-2013…………………..1

Figure 2: Cumulative FDIUS by Industry 2013……………………………………………….4

Figure 3: FDI Growth in the United States by Industry, from 2008-2012…………………….5

Figure 4: Worldwide Inward Stock of Foreign Direct Investment, 2000 and
2013…………………………………………………………………………………………....7

Figure 5: Chinese FDI Transactions in the US by Industry Q2 2012 to Q3
2014…………………………………………………………………………………………..9

Figure 6: Percentage of Different Types of Media Representation on Wanxiang
America………………………………………………………………………………………42

Figure 7: Percentage of Different Types of Media Representation on Sany
America………………………………………………………………………………………45

vii

List of Tables
Table 1: Fastest Growing Sources of FDI in the United States………………………………..7

Table 2: Types of Press Releases from Sany America (All Location)……………………….33

Table 3: Types of Press Releases from Sany America (U.S.-related reports only)…………..33

Table 4: Sources for Content Analysis on Media Representation about Wanxiang
America………………………………………………………………………………………37

Table 5: Sources for Content Analysis on Media Representation about Sany
America………………………………………………………………………………………38

Table 6: Number of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal Websites (Wanxiang
America)………………………………………………………………………….40

Table 7: Number of Different Types of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal
Websites after Applying Coding Criteria (Wanxiang America)……………………………...41

Table 8: Number of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal Websites (Sany
America)……………………………………………………………………………………...44

Table 9: Number of Different Types of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal
Websites after Applying Coding Criteria (Sany America)…………………………………...45

Table 10: Underrepresentation of Chinese Heavy Industry Companies’ Community Relations
Campaigns on Local Media…………………………………………………………………..48

Table 11: Reports on Wanxiang America’s Sponsorship for 10,000 Strong Initiative from
Sources Other Than Media Outlets…………………………………………………………..50

viii

Abstract

Chinese foreign investment in U.S. has been increasing rapidly over the past decade, with
manufacturing being the most heavily invested area in U.S. by Chinese investors. It is inevitable
for Chinese companies in U.S. to interact with local communities as U.S.-China business
cooperation deepens. Community relations therefore becomes a major topic of discussion among
Chinese companies in U.S.. Using two Chinese heavy industry companies as examples, this
study aims to summarize current community relations practice in the industry and how it is
perceived by local community. By comparing between corporate community relations efforts and
local media representation, the study identifies a significant gap between what the companies
have done in strengthening relationships with local community and how their campaigns are
being represented on local media. This study will reveal that Chinese corporate community
relations campaigns in the U.S.. are underrepresented by local media as well as explore possible
drivers behind this phenomenon and lessons that can be learnt.

Keywords: Community Relations, Chinese Company in U.S., Heavy Industry, Corporate Social
Responsibility

ix

Preface

Research Methodology
Primary research of this study includes qualitative content analysis and interviews. Subjects of
content analysis included corporate websites, corporate press releases and media reports
retrieved from the Internet. Five interviews were conducted to gain insights on corporate efforts
on community relations and other subject-mattered information. Interviewees included company
representatives with knowledge of the company’s corporate community relations campaigns,
community opinion leaders such as local journalists and government representatives. A list of
interviewees included: Pin Ni, President of Wanxiang America; Meribah Knight, freelance
journalist and reporter of Crain’s Chicago Business who covers manufacturing, labor and the
economy around Chicago; Trevor Williams, editor at Global Atlanta; Emily Poole, Manager of
Retention & Expansion, Fayette County Development Authority, Georgia.

Secondary research was used in the literature review section to gather insights on previous
studies on community relations and general picture of Chinese foreign direct investment in U.S..
Materials included business journals, relevant communication studies on community relations
and statistics on foreign investment in U.S..

1

Introduction

Foreign direct investment (FDI) to U.S. plays a key role in driving the economy’s growth and
diversity. In 2013, Foreign Direct Investment to U.S. reached a height of 236.3 billion U.S.
dollars, equivalent to 16.5 percent of U.S. gross domestic product (“Foreign Direct Investment in
US 2014”, 1). With investment from emerging markets like China to U.S. increasing on a rapid
pace, more and more foreign companies are now having plants and factories in U.S. communities.
China is taking the lead in foreign direct investments in the U.S., spending 12 billion U.S. dollars
in FDI transactions (Gao and Hanemann 2014). It is predicted that with Chinese authorities
relaxing foreign investment regulations in 2014, foreign direct investment from China to U.S.
will be on consistent climbing (Gao and Hanemann 2014).

As more and more Chinese companies are investing in manufacturing and building factories on
U.S. soil, these operations will inevitably have in-depth interactions with the surrounding
communities, demanding more studies on how foreign companies, especially Chinese companies,
properly and effectively communicate with the local communities. What are these Chinese heavy
industry companies’ strategies to strengthen relationships with local communities? Are these
corporate community relations efforts being fully recognized by their audience?

This case study aims to answer the first question by summarizing what corporate community
relations strategies and campaigns Chinese heavy industry companies are engaging in, based on
2

reviewing their press releases and interviews with government/corporate representatives. Two
typical Chinese heavy industry companies have been chosen as case studies, based on their
current operations on U.S. territory and frequent interactions with local communities: Wanxiang
America, an auto part manufacturer in Illinois and Sany America, a construction equipment
manufacturer based in Georgia. In addition interviews with corporate representatives garnered a
more comprehensive picture of the companies’ corporate community relations campaigns. By
investigating local media’s representation of such efforts through content analysis on related
media reports, a picture of how the local communities perceive the corporate community
relations programs by Chinese heavy industry companies can be assessed. Based on such
comparison, the study detects a significant gap between Chinese heavy industry companies’
corporate community relations efforts and local media representation. In fact, corporate efforts
are significantly underrepresented by local media. Two symptoms of such phenomenon include a
disproportionate focus on economic performance and a lack of coverage of other aspects of
corporate activities such as community relations campaigns. While it is true that there is much
more for Chinese heavy industry companies to improve on their corporate community relations,
such discrepancy in media representation could also be the sign that these companies should
adopt more proactive media strategies as well as improving the quality of their corporate
community relations campaigns. Recommendations are also given for Chinese heavy industry
companies on furthering their community relations with local communities.

3

Chapter One: The Fast Growing Chinese Foreign Direct Investment
to U.S.

Overview on Foreign Direct Investments in U.S.
Foreign direct investment makes an indispensable pillar in supporting the growth of U.S.
economy. As of 2013, cumulative Foreign Direct Investment in U.S. has climbed to $2.8 trillion,
a 33 percent growth from 2009 (“Foreign Direct Investment in US 2014”, 2). Foreign direct
investment contributed 16.77 percent of U.S.’s GDP in 2013 (“Investment (% of GDP) for US”).
According to SelectUSA & International Trade Administration’s report (Pasha and Crabtree 2013,
1), international firms with operations in U.S. account for more than $12 trillion worth of assets
(plants, commercial goods, property and equipment) and create more than 5.6 million job
opportunities.

Figure 1: Foreign direct investment flows to the United States 2012-2013 (in billion dollars)
Source: Foreign direct investment in the United States 2014 report, (Organization for
International Investment, 2014), page 1, paragraph 1.
93.9
126.9
97.5
99.9
-16.2
9.4
-40
-20
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
2012 2013
Equity
Reinvestment of Earnings
Debt Instruments
4

Globally, United States has the largest share of international investments compared to any other
single countries. The global market of foreign direct investment totaled $1.45 trillion in 2013,
nine percent more than that of 2012, and U.S. accounts for about 19 percent (“Foreign Direct
Investment in US 2014”, 1). Cumulative foreign direct investment in U.S. has been on a steady
growth, with around $1.2 trillion more than the previous year from 2009 to 2013 (“Foreign
Direct Investment in US 2014”, 2).

On industry level, manufacturing is still the most heavily invested field by foreign investors.
Cumulative Foreign Direct Investment in U.S. in 2013 has $936 billion in manufacturing, more
than double the size of foreign direct investment in finance and insurance (“Foreign Direct
Investment in US 2014”, 6). Foreign direct investment in different types of manufacturing varies
with chemicals, transportation equipment, machinery and electronic products owning the top 4
industries of most invested in by foreign investors, according to the report from SelectUSA &
International Trade Administration (Pasha and Crabtree 2013, 4). Also, FDI growth in
manufacturing is significant. Almost 60 percent growth in manufacturing related to petroleum
refining and extraction, 11 percent in chemicals, 10 percent in all manufacturing and 8 percent in
all machinery from 2008 to 2012 (Pasha and Crabtree 2013, 7).

5

Figure 2: Cumulative FDIUS by Industry 2013 (in Billion U.S. dollars)
Source: Foreign Direct Investment in the United States 2014 Report, (Organization for
International Investment, 2014), page 6, paragraph 2.

Figure 3: FDI Growth in the United States by Industry, from 2008-2012
Source: Figure 3: FDI in the United States, Foreign Direct Investment in the United States (Pasha
and Crabtree 2013), page 4

936
365
329
181
51
590
Manufacturing
Finance & Insurance
Wholesale Trade
Banking
Real Estate
Other Industries
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60%
Manufacturing (Petroleum refining and
extraction)
Depository Institutions (Banking)
Manufacturing: chemicals
Manufacturing: all
Manufacturing: all machinery
Retail trade
Professional, scientific & technical services
6

Considered as the most attractive destination of international investment, U.S. has its own
advantages in bringing in more foreign direct investment to fuel its economy.

The Organization for International Investment (2014) considers that having the most open
market and desirable investment climate makes U.S. competitive in the international competition
of attracting foreign investment. In additional, a skilled and well-educated work force, stable
supply of natural gas and other forms of traditional and clean energy, a transparent regulatory
system, entrepreneurial culture that encourages innovation and risk-taking and the most
developed venture capital market are just some of the strengths that U.S. possesses in terms of
being one of the most favorable destination of foreign direct investment according to different
studies (“Foreign Direct Investment in US 2014”, 2; Pasha and Crabtree 2013, 3).

However, U.S. is not without challenge. As shown in Figure 4, there has been a major shrinkage
in U.S.’s share of global foreign direct investment, from 37 percent in 2000 to 19 percent in 2013.
Among the top competitors are the European Union whose share grows from 31 percent to 34
percent, and the emerging markets whose share grows from 24 percent to 33 percent in the last
10 years (“Foreign Direct Investment in US 2014”, 2). Emerging markets, like China, Russia and
Brazil, are gaining more share of the global investment market and it is estimated that they
continue gaining more as they are more involved in the process of globalization.

7

.
Figure 4: Worldwide Inward Stock of Foreign Direct Investment, 2000 and 2013
Source: The above graphs are generated from: In-text graph “Worldwide Inward Stock of
Foreign Direct Investment, 2000 and 2013”, Foreign Direct Investment in the United States 2014
Report (Organization for International Investment, 2014), page 2

Chinese Foreign Direct Investment in U.S.
Although China is not the biggest foreign investor in U.S., it is one of the fastest growing. With
$2.4 billion of investment in 2013, China ranks again the largest investor of all BRICS spellout
what BRICS means countries (“Foreign Direct Investment in US 2014”, 6). According to
SelectUSA & International Trade Administration’s study (Pasha and Crabtree 2013, 3), China
ranks first among the top 10 fastest growing sources of foreign direct investment in U.S., with a
70.82 percent growth from 2008 to 2012. It also owns $10,465 million worth of stock invested in
U.S. as of 2012.

19%
34%
33%
4%
10%
2013
United States
EU
Developing
Economies
Transition Economies
Other Developed
Economies
37%
31%
24%
1%
7%
2000
United States
EU
Developing
Economies
Transition
Economies
Other Developed
Economies
8

Table 1: Fastest Growing Sources of FDI in the United States, By CAGR 2008-2012
Rank Market CAGR 2012 Stock Position Million USD
Luxembourg 76.58% 20,969
1 China 70.82% 10,465
2 Hungary 63.51% 193
3 Indonesia 38.05% 425
4 Norway 31.20% 30,814
5 Malaysia 26.37% 1,711
6 Ireland 25.75% 127,674
Source: Figure 2, “FDI in the United States, Top 15 FDI Growth Markets, 2012”. Foreign Direct
Investment in the United States (Pasha & Crabtree, December 2013), page 3.

In terms of industry, manufacturing, food, energy and real estate are Chinese investor’s favorites.
In the past 10 years, Chinese investors have invested $2,152 million in automotive, $12,202
million in energy, $1,265 million in metals and minerals, $6,642 million in real estate and
hospitality and $136 in transport and infrastructure, according to Rhodium Group (“Chinese
Investment Monitor”). As the data shown, manufacturing is and will still be one of the major
areas of investment for Chinese investors. For such reason, it is logical to investigate all aspects
affecting the successful entry of Chinese foreign direct investment in U.S., and Chinese
companies’ community relations would certainly belong to one of those aspects.

9

Figure 5: Chinese FDI Transactions in the US by Industry Q2 2012 to Q3 2014
Source: Thilo Hanemann and Gao Cassie (October 21, 2014), Chinese FDI in the United States:
Q3 2014 Update (Rhodium Group, 2014), Figure 2 “Chinese FDI Transactions in the US by
Industry, Q2 2013-Q3 2014”, retrieved from
http://rhg.com/notes/chinese-fdi-in-the-united-states-q3-2014-update

Estimated by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (“World Investment
Report 2014”), by 2016 global foreign direct investment would rise to 1.8 trillion. While
European countries still dominate foreign direct investment in U.S., developing economies such
as China are catching up fast. With emphasis on manufacturing, energy, food and real estate,
Chinese investment in U.S. is becoming more important to the growth of U.S. economy. As more
Chinese companies now opening up more stores and factories in U.S., it is inevitable that they
would interact with local communities in a far deeper level than it used to be. Hence studies on
10

Chinese companies nurturing sustainable community relations with local communities become
more pressing.

The Concept of Corporate Community Relations
Corporate community relation is the sum of relationships between the corporation and its broader
society (Altman 1998, 46). The definition of corporate community relations, according Edward
M. Burke (1999), is:

[Corporate Community Relations is] the state of relations between the company and the
communities [local, national or global] in which it has a presence or impact. It
encompasses programs which advance the interest of both the company and its
communities, such as donations and contributions of all kinds, employee volunteerism,
community-based programs, relationships with civic, professional and nonprofit
organizations, and corporative citizenship activities (xvi).

The core of community relations is relationship. Under this notion, there are many studies on
relationship management which can shed light on community relations studies. Recent studies on
organization-public relationship have been focusing on developing reliable measurement and
evaluation systems. Brunning and Ledingham (1999) are among one of the earlier scholars who
develop measurements to evaluate organization-public relationship. They develop a multi-item
scale consisting of three dimensions-professional, personal and community relationship. By
evaluating the strength of these three relationships, they investigate the quality of relationship
between the organization and its key publics. Ledingham (2001) further tests the validity of this
11

scale by applying it to a case study in which he uses the scale to measure the quality of the
relationship between a certain community and its residents. Based on the ratings of
organization-public relationship, he further predicts social behaviors and the results support his
model. Esteves and Barclay (2011) introduce and test with a case study a performance evaluation
model to assess the effectiveness of corporate-community investment programs in the mining
industry, which consists of four dimensions: impact of such partnership on company portfolio
(195), whether or not such partnership is appropriate (194), effectiveness of such partnering
relationship (194) and the ability of participating parties to achieve program goals (193).

Corporate citizenship is a fast developing concept that has attracted much attention from the
academic and practical world, while it is recognized that corporate community relations falls
under the larger category of corporate citizenship as a common element (Altman 1998, 49).
Altman’s study (1998) on the relationship between corporate community relations and corporate
citizenship indicates that in some companies a new form of corporate community relations has
emerged which she defines as “Transformed Corporate Community Relations” (47). However,
by comparing between transformed CCR and Corporate Citizenship, she concludes that while
similarities are many, as an intermediate stage, transformed CCR is not corporate citizenship yet
(49). And corporate executives should still keep push towards full corporate citizenship (49).

