202611.13

San Wu Rubber 80th Anniversary

Eight Decades of Refinement: The Extraordinary Journey of San Wu

In the aftermath of World War II, Taiwan faced the immense challenge of economic reconstruction. Society remained largely centered around agriculture and early-stage light industry. Amid severe shortages of resources and infrastructure, building a business from the ground up required diverse strengths, shared vision, and unwavering determination.

Our four founders—Chen Shen-kuei, Lin Sen, Kuo Yi-cheng, and Kuo Yi-luo (Figure 1)—came from different regional and religious backgrounds, each bringing unique strengths to the partnership. United by a shared vision, they combined their knowledge, technical expertise, and financial resources to establish San Wu in Changhua City in 1946 (the 35th year of the Republic of China), laying the foundation for a legacy that would span generations.

In its early days, San Wu operated as a modest machinery workshop. Recognizing the potential of industrial rubber manufacturing, Chairman Lin Sen actively sought advice from experienced experts and devoted himself to studying rubber technology. He eventually obtained a Japanese technical reference, ゴム工業便覧 (Rubber Industry Handbook), which became a cornerstone of San Wu’s rubber formulation and manufacturing process development.

Bringing this knowledge back to the factory, Chairman Lin personally led countless trials and improvements, working hands-on with pigments and rubber compounds. Starting with fundamental rubber color matching and compounding, San Wu gradually expanded its capabilities to develop flat belts, V-belts, and heavy-duty conveyor belts. Through persistent efforts to overcome technical challenges and the continuous advancement of its production equipment and processes, San Wu laid the foundation for its growth into a specialist manufacturer of power transmission belts and conveyor belts.

[Figure 1] San Wu Founders: Chen Shen-kuei, Lin Sen, Kuo Yi-cheng, Kuo Yi-luo (from left to right)

To support expanding production capacities, San Wu permanently relocated its headquarters and core manufacturing facilities to Hemei Township, Changhua County (Figure 2). It was here that the company established its enduring corporate values: Integrity, Harmony & Respect, Responsibility, and Innovation. We encourages every team member to put these principles into practice through their daily work and throughout every stage of production. These values have not only laid the foundation for the company’s steady growth and unwavering commitment to quality, but also continue to guide us toward the future.

[Figure 2] San Wu Rubber's Hemei Plant in Changhua, relocated during the 1960s

With a strategic vision to expand our global presence, We extended our manufacturing operations overseas by establishing production facilities in Vietnam (Figure 3). The Sieu Viet Plant was established in 1997, followed by the Phuoc Hy Plant in 2018 (Figures 4 & 5).

[Figure 3] Pioneers who spearheaded the Vietnam expansion: Chairman Kuo En-da (top row, 1st from right) and Manager Lan Wen-chuan (top row, 3rd from left)

[Figure 4] Vietnam Advanced Rubber Manufacturing Facility (Siêu Việt)

[Figure 5] Vietnam Feng Hsi Manufacturing Facility (Phước Hỷ)

Through tireless dedication, San Wu has grown into one of Taiwan’s leading suppliers of high-performance rubber conveyor belts and power transmission belts. On the international stage, we have steadily expanded our global presence and established long-standing partnerships with industry leaders around the world. From our strong roots in Taiwan to our growing international presence, we continue to uphold world-class standards, striving to become a global leader in industrial rubber technology.

This 80-year milestone was forged through challenges and market cycles. Just as rubber embodies remarkable elasticity and durability, the headwinds we have navigated have shaped our company’s defining strength: true resilience, agility, and steadfast perseverance. This enduring spirit empowers San Wu to transform and emerge stronger with every test, advancing with greater resolve than ever before.

Transforming Through Challenges: San Wu on the Global Stage

Having grown alongside Taiwan’s industrial development for over three-quarters of a century, San Wu has established itself as a leading force in Taiwan’s domestic rubber industry and a trusted supplier to critical sectors such as thermal power generation, steel manufacturing, and cement production. Yet, our journey has never been a smooth one, marked by numerous difficulties and challenges along the way.

During the two unprecedented global oil crises, we faced severe operational challenges that threatened its very survival. Concerned for the livelihoods of employees and their families, the founders and shareholders stepped forward by providing substantial additional capital to sustain the company’s operations. Standing shoulder to shoulder with employees, they helped San Wu weather the crises.

Beyond global economic challenges, we faced intense price competition from low-cost manufacturers in mainland China, alongside growing pressure from competitors around the world. In response, we expanded into Vietnam, building production facilities from the ground up in an environment with limited industrial infrastructure. By strategically coordinating production capacity between our operations in Taiwan and Vietnam, while remaining firmly committed to high quality standards, we strengthened our competitiveness and met the challenges of the global market.

These continued efforts have earned San Wu recognition in international markets. Today, our products are exported worldwide and integrated into the supply chains of leading equipment manufacturers. Our innovative agricultural belt solutions also support modern harvesting equipment, contributing to greater agricultural efficiency and sustainable food production.

Yet, these achievements are not a reason for us to stand still. As technology advances and market demands continue to evolve, we remain committed to adapting and moving forward. We embrace each challenge as an opportunity for renewal, continuously strengthening our capabilities and building a more resilient and sustainable future for San Wu.

Eight Decades of Honor: Powered by Every San Wu Colleague

“It is because of each and every one of you that San Wu stands where it is today.”

These words express the company’s most profound and heartfelt gratitude to our entire team. Navigating through the shifting tides of the times, San Wu Rubber has turned every adversity into an opportunity for growth.

Our journey has been shaped by the pioneers who traveled far beyond familiar horizons to break new ground and lay our overseas foundations; by the unyielding dedication of our R&D teams, who innovate day and night to push technical boundaries; by the forward drive of our sales professionals, who traverse the global stage to expand our market presence; by the meticulous craft of our frontline operators, who uphold an uncompromising artisan spirit to safeguard the precision and quality of every single detail; and by the quiet, dedicated support of our service and logistics teams, who stand by around the clock, 365 days a year.

Over the past eighty years, the enduring wisdom passed down by our predecessors, paired with the sweat, perseverance, and dedication of each generation, has solidified through steady progress to collectively forge the San Wu we celebrate today. We extend our warmest appreciation to every teammate who has labored side by side with San Wu, as well as to our valued clients and global partners who have walked alongside us with steadfast trust.

Looking ahead, we remain firmly committed to our core values—guided by unwavering integrity, a spirit of harmony and mutual respect, a deep sense of responsibility, and the courage to innovate—as we join hands to write the next legendary chapter for the eighty years to come.

Wishing San Wu Rubber a very Happy 80th Anniversary!