Since 1990, Chairman Zhou Changyan has led the transformation of the struggling Lihua Daily Chemical Plant. With
sharp market insight, he successfully introduced a popular line of automotive cleaning products. This success paved
the way for the establishment of Beijing Friend Trading Company in 1992.
In 1993, adhering to a business philosophy of integrity, Chairman Zhou earned the trust of Qixia Chemical Plant and
secured the agency rights for the Card-Type Furnace. This partnership not only expanded the company's business
scope but also laid a solid economic foundation for its long-term growth.
That same year, Beijing Friend Trading Company boldly ventured into the insulation materials industry, initiating
preparations for a phenolic resin workshop. In April of the following year, the successful production of its first
batch of phenolic resin marked a significant breakthrough in this new sector. This achievement not only demonstrated
the company's ability to innovate but also ushered in a new era of diversified development, further solidifying
its legacy in the industry.
Milestones
June 20, 1996 – Official registration of Beijing Friend Chemical Co.,
Ltd. This year is recognized as the founding year of Friend Group, with
June 20 designated as the company's anniversary.
July 15, 1996 – The insulation board workshop commenced
production, successfully producing the first batch of insulation boards, marking the company's
first step toward becoming a leader in the insulation materials industry.
1998 – Entered the composite materials sector, launching an
SMC production line, which was successfully put into operation. The project received
the Beijing Spark Program Award, opening a new frontier for the company.
March 1999 – Obtained foreign trade rights from the Ministry
of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, becoming one of the first private enterprises with
independent import and export rights.
October 2000 – Chairman Zhou Changyan strategically selected Tongzhou,
Ciqu as the site for Friend's new 78-acre manufacturing facility,
improving working conditions and significantly increasing production capacity.
December 2000 – Established Beijing New Friend Insulation Materials
Co., Ltd.
September 2001 – Expanded into precision processing of non-metallic
materials, extending the industrial chain.
October 2003 – Friend's products were used in China's first
Shenzhou-5 manned spacecraft, marking the beginning of a long-term partnership with
the China Aerospace Corporation.
July 2005 – Elected as Vice Chairman Unit of the
Insulation Materials Branch of the China Electrical Equipment Industry Association.
October 2005 – Established Beijing Friend Import & Export Co.,
Ltd., officially taking its products to the global market.
June 16, 2006 – Partnered with the Institute of Chemistry, Chinese
Academy of Sciences to establish a New Materials Research Center.
2007 – Introduced modern management concepts, inviting leading
consulting firms Huaxia Foundation Stone and Peking Management Consultants
Ltd to streamline operations, gradually transitioning to a group-based business
model.
July 2007 – Established Beijing Friend Composite Materials Co.,
Ltd., transferring existing composite material operations to the new entity.
October 24, 2007 – Friend's products were successfully launched aboard
Chang'e-1, China's first lunar probe.
December 2007 – Friend's Research & Development Center
was recognized as a Beijing Enterprise Technology Center.
December 2010 – Opened employee apartments and the
Runyuan Cultural & Sports Center, enhancing employee well-being.
June 25, 2015 – Established Shanghai Friend Chemical Co., Ltd.
to better serve customers in East China.
April 2017 – Acquired 230 acres in Qianxi Economic Development Zone,
Hebei, as a new materials production base as part of the company's
strategic expansion.
April 2018 – Purchased 11 acres in the German Industrial Park of
Kunshan, Jiangsu, to establish a non-metallic material deep-processing
base, expanding production capacity and customer reach.
Early 2019 – Began construction of the Qianxi
Hebei, and Kunshan Jiangsu manufacturing
plants. The Qianxi plant was planned to cover 70,000+ square meters,
while the Kunshan plant was designed for 8,000+ square meters.
September 25, 2020 – Completed the production transfer from
Shanghai Friend Chemical Co., Ltd. to Jiangsu Friend, which
officially started operations.
June 2021 – The first SMC sheet was successfully produced at
Hebei Friend's SMC workshop, followed by the full transfer of Beijing
Friend Composite Materials to Hebei Friend in 2022.
January 2022 – Beijing New Friend Insulation Materials Co.,
Ltd. was recognized as a Beijing "Specialized, Refined, and Innovative"
SME.
September 2023 – Hebei Friend's non-metallic material
deep-processing operations commenced production.
December 2023 – Jiangsu Friend New Materials Technology Co.,
Ltd. was certified as a National High-Tech Enterprise.
April 2024 – Hebei Friend New Materials Technology Co., Ltd.
was recognized as a Hebei Province "Specialized, Refined, and Innovative"
SME.
September 2024 – The launch of laminated insulation material production
at Hebei Friend further enriched the company's product offerings and service
capabilities, significantly enhancing its production capacity.
Strategic Growth & Future Vision
With Beijing headquarters serving as the management, R&D, and production hub, alongside manufacturing bases in
Qianxi Hebei, and Kunshan Jiangsu, Friend Group has established a multi-location development strategy. Moving
forward, the company will continue expanding its footprint in line with its customer-centric approach, further
strengthening its position in the new materials industry.
Established in 2004, the R&D Center of Beijing Friend Group is a cutting-edge facility spanning nearly 500 square
meters, dedicated to product research, development, and comprehensive testing. Staffed by a team of highly skilled
professionals, including 2 Ph.D. holders and 9 master's degree experts, the center is at the forefront of
technological innovation. It has forged strong strategic partnerships with the Institute of Chemistry of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences, jointly establishing a New Material R&D Center and a Progressive Polymer Joint Laboratory.
In recognition of its outstanding contributions to scientific and technological advancement, the center was
officially designated as the Beijing Enterprise Technology Center in 2007.