A common trend in corporate citizenship/corporate community relations studies is to give
increased emphasis to the economic/business aspect. Corporations are now linking community
12

relations to corporate strategy and trying to identify the business values attached. The idea is
becoming more prevalent that companies now see corporate community relations as a
management issue (Altman 1998, 46). Lee’s empirical review (2008) points out that recent
researches on CSR has shifted: the level of discussion changed from macro to micro, from the
social implication of CSR to its effect on organizational performance, especially financial
performance (54); researchers are devoting more on the performance-oriented aspect of CSR as a
managerial case rather than ethics-oriented argument of CSR (54); ethical orientation in current
CSR research is more implicit rather than explicit in earlier cases (69); the tie between CSR and
CFP are being more emphasized in recent studies (69). Altman (1998) defines corporate
community relations as the management function of a corporation that serves to interact with
local communities and promote the interests of both the corporation and community (46). Her
studies show that significant changes have happened in terms of how corporations position
community relations.

Evidence is growing that corporations committed to corporate community relations or corporate
citizenship can profit from their involvement, mostly financially. Recent research asserts that
companies are engaging in CSR for profit reasons, while they being socially responsible they
also expect returns on their investment (Siegel and Vitaliano 2007). Using relationship theory,
Hall (2006) develops a possible model to properly measure the effectiveness of corporate
community relations and demonstrates that such activities contribute to enhance positive and
communal relationship with customers. Hal Dean (2002) demonstrates through balance theory
13

that corporate’s sponsoring charitable events leads to the enhancement of corporate-community
relations. Beurden and Gossling (2008) take an empirical perspective to demonstrate the positive
correlation between good CSR and good financial performance of a company, although critics
refer to outdated materials. They also identify several factors that show significant importance in
mediating the relation between CSP and CFP. Yet accurate measuring of the causal relation
between CSP and CFP remains a question through the research. Siegel and Vitaliano (2007)
suggest that firms selling durable experience goods/credence services are more likely to engage
CSR than those selling search goods/nondurable experience goods/experience services. In
Carroll and Shabana’s review (2010), it is presented that CSR has the following benefits for
businesses which practice it: reduce cost and risk (97), gain competitive advantage (98), develop
reputation and legitimacy (99) and seek win-win outcomes through synergistic value (100). By
identifying positive economic effects on firm’s financial performance ( the broad view of the
business case for CSR in their research which justifies CSR initiatives when there are direct and
indirect link between them and firm performance) conceived by CSR initiatives, researchers call
for wider acceptance of CSR in the business realm (93). Kim Davenport (2000) develops a
possible measurement for corporate citizenship assessment by operationalizing the concept of
corporate citizenship and using social auditing as the method of measuring. Through
questionnaire surveying 169 participants, the audit identified 20 principles as criteria for good
corporate citizenship including a consensus among participants that ethical business behavior,
stakeholder commitment and environmental commitment are three aspects of indicating good
corporate citizenship (216). Chen and Wang (2011) use stakeholder theory to examine
14

relationship between Chinese companies’ CSR and their financial performance in China.
Analysis on empirical studies reaffirms their hypothesis that good CSR lead to good financial
performance and there exists positive interactions between the two aspects. Industry-wise,
Deanna Kemp (2009) discusses community relations in the mining industry, where community
relations are conceptualized as a three-dimensional practice. Such practice provides the
following functions to a company: allowing company to understand what community needs;
providing a platform on which company and community could have two-way communication
and gain mutual understanding; facilitate potential organizational changes to enhance corporate
social performance (3). It also describes four types of company-community interactions in
mining: traditional models which focus on reputational and business risks, emergent models that
balance risk and the right to a voice or focus on development priority with a people-centric
mindset (5). In addition, it points out that community relations should de-link from public
relations and be an independent function of corporate communication in mining industry (7).

The landscape of corporate community relations studies is changing. From a management
perspective, Waddock and Boyle (1995) asserts that CCR is, while its boundary is still expanding,
becoming more strategic, with the aim to satisfy interests of various stakeholders such as
employee, communities and the corporation. They identified key driving forces, both external
and internal, behind the changing dynamics of CCR. Globalization (129), the need of building of
alliances and networks (with other companies) (129), growing competition (129) and the
changing governmental regulations (130) consist of the external drivers while internal pressures
15

may come from restructuring of operations (131), decentralization of responsibilities in company
governance (131) and impact of technology and economic (132). In addition, resource
constraints, layoffs, employee loyalty, work-family balance, demographic diversity and the aging
of workface all constitute to pressures upon the employee level, to which CCR should respond
(133-134). The complexity of various communities, their different needs and problems of each
one’s, presents both challenges and opportunities for CCR practitioners (135). It further derives
four implications for CCR: be strategic, professionalized, democratic (the decision making
process and scope of CCR be more incorporative/inclusive), and accountable (136-137). A new
phenomenon in corporate community relations practice is called Corporate Social Initiatives,
proposed by Hess, Rogovsky and Dunfee (2002). As an emerging direction under the category of
corporate community relations, Corporate Social Initiatives are corporate programs developed
upon community relations and corporate strategies (3). Such new forms of corporate social
initiatives satisfy the needs of firms to gain competitive advantages in a changing business
environment (5), meet new moral anticipations from its various stakeholders and peers (9), and
be able to win over governments or nonprofits in addressing certain social problems and
maintain the comparative advantage of private firms over public sectors (12). Connection to the
firm’s core value (15), being responsive to moral pressures (17), connection to the core
competencies of the firm and setting clear (18) and measurable goals (21) are key factors in
designing effective corporate social initiatives, especially when addressing potential objections to
its implementation.

16

Much has changed under the influence of technology and social media, so do corporate
community relations. Gerald Kane, Robert G. Fichman, John Gallaugher and John Glaser (2009)
take a deeper dive into understanding community relations in the 2.0 era. Through studying
online communities on healthcare industry, they point out that due to employment of social
media, online communities are now more volatile but also become more rapid to form, allow
deeper relationships, collect and synthesize new knowledge and better filter out less important
information (46). Such online community in healthcare industry is considered as an opportunity
for the researchers as it allows a more robust collaboration among stakeholders in the
industry-patients, researchers, non-profit, pharmaceutical companies. Based on their insights on
the characteristics of the new generation of online community, the researchers also propose the
formation of an according social media team in a company and engagement strategies for the
need of better cultivating online community relations (48). Linjuan Rita Men and Wan-Hsiu
Sunny Tsai’s research (2011) on corporate adoption of social media in China and U.S. indicates
that while companies in these two countries realize the importance of social networks and have
employed varies online strategies, tactics vary across the two markets due to cultural differences.

Potential Obstacles for Chinese Heavy Industry Engaging Local Community
While Chinese FDI in U.S. may yield fruitful results, there are obstacles that cast shadows on
Chinese companies’ growth in U.S. market.

17

Social obstacles
1. Environmental issue
There are previous cases that local communities oppose companies that raise environmental
concerns in the neighborhood. How to address local concerns on environmental protection is a
challenge to Chinese companies.
2. Adjusting to local laws and regulations
A great obstacle for Chinese companies entering U.S. is adjusting to American laws and
regulations

(Rosen and Hanemann 2011, 53-67). Previous cases like failed mergers of China
National Offshore Oil Corp. and Huawei, lawsuits against Chinese companies over patents
reflect their weaknesses that Chinese companies are not familiar with the local legal systems.

Political obstacles
1. National security and FDI screening
American competitors would use political methods as business tactics to suppress their Chinese
counterparts (Rosen and Hanemann 2011, 41-52). Through lobbying and persuading, American
companies along with certain politicians could inflict CFIUS spell out what CFIUS is screening
over Chinese companies, dragging them into negative media reporting and public relations
nightmares. Its consequence may hinder Chinese companies’ efforts in building community
relations.
2. Diplomatic relationship influence
18

The two countries’ diplomatic relationship can have an influence on the general public impacting
public perception of Chinese companies and their community relations.
3. Relationship with local government
On the local government level (state, county and city governments), positive government
relations can bring not only tax reduction and other economic benefits, but also legal assistance
to companies when they encounter legal issues. On contrary, lack of government support or even
opposition from local government may lead to community hostility.

Economic obstacles
1. Employment and labor force
Chinese companies have little experience with unions since there is little to no unions in China.
However, unions play a vital role in U.S.. labor relationships. Due to cultural differences, the
working dynamics between management and the workforce are quite different in China and U.S..
Chinese companies have to learn to adapt to local working dynamics in order to manage local
work force properly. In addition, it can be a challenge for some Chinese companies to work with
the cost of labor and higher standard of employee benefits in U.S..
2. Competitors and local market
Local American companies can be strong rivals to Chinese companies in winning over the local
community as they may be more accustomed to local culture and more versed with local market.
3. Spillovers
19

Spillover means the positive side effects brought by a company to local community besides
economic benefits e.g. training local workers, bringing advanced management methods,
investment in R&D (Rosen and Hanemann 2011, 44). Whether or not Chinese companies can
bring such benefits to the local community or let the community aware of it would either boost
or hinder their efforts of building good community relations.

Cultural obstacles
1. Difference in management culture
There are significant differences between the management culture of China and U.S.. For
example, due to the lack of labor union power in China, Chinese executives usually have to take
some time to navigate through the well-developed labor union system in U.S.. Another example
is that in Chinese companies, superior management usually has much stronger influence over its
subordinates on decision making, whereas in American companies, lower level management may
have more freedom to make decisions.
2. Perception of media relations
Media, especially local media, have a vital influence in affecting local community’s public
opinion and hence they are critical for Chinese companies in developing community relations.
However, heavy industry companies deal with mostly B2B business and usually have little
experience with media relations.
3. Perception of public relations
20

Public relations is an indispensable component for a company to build up its community
relations. However, Chinese companies seldom seek help from public relations companies or
even consult outside companies, making them vulnerable in this area and can be a potential
obstacle (Rosen and Hanemann 2011, 65).
4. Public impression of Chinese investment
According to a survey about public perception of U.S.. and China conducted by C-100
(“US-China Public Perceptions Survey”), while most of the respondents agree that investment
between the two countries are beneficial to both sides and roughly one quarter of each
respondent group (general public, opinion leaders, business leaders and policymakers) agreed
that Chinese investment in U.S. should be strongly encouraged, nearly a third of the public think
that Chinese investment in U.S. should be discouraged (74). There are concerns that Chinese
investment would post threats to U.S. economy. What’s more, public and political suspicion rises
when Chinese companies have government backing (Zhang 2014). Dealing with such negative
impression could be an obstacle for Chinese companies.
5. Utilizing the Internet and social media
Social media has become a venue through which companies stay connected with the net-savvy
citizens (Men and Tsai 2011, 1). How to conduct positive conversations between local
community and the company is vital in community relations development. Presently speaking,
Chinese companies still lack sophisticated social media management skills and they seldom have
outside resource for their social media campaigns (“Forrester”).

21

Chapter Two: The Pioneers-Wanxiang and Sany in U.S.

Wanxiang in U.S.

Entering the U.S. market in 1994, Wanxiang America Corporation is among the earliest Chinese
companies to establish operations in U.S. Its parent company, Wanxiang China, is the largest
auto parts manufacturer in China, with a global sale of $23.5 billion (Sedgwick and Beene 2014).
Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, Wanxiang America has 28 operations across 14 different
states, employing a large workforce of 6,000 people (“Universal Solar Presentation”). In Illinois
alone, Wanxiang America owns 6 operations and hires 750 employees (Bergen 2014). Its
significant influence over local economy is well recognized and applauded by local governments
and residents. Today, Wanxiang America is a $3-billion multi-national company with investments
in auto part manufacturing, green energy and real estate in U.S. Among its future plans there are
ambitious investments beyond U.S. market such as Brazil, India and Russia (Bergen 2014).

About the CEO
Pin Ni, the current CEO of Wanxiang America, came to the U.S. 20 years ago with $20,000 in
his pocket. He used that money to build Wanxiang America into a $3 billion conglomerate. Low
profile, easygoing but shrewd and “with a ferocious competitive drive” as described by Kathy
Bergen of Chicago Tribune (Bergen 2014), Pin Ni is recognized as the reason behind Wanxiang
America’s successful business in U.S.. In his late 40s, Pin Ni still has many ambitious plans for
Wanxiang America, one of which is challenging Tesla in the realm of electric cars. His
22

entrepreneurial passion, as well as business acumen that help him steer through all the challenges
over the years, hasn’t worn out yet.

Wanxiang America’s Business Strategy in U.S.
With an emphasis on merging with and acquiring U.S.. companies which were on the edge of
bankruptcy or undergoing financial hardship Wanxiang is expanding its presence in the U.S.
market. All of its operations in U.S. are acquired through such method. Having a lower cost of
establishment and being welcomed by many local citizens due to the job opportunities it saved,
Wanxiang’s current business strategy is proven to be quite successful. According to Crain’s
Chicago Business, Wanxiang America has helped to save more than 3,000 jobs by reviving these
dying local companies (Knight 2013).

Sany in U.S.

Sany America is a subsidiary of Sany Heavy Industry Co., Ltd, the world’s fifth largest
construction equipment manufacturer and China’s largest, according to Sany America’s press
release on April 5, 2013 (“2013 Yellow Table Top 50”). It first entered U.S. in 2006 and has been
the largest Chinese investment in Georgia over the past years. Its only plant in U.S. is located in
Peachtree City, GA, with around 100 employees. Concrete pumping equipment, crawler cranes
and excavators are its main products, while in recent years the emphasis has shifted more to the
last one. Sany’s global sales have surpassed some of the global giants such as its U.S.
competitors Deere & Company and Manitowoc. In 2013, it was ranked No.5 by KHL’s Yellow
23

Table, a magazine that serves the construction industry, right after some famous brands like
Caterpillar and Komatsu (“Marginal growth for construction equipment”). Focused mostly on
heavy crawler cranes, Sany America has had dealership covering 65 percent of North America
market, and 32 dealers are currently working with Sany to explore U.S. market (Cai 2013).

About Sany America’s CEO
Mike Rhoda serves as Sany America’s CEO since December 2013. He worked in V olvo’s
excavator line before taking the CEO position of Sany America. His predecessor was Tim Frank,
whose resignation from the position in October 2013 remains a mystery.

Sany America’s Business Strategy
Sany experienced a shift in business focus as it replaced its concrete pumping manufacturing
with crawler crane manufacturing, according to the information gathered from an interview
between the author and Trevor Williams, Editor at Global Atlanta (Trevor Williams, Personal
communication, December 15, 2014). Sany merged with Putzmeister, a Germany-based concrete
pumping machine manufacturer based in Wisconsin in April 2012 as a step into the concrete
pumping equipment industry. However, just two months later, Sany America shifted its focus to
heavy-duty crawler cranes. The company now devotes its main resource to excavators. Such
frequent shifts in business focus may not be beneficial to Sany America’s healthy growth.
Dealerships are Sany America’s main channel of distribution. By 2013, Sany America had
dealers in 35 states and expects to grow in the near future.
24

Close Relationship with Local Government
Sany has been, to some extent, a great example for the state of Georgia and the international
investment community. The government of Georgia has been maintaining close relationship with
Sany since its arrival in 2006. In 2011, Nathan Deal, Governor of the State of Georgia visited
China and spent half day of his four-day mission to China in Sany’s industrial park in Hunan
Province. It is not the only trip he ever made to China, and his predecessor, former Governor
Purdue, did the same tour in 2008. It seems to be a routine for the governor of Georgia to visit
China and Sany is often times one of the stops.

25

Chapter Three: Summary of the Two Companies’ Community
Relations in U.S.

Wanxiang America’s Community Relations Campaigns

Data Collection Methods
The following summary of Wanxiang America’s community relations campaigns is collected
through interviews and from open sources, such as company websites, press releases, and related
media reports. The interviews are conducted by the author with Pin Ni, current President of
Wanxiang America on December 27
th
, 2014 and Meribah Knight, freelance journalist and
reporter of a Chicago-based business journal Crain’s Chicago Business on January 26
th
, 2015.
Transcriptions and interview questions of the two interviews can be found in the appendix of this
paper. Each interview lasts approximately 30 minutes. Interviews are designed to gather a more
comprehensive understanding on Wanxiang America’s corporate community relations efforts,
especially those that are not in the media.

