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In the small town of Pujiang, a humble padlock has grown into a massive industry that now defines the region. “It was completely unexpected that something as simple as a padlock could become such a big business,†recalls Master Zhou Wenyi, a 63-year-old veteran in the lock-making field and one of the pioneers of the industry in Pujiang. His journey began in 1968 when Zheng Zhai Tieye, along with the wood, bamboo, and sewing industries, formed the Zheng Zhe Farming Co., Ltd., focusing on production and processing. After two years in the electronics sector, where he accumulated some capital, the company shifted focus to lock-making. With support from the Provincial Second Light Industry Department, the company rebranded as the Pujiang County Lock Factory, located in Shangzheng Village.
Initially, the factory produced 20,000 padlocks, which quickly increased to 220,000 the following year. Soon after, other companies started supplying parts for their products. The quality of the "red light card" iron padlocks made by the factory was so reliable and reasonably priced that they became the official civilian iron lock manufacturer for the provincial Second Light Industry Department.
Through continuous innovation and development, the factory evolved from producing only iron padlocks to manufacturing long box locks, chain locks, copper padlocks, security locks, and drawer locks. As the business expanded, the scale of operations grew significantly. By 1985, the factory had produced 15.9 million padlocks.
In 1986, the Pujiang Lock Factory merged with six other factories, including semiconductor plants, horse iron workshops, textile machinery factories, and general factories, and even incorporated the Huaqiao Thermal Power Plant. In 1987, it was renamed the Pujiang County Lock-making Plant. Through deepening reforms, technological upgrades, and improved management, the company expanded its product range to include 16 varieties and 54 models by 1994. It introduced three major brands: “Tang Lamp,†“Golden Gate,†and “R.†Annual output reached 33.27 million units, with an output value of 71.24 million yuan. At the time, there were 866 employees, and products were sold across 30 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions, as well as to over 20 countries, including Southeast Asia, the United States, and Italy.
As the market evolved, the lock-making factory established the Sanhuan Lockheel Group Pujiang Co., Ltd., creating a comprehensive system that integrated production, supply, and distribution across the county. This initiative helped cultivate a large number of skilled workers, managers, and marketing professionals.
With the continued reform and opening up, by the late 1980s, many residents of Pujiang took advantage of the technical expertise of the lock factory to start their own family-run workshops. After 1995, the industry entered a second phase of growth, with enterprises expanding in size, quality, and standards. Companies like Meihua, Zhongtang, and Jinlei emerged as key players.
To ensure the healthy development of the industry, Pujiang established the Padlock Industry Association in 1998. Over more than 30 years, the padlock industry in Pujiang has grown into the largest production and processing base, distribution center, and export hub for padlocks in China. “China Padlock Center†and “China Padlock Production Base†have become two of the city’s most recognized symbols.
Today, the Pujiang lock industry has expanded far beyond just padlocks. It now offers over 300 specifications, including drawer locks, anti-theft locks, motorcycle locks, and door locks. The industry has developed a full supply chain, covering parts production, surface treatment, packaging materials, and final assembly. This growth has also spurred the development of related sectors such as electroplating, printing, raw material supply, and logistics.
Pujiang has earned a reputation as a leading hub for lock manufacturing, and its people have turned a small padlock into a thriving, large-scale industry.