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In the heart of Pujiang, a small town in Zhejiang Province, an unexpected transformation has taken place. What began as a modest padlock industry has now grown into one of the most significant manufacturing hubs in China. "It was completely unimaginable that padlocks could become such a big industry here," recalls Master Zhou Wenyi, a 63-year-old veteran in the padlock industry and one of the elder figures in Pujiang's lock-making history.
The journey started in 1968 when Zheng Zhai Tieye, a local enterprise involved in wood, bamboo, and sewing industries, was reorganized into Zheng Zhe Farming Co., Ltd. This company engaged in production, services, and processing. Later, the company shifted to the electronics industry for two years, accumulating some capital. However, due to unfavorable market conditions, the company sent several young workers to study lock-making techniques in Ningbo. With support from the Provincial Second Light Industry Department, Zhengzhai Farming Machinery Co., Ltd. was renamed the Pujiang County Lock Factory, located in Shangzheng Village. The factory initially produced 20,000 padlocks, which quickly increased to 220,000 the following year. Some local companies began supplying parts for them.
The quality of the iron padlocks produced by the Pujiang County Lock Factory was so stable and affordable that they became a key supplier for the provincial Second Light Industry Department. Through continuous innovation and practice, the factory expanded its product range from simple iron padlocks to long box locks, chain locks, copper padlocks, security locks, and drawer locks. As the business grew, the scale of the company also expanded 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 integrated Huaqiao Thermal Power Plant. In 1987, it was renamed the Pujiang County Lock-making Plant. Through ongoing reforms, the company saw unprecedented growth. By 1994, it had developed 16 varieties and 54 types of products, including the well-known brands “Tang Lamp,†“Golden Gate,†and “R.†Annual output reached 33.27 million units, with an output value of 71.24 million yuan. The company employed 866 people, and its products were sold across 30 provinces, cities, and autonomous regions, as well as Southeast Asia, the United States, Italy, and over 20 other countries.
As the market evolved, the lock-making factory established the Sanhuan Lockheel Group Pujiang Co., Ltd., creating a comprehensive system for production, supply, and distribution across joint ventures and directly affiliated factories throughout the county. This helped cultivate a large number of technical, managerial, and marketing talents.
With the deepening of reform and opening up, many residents in Pujiang took advantage of the technological expertise of the lock factory to start their own small workshops, producing padlock components. After 1995, the Pujiang lock industry entered a second phase of development, with enterprises expanding in size, quality, and standards. Companies like Meihua, Zhongtang, and Jinlei emerged as key players. In 1998, to promote the healthy growth of the industry, the Pujiang Padlock Industry Association was established.
After more than 30 years of development, the padlock industry in Pujiang has grown into the largest padlock production and processing base, product distribution center, and export hub in China. The titles of “China Padlock Center†and “China Padlock Production Base†have become iconic symbols of Pujiang’s industrial strength.
Today, the Pujiang lock industry has evolved far beyond just padlocks. It now offers over 300 specifications, including drawer locks, anti-theft locks, motorcycle locks, and door locks. The entire industrial chain—from parts production, surface treatment, packaging materials, to final assembly—has been fully developed. This has also spurred growth in related industries such as electroplating, printing, raw material supply, and logistics. Pujiang has earned a reputation as a global leader in lock manufacturing, turning a small padlock into a major industry.