About Local Community
Before we start to dive into analysis, it is crucial to understand the surrounding neighborhood in
which the company is based. Wanxiang America’s main plant in Illinois is located in Elgin, IL. It
also has a solar panel factory in Rockford, IL, which has at least 60 workers (not including
management), according to a news report by Alex Gary on August 8, 2010 (Gary 2010). The
26

following data about the city of Elgin and Rockford are all accessed and retrieved from
City-Data.com on February 2, 2015.

Both the city of Elgin and Rockford are mid-size cities in Illinois, and are close to the state
capital, Chicago. The city of Elgin has a population of over 110,000 people, the majority of
which (66 percent) are white and 61 percent Catholic (“Elgin, IL”). According to City Data’s
report on its economic structure (“Work and Jobs in Elgin”), manufacturing is one of its pillar
industries: two out of Elgin’s top 10 most common industries are manufacturing and related
industries, providing jobs to a total of 7.4 percent of its population. As for the city of Rockford,
manufacturing is also a major supporter to local economy. Similar to Elgin, three of the top 10
most common industries in Rockford are manufacturing or other related industries (such as
transportation equipment, machinery and metal product manufacturing) which provide jobs to a
total of 16.2 percent of the population (“Work and Jobs in Rockford”). Nearly half (44 percent)
of its 150,000 population is affiliated with the Catholic Church and 57 percent of them are white.
In terms of political leniency, 46 percent of Rockford citizens and 49 percent of Elgin citizens
voted for Romney in 2012 Presidential Elections (“Rockford, IL”). Based on the data above,
both cities are typical American mid-size cities which rely heavily on primary industries such as
manufacturing, and have a generally neutral yet pro-conservative political/cultural climate in
local communities.

27

Wanxiang America’s Corporate Community Relations Campaigns
Wanxiang America’s corporate efforts of building relationships with local communities can be
categorized into two categories: assuming economic responsibility and educational programs.

As pointed out in literature review, corporate community relations has been integrated into a
corporate’s business strategy and is regarded as a management issue rather than pure
philanthropy action (Altman 1998, 46; Siegel and Vitaliano 2007). Economic responsibility to its
surrounding communities is the primary responsibility of a company (Carroll and Shabana 2010,
90). Thus, supporting local economy and providing job opportunities for local citizen are an
aspect of performing good corporate community relations. According to an interview with Pin Ni,
the company puts its primary focus on fulfilling its economic responsibility to local communities
(Pin Ni, personal communication, December 27, 2014). That includes providing jobs to local
citizens with benefits required by law, paying taxes to local governments and maintaining orderly
operation of the factories so that workers would have jobs and be able to make a living. Its
factories in Rockford and Elgin hire mostly local workers from immediate neighborhood, with
only few of the management level personnel coming from other places. In addition to Wanxiang
America fulfilling its economic responsibility to local community, it also has a commitment to
not abandoning local communities during financial hardships (Pin Ni, personal communication,
December 27, 2014). In 2010, Wanxiang America established a solar panel factory in Rockford.
When the economy plummeted, many other companies shut down their plants. Although it was
losing money as well, Wanxiang America didn’t abandon the factory, but worked with local
28

communities to keep the factory from failing. Through transparent communication, Wanxiange
worked with the local communities to calm fears that the factory might be failing. Wanxiang
America assured local residents that the factory would not shut down and workers would not be
laid off. Together they made it through the bad times. Local communities cooperated with
Wanxiang America and provided support to the factory by creating solar panel projects for
Wanxiang America including a solar panel project for Rockford airport in 2010 (Gary 2010). It is
now the only solar panel factory that still operational in the mid-west.

Educational programs are another aspect of Wanxiang America’s community relations campaign.
Wanxiang America has been an active supporter of President Obama’s 10,000 Strong Initiative
since 2009, a U.S. government-backed program that aims to strengthen U.S.-China relations by
increasing the number and diversity of American students studying in China. Wanxiang
America’s initial involvement with 10,000 Strong Initiative started in 2009 when it sponsored
this program. By covering the participating students’ travel and living expenses during their stay
in China, Wanxiang America encouraged local high school and college students to study in China
during summer. What’s more, in 2014, Wanxiang America provided courses on clean energy
taught by its own experts to the students. Its purpose was to not only expose students to Chinese
language and culture, but also clean energy. In 2014 alone, Wanxiang America sponsored 224
American students from 10 different organizations across the States to participate in the 10,000
Strong Initiative (“Wanxiang’s Support of 100,000 Strong”). Quite recently, Wanxiang America
formed new partnership with the Conrad Schools of Science in Delaware. It provides a grant of
29

$450,000 to support high school students in local community to study during summer in its
facility in Hangzhou, China as part of its support to the 10,000 Strong Initiative (“Governor
Announces China Study Program”). Another one of its community relations campaign through
education is its sponsorship of the World Leadership Forum held by the Judson University.
Wanxiang America was one of the Gold level sponsors of this forum in 2012 and 2013, in which
world-class leaders like Tony Blair and George W. Bush had given key note speeches
(“Sponsorship of Wanxiang America”). Pin Ni is quoted on the forum’s website to attract new
sponsors. In the interview with Pin Ni, he commented that the company believes such activities
to help to the local community (Pin Ni, personal communication, December 27, 2014). Also
according to Pin Ni, the school provides education opportunities for Wanxiang America’s
employees in return for their sponsorship (Pin Ni, personal communication, December 15, 2014).

Other community relations building efforts of Wanxiang America are in general sporadic and
focus on internal relations mostly. Internal activities like company soccer games happen from
time to time. A company policy which is worth mentioning is called the “Bonus Policy”. It
allows workers to earn a small bonus on every dollar of products that they ship out successfully.
It also has a policy called “Work within 10 Miles”, which encourages employees to live close to
the office and compensations for relocation is sometimes provided (Pin Ni, personal
communication, December 15, 2014).

30

In short, Wanxiang America’s community relations building efforts rely heavily on fulfilling its
economic responsibility and sponsoring educational programs. The latter one serves as Wanxiang
America’s direct community relations building efforts. Other campaigns mainly focus on internal
relations and are generally small scale and sporadic.

Sany America’s Community Relations Campaigns

Data Collection
The following summary of Sany America’s community relations campaigns is collected through
interviews with relevant sources and from open sources, such as company websites, press
releases, and related media reports. The interviews are conducted by the author with Trevor
Williams, Editor at Global Atlanta who covers stories about Sany America on December 15
th
,
2014 and Emily Poole, Manager of Retention & Expansion of Fayette County Development
Authority, Georgia on December 8
th
, 2014. Emily Poole handles Sany America related business
for the County of Fayette and therefore has many interactions with Sany America. Transcriptions
and interview questions of the two interviews can be found in the appendix of this paper. Each
interview lasted approximately 30 minutes. The interviews were designed to gather more a
comprehensive understanding on Sany America’s corporate community relations efforts, and a
general idea of how local community perceives them. Although multiple attempts have been
made to contact internal employees of Sany America to get the company’s perspectives, such
attempts are unsuccessful as no one accepted the author’s invitation for an interview. An analysis
31

on the company’s corporate community relations campaigns is conducted using its company
press releases and related local media reports as sources.

About Local Community
Data on Peachtree city below are collected from City Data.com, including information on its
current population, industry, race, political attitude and religious affiliation.
Sany America’s only plant is located in Peachtree city, home to 34,662 residents. According to
City Data (“Peachtree city, GA”), 79.8 percent of the population is white. 43 percent of its
population is affiliated to the Southern Baptist Convention, while 19 percent to the Catholic
Church. Compared to Rockford, IL and Elgin, IL, manufacturing and related industries in
Peachtree city is less of a factor in the local economy, according to City Data’s report on
Peachtree city’s industry structure (“Work and Jobs in Peachtree City”). Air transportation is the
dominating industry in Peachtree which employs 15.2 percent of its total population, while
machinery contributes 2 percent of Peachtree city’s employed population. None of the top 10
most common industry in Peachtree falls into the category of manufacturing. Peachtree is also
considered a “red city” due to its political leniency towards the Republican Party. 65 percent of
its citizens voted for Romney in the 2012 Presidential Election (“Peachtree city, GA”).

Sany America’s Corporate Actions in Strengthening Relationships with Local Communities
In this section, content analysis on Sany America’s press releases is used to describe Sany
America’s corporate actions in community relations building. The press releases are retrieved
32

from its corporate website and coded for content analysis. See Appendix B for original data.
Coding criteria and search methods are as follows.

Coding criteria and attribute definition
The press releases are categorized based on the following two attributes: topic and location
Attribute: Topic
Code 1: Economic/business related: articles about company’s business activities, such as
financial information, business decisions, business activities and information about its
management
Code 2: Employee relations related: articles about its employees’ welfare, internal relations
information, human resource related information including changes in executive management
Code 3: Community relations related: articles about company’s interaction with its external
communities
Code 4: Government relations related: articles about company’s interaction with any level of
government
Code 5: NGO/NFO relations related: articles about company’s interaction with any
non-government or non-profit organizations

Attribute: Location
Geographic location where the incident takes place

33

Search methods
Source: Sany America’s corporate website http://www.sanyamerica.com/
Subjects: press releases
Time range: 1/21/2010-7/29/2014

Results
A total number of 104 valid press releases are retrieved and coded according to the above coding
criteria. Result is shown below:

Table 2: Types of Press Releases from Sany America (All Location)
Topic Number of Press Releases
Economic/Business related 86
Employee/Internal relations 6
Community relations 8
Government relations 4
NGO/NFO relations 0
Total 104
Source: Sany America’s corporate website, press releases section, accessed on February 2, 2015.
Retrieved from http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/news.jsp

34

Table 3: Types of Press Releases from Sany America (U.S.-related reports only)
Topic Number of Press Releases
Economic/Business related 60
Employee/Internal relations 5
Community relations 6
Government relations 3
NGO/NFO relations 0
Total 74
Source: Appendix B (original data): Content analysis on Sany America’s Corporate Community
Relations Efforts

Corporate press releases are credible source of investigating corporate actions. Based on the
content analysis of Sany America’s press releases over the last 5 years, the author was able to
deduct Sany America’s community relations building efforts.

According to the data analyzed, 81 percent of its press releases are about its economic/business
activities in the United States, with only 6.8 percent of them about employee relations, 8.1
percent about community relations, 4 percent on government relations and none on NGO/NFO
relations. For the majority of press releases that is about its economic/business activities, further
content analysis indicates that it is mostly about a) new product launches; b) expansion of
dealership; c) promising financial performance. Over the six releases that talk about community
relations, two of which cover its sponsorship to race car teams in NASCAR and NHRA, two of
35

which talk about open house events that allows public to visit and see its latest products. The
reason why sponsorships to race car teams are considered as community relations campaigns in
Sany America’s case is that involving in NASCAR event could help Sany America in building a
favorable image in local community. NACAR is a very popular sport entertainment welcomed by
local residents in the southern states and Midwest, according to a report from brandongaille.com
(“52 Fantastic Nascar demographics”). Also, it is stated in Dean’s paper (2002) that a sponsor
could be more favorable among its audience by sponsoring a well-liked event. By associating
itself with a well-liked event, Sany America could therefore gain more exposure with local
citizens and form a positive brand image among local community. Out the three releases on
government relations, two of them are about Sany America’s lawsuits with Manitowoc and
President Obama can a company have a lawsuit with the President? Please explain more, which
in general generated negative public sentiments.

In conclusion, Sany America intends to strengthen its relationship with local community by
demonstrating its fulfillment of economic responsibility to local community. The message to the
public here is that Sany America has excellent financial performances and is able to continue to
provide jobs and taxes to local community. It intends to persuade local communities that by
offering economic benefits to the region, it is generating a positive corporate image among local
residents.

36

Meanwhile, the data also suggests that Sany America devotes some resources into direct
community relations building campaigns. Its community relations building campaigns contain
open house events and sponsorships for two racing car teams. The open house events are mainly
product demonstrations, whose audience is mostly industry professionals. Sany America is also
one of the major sponsors to Mark Martino’s Pro Stock team NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing
Series starting in 2013 (“SANY America to Sponsor NHRA”). It was the primary sponsor of a
NASCAR team called Tommy Baldwin Racing for its 14 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events in
the same year (“Tommy Baldwin Gets Sponsor”). No NGO/NFO relations building efforts are
found based on content analysis of its corporate press releases.

Compared to Wanxiang America’s case, Sany America also tries to emphasize its economic
importance to local community. But its community relations campaigns might not be as
impactful as Wanxiang America does. Open house and sponsorships to local race car teams are
the only community relations campaigns found, which have less influence on local communities
compared to Wanxiang America’s educational programs.

37

Chapter Four: Media Representation of the Two Companies’
Community Relations Campaigns in U.S.

Data Collection
The source of data is local/regional newspapers that rank top 10 in circulation as of 2014 and city
business journals. Ethnic newspapers are excluded. List of sources used for content analysis is
shown below.

Table 4: Sources for Content Analysis on Media Representation about Wanxiang America
Name of Newspaper/Business Journals Circulation/Unique Visitors
Chicago Sun-times 422,335 copies
Chicago Tribune 414,590 copies
Redeye 250,000 copies
Mount Prospect Journal 68,996 copies
Rockford Register Star 65,224 copies
Peoria Journal Star 63,024 copies
Belleville News Democrat 46,883 copies
State Journal Register 44,722 copies
Joliet Times Weekly 42,284 copies
Crain’s Chicago Business 53,313 copies
Chicago Business Journal (online only) 78,040 unique visits per month
38

Table 4 (Continued)
Daily Herald 99,670 copies
Source: Circulation and ranking data is retrieved from
Mondotimes.com, accessed on February 2, 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.mondotimes.com/newspapers/usa/illinois-newspaper-circulation.html
Crain’s Chicago Business website, accessed on February 2, 2015. Retrieved from
http://crainschicagoadvertising.com/stats/print/ (for Crain’s Chicago Business)
Chicago Business Journal website, accessed on February 2, 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.thebusinessjournals.com/audience/interactive-map/ (for Chicago Business Journal)

Table 5: Sources for Content Analysis on Media Representation about Sany America
Name of Newspaper/Business Journals Circulation/Subscriber
Atlanta Journal Constitution 174,251 copies
Gwinnett Daily Post 59,425 copies
The Augusta Chronicle 55,444 copies
The Telegraph 43,100 copies
Savannah Morning News 36,730 copies
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer 31,889 copies
Athens Banner Herald 22,771 copies
The Times 22,000 copies
The Brunswick News 17,800 copies
Marietta Daily Journal 15,559 copies
Global Atlanta 10,500 subscribers
Atlanta Business Chronicle 38,000 copies
Source: Circulation data and ranking is retrieved from
39

Cision.com, accessed on February 2, 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.cision.com/us/2012/08/top-10-georgia-daily-newspapers/
Global Atlanta website, accessed on February 2, 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.globalatlanta.com/advertise/ (for Global Atlanta)
Atlanta Business Chronicle website, accessed on February 2, 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.atlantadowntown.com/_files/docs/2012-abc-rate-card.pdf (for Atlanta Business
Chronicle)

Search Methods
Time range of media reports is restricted to the past 5 years, from 2010 to 2015.
Keywords used: “Wanxiang”, “Sany”.
Google Advanced Search is used to retrieve media reports from each newspaper’s official
website.

Coding Criteria
The news reports are categorized based on topic.
Code 1: Economic/business related: articles about company’s business activities, such as
financial information, business decisions, business activities and information about its
management
Code 2: Employee relations related: articles about its employees’ welfare, internal relations
information, human resource related information including changes in executive management
Code 3: Community relations related: articles about company’s interaction with its external
communities
Code 4: Government relations related: articles about company’s interaction with any level of
government
40

Code 5: NGO/NFO relations related: articles about company’s interaction with any
non-government or non-profit organizations
NA: data non-applicable

Results

Part one: Analysis on Wanxiang America’s local media representation

Using Google Advanced Search to locate news articles that contains the keyword “Wanxiang” in
each of the 12 news outlets websites listed in Figure 9, a total number of 45 articles are found
between the year of 2010 and 2015. Number of relevant articles found in each newspaper or
business journals website is shown below.

