Source: Bao'an Media  8^th Sep 2025

Chen Yan, a native of Hunan, has deep in his bones the quintessential Hunanese spirit of "enduring hardships and persisting tenaciously in the face of challenges"—a trait that runs through his veins like an inherent part of his being. This resilient foundation, engraved in his very genes, has led him to spend over two decades on the vibrant, thriving land of Bao'an District, Shenzhen, where he has embodied the true essence of "the spirit of craftsmanship" and "the spirit of innovation" through unwavering dedication and constant breakthroughs.

Vice President of HANS Laser, Chen Yan

Forward-Thinking "Business Acumen"  

Becoming "the First Salesperson to Transport Equipment in Containers for Sales"  

Chen Yan’s business acumen first emerged in his childhood. Born in Hengyang, Hunan, his early experience of pushing a popsicle cart to sell snacks unexpectedly became his first "business practice class": he used the strategy of "small profits but quick turnover" to expand sales; even when encountering customers who skipped payments (the so-called "free riders" in casual terms), he calmly accounted for such incidents as marketing costs—gaining an early understanding of cost control and customer psychology. This innate business savvy, which went far beyond a simple "desire to make money," laid the foundation for his foundational business awareness.  

In 1997, after graduating, Chen Yan headed south to Shenzhen. By chance, he saw a recruitment notice from Han's Industrial Co., Ltd. (the predecessor of Han's Laser) in the Shenzhen Special Zone Daily. Driven by curiosity about the laser industry, he went for an interview. He had a highly engaging four-hour conversation with Chairman Gao Yunfeng and was confident of getting the job—only to be told that the position had already been filled. However, Chen Yan’s aspiration to join Han's Laser did not fade. A few days later, he took the initiative to call Gao Yunfeng to express his determination, eventually impressing him and being hired on a special basis as Han's Laser’s 10th employee.  

As a new engineer at Han's Laser, Chen Yan went through the company’s financial hardships and witnessed its arduous process of accumulating initial technological capabilities. A turning point came in 2000, when he was assigned to Fujian to develop the market. At that time, Han's Laser had almost no presence in Fujian. Chen Yan set off with 50,000 yuan of his savings, and only succeeded in selling his first machine when his money was nearly exhausted. He pioneered the sales philosophy of "make friends first, then talk business," and deeply rooted himself in the concentration area of belt buckle manufacturers in Quanzhou. Eventually, he achieved over 90% market share in the region, earning him the title of "the first salesperson to transport equipment in containers for sales."  

Keenly Seizing Industry Trends  

From "Imitator" to "Role Model"  

Over the years, Chen Yan has always been able to keenly capture the pulse of technological changes. When fiber laser cutting first emerged as an industry trend, he was among the first to recognize its potential. Even in the face of doubts from the academic community, he resolutely took the lead in forming a team to tackle the core challenges of high-power fiber laser integrated applications. Through repeated experiments and technological breakthroughs, his team not only filled the domestic market gap in this field but also drove the leapfrog iteration of Han's Laser’s fiber laser cutting machines—successfully transforming the company from an "imitator" of laser equipment to a "role model" that others in the industry looked up to.  

Colleagues describe him as "like an eagle, always able to lock onto key priorities with precision." Chen Yan, however, responds with a smile: "I just don't want to waste time; I strive for perfection in everything." As he has always practiced: it is never the trend that chooses him; instead, he has always prepared thoroughly for every trend, with thinking as his sail and hard work as his oars.  

As a pioneer of fiber laser cutting machines in China, Chen Yan has always stood at the forefront of technological innovation. He led his team to achieve numerous breakthroughs "from scratch": launching China’s first 8KW fiber laser cutting machine in 2016; debuting the world’s first 16KW fiber laser cutting machine in 2017 (securing on-site orders); and developing 16KW and 20KW robotic laser welding workstations for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project—equipment that was successfully applied in the manufacturing of core components for the "artificial sun."  

Under his impetus, Han's Laser has mastered world-leading technologies such as 10,000-watt-level laser welding and cutting, with many technologies breaking international monopolies. Today, Han's Laser products have entered the global supply chains of companies like Apple and been showcased in New York’s Times Square, enabling "Made in China" to shine on the world stage.  

A Rule-Breaker, Pathbuilder, and Torchbearer Who Rejects "Involution"  

Fueling the Rise of "Intelligent Manufacturing in China" Through Multiple Roles  

Chen Yan has always had the courage to "break the norm"—a trait deeply rooted in small details of his youth. He once "gained an edge through a book" by challenging the rigid perception that "dense planting leads to high yields": instead of following traditional farming experience blindly, he adopted scientific spacing to achieve higher crop yields; when chopping firewood, he would figure out paths to avoid mosquitoes and snakes; when transplanting rice seedlings, he dared to challenge the old methods passed down from ancestors. In his view, "the world is not short of hardworking people, but of those with independent thinking that dares to question the status quo." Thus, he has always refused to conform, choosing instead to analyze problems with logic, find optimal solutions through knowledge, and carve out his own path of breakthrough within seemingly fixed rules.  

This inherent spirit of breaking boundaries has not only shaped his life attitude—"rejecting involution"—but also become the "core code" of his career.  

Beyond his personal growth and corporate development, Chen Yan has expanded his vision to industry progress and social responsibility. As a representative of the 7th Session of the Shenzhen Municipal People's Congress and President of the Bao'an District Intelligent Manufacturing Industry Association, he has always fulfilled his social duties. In May 2025, he was appointed Vice Principal of Science and Technology at Xin'an Middle School (Group), where he gave lectures at the "Youth University Lecture Hall," inspiring students with the development history of China’s manufacturing industry.  

More than just fulfilling social roles, Chen Yan’s multiple identities reflect his in-depth exploration of the integration of "industry, academia, research, and application." From serving as Team Leader of National Major Science and Technology Projects to being an Adjunct Professor at Hunan University, and from winning the title of "Top 10 Outstanding Talents of Pengcheng (Shenzhen)" to receiving the "Shenzhen Quality-Oriented City Gold Medal," each identity represents his solid efforts to promote industrial upgrading.  

"From a small workshop to a global leader in laser equipment, Han's Laser’s growth has witnessed the rise of China's manufacturing industry," Chen Yan reflects with deep affection for the industry when looking back. Looking ahead, he also has a clear belief: "There will always be challenges on the road of innovation, but as long as we adhere to a customer value orientation, we can overcome even the hardest challenges."