Since its inception, the Technology Research and Development Center has played a pivotal role in advancing
intellectual property, securing nearly 20 national invention patents and seven utility model patents. Over the past
five years alone, it has successfully developed 19 new products, of which 14 have been successfully launched into
production. Additionally, six new material projects have received official approvals from both the national and
Beijing municipal governments. The center's R&D initiatives have been recognized as National Torch Plan
projects, earning prestigious accolades such as the Best Project Award and the Tongzhou District Science and
Technology First Prize-a testament to its relentless pursuit of excellence and innovation.
Looking ahead, the R&D Center remains committed to Friend Group's vision of independent innovation, striving
to build a century-old leader in the materials industry. Leveraging the group's extensive industry experience,
state-of-the-art equipment, and technological expertise, the center aims to drive groundbreaking advancements in new
materials. While fulfilling its corporate responsibilities, it continues to prioritize both company growth and
contributions to the domestic insulation materials industry, reinforcing its role as a pioneer in the field.
Comprehensive Testing Capabilities: Ensuring Excellence
The Friend Group Testing Center is equipped with a comprehensive suite of advanced testing instruments, meeting the
highest standards for insulation material testing. It is capable of conducting full-performance evaluations during
the independent R&D phase, performing type testing on finished products, and providing specialized testing
services for customers.
With the ability to assess nearly all insulation properties, the center is equipped with cutting-edge instruments,
including:
Electronic Universal Testing Machine
Rockwell Hardness Tester
DSC Differential Scanning Calorimeter
TMA Thermomechanical Analyzer
Breakdown Voltage Tester
Combustion Tester
Tracking Index Tester
Arc Resistance Tester
Capacitance Bridge
High Insulation Resistance Meter
Thermal Aging Treatment Box
Through advanced characterization methods, the center explores technical principles throughout design, development,
and production, while ensuring comprehensive testing of physical, mechanical, electrical, and environmental
performance. This robust testing framework serves as a cornerstone for maintaining stable quality, optimizing product
design, and driving the development of innovative new materials.
With its unwavering dedication to research, technological advancement, and quality assurance, the Beijing Friend
Group R&D Center continues to set new benchmarks in the industry, reinforcing its position as a leader in
insulation materials and new material innovation.
The core products are laminated insulation materials, SMC/DMC molded parts, GPO-3, UPGM series insulating sheets,
epoxy molded composite materials and deep machined products of various engineering plastics.
Product Application
With 29 years of expertise in R&D and customized services, Friend Group has built a comprehensive
and systematic platform for product design, manufacturing, and service, adhering to multiple industry
standards across a diverse range of materials. Our products are widely utilized in aerospace, new
energy, military applications, high-voltage electrical systems, power transmission and distribution,
rail transit, 5G electronics, healthcare, and beyond, delivering cutting-edge solutions to some of the
world's most demanding industries.
Production Market
Our core products have been successfully integrated into China's most prestigious aerospace
programs, including the Shenzhou, Chang'e, and Tiangong series, playing a vital role in national
key projects. After rigorous evaluations by China Aerospace Group's satellite manufacturing
division, Friend Group has been officially recognized as a designated insulation material supplier, a
testament to our unwavering commitment to quality and innovation.Beyond aerospace, our cutting-edge
technology, superior product quality, and exceptional service have earned us the status of global
strategic supplier for industry giants such as General Motors, ABB, Siemens, Schneider, Alstom,
Goldwind Technology, CRRC, Dongfang Electric, and Shanghai Electric. Our products are now exported to
dozens of countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, and Oceania, earning
widespread recognition and trust from clients worldwide.
Our Service
In the pre-sales stage
We leverage our advanced R&D capabilities to provide customers with
professional technical consultations and customized solutions tailored to their specific needs. With
nearly 20 national invention patents and 7 utility model patents, our R&D Center has successfully
developed 19 innovative products, 14 of which have been brought into production, demonstrating our
ability to turn cutting-edge research into real-world applications.Through early-stage engagement, we
ensure that our clients receive the most effective, high-performance solutions from concept to
production. With products exported to dozens of countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South
America, and Oceania, Friend Group remains committed to delivering unmatched quality, innovation, and
service to customers worldwide.
During the in-sales stage
During the in-sales stage, we focus on seamless execution, rigorous quality
control, and efficient production management to ensure that every product meets the highest industry
standards. Our advanced manufacturing processes, backed by a comprehensive quality management system,
guarantee precision, consistency, and reliability in every order.Beyond production, our team provides
real-time technical support, progress updates, and supply chain coordination, allowing for a smooth,
transparent, and efficient purchasing experience. As a trusted global strategic supplier for industry
leaders such as General Motors, ABB, Siemens, Schneider, Alstom, Goldwind Technology, CRRC, Dongfang
Electric, and Shanghai Electric, we remain committed to delivering high-performance solutions with
unmatched precision and reliability.
In the after-sales stage
We prioritize customer satisfaction, technical support, and continuous
optimization to ensure the long-term reliability and performance of our products. Our dedicated
after-sales service team provides timely troubleshooting, maintenance guidance, and performance
evaluations, helping clients maximize the efficiency of their systems.With a customer-centric
approach, we offer ongoing technical consultations, on-site support, and tailored solutions to address
any operational challenges. Our global service network enables us to respond swiftly to customer needs
across Asia, Europe, Africa, North and South America, and Oceania, reinforcing our commitment to
excellence beyond delivery.we continuously gather customer feedback to drive product innovation and
service enhancements. By fostering long-term partnerships, we ensure that our solutions evolve
alongside our clients' needs, delivering sustained value and competitive advantages in their
respective industries.
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