Table 6: Number of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal Websites (Wanxiang
America)
Name of Newspaper/Business
Journal
Website Address Number of Articles
Found
Chicago Sun-times 0
Chicago Tribune 29
Redeye 0
Mount Prospect Journal 0
Rockford Register Star 9
41

Table 6 (Continued)
Peoria Journal Star 0
Belleville News Democrat 0
State Journal Register 0
Joliet Times Weekly 0
Crain’s Chicago Business 27
Chicago Business Journal 0
Daily Herald 2
Total 67
Source: Appendix C (original data): Wanxiang America’s media representation analysis

After applying the coding criteria, 53 out of the 67 articles are categorized and coded depending
on the attributes of their topics. Number of articles qualifying each criterion is shown in Figure
12.

Table 7: Number of Different Types of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal
Websites after Applying Coding Criteria (Wanxiang America)
Types of Article Quantity
Economic/Business related (Coded as “1”) 46
Employee/Internal relations (Coded as “2”) 2
Community relations (Coded as “3”) 1
42

Table 7 (Continued)
Government relations (Coded as “4”) 4
NGO/NFO relations (Coded as “5”) 0
Non-applicable (Coded as “NA” 14
Total 67
Source: Appendix C (original data): Wanxiang America’s media representation analysis

Summary of Wanxiang America’s Local Media Representation

According to the data from content analysis, news reports from local media about Wanxiang
America disproportionally concentrate on its economic performance and business operation over
its other community relations campaigns. Further content analysis into specific topics indicates
that the majority of economic/business topic reports uses neutral to slightly positive tone in
reporting, which suggests that local media depicts a positive corporate image to the public
regarding the company supporting the local economy and providing economic benefits to
surrounding community. All these economic/business reports convey a message to the local
community that Wanxiang America is a well-managed operation which provides large number of
jobs to local residents and pays taxes to help support local economy. Judging from the fact that
Wanxiang America is a $3 billion company that hires 6,000 Americans, such media reports align
with Wanxiang America’s actual economic performance. From this angle, local media indeed
43

accurately represents Wanxiang America’s fulfillment of its economic responsibility to
surrounding community by informing local residents that Wanxiang America is a successful
company that contributes to providing jobs to local residents and paying taxes to support the
local community development.

Figure 6: Percentage of Different Types of Media Representation on Wanxiang America

However, Wanxiang America’s other community relations building efforts are significantly
underrepresented by local media. The only community relations-related report found is about a
local rehabilitation facility adopting solar energy. Even that, Wanxiang America’s name was
merely mentioned as the manufacturer of the solar panels and with no further information on the
company. Employee/internal relation related reports are mostly about Wanxiang America’s
human resource changes, such as a senior executive was re-appointed or introduction about its
CEO. One of the articles mentioned about Wanxiang America’s “Bonus Policy” in short
87%
4%
2%
7%
0%
Local Media Representation on Wanxiang
America
Economic/Business topic
Employee/Internal Relations
related
local community related
government related
NGO/NFO related
44

paragraph. Government-related reports are mostly about its acquisition of A123 battery, which
encountered Congressional opposition on the ground of national security. Wanxiang America’s
participation of 10,000 Strong Initiative, along with its sponsorship of Judson University’s World
Leadership Forum and its internal relations policies have not been picked up by any local media.

Part Two: Analysis on Sany America’s local media representation

Using Google Advanced Search to locate news articles that contains the keyword “Sany” in each
of the 10 newspaper and business journal websites, a total number of 23 articles are found
between the year of 2010 and 2015. Number of relevant articles found in each newspaper or
business journals website is shown below. See Appendix D for detailed original data chart.

Table 8: Number of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal Websites (Sany
America)
Name of Newspaper/Business
Journal
Website Address Number of Articles
Found
Atlanta Journal Constitution 3
Gwinnett Daily Post 0
The Augusta Chronicle 0
The Telegraph 0
Savannah Morning News 0
45

Table 8 (Continued)
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer 0
Athens Banner Herald 0
The Times 0
The Brunswick News 0
Marietta Daily Journal 0
Global Atlanta 16
Atlanta Business Chronicle 4
Total 23
Source: Appendix D (original data): Sany America’s media representation analysis

After applying the coding criteria, 19 out of the 23 articles are categorized and coded depending
on the attributes of their topics. Number of articles qualifying each criterion is shown in Figure
15.

Table 9: Number of Different Types of Articles Retrieved from Newspaper/Business Journal
Websites after Applying Coding Criteria (Sany America)
Types of Article Quantity
Economic/Business related (Coded as “1”) 12
Employee/Internal relations (Coded as “2”) 3
Community relations (Coded as “3”) 1
46

Table 9 (Continued)
Government relations (Coded as “4”) 3
NGO/NFO relations (Coded as “5”) 0
Non-applicable (Coded as “NA”) 4
Total 23
Source: Appendix D: Sany America’s media representation analysis

Summary of Sany America’s local media representation

Figure 7: Percentage of Different Types of Media Representation on Sany America

63%
16%
5%
16%
Local Media Representation on Sany America
Economic/Business related
Employee/Internal Relations
related
Local Community related
Government related
NGO/NFO related
47

As reflected by analysis data, local media representation of Sany America also concentrates
largely on economic/business related topics. Further content analysis into each types of report
indicates that economic/business related reports focus on reflecting the company’s investment
plans in Peachtree city, personnel changes on high level executive management and company’s
day-to-day operation. The tone of economic/business related reports is neutral to slightly positive,
stating mostly facts about Sany America’s business operations. In short, local media
representation on the company’s economic/business activities is in direct proportion to the
company’s effort in demonstrating its fulfillment of economic responsibility to local community.

However, Sany America’s community relations building efforts are also underrepresented in
some level. According to earlier analysis on Sany America’s press releases, the company devotes
some resource into direct community relation building campaigns, including factory open house
and sponsorship to two race car teams. But local media has none representation of such events.
Based on the data from Figure 16, the only media report about Sany America’s community
relations is that it was one of the finalists for the Global Impact Award by the Metro Atlanta
Chamber. The award didn’t even specify what kind of impact the winners have on local
community. Employee/Internal Relations related topics are about personnel changes only.
Government related topics about Sany America are mainly about the state governor’s visit to
Sany’s base in China, which also have little influence on Sany America’s community relations in
U.S., although it might suggest Sany America’s close relationship with the state government.

48

Chapter Five: Conclusion

A Significant Gap between Chinese Heavy Industry Companies’ Corporate Efforts on
Community Relations and Local Media Representation

Through comparing between actual corporate community relations efforts and local media
reports, a huge gap has been identified between Chinese heavy industry companies’ community
relations campaigns and local media representation.

Table 10: Underrepresentation of Chinese Heavy Industry Companies’ Community Relations
Campaigns on Local Media
Company Actual Corporate Efforts Local Media Representation
Wanxiang America Economic Responsibility Many
Community Relations: 10,000 Strong
Initiative
None
Community Relations: Sponsorship to
World Leadership Forum
None
Employee Relations: Bonus Policy Only one article, mentioned in
short paragraph
Other Employee Relations activities None
Sany America Economic Responsibility Many
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Table 10 (Continued)
Community Relations: Open House
events
None
Community Relations: racing car team
sponsorship
None

Economic and political factor play much larger roles in influencing local community’s
perception of the corporate images of these two Chinese heavy industry companies, while their
corporate community relations aspects are too large extent neglected. Many of their corporate
efforts in strengthening relationships with local community have gone untold, leading to a
general misconception that Chinese heavy industry companies are doing nothing about their
community relations. Local media representation concentrates heavily on the company’s
financial performance and the business aspect of its relationship with local community. It
includes the company’s ability of providing jobs and taxes to local community, and bringing
further investment. Second to that is the company’s interaction with any levels of government. In
this category, lawsuits about Chinese companies are most frequently mentioned, including Sany
America’s lawsuits with President Obama and Wanxiang America’s acquisition of A123 battery.

Most of the two companies’ community relations campaigns can only be found on their partners’
website or their own corporate websites. Information about Wanxiang America’s involvement
can be found on the official website of Wanxiang America, as well as 10,000 Strong Initiative’s
50

website, websites of universities in partnership with Wanxiang America and some government
websites which are partnering with Wanxiang America in the program. Information about Sany
America’s sponsorship for Tommy Baldwin’s NASCAR team can only be found on NASCAR’s
official website as well as Tommy Baldwin’s team website. None of them are as regional media
which has frequent visits from the general public.

Table 11: Reports on Wanxiang America’s Sponsorship for 10,000 Strong Initiative from Sources
Other Than Media Outlets
Sources Number of Articles
Northwestern University 5
University of Chicago 2
100kStrong.org 7
Source: Appendix E: Media report analysis on Wanxiang America’s 100 Thousand Strong
Initiative

In the case of Wanxiang America’s 10,000 Strong Initiative, organizational websites have far less
visits compared to news media outlets, leading to a low exposure of Wanxiang America’s
campaigns to the public.

Another significant pattern that worth noticing is that Chinese heavy industry companies’
investment into corporate community relations campaigns still has much room for growth. In
both cases, Wanxiang America and Sany America don’t have any publicly-known partnerships
51

with any non-government or non-profit organization, which naturally leads to zero media
representation in this area. Also, their community relations campaigns are mostly indirect. For
example, Sany America’s sponsoring racing car teams may be able to gain brand recognition
among local community, but it doesn’t demonstrate any direct linkage to improving the welfare
of local community. Other internal relations activities such as soccer games in Wanxiang
America, while are indeed important components of community relations campaigns, are also
confined within the company thus limiting their influence over outside communities.

In both cases, Wanxiang America and Sany America all share good relationships with local
government. According to an email interview with Peachtree City government, Sany America is
a valued member of the community and they are proud to have it in the city. Also, Nathan Deal,
the Governor of Georgia, visited China in 2013 and spent half day from his four-day trip in
Sany’s industrial campus in Beijing. His predecessor had also paid visits to Sany’s base in China.
For Wanxiang America, it has received government assistance such as tax reduction in the state
of Illinois. When Wanxiang America’s solar farm in Rockford Airport was completed, local press,
airport authority and city government official attended the debut and had a lot of interactions
with Wanxiang America, said Wanxiang America’s CEO in the interview.

As conclusion, this paper, through comparing local news media reports with two Chinese heavy
industry companies’ community relations campaigns, identifies a gap between media
representation and the companies’ actual corporate efforts in promoting their relationships with
52

local community. While local media coverage largely focuses on the financial performances and
business aspects of the two Chinese companies’ relationships with local communities, the two
companies’ community relations campaigns, such as educational and sports sponsorships, as well
as internal relations enhancement measures are underrepresented.

53

Chapter Six: Discussion

Research Limitations
This case study aims to investigate the current practice of Chinese heavy industry companies’
engagement with local community. It first outlines how two typical Chinese heavy industry
companies, Wanxiang America and Sany America, practice corporate community relations in
U.S.. Then, it concludes how local media in their surrounding neighborhood reflect their
corporate effort through conducting content analysis on local media reports. The comparison
analysis of corporate practices and media representation shows a significant underrepresentation
of the two Chinese companies’ corporate efforts in strengthening their relationships with local
community by local media. There are, however, several limitations to this study which may shed
lights on future studies on foreign companies’ community relations in U.S..

The study chooses two Chinese heavy industry companies as study subjects. Culture plays an
important role in human interactions. And since community relations is a human-oriented
practices, the factor of cultural differences should be taken into consideration when studying
community relations on an international level. Linjuan Rita Men and Wan-Hsiu Sunny Tsai in
their study of social media utility between Chinese and American corporations has indicated that
Chinese companies engage online communities with a more “conservative” tactic compared to
their American peers, which is that Chinese corporations have less action feature and multimedia
contents than American corporations do. Cultural difference could play a key role in influencing
54

the way Chinese heavy industry companies engaging their surrounding communities, or even
leads to very different management mentality when it comes to community relations policies.
Future research could take cultural differences between U.S. and China into account as a major
factor.

The types of industry in which the study is conducted could also have great influence in
community relations practices. Factory workers are usually the main audience of corporate
community relations campaigns. This fact determines that community relations practices in
heavy industry should be well versed with the characteristics of this group of audience. The same
communication methods that apply to office white-collars very well may not be as effective with
blue-collars workers in small town factories. More comparison studies are necessary on how
different types of audience may affect community relations campaigns.
The sampling of this study is limited to two companies. While these two companies are very
typical in their group and therefore makes them credible samples for this study, expanding the
size of sample may be able to yield more accurate data and allow further investigation on the
factors that cause media underrepresentation on Chinese heavy industry companies’ community
relations campaigns.

Due to limitation on time and resources, this study is unable to perform large scale survey on
how local community members evaluate Chinese heavy industry companies’ presence in the
community. A comprehensive evaluation on audience attitudes towards Chinese heavy industry
55

companies’ community relations campaigns would certainly yield more insightful results on the
social dynamics between the companies and local community.
Future research could also pay attention to comparison studies on how companies from different
countries practice community relations. Although China’s foreign direct investment to U.S. is
increasing year by year, it is not yet the largest foreign direct investment in U.S.. European
countries invest much more than China does. In 2013, eight countries take up 80 percent of
foreign direct investment in U.S., 6 of them are from Europe (“Foreign Direct Investment in US
2014”, 3). Also, Japan is the largest Asian foreign direct investment in U.S., and the second
largest in the world. Studies on how European and Japan foreign investments practice
community relations in U.S. would entail more diverse perspective in cross-cultural community
relations.

Drivers behind the Phenomenon
Many may wonder what drives such gap between media representation and Chinese heavy
industry companies’ corporate community relations campaigns.
One reason could be the management mentality towards media. Media could be your best friend
and worst nightmare at the same time. It depends on how a company manages and cultivates its
relationships with media. Thus, media relation has become an important function in many
corporations in recent years. However, it is also true that many heavy industry companies have
not adopt proactive media strategies. In Wanxiang America’s case, it rarely contacts media
proactively, although it is very candid towards media. And whenever it receives interview
56

requests from media, it would usually disclose as much information as law allows. But its media
strategy is more passive than proactive. On its corporate website, it doesn’t have a press release
section. Compared to other B2C industries like fast moving consumer goods or service, heavy
industry lacks the momentum to adopt proactive media relations. However, nowadays as more
and more social concerns are placed on corporate social responsibility, being inactive in media
strategy might not work in the future.

A second driver behind the gap could be the lack of attention from local media on Chinese
companies’ corporate community relations. Historically, Chinese companies are not the most
active players in the field of community relations. Most of the media attention is diverted to the
economic aspect of the company’s relationships with local community, as reflected from the
analysis. Also, priority of public opinion can be a factor of the lack of attention from local media
on Chinese companies’ community relations. According to an opinion survey on U.S. and
Chinese public towards each other in 2012, 43 percent of general public, 68 percent of business
leaders and 66 percent of opinion leaders in U.S. believe that Chinese investment would help U.S.
economy by creating jobs (“US-China Public Perceptions Survey”, 75). Obviously, economic
benefit brought by Chinese investment is the primary concern of the public. The lack of media
attention on Chinese companies’ community relations could partly due to the different public
concern.

57

Lack of social impact could also be another reason for local media’s underrepresentation of
Chinese companies’ community relations campaigns. Sponsorship programs are indeed effective
ways to enhance corporate relationships with local communities, but they also have limitations.
For example, an educational sponsorship program has significant impact on students who are
exposed to the information, but it may not be as impactful to a businessman who works in the
city but has not channels to be exposed to such information. A sponsorship to a famous racing car
team can be a great advertising opportunity, but it may not have enough direct impact on the
lives of residents living next to the factory. If a story doesn’t have immediate impact to the
audience, in this case the businessman and residents living near the factory, then it is likely that
local media would not pick up the story since it lacks news value.

In a nutshell, passive media strategy and a lack of media attention on Chinese heavy industry
companies’ community relations campaigns due to different public concerns and insufficient
social impact from the campaigns are all possible factors that cause the discrepancy between
local media reports and the companies’ actual corporate efforts.

Strategic Recommendations: Cultivating Better Community Relations for Chinese Heavy
Industry Companies
Corporate community relations campaigns could yield, if held properly, positive financial returns
(Beurden and Gossling, 2008; Siegel and Vitaliano, 2007; Carroll and Shabana, 2010). It is
becoming a common practice that companies integrate corporate community relations into
business decision and view it as a core corporate function rather than redundancy.
58

For Chinese heavy industry companies, community relations serve as an indispensable
management function. It is imperative for executives to realize the benefits of good community
relations, which includes reducing operation costs and risks, building brand image liked and
respected by local communities and accumulating advantages in the face of crisis. Several
strategies are recommended for enhancing corporate community relations for Chinese heavy
industry companies. These strategies are based on both the case analysis above as well as
interviews with company executives, community opinion leaders and government officials.

1. Be transparent
If you are a listed company, then it is your obligation to be transparent and disclose all
information that the law requires to your stakeholder. Even if you are a privately-held
company which doesn’t have an obligation to disclose information, it is in your favor to do
so. Because being transparent is the best way to foster mutual trust with the company and its
surrounding community. It serves to increase the company’s credibility and the rate of
success in establishing mutual understanding, which in crisis time would prove its value.
In Wanxiang America’s case, being transparent paid off for the company. In 2013, Wanxiang
America intended to purchase A123 battery, a United States based battery manufacturer that
was on the verge of bankruptcy. The acquisition was worth $256.6 million U.S. dollar, and
was a crucial step of Wanxiang America’s business strategy since it planned to enter the
electric car market in U.S.. Having the ability to produce car battery is clearly an important
59

link in the chain of Wanxiang America’s future business development. However, this
acquisition encountered great opposition from several U.S. Congressmen, who cited national
security reasons to bar the acquisition. It was during the election period, in which time
political factors came in and caused more interruptions than Wanxiang America expected.
According to the CEO of Wanxiang America, the company’s strategy was to keep a low
profile until the election passed while maintaining constant communication with the federal
government, conveying the message that the acquisition was based on pure business reasons
and was not a threat to national security. This is a valuable lesson learnt by Wanxiang
America and other Chinese companies in U.S. should take note.

2. Maintain good relationships with local government
This is one of the successful lessons learnt for both Wanxiang America and Sany America.
Both companies have maintained good relationships with local government (state, county).
Local government is a valuable to foreign companies as they seek to acquire support in
legal issues and understand local social dynamics. Local chamber of commerce can provide
foreign investments with important assistance in getting familiar with local customs and legal
systems and avoiding accidental legal violations. In the case of Chinese heavy industry
companies, the legal system in U.S. is quite different with that in China in terms of legal
procedures. It could be very costly for foreign companies to navigate through U.S. legal
system without proper support.

60

3. Speak the language.
Cultural factor is another important aspect. As Pin Ni, President of Wanxiang America, told
the author during the interview, that it is important for Chinese companies to “speak the
language”. That means to communicate with local communities in manners that could be
perceived by them properly. He made a vivid analogy to illustrate his point (Pin Ni, personal
communication, December 27, 2015):

When a Chinese first came to America, no one would understand what he was talking
about if he told some local people at the airport: ‘the weather here is very desirable. It
must be about 26 degrees Celsius’, because people in America use the Fahrenheit system
to describe weather.

To achieve successful community relations campaigns, a company must understand local
social dynamics and cultural characteristics, and design according communication strategies
based on that.

4. Proactive media strategy
The time has gone when companies could avoid interacting with media and still be successful.
It is important to be transparent to media, but it is also time to take a step further and be
proactive.

In Public Relations, this is what we called preparing for crisis. A company can’t hope for help
from media during crisis time if it had failed to maintain good relationships with media
61

during peace time. Proactive media strategy requires the company to actively share
information with media, including its performance, and most importantly, its community
relations building efforts. Posting press releases on websites is no longer sufficient to grab
media’s attention. Companies should realize the importance of using public relations methods
to demonstrate news value of their community relations campaigns to media. Only in this
way can the company to attract media attention and close the gap between media
representation and corporate efforts in building community relations.

5. Community relations programs with relevance
Most Chinese corporate community relations campaigns still remain on surface level. The
quality of community relations programs and relevance of these programs to local
community are the most decisive factor of the success for a company’s community relations
campaigns. Community relations program should focus on initiating changes that are most
needed to local community. This requires the decision makers to fully comprehend what local
community needs most. Using public relations research methods to discover insights on
audience demand is one of the effective ways to understand your audience. Only by grasping
the deepest need of your audience can community relations programs to reach further and run
deep. Otherwise they would not be more than just another advertising campaign.

Moreover, it is also important for companies to realize that corporate community relation
should not only be relevant to local communities, but also to the company itself. An
62

emerging trend in corporate philanthropy is called Corporate Social Initiative, first proposed
by Hess, Rogovsky and Dunfee (2002). It stands for a new form of corporate involvement
which ties closely to the firm’s core values and competitive edge. Companies should not
commit to community relations campaign for the sake of doing community relations, but
should realize that it is also bringing competitive advantages to the firm itself in addition to
local community. It is a win-win situation from which both the company and local
community could benefit.

6. Engage social media
While many people haven’t seen the necessity for heavy industry companies to engage social
media, they fail to see the advantages of doing so. First, it is cost efficient. Operational cost
of a social media account is close to zero while the return is great. Heavy industry companies,
defined by its nature as Business to Business (B2B) companies, do not have to devote as
much resource as Business to Consumer (B2C) companies do into social media. Serving as
an information hub and a platform for engagement with local community, social media
allows Chinese heavy industry companies to have an interactive means to communicate with
local community. One example of Chinese heavy industry company engaging social media is
Honghua America’s Facebook. Honghua America is the subsidiary of Honghua Group
Limited, China’s largest drilling rig manufacturer and exporter. It established its social media
presence on Facebook in 2013. Contents posted include product introductions, company
internal parties, commercial events and open house events. With social media becoming a
63

main source of information and also social platform for younger generations, B2B companies
should consider at least some level of social media engagement.

64

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Appendix A: Interview Notes

Sany America: Zhenlin Chen with Emily Poole
Interviewer: Zhenlin Chen, Master student of the University of Southern California
Interviewee: Emily Poole, Manager of Retention & Expansion, Fayette County Development
Authority, Georgia. She has rich experiences in interacting with Sany America.
Subject: Sany’s Community Relations in U.S.
Time: 12/8/2014
Method: Email

Q: What do you think that community members (local residents, employees, government) think
of the company in general? (Reputation, positive or negative)
A: SANY has a positive reputation in the community. Residents who are aware of their
presence typically have positive thoughts, as do local officials.

Q: What do you think that the company has brought to the local community? (Changes?)
A: The company hasn't particularly affected change in the local community, other than the
positive impact on creating new jobs and hiring local citizens.

Q: What do current/past employees think of the company? (Have they reflected any opinions?)
A: Employees I have spoken with have all expressed positive sentiments regarding the company.
They are happy with the opportunity to work for the organization.

Q: Has there been any dispute between employees and the company?
A: Not that I have any knowledge of.

Q: What activities does the company have for internal relations purposes? (Union? Bonding
activities? Any programs that aims to raise employee satisfaction?)
A: I'm not certain of the employee benefit programs offered.

Q: What outreach programs do the company has for the purpose of building/strengthening
relations with local communities?
A: As far as I know, there aren't any outreach programs in place at this time. (There could
certainly be some; I'm just not aware of them.)

Q: What is the evaluation of local resident towards the company or towards these activities?
A: N/A

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Q: Does local community think that the company is part of the community?
A: I think the industrial/business community certainly views SANY as a part of the
community. Local residents may not be as aware of their presence as the corporate citizens.

Q: How is the relationship between the company and local government?
A: Local government agencies such as mine, (The Fayette County Development Authority), the
City of Peachtree City, and all municipal entities (such as Water/Sewer) have always had a
positive relationship with SANY .

Q: Is there any pact/deal/policy that helps/are in favor of the company?
A: When SANY selected Peachtree City as the site of this US facility, there was an incentive
package put together for the company. The City of Peachtree City and the State of Georgia
offered support for the project in the form of workforce development/training assistance, funding
to offset infrastructure costs, and site selection assistance. The Fayette County Development
Authority issued a bond on the property for tax abatement purposes, designed to offset initial
capital investment costs by reducing the property tax burden initially incurred by the companies.

Q: Do you think there is any area of improvement for relationships with local government?
A: It would be great if SANY communicated more of their needs to the local business support
representative (me) so I can provide more assistance to them.

Q: If any, how is the relationship between the company and local NGOs/nonprofit groups?
A: I'm not aware of any programs/partnerships with nonprofits in the area.
Q: If any, what are the programs that the company has in cooperation with such organizations?
A: N/A

Q: What do you think that the company could do to further its relationships with local
communities?
A: Have better communication with local officials related to needs and concerns so that
resources can be deployed to provide support and assistance. Utilize the people who are trying to
help!

Q: Is there any other stories or remarks you would like to add?
A: We are really proud to have SANY in our Community. They are a great corporate citizen
who truly improves our area and brings much-needed jobs to our citizens. It is wonderful to
have them in Peachtree City.

Q: Has SANY held any activities that involve local residents, even small or casual ones? For
example, open house day, or inviting residents to have a tour of the company, or even parties like
BBQ picnics which invite local residents to come? I ask this because during some of my research
there were companies that did similar activities.
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A: Many companies do outreach activities like this. SANY , to my knowledge, has not held any
such events in our community.
Sany America: Zhenlin Chen with Trevor Williams
Interviewer: Zhenlin Chen, Master student of the University of Southern California
Interviewee: Trevor Williams, Editor at Global Atlanta who covers many stories about Sany
Subject: Wanxiang’s Community Relations in U.S.
Purpose of this interview: Primary research for Zhenlin’s master’s thesis (Academic purpose
only)
Time of interview: 12/15/2014

Q: What do you think that the local community thinks of Sany? Their general impression?
A: It’s hard for me to speak for the local community because I don’t really know a lot of people
down there. My sense is that people are excited about companies like Sany that brings in a lot of
jobs, along with potential investment in the community. I am not sure about any specific
relations or any specific ideas about having a Chinese company in there, like nationality things.
In fact, people were excited to hear when they announced that the factory was going to open in
2007. There was a huge event, with some high ranking government officials participating. People
were definitely excited about this job-creating investment. That’s been the sentiment historically.

Q: So the sentiment would be more of economic, job-related?
A: As far as I know. I don’t really report a lot on that, so I am not sure what the local people are
really thinking. But they have a long history of welcoming international investments. There are a
lot of companies coming from Japan and Germany. It is not new for them to have a foreign
company there. I would assume they accepted it well but no hard data to back it up yet.

Q: Do you think that Sany has brought any changes to the local community?
A: I am not sure. I think people were really concerned that it took them so long to open the
factory. It did take them 3 to 4 years after the announcement that they actually opened the
factory.

Q: What do you think would be the reason for this delay in opening?
A: There were a few factors. One is because of the global economy. Construction is strained in
US. At first Sany was going to build the factory to distribute concrete pumping machines, the
kind of machine that are used to completed infrastructure projects or skyscrapers. But when they
actually arrived, there wasn’t that much demand already. That was also contrived as the reason
for the delay. But, from other things I’ve heard, part of the thing was related to their
unpreparedness for the U.S. market. Some of the things I haven’t been verified, but the thing I
am pretty sure is that when they were building the factory, it was in the flight path of an airport.
They couldn’t get the approval for a long time to build the crane they needed to build the factory.
That is something that they should have looked at in the selection process. Of course they would
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say that the delay is more related to the economy. Another thing, which is only my opinion, is
that they didn’t really get their strategies in the US laid out. Even after they’ve built the factory,
they switched their area of focus multiple times. At first it was concrete pumps, and then later I
talked to their local president Jack, and they said they are doing cranes now. However, they
bought a concrete pump manufacturer in US called Putzmeister in the first place. That kind of
represents the first shift of their focus. Then they switched again to excavators, which is what
they are doing now. When they sell excavators in US market, they have to pay for an offset. For a
long time it wasn’t approved by US Senate. So this is just some changes in their strategy which
can be rally up into “they don’t really know what they were going to do”. And it seems they
exaggerated in terms of job growth. There were a lot of investments announced, many of them
haven’t materialized. They say they spent 60 million dollars on the factory, which seems high.
They also announced the traveling of the governor of Georgia to Changsha and they announced
that they would do another 20 million-dollar investment, hire a lot of engineers, but that never
happened. I can’t speak for the local officials, but I can foresee that there could be some
disappointment in there. The company encountered that they are on the road of fulfilling those
promises, but the fact is they are not hiring many new people. They say they had 100, 120 people
for its US operation as of last year, which doesn’t seem to be a huge impact other than the facility
itself which is giant. But in terms of hiring, it doesn’t seem big.

Q: Do you know how many local employees they have in the facility?
A: I’ve heard different numbers. The official line is 120. But I’ve heard some people say, form
employees say, that there are about 70 or 80. Some others come from other divisions of Sany that
may not necessarily be Sany America.

Q: What do you think it the difference between Chinese companies and their American peers in
doing community relations?
A: That’s quite a big question. My sense is that American companies have a better understanding
on expectations (of the market), like the role of a company in a society. Some Chinese companies
have localized in here, like Hisense. It has a big distribution facility in Georgia, and they
sponsored a lot of local events like the Dragon Boat Festival. They obviously feel the need of
being seen as an American company rather than a Chinese company in America. Some of the
Chinese companies are big in China, but they are not really globalized yet. This is like a new
scenario for them. It takes them a good amount of time to figure that out, what’s expected for
them. Jobs and economic factors are important.

Q: Do you know about any opinions from current/former employees?
A: A few rumbling is that it is still a very “Chinese-oriented” company. Decisions are made at the
top and enforced from there. The home base may or may not fully understand the requirements
of U.S. market.

Q: Is there anything you would like to add about SANY’s community relations?
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A: Sany is often cited as the success story for Chinese investments in Georgia. While we have
other investments that have come here, very few have actually succeeded. Even with this “start”
thing that it has, Sany is actually much better than many. So they are used as the poster child or
like a recruitment tool for Georgia officials going to China and elsewhere to share that it is a
hospitable place for foreign investments. It gives (government/economic development office)
more credibility when pitching to Chinese clients. In that sense, the economic development
community at least would be appreciative of that kind of examples.

Q: Would you say that things like “governor’s tour to Changsha” make Sany more visible?
A: It may help because of the large amount of press coverage. But it may also backfire since it is
a trip in which they announced a lot of investments which never happen.

Wanxiang America: Zhenlin Chen with Pin Ni
Interviewer: Zhenlin Chen, Master student of the University of Southern California
Interviewee: Pin Ni, President of Wanxiang America
Subject: Wanxiang’s Community Relations in U.S.
Time: 12/27/2014

Translated transcript: (Original interview was conducted in Chinese)
Q: What do you think about how local community thinks of Wangxiang America? Would you say
it is positive or negative?
A: I believe that such comments should be made by the local community best. But I think local
government and media should be very positive.

Q: Do you think that Wanxiang has brought any changes to the local community?
A: Of course. First, as a company, you would hire a lot of people. Economic influence is the
most direct effect on local community. Also, as a tax payer, we also pay much tax. This is from
the economic angle. In addition, Wanxiang has some other programs. It is called 100K Strong
program, initiated by President Obama which aims to send 100 thousand American students to
China. For now Wanxiang has programs in nine different regions.

Q: What’s Wanxiang’s role in this program?
A: we would choose some schools to sponsor. These are all local schools that we’ve invested
before. Then we would sponsor them to send students to China. Wanxiang then would pay off
their expenses.

Q: What do you think such programs mean to Wanxiang?
A: I would have my staff send you a copy of related materials, which contains comments and
feedbacks from students and schools.
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Q: Employee relations is also an important aspect of corporate community relations. What
measures does Wanxiang America have for improving employee internal relations?
A: Wanxiang has a global policy, which is called “treat your employees well”. We consider each
employee as a core stakeholder. In our definition, core stakeholder includes customer, employee,
shareholder and community. We have a slogan that says “create a future for employees”, that
means having a career path [for them]. It is also part of our slogan that we aim to create value for
clients, create returns for shareholders and create prosperity for local community. So from this
angle, employee relations is a critical ring of the chain. We have two facts in U.S. [to back this
up]: 1. we have a very low turn-over rate; 2. we have many factories acquired through M&A in
U.S., most of which have had strikes prior the acquisition. But there haven’t been any strikes in
those factories after. Also we have very good relations with UAW (The International Union,
United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America).

Q: After Wanxiang’s acquisition of local factories, will it preserve the old management structure
or infuse Wanxiang’s own management methods?
A: we normally would not send in our people, because we don’t think we have the people. We
usually use local management team and personnel. But from another angle, Wanxiang will
introduce some of its own management values, for example, holding the people accountable, and
transparency. Many employer-employee tensions used to have are due to lack of transparency.
We hope to keep transparent, share with people so that it makes things easier.

Q: How does Wanxiang communicate with local community? For example, when it encounters
crisis or when it is trying to establish company image?
A: We are a company first, so we should act as a company and assume its responsibilities. In
2010 we established a solar panel factory in U.S.. It was a difficult time for the solar energy
industry back then. Almost all solar panel factories have been losing money during the past few
years. Many of our competitors went bankrupt. We were having a hard time as well. But we
managed to maintain full transparency and communication with local community. We cooperated
with them through various forms, including increasing special purchases for solar panels,
providing necessary supports for us. We gave our words to local community that the factory
wouldn’t be shut down and workers wouldn’t be laid off. We are now the only operating solar
panel factory in the mid-west.

Q: Would Wanxiang be more inclined to hire local residents in recruiting?
A: Yes. We encourage localization. For example, in Chicago, we encourage employees to work
within 10 miles from home. We encourage them to move to live closer to workplace. We would
cover relocation fees if it is close.

Q: How does Wanxiang balance between localization and maintaining in sync with China?
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A: To Wanxiang America, Wanxiang Group (the Chinese parent company) is a shareholder.
Wanxiang America operates independently.

Q: Does Wanxiang have any programs or projects that involve local communities? For example,
community volunteer programs, community support programs or even barbeque parties?
A: For now we focus on the 100K Strong Program. We see much room for development in it,
and can develop more relationships with different schools on different levels. We think that it is
good enough for us to do this program well.

Q: How do local residents treat Wanxiang? What’s their attitude?
A: Because we are located in an industrial park, we don’t actually have much of an issue with
local residents. But if we are talking about local communities like local government, city hall and
office of commerce, then they treat us very well. We chose this place for our factory partly based
on the fact that local community hopes us to come. From this angle, we have good relationships
with local communities. For instance, we built a solar panel factory in Rockford, IL, a solar farm
in the Rockford Airport in Chicago, IL. We had many interactions with local press, the airport
administration and local city government. They want to establish Wanxiang as an example for
inviting foreign investments.

Q: So Wanxiang has a very good relationship with local government?
A: With local government, press and office of commerce, yes.

Q: And has the government given any benefits or policies that favor Wanxiang?
A: It depends on regions. Wanxiang has large investment in U.S.. We invest in 20 different states,
some of which have [such policies] but some don’t.

Q: For Wanxiang’s main factory in Illinois, does local government have any policy in favor of it?
A: Yes. The State of Illinois has special programs with our solar factories as well as on city level,
such as tax reduction, land rent discounts and government grants.

Q: If there is room for Wanxinag America to improve its relationship with local government,
what would think it is?
A: As foreign investment, local government cares and welcomes us very much. They are very
positive to us, or you could even say overwhelmingly positive, both the State Legislative Branch
and the Administration. But there are some concerns from the federal level, such as national
security, tax payer’s money going to foreign companies. When we acquired A123, the battery
manufacturer in U.S., we faced a lot of concerning voices from the federal level, especially from
the Congress. We had to do a lot of communication to make people understand. [It is my belief
that] as long as we have good understanding with each other, there shouldn’t be any problem.

Q: How did you resolve the crisis?
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A: Things got political at that time. It was election period. Our strategy back then was to lay low,
didn’t respond to much, nor take any actions during the election period. We took actions after the
election period. Because facts are fact, and we fundamentally have very good business reasons
for the acquisition. Share, be transparent, put thing on the table, then problem solved.

Q: Does Wanxiang work with local charity or volunteer organizations?
A: We have some, but they are all sporadic independent cases, not like official programs. 100K
Strong is the only official programs we have now, and we are devoting much into it.

Q: I noticed that Wanxiang America seems to have quite a good relation with local media, as you
are often quoted on local press. Is this a strategy of Wanxiang America?
A: I don’t think that it is. Our thinking is that you have to respect everyone, no matter in what
industry. Media wants to discover news. Good news is not news, bad news is, it is kind of a
tendency of media. So your company has to be plain, transparent. What we do and say is
consistent, we don’t afraid of being scrutinized 3 or 5 years later. We are not afraid of negative
coverage. U.S. is a democratic society, the most significant characteristics of which is that you
might have half of the people like and the other half don’t, just like Obama. We don’t overreact
to media. Sometimes media has “comments”, and for those “comments”, if they are wrong, you
could choose either to argue with them or ignore them. It is like wind. You can’t go against wind.
It comes, and it goes.

Q: So can I say that Wanxiang America’s strategy is not to proactively contact media?
A: I think it is. We hardly do press releases. But we would tell them straight about what we are
doing and what we think if someone come asking. Permitted by law, we would disclose as much
as possible.

Q: What do you think are the challenges and opportunities for Chinese companies practicing
community relations in U.S.?
A: First, you have to speak the language. Speak the tone that local people understand otherwise
you can’t communicate. For example, Chinese comes to America, and he says to an American
that the temperature here is desirable, and it is only 20 degrees Celsius. Even though you might
be able to translate the words, the American would still not understand you because they use the
Fahrenheit system. But if you say 76 degree instead, then he would understand. We encounter
such situations a lot where we are communicating, but not in the language that the other party
understands which is the most fundamental problem. Second is transparency. U.S. has a
well-built legal system through which you can argue for your right with law. You can even sue
the government instead of listening to every directive from the government. As long as you keep
transparent, let other know what you are doing, then many concerns, mistrust or
misunderstandings towards to company would be resolved. The third is engagement. It might be
less likely for Chinese companies to interact with local communities. We interact with local
government, Chamber of Commerce and many schools. We have many cooperation opportunities
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with a local school nearby which would provide us some educational programs while we sponsor
their activities. So it is possible [for us to interact with local community]. The forth is not to
overreact to negative comments. There can be many different voices exist at the same time in
U.S.. Some like you while some don’t, which is normal. Don’t try to cover all the other voices,
or exaggerate them, or to make everyone agrees with you.

Q: As you mentioned, Wanxinag America works with a local school. What kind of cooperation is
it?
A: They have a leadership forum each year, in which they would invite leaders such as George W.
Bush and Gorbachev. We sponsor this program, because we think it would be very helpful to
local community. The school would also provide us with some education opportunities when our
employees want to receive more education.

Q: Last question, for heavy industry companies like Wanxiang America, what do you think is the
difference from other industries when practicing community relations?
A: I don’t think it has much to do with industry. There could be some business benefits if you are
in consumer products because heavy industry doesn’t interact with consumers directly. But for
local community relations, the US-China relation might cast some influence. A good US-China
relation would have positive effect on our relations with local community.

Wanxiang America: Zhenlin Chen with Meribah Knight
Interviewer: Zhenlin Chen, Master student of the University of Southern California
Interviewee: Meribah Knight, freelance journalist, reporter from Crain’s Chicago Business
Subject: Wanxiang’s Community Relations in U.S.
Time: 1/26/2015

Q: What do you think that community members think of the company in general?
A: I think locally they have a pretty good reputation. The company is in suburban area, so I don’t
know if they are specifically engaged. They didn’t strike me as being very much (engaged with
local community). But they have a very close group of employees. I hear that when I did the
story, Pin Ni’s wife makes lunch for the employees every Saturday, or at least she used to make
lunch. Now maybe they order lunch. They seem to have a very tight culture there. I know some
people look at them skeptically just because of, for example, some political issues like the one
with Johnson Control. But if you have done any real dealings with them, I think you would be
less skeptical about their behaviors. It is more like a sentiment on the country (China) in general.
Maybe people would figure out what Wanxiang actually does. I don’t really know what the
opinions are in the local, but I know they have a tight group of employees. From government,
like I said, some people do believe that they are here saving auto companies that would have
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otherwise gone bankrupt. Though there are people who are skeptical about what the long term
goal ultimately is for Wanxiang being in the U.S. market. And when I did the story, Pin Ni was
sort of adamant that they had hardly exported or imported anything from China, that they will
always stay here, that they were an autonomous arm of the parent company in China.

Q: What do you think that the company has brought to local community? Any changes?
A: I am not really sure about immediate community. In my story they provide over 3,000 jobs,
but that’s for the whole mid-west. So I am not sure about the specific number for local
community. Pin Ni says they’ve saved thousands of jobs. So for the overall mid-west number, I
think that is quite a significant number of jobs to save, especially the auto industry was suffering
back then.

Q: This question is about employee and internal relations. In addition to the lunch thing you just
mentioned, what other activities does the company have for internal purposes?
A: I think they have employee soccer games. Chicago Tribune did a story on Wanxiang about 6
months after mine. They have a little bit of that kind of activities. I think they have weekly
soccer games. I know Pin Ni likes soccer and he plays every week. A lot of the employees do too.
But in the other article the author talks about this a bit more than I did. Also in my article I
mentioned that they have a profit-sharing program. So in this program, folks who pack and ship
out the shipments efficiently would be rewarded like a dollar or something, I mentioned that
number in my story. Basically if the warehouse runs smoothly, the employees in the warehouse
would make more out of every successful shipment. I was in the warehouse and it was extremely
clean, and run efficiently. I think that (the program) might be one of the reasons.

Q: What are these shipments for?
A: They are auto parts.

Q: What did you call this program?
A: I personally call it profit sharing, but it is not official. The more shipment they send, the more
volume and more money for the company. It is like an incentive.

Q: According to your experience, what do current or past employees think of the company?
A: I didn’t interview any of the employees because I focus more on writing a profile of Pin Ni.
So I interviewed people who have done business with him. And they all think highly of him.
They think he is smart, funny, and that what he is doing is not for some covert operation as a spy
for the Chinese government, but for genuinely seeing the opportunity to buy a company low,
build it back up and maybe sell it high or at least make more money. So they all thought very
highly of him and enjoyed doing business with him.

Q: Do you know how they resolve internal disputes, if any?
A: I am not sure about internal relations.
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Q: Do you know of any outreach programs for the purpose of building or strengthening
relationships with local community?
A: I don’t really know anything about that. I don’t get any sense of that there is a big push for
that. There is a big paper that someone from the Harvard Business Review did, about Wanxiang.

Q: Do you think that the local community thinks that the company is part of it?
A: I am not very sure. I have a sense that they kind of keep to themselves. Pin Ni rarely does any
interview. It took me a long time to arrange the interview with him. I don’t how he is to the
community, but to the media it is pretty close-off. On the one side, when I finally got him to the
interview, he was actually a very incredible subject. He was really open, honest and nice, and he
was not trying to withhold anything. But initially he was very skeptical of participating with him
in this interview because of what happened in the issue with Johnson Control. His attitude was
like “I don’t want to give anyone any ammunition or make myself vulnerable. I don’t want to
participate with media”. That was a little bit like the kind of personality of “Let’s just keep our
heads down and do our work, and make money”.

Q: But in the end you managed to interview him. So what do you think that changed?
A: I just try to persuade him that I was really interested in considering doing a story about him
and the work he is doing. I am not interested in making him feel like a “character assassination”.
I was just interested in how he got to this position. I didn’t want to “take him down” but just
wanted to learn more about him. Finally, after talking to him a couple of times and sending some
of my writings, he agreed.

Q: In the interview, he was more cooperative?
A: Yeah. I found him very likable, funny and honest. A lot of the executives are kind of stiff;
don’t want to give you a lot of information. And actually he was very honest. Once you gain that
trust, he would be very open, and so a lot of people did like doing business with him.

Q: And I wonder if you’ve heard of the 10,000 Strong Initiative by Obama?
A: Yeah

Q; And do you know that Wanxiang is also involved?
A: I am not surprised to hear that. Although he might not be exactly involved with the direct
community, he was involved, or at least knew a lot of people in the local government. He is
really good friend with Richard Daily the former mayor. He spent a lot of time with Daily. And
there was a Chinese delegation. He was friend with local government, that’s for sure, he knew
the right persons.

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Q: As you said, Wanxiang was friend to the government. Is it now still friend to the government
and how the relationship is? Government here means local government, like state or county but
not federal.
A: I am sure that he has a good relationship (with local government). I don’t know how close he
is with our mayor now. He said that he knew Quinn, but now we’ve got a Republican in the
office now, so I am not really sure what their relationship is now. But according to my
knowledge, he did have a good relationship with local government when I did the story.

Q: Was the official before Democrat?
A: Yes. Both of them were Democrats.

Q: Do you think this type of party leniency would affect the relationship between the government
and Wanxiang?
A: I have no idea

Q: Is there any deals or pacts that are in favor of the company, if any?
A: No. I am sure that there are some kinds of incentives because it helps to save jobs, but I don’t
know any specific pacts.

Q: If any, what are the programs that the company has that involves NGO or NFO?
A: Not that I know of. I didn’t come across any when I was doing my story.

Q: What do you think are the difference or uniqueness/importance of building community
relations for heavy industries?
A: I think I would talk about why it is important to have community relations for this kind of
company. In the past, companies set up in a “propped-up” community, where communities are
built around the company. Now it’s different, it is globalization. But these are the companies that
provide a significant amount of jobs. Saving those jobs is important the fabric and economic
viability of the community. So I think having community relations, especially in manufacturing
which tends to or intends to employ a lot of people, is really important.

Q: What is the difference between Chinese companies and their American peers in doing
community relations in terms of manufacturing?
A: I might not be the expert on this topic because I only covered Wanxiang before.

Q: What do you think that the company could do to further its relationships with local
community?
A: I don’t really know exactly what it could do. I just think that every company should realize
that the community has a stake in it and it should be treated accordingly. But that is more a
management thing. If you give back to the community, then they would be happy to have you
there. So you can maybe get involve with local efforts, whether or not it is sponsoring local
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sports team or giving tours to high school kids. I think every company can do a little more to the
local community.

Q: Is there any remarks?
A: That’s all.

Date topic Brief summary
Location of
the
incident
happened
Origianl article
1/12/2010 1
Sany's mining equipment
enters South Africa
south
africa
http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/24400_for_news_text.htm
1/20/2010 1
Annoucing its assembly
facitily openning in
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25969_for_news_text.htm
1/28/2010 1
Sany concrete mixer made in
India realizes first export
India http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/24402_for_news_text.htm
1/28/2010 1
First SANY America Pump
Trucks Set for World of
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25968_for_news_text.htm
1/29/2010 4
Jia Qinglin, high-ranking
Chinese government officer
visits Sany in Beijing
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/24399_for_news_text.htm
1/29/2010 NA
German Pianist performs in
Changsha, Capital of Hunan
Province, China
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/24404_for_news_text.htm
2/2/2010 1
Sany America's product go to
WOC
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/24401_for_news_text.htm
2/3/2010 1
Sany America's product go to
WOC
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25967_for_news_text.htm
3/10/2010 2 Recruiting in U.S U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25966_for_news_text.htm
3/12/2010 1
Sany Heavy Equipment wins
prize in China
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/24406_for_news_text.htm
3/13/2010 1
Sany America's product used
in a Chicago project site
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25964_for_news_text.htm
3/14/2010 1
Sany preparing for BAUMA in
Germany
Germany http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25963_for_news_text.htm
3/15/2010 1
Sany America's product used
in a project in Canada
Canada http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25965_for_news_text.htm
3/26/2010 1
Sany's wind turbine entering
U.S and going to a wind
energy event in Dallas, TX
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25962_for_news_text.htm
4/22/2010 1 Sany at BAUMA 2010 Germany http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25960_for_news_text.htm
6/24/2010 1
Sany America build its first
manufacturing site in
Peachtree city
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25959_for_news_text.htm

3/1/2011 1
Sany America completed phase
one of the construction of
its facility in Peachtree
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25914_for_news_text.htm
3/20/2011 3
Sany sents equipments to
assist in Japan earthquake
Japan http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/25894_for_news_text.htm
6/10/2011 1
Sany launches world's largest
crawler crane
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/28711_for_news_text.htm
7/9/2011 1
Sany is placed on FT Global
500 list
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/27330_for_news_text.htm
7/25/2011 1
Sany overtakes Caterpillar in
China market
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/28615_for_news_text.htm
7/29/2011 1
Sany Joins Forbes World's
Most Innovative Companies
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/28691_for_news_text.htm
7/29/2011 1
Sany's first wind farm in
Ralls, TX.
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/28865_for_news_text.htm
8/5/2011 1
China Daily interviews Sany
America's senior management
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/28757_for_news_text.htm
8/30/2011 1
Sany America opens its
facility in Peachtree city
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/28961_for_news_text.htm
9/2/2011 1
Sany America signs dealer
agreements with a Texas
distributor
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29000_for_news_text.htm
9/15/2011 1
Sany America's partnership
with Four Seasons Equipment,
a Texas dealer.
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/news.jsp
9/15/2011 1
Sany America partners with a
Kansas dealer
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29337_for_news_text.htm
9/15/2011 1
Sany America partners with an
Illinois dealer
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29338_for_news_text.htm
9/21/2011 1
Sany America's partnership
with GE Capital
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29402_for_news_text.htm
9/29/2011 1
Sany Heavy Industry announces
new concrete pump
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29716_for_news_text.htm
2011/10/11 1
A video about Sany Heavy's
ambition
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29566_for_news_text.htm
2011/10/15 1
Sany America's crawler
crane's performance in a U.S
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29595_for_news_text.htm
2011/10/20 1
Sany's Crane lifed China's
first 6 MW wind turbine
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29665_for_news_text.htm

2011/10/20 4
a report about Georgia's
Governor Nathan Deal visiting
China
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29681_for_news_text.htm
2011/10/21 1
Sany America announces that
it is going to build a new
R&D facility in Peachtree
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29717_for_news_text.htm
2011/10/28 1
Sany Heavy Industry is ranked
1st in Customer Satisfaction
in China
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29795_for_news_text.htm
2011/11/8 1
Two Sany crawler cranes
performed twin lift in Texas
Oilfield
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/29957_for_news_text.htm
2011/12/8 1
Sany's SCC8300 crawler crane
named on 2011 Top Products
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30192_for_news_text.htm
2011/12/8 1
Sany's SRC865 crawler crane
named on 2011 Top Products
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30193_for_news_text.htm
2011/12/8 3
Sany America held a Crane
Days Open House in Texas
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30232_for_news_text.htm
2011/12/8 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in South
Plainfield, NJ
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30233_for_news_text.htm
2011/12/15 1
Sany America releases Global
Customer Portal Online Parts
Purchasing System
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30264_for_news_text.htm
2012/1/10 1
a report on how Sany's
product helped an American
business owner
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30454_for_news_text.htm
2012/1/23 1
A report on how Sany
America's U.S dealer Four
Season Equipment introduce
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30503_for_news_text.htm
2012/2/3 1
Sany America aquires
Putzmeister, a German
concrete pump manufacturer in
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/30649_for_news_text.htm
2012/2/15 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in Hopedale, MA
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/news.jsp
2012/2/16 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in New Orleans, LA
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/news.jsp
2012/2/18 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in Toronto,
Canada http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/news.jsp

2012/2/28 1
Sany America assembled its
first excavator in Peachtree
city
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/31099_for_news_text.htm
2012/3/30 1
Sany cranes help build Texas
pipeline
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/31504_for_news_text.htm
2012/4/11 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in California
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/31597_for_news_text.htm
2012/4/14 1
Sany America to invest €300m
in Putzmeister
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/31636_for_news_text.htm
2012/4/17 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in Fort Dodge, IA
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/31669_for_news_text.htm
2012/4/24 1
SANY America Names Jeff
Dreger Senior Manager,
Product and Marketing Support
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/31806_for_news_text.htm
2012/5/10 3
SANY America Named 2012
Global Impact Awards Finalist
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/31950_for_news_text.htm
2012/5/22 1
SANY SCC8100 Aids in North
Dakota Oil Boom
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/32086_for_news_text.htm
2012/6/27 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in Savage, MN
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/32422_for_news_text.htm
2012/7/10 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in Carroll, OH
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/32587_for_news_text.htm
2013/1/18 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in Arkansas,
Southern Illinois
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34702_for_news_text.htm
2013/1/22 1
Sany America partners with a
new dealer in Arkansas,
Southern Illinois
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34703_for_news_text.htm
2012/8/9 2
Tim Frank Named Chairman of
SANY America
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/32987_for_news_text.htm
2012/8/16 1
Sany America partners with
its first North American Port
Equipment Dealer
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33079_for_news_text.htm
2012/8/17 1
Fortune China names Sany a
top innovator
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33104_for_news_text.htm
2012/8/23 1
Sany opens world's largest
excavator factory in Shanghai
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33182_for_news_text.htm

2011/9/19 1
SANY Ranked No. 85 on Forbes
Magazine List of the World’s
Most Innovative Companies
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33580_for_news_text.htm
2012/10/10 2
SANY America Crane R&D
Director John Lanning Will
Head SANY Global Crawler
Crane Development
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33695_for_news_text.htm
2012/10/16 1
SANY America Launches Reach
Stackers and Empty-Container
Handlers for Port, Intermodal
Use
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33752_for_news_text.htm
2012/10/30 1
SANY America Names É
quipements FDS Inc. Crane and
Port Equipment Dealer for
Quebec, Canada
Canada http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33873_for_news_text.htm
2012/10/31 1
SANY America Names G.W. Van
Keppel Company Dealer for
Excavators in Central,
Western Arkansas
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/33879_for_news_text.htm
2012/12/14 1
SANY Heavy Industry's
Chairman Liang Wengen Named
‘Economic Person of the Year
’ by CCTV Network
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34443_for_news_text.htm
2012/12/18 2
Bobby Oldham Named SANY
America Excavator Service
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34477_for_news_text.htm
2012/12/19 1
SANY America Introduces 550-
Ton Crawler Crane for Energy,
Petrochemical, Infrastructure
Projects
U.S http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34497_for_news_text.htm
2013/1/18 1
SANY America Names G.W. Van
Keppel Company Dealer for
Cranes in Arkansas, Southern
Illinois
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34676_for_news_text.htm
2013/2/1 3
SANY America Teams with Tommy
Baldwin Racing to Sponsor
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34771_for_news_text.htm
2013/2/15 1
SANY America Names Tar Heel
Machinery Dealer for
Excavators in North Carolina
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34790_for_news_text.htm

2013/3/3 3
New SANY Web Site Dedicated
to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Sponsorship
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34854_for_news_text.htm
2013/3/6 1
SANY America Names Hawkins-
Graves Inc. Excavator Dealer
for Central, Western Virginia
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34888_for_news_text.htm
2013/3/7 1
SANY America Dealer Coast
Crane Company Greatly Expands
Territory in Western U.S.,
Canada
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34903_for_news_text.htm
2013/3/13 1
SANY America Names Landmark
Equipment Excavator Dealer in
Dallas-Forth Worth, Texas
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34923_for_news_text.htm
2013/3/15 1
SANY SCC8300 Crawler Crane
Earns Operation Certification
from NYC Department of
Buildings
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/34989_for_news_text.htm
2013/4/5 1
2013 Yellow Table Top 50
Ranks SANY No. 5 Globally
Among Construction Equipment
Manufacturers
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35138_for_news_text.htm
2013/4/8 1
SANY to Exhibit 18 Equipment
Models at Bauma; Triennial
Show April 15-21 Features
3,300 Exhibitors
Germany http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35146_for_news_text.htm
2013/4/24 1
SANY America Registers First
Q1 Profit, Expects Strong
Results and Full-Year
Profitability in 2013
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35297_for_news_text.htm
2013/4/24 3
SANY Rushes Heavy Equipment
and Rescue Teams to Aid in
Earthquake Recovery Efforts
in Sichuan Province
China http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35298_for_news_text.htm
2013/6/10 1
SANY America Names Totem
Equipment & Supply First
Excavator Dealer for the
State of Alaska
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35624_for_news_text.htm
2013/6/18 3
SANY America Teams with BIK
Hydraulics to Sponsor Martino
Motorsports in NHRA Series
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35644_for_news_text.htm

2013/6/19 1
New SANY SRC885 Rough-Terrain
Crane Fills a Gap in the
Market with Power and
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35643_for_news_text.htm
2013/6/19 1
SANY America Crane Dealer BIK
Hydraulics Expands Territory
to Manitoba, Saskatchewan and
Alberta
Canada http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35647_for_news_text.htm
2013/6/20 1
SANY America Names Easton
Sales & Rentals Excavator
Dealer for Houston,
Albuquerque
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35659_for_news_text.htm
2013/7/1 1
SANY America Names Harris
County Rentals Excavator
Dealer for Key Areas of Texas
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35742_for_news_text.htm
2013/7/2 1
New 165-Ton SANY SCC8150
Crawler Crane Has Power,
Performance and Operator
Comfort
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35767_for_news_text.htm
2013/7/3 1
SANY America Names Lyle
Machinery Co. Crane Dealer
for Mississippi, Alabama,
Parts of Florida
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35779_for_news_text.htm
2013/7/8 3
SANY America Introduces New
Equipment Models to Customers
and Dealers at Open House
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/35812_for_news_text.htm
2013/8/12 1
Chicago Machinery Named SANY
Excavator Dealer for
Northern Illinois and
Northern Indiana
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/36175_for_news_text.htm
2013/8/15 1
Century Machinery Named SANY
Excavator Dealer Covering
West Texas
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/36221_for_news_text.htm
2013/8/28 2
SANY America Appoints John
Kuo Director in Charge of
Port Machinery
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/36320_for_news_text.htm
2013/9/30 1
Tri Global Energy and Ralls
Corporation Announce
Construction of 20-Megawatt
Wind Farm in Crosby County,
Texas
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/36578_for_news_text.htm

2013/10/2 1
International Iron Named SANY
Excavator Dealer in Central
Florida
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/36577_for_news_text.htm
2013/10/4 1
Granite Mountain Machinery
Named SANY Excavator Dealer
in Georgia
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/36579_for_news_text.htm
2013/10/9 1
SANY America Names Can-
American Enterprises a SANY
Excavator Dealer in Kelliher,
Saskatchewan
Canada http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/36589_for_news_text.htm
2013/12/11 2
Sany America Appoints Mike
Rhoda as New CEO
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/37059_for_news_text.htm
2014/7/17 1 Mohawk-Sany SCC8300 profile u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/38941_for_news_text.htm
2014/7/18 4
Press Release of Sany Group
affiliated company Ralls
Corp.’s lawsuit against
CFIUS and President Obama
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/38940_for_news_text.htm
2014/7/29 4
News Release for the
Manitowoc 337 Proceeding
Final Initial Determination
u.s http://www.sanyamerica.com/abroad/america/en-us/media/39031_for_news_text.htm

Date Topic Brief Summary
Special
Attribute Media Origianl Article
2015/1/5 1
Pin Ni would be a key
note speaker of a
conference called The
Economist Innovation
Forum
Chicago
Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/bluesky/originals/
chi-2015-conference-preview-bsi-20150105-
story.html#page=1
2015/1/8 na
Virgin Hotel debut may
kick off 'best year
ever' for Chicago
hotels
Chicago
Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-
outlook-hotel-tourism-0108-biz-2-20150108-
story.html
2014/12/17 na
2nd Conrad hotel
planned for Near North
Side
Chicago
Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/
ct-erie-hotel-1218-biz-20141217-story.html
2014/4/21 1
Fisker Karma may
relaunch in 2015
Chicago
Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automot
ive/chi-fisker-karma-may-relaunch-in-2015-
20140421-story.html
2014/8/11 13
From the
community:REHABED HOMES
ADD SOLAR AND
GEOTHERMAL
both
business and
community
relations
Chicago
Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/buffalo-
grove/community/chi-ugc-article-rehabed-homes-
add-solar-and-geothermal-2014-08-11- story.html
2013/10/11 1
With Fisker, can love
conquer all?
Chicago
Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automot
ive/chi-fisker-karma-20131012-story.html

2014/9/18 1
China's Wanxiang to
relaunch Fisker Karma
car with 2012 design:
sources
Chicago
Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/automot
ive/sns-rt-us-fisker-wanxiang-20140918-
story.html
2013/8/20 1
Chuck Sweeny: Wanxiang
solar plant weathering
a perfect storm
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20130820/News/3082
09893
2010/8/18 1
Wanxiang plant could
make Rockford a leader
in solar power
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20100818/News/3081
89883
2010/3/28 2
Krueger takes position
as managing director
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20100328/News/3032
89899
2012/5/4 1
Rockford solar farm
needs more buildable
land
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20120504/News/3050
49895
2012/9/12 1
Rockford solar farm to
go on line by month's
end
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20120912/News/3091
29880
2011/11/16 na
Expanding B/E Aerospace
'a poster child' for
Rockford businesses
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20111116/News/3111
69917
2014/11/6 na
My View: Conservatives'
views on climate change
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20141106/Opinion/1
41109499

2011/11/10 na
Aerospace company to
break ground on new
facility
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20111110/Blogs/311
109925
2010/8/30 na
Criticism of TIF
districts on the
increase
Rockford
register
star
http://www.rrstar.com/article/20100830/News/3083
09898
2013/1/12 1
Why does this Chinese
exec scare America?
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130112/
ISSUE01/301129979/why-does-this-chinese-exec-
scare-america
2014/4/22 1
Chinese firm to invest
in planned West Loop
office tower
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201404
22/cred03/140429944/chinese-firm-to-invest-in-
planned-west-loop-office-tower
2014/3/7 1
Chinese developer warms
up to cold storage in
Pilsen
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201403
07/CRED03/140309816/chinese-developer-warms-up-
to-cold-storage-in-pilsen
2013/1/29 1
China's Wanxiang
looking to invest in
Fisker Automotive
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130129/
NEWS05/130129776/chinas-wanxiang-looking-to-
invest-in-fisker-automotive
2010/2/18 2
Chinese firm to buy
American
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201002
18/CRED01/200037149/chinese-firm-to-buy-american
2014/2/18 1
Fisker wins approval to
sell assets to China's
Wanxiang
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20140218/
NEWS07/140219771/fisker-wins-approval-to-sell-
assets-to-chinas-wanxiang
2012/7/16 1
Chinese investor gets
Bannockburn building
after buying loan
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201207
16/CRED03/120719840/chinese-investor-gets-
bannockburn-building-after-buying-loan

2010/10/6 1
$9-million Naperville
sale continues west
suburban office deals
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201010
06/CRED03/101009949/-9-million-naperville-sale-
continues-west-suburban-office-deals
2014/12/16 1
Geller to bring Conrad
to Mag Mile hotel
project
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201412
16/CRED03/141219848/geller-to-bring-conrad-to-
mag-mile-hotel-project
2012/10/31 1
Allison Davis venture
faces foreclosure on
Lakeview site
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201210
31/CRED03/121039934/allison-davis-venture-faces-
foreclosure-on-lakeview-site
2012/8/15 1
Lawsuit seeks $43.6
million from developer
David Bossy
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201208
15/CRED03/120819882/lawsuit-seeks-43-6-million-
from-developer-david-bossy
2012/12/12 1
Sterling Bay buys West
Loop property, may
develop data center
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201212
12/CRED03/121219926/sterling-bay-buys-west-loop-
property-may-develop-data-center
2015/1/12 1
Full hotels attract
investors to Chicago
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201501
12/CRED02/150109827/full-hotels-attract-
investors-to-chicago
2012/3/26 1
Bridge venture plans
Elk Grove Village air
cargo building
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201203
26/CRED03/120329829/bridge-venture-plans-elk-
grove-village-air-cargo-building
2011/10/12 1
BMO Harris Bank buys
Naperville building for
tech hub
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201110
12/CRED03/111019952/bmo-harris-bank-buys-
naperville-building-for-tech-hub
2012/9/15 1
A Chicago company
brings power to the
People's Republic
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20120915/
ISSUE01/309159969/a-chicago-company-brings-
power-to-the-peoples-republic

2012/12/26 1
Bridge Development
lands $800 million
capital partner
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201212
26/CRED03/121229930/bridge-development-lands-
800-million-capital-partner
2014/9/3 1
O'Donnell lands nearly
$300 million
construction loan for
West Loop tower
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201409
03/CRED03/140909966/odonnell-lands-nearly-300-
million-construction-loan-for-west-loop-tower
2012/12/20 1
Argonne project could
give spark to Woodridge
company
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20121220/
NEWS02/121219745/argonne-project-could-give-
spark-to-woodridge-company
2014/12/22 1
Downtown office sales
hit seven-year high
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201412
22/CRED02/141219760/downtown-office-sales-hit-
seven-year-high
2012/7/25 1
Ross Perot Jr. eyes
local industrial
investments
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201207
25/CRED03/120729867/ross-perot-jr-eyes-local-
industrial-investments
2015/2/3 1
Coach closes store in
Mag Mile mall
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201502
03/CRED03/150209941/coach-closes-store-in-mag-
mile-mall
2012/1/24 1
Wrigley club owner wins
auction for rooftop
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201201
24/CRED03/120129897/wrigley-club-owner-wins-
auction-for-rooftop
2011/1/27 na
For developer David
Bossy, the second act
starts with the first
still on stage
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20110827/
ISSUE01/308279982/for-developer-david-bossy-the-
second-act-starts-with-the-first-still-on-stage
2014/1/17 1
Elgin warehouse sells
for $20 million
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201401
17/CRED03/140119802/elgin-warehouse-sells-for-
20-million
2012/6/1 1
Purple Hotel auction
sale authorized by
judge
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201206
01/cred03/120609985/purple-hotel-auction-sale-
authorized-by-judge

2012/12/17 na
Is your firm in the
2013 Dealmaker
Directory?
Crain's
Chicago
Business
http://www.chicagobusiness.com/realestate/201212
17/CRED03/121219826/is-your-firm-in-the-2013-
dealmaker-directory
2011/1/19 4
Elgin business leader
sees positive outcome
of meeting with Hu Daily Herald
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20110119/news
/701199683/
2014/12/10 1
Chinese billionaire
bids to make electric
cars Daily Herald
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20141210/busi
ness/141219925/
2014/2/2 1
After 2 decades in
Illinois, Chinese
trailblazer looks to
new challenge
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-02-
02/site/ct-wanxiang-pin-ni-adv-20140202_1_2-
decades-trailblazer-pin-ni
2012/8/19 4
Wanxiang's $465 million
investment in
struggling battery-
maker draws heat
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-08-
19/business/ct-biz-0819-a123-chinese--
20120819_1_a123-million-investment-wanxiang
2012/12/9 1
Chinese firm Wanxiang
wins bidding to acquire
battery-maker A123
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-
09/business/ct-biz-1209-wanxiang-a123--
20121209_1_wanxiang-group-corp-a123-chinese-
auto-parts-maker
2014/1/3 1
Wanxiang makes offer
for automaker Fisker
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014 01
03/business/ct-biz-0103-wanxiang-fisker--
20140103_1_fisker-automotive-wanxiang-a123-
systems
2012/12/8 1
Wanxiang wins auction
for assets of battery
maker A123
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-
08/business/chi-wanxiang-wins-auction-for-
assets-of-battery-maker-a123-
20121208_1_wanxiang-a123-chinese-auto-parts-
maker
2012/12/2 4
Wanxiang makes its case
for battery-maker A123
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-
02/business/ct-biz-1202-a123-auction-
20121202_1_boris-zingarevich-wanxiang-a123

2012/12/8 4
China's Wanxiang wins
auction for U.S.
government-backed A123
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-
08/classified/sns-rt-us-a123-bankruptcy-
wanxiangbre8b801e-20121208_1_china-s-wanxiang-
a123-chinese-companies
2014/1/23 1
China's Wanxiang plugs
Fisker bid, open to
Tesla ties
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-01-
23/marketplace/sns-rt-us-china-autos-fisker-
20140122_1_fisker-automotive-fisker-bid-
wanxiang-group
2014/2/19 1
Chinese-owned firm
based in Elgin buys
Fisker Automotive
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-02-
19/site/ct-wanxiang-fisker-0219-biz--
20140219_1_fisker-automotive-a123-wanxiang-
america-corp
2012/12/9 1
A123 confirms Wanxiang
wins bid for bankrupt
battery maker
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-12-
09/classified/sns-rt-us-a123-sale-
confirmationbre8b80i4-20121209_1_wanxiang-maker-
of-lithium-ion-batteries-a123
2013/1/30 1
Navitas key to sale of
A123 to Chinese firm
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-
30/business/ct-biz-0130-navitas-
20130130_1_navitas-systems-wanxiang-group-
microsun-technologies
2012/10/17 1
A123 scraps deal with
Chinese firm, files for
Chapter 11 protection
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-10-
17/business/ct-biz-1017-a123-bankrupt--
20121017_1_a123-wanxiang-group-battery-maker
2011/1/18 1
China bringing
businesses to Chicago
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-01-
18/business/ct-biz-0119-china-in-chicago-
20110118_1_chinese-companies-solar-panels-china

2013/4/5 na
Chicago-based LuminAID
Lab wins Clean Energy
Challenge
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-04-
05/business/ct-biz-0405-energy-challenge-
20130405_1_invenergy-turbines-judges
2013/1/27 na
Pitching Chicago to
China
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013 01
27/business/ct-biz-0127-chicago-confidential-
20130127_1_world-business-chicago-commerce-
secretary-william-daley-foreign-trip
2012/2/15 na
China's vice president
Xi Jinping to visit
Iowa town
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-02-
15/business/ct-biz-0215-china-midwest-
20120215_1_xi-jinping-rhodium-group-chinese-
government-officials
2011/1/22 1
The most China-friendly
city in the United
States'
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2011-01-
22/news/ct-met-china-visit-0123-
20110121_1_environment-for-chinese-businesses-
rhodium-group-chinese-president-hu-jintao
2014/3/10 1
China to launch private
bank pilot program
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2014-03-
10/business/sns-rt-us-china-economy-banks-
20140310_1_pilot-banks-tencent
2012/12/17 1
Johnson Controls
appeals A123 sale
Chicago
Tribune link
2013/1/31 na
INTERVIEW-Saft's belief
in lithium-ion battery
survives 787 woes
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-01-
31/news/sns-rt-saft-interviewl5n0azfyy-
20130131_1_lithium-ion-primary-lithium-
batteries-france-s-saft
2012/9/28 na
Obama blocks Chinese
wind farms in Oregon
over security
Chicago
Tribune
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-09-
28/news/sns-rt-us-usa-china-turbinesbre88r192-
20120928_1_wind-farms-security-concerns-obama-
campaigns
2012/11/30 na
U.S., state to fund
battery research at
Argonne
Chicago
Tribune http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-11-30

Date Topic Brief Summary
Special
Attribute Media Origianl Article
2011/10/21 1
China Firm Sany Investing
$25 million more in
Georgia
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25146
/chinese-firm-sany-investing-25-million-
more-in-georgia/
2013/10/14 2
Sany America CEO Announces
Resignation
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/26534
/sany-america-ceo-announces-resignation/
2012/12/20 1
Sany Hones Focus, Drops
Plans for $25 Million
Investment
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25986
/sany-hones-focus-drops-plans-for-25-
million-georgia-investment/
2013/6/19 1
Chinese Heavy Equipment
Maker Sany Hit With Patent
Complaint
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/26333
/chinese-heavy-equipment-maker-sany-hit-
with-patent-complaint/
2012/6/18 1
Amid Restructuring, Shifts
at Sany's Georgia Plant
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25600
/amid-restructuring-shifts-at-sanys-
georgia-plant/
2011/11/8 1
China's Sany: From Hunan
Home to Peachtree City
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25181
/chinas-sany-from-hunan-home-to-peachtree-
city/
2013/9/4 2
Sany Names Director of
Port Machinery
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/26472
/sany-names-director-of-port-machinery/
2012/6/19 1
Georgia's Chinese Giants
Seek Aggressive Growth
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25609
/georgias-chinese-giants-seek-aggressive-
growth/
2011/12/2 4
Georgia Leaders Look
Deeper Into China
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25234
/georgia-leaders-look-deeper-into-china/

2011/2/28 1
Chinese Investment in
Georgia Will Flow, Not
Flood
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/24593
/chinese-investment-in-georgia-will-flow-
not-flood/
2014/8/27 4
Governor's China Trade
Missions: Do They Matter?
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/27121
/governors-china-trade-missions-do-they-
matter/
2011/11/8 4
Georgia Looks to Step
Ahead With Second China
Office
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/25182
/georgia-looks-to-step-ahead-with-second-
china-office/
2014/3/24 1
Chinese Manufacturers to
Attend Alabama Forum This
Week
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/26832
/chinese-manufacturers-to-attend-alabama-
forum-this-week/
2013/8/23 na
Chinese Chemical Firm to
Create 50 Jobs in Georgia
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/26445
/chinese-chemical-firm-to-create-50-jobs-
in-georgia/
2011/7/20 na
Chinamex Closing Atlanta
Office
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article/24946
/chinamex-closing-atlanta-office/
2012/6/5 na
No Wind in Their Sales?
Clean-Tech Prospects
Hesitant in U.S
Global
Atlanta
http://www.globalatlanta.com/article-
photo/25573/2033/
2013/12/10 2 Sany America names new CEO
Atlanta
Business
Chronicle
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/20
13/12/10/sany-america-names-new-ceo.html
2013/12/18 na
Report: Metro Atlanta
among most competitive
cities in the world
Atlanta
Business
Chronicle
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/20
13/12/18/report-metro-atlanta-among-
most.html?page=all
2012/2/17 1
Foreign direct investment
in Georgia more than
doubled in 2011
Atlanta
Business
Chronicle
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-
edition/2012/02/17/foreign-direct-
investment-in-georgia.html?page=all
2011/11/4 1
Atlanta industrial park
could double in size
Atlanta
Business
Chronicle
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/print-
edition/2011/11/04/atlanta-industrial-
park-could-double.html?page=all

2012/4/24 3
Metro Atlanta Chamber's
Global Impact Awards
winners announced
Atlanta
Business
Chronicle
http://www.bizjournals.com/atlanta/news/20
12/04/24/macs-global-impact-awards-
winners.html
2011/10/21 1
SANY to add 300 jobs at
Peachtree City facility
Atlanta
Journal
Constitutio
n
http://www.ajc.com/news/business/sany-to-
add-300-jobs-at-peachtree-city-
facility/nQMx8/
2011/3/22 1
Manufacturing jobs are
growing in Georgia
Atlanta
Journal
Constitutio
n
http://www.ajc.com/news/business/manufactu
ring-jobs-are-growing-in-georgia/nQrp4/
2011/11/18 na
Bed Bath & Beyond to bring
900 new jobs to Jackson
County
Atlanta
Journal
Constitutio
n
http://www.ajc.com/news/business/bed-bath-
beyond-to-bring-900-new-jobs-to-jackson-
c/nQNpw/

Date Brief Summary Source Original Article
2014/9/9
Energy
Technology &
Policy: Wanxiang
Fellows Program
Northwester
n
University
http://www.northwestern.edu/studyabroad/programs/asia/green-technology-environmental-sustainability-wanxiang
2012/10/15
Wanxiang Fellows
Talk About
Experience in
China
Northwester
n
University
http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2012/10/wanxiang-fellows-talk-about-experience-in-china.html
2011/8/22
Wanxiang Fellows
Program Signing
Ceremony to be
Held at
Northwestern
Aug. 24
Northwester
n
University
http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2011/08/wanxiang-fellows-china.html
2011/8/25
Students Will
Study Green
Technology in
China
Northwester
n
University
http://www.northwestern.edu/newscenter/stories/2011/08/wanxiang-fellows-china-program.html
SUSTAINABILTY
STUDIES:
Wanxiang Fellows
explore
language,
culture and
green energy
Northwester
n
University
http://www.northwestern.edu/magazine/winter2012/campuslife/sustainabilty-studies.html
2013/11/22
Inaugural class
of Wanxiang
Ambassador
Fellows presents
research on
China’s
culture, economy
and future
University
of Chicago
http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2013/11/22/inaugural-class-wanxiang-ambassador-fellows-presents-research-ch

2013/4/23
University
undergraduates
to learn about
clean energy
initiatives in
China
University
of Chicago
http://news.uchicago.edu/article/2013/04/23/university-undergraduates-learn-about-clean-energy-initiatives-c
2014/11/25
Wanxiang’s
Support of
100,000 Strong
Reaches New
Heights in 2014
100kstrong.
org
http://100kstrong.org/2014/11/25/wanxiangs-support-of-100000-strong-reaches-new-heights-in-2014/
2014/9/11
100,000 Strong
Visits Wanxiang
Group in
Hangzhou
100kstrong.
org
http://100kstrong.org/2014/09/12/100000-strong-visits-wanxiang-group-in-hangzhou/
2015/1/12
Delaware
Governor
Announced China
Study Abroad
Program for High
School Students
100kstrong.
org
http://100kstrong.org/2015/01/12/governor-announces-china-study-abroad-program-for-de-high-school-students/
2014/3/5
100K’s Winter
Dinner Honoring
Amb. Locke
100kstrong.
org
http://100kstrong.org/2014/03/06/100ks-winter-dinner-honoring-amb-locke/
2013/11/21
100,000 Strong
Foundation
Inaugural
Conference
100kstrong.
org
http://100kstrong.org/2013/11/04/announcing-the-100000-strong-foundation-inaugural-conference/
2014/5/23
100,000 Strong
Initiative:
Building a
better future
for US-China
relations
100kstrong.
org
http://100kstrong.org/2014/05/23/100000-strong-initiative-building-a-better-future-for-us-china-relations/
2013/11/8
Aiming for
100,000
100kstrong.
org
http://100kstrong.org/2013/11/08/china-daily-aiming-for-100000/

Abstract (if available)

Abstract Chinese foreign investment in U.S. has been increasing rapidly over the past decade, with manufacturing being the most heavily invested area in U.S. by Chinese investors. It is inevitable for Chinese companies in U.S. to interact with local communities as U.S.-China business cooperation deepens. Community relations therefore becomes a major topic of discussion among Chinese companies in U.S. Using two Chinese heavy industry companies as examples, this study aims to summarize current community relations practice in the industry and how it is perceived by local community. By comparing between corporate community relations efforts and local media representation, the study identifies a significant gap between what the companies have done in strengthening relationships with local community and how their campaigns are being represented on local media. This study will reveal that Chinese corporate community relations campaigns in the U.S. are underrepresented by local media as well as explore possible drivers behind this phenomenon and lessons that can be learnt.

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Asset Metadata

Creator Chen, Zhenlin (author)

Core Title Case study on Chinese heavy industry companies' community relations in U.S.: a comparison between corporate effort and media representation

School Annenberg School for Communication

Degree Master of Arts

Degree Program Strategic Public Relations

Publication Date 04/29/2015

Defense Date 04/28/2015

Publisher University of Southern California (original), University of Southern California. Libraries (digital)

Tag Chinese company in U.S.,community relations,corporate social responsibility,heavy industry,OAI-PMH Harvest

Format application/pdf (imt)

Language English

Contributor Electronically uploaded by the author (provenance)

Advisor Wang, Jay (committee chair), Lynch, Brenda (committee member), Thorson, Kjerstin (committee member)

Creator Email williamchen9123@gmail.com,zhenlinc@usc.edu

Permanent Link (DOI) https://doi.org/10.25549/usctheses-c3-565921

Unique identifier UC11301782

Identifier etd-ChenZhenli-3422.pdf (filename),usctheses-c3-565921 (legacy record id)

Legacy Identifier etd-ChenZhenli-3422.pdf

Dmrecord 565921

Document Type Thesis

Format application/pdf (imt)

Rights Chen, Zhenlin

Type texts

Source University of Southern California (contributing entity), University of Southern California Dissertations and Theses (collection)

Access Conditions The author retains rights to his/her dissertation, thesis or other graduate work according to U.S. copyright law. Electronic access is being provided by the USC Libraries in agreement with the a...

Repository Name University of Southern California Digital Library

Repository Location USC Digital Library, University of Southern California, University Park Campus MC 2810, 3434 South Grand Avenue, 2nd Floor, Los Angeles, California 90089-2810, USA