The King of PCBs from the Gobi Desert: Veteran Chen Tao and His Dream of an AI Empire
At the Gobi Desert in Kashgar, Xinjiang, 17-year-old soldier Chen Tao from Gansu never imagined that 30 years later he would stand beside NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang, becoming a key figure in the global AI computing power race.
The Comeback of a “Tech Novice”A veteran without a formal background overcame technical barriers using the most primitive “disassembly learning method”—Chen Tao’s experience of disassembling various circuit boards until late at night to self-learn and become a senior PCB engineer has now become a legend in the industry. This tenacity to tackle tough challenges led him to decisively bet on the AI track in 2019, laying out high-density interconnect (HDI) technology four years ahead of his peers.
Mutual Achievements with NVIDIAWhen NVIDIA sought circuit boards capable of supporting trillions of calculations for the Blackwell system, Shenghong Technology presented an astonishing solution:
- Laser drilling precision reaching 0.076 millimeters, the diameter of a human hair
- Dynamic impedance adjustment technology improving GPU power supply efficiency by 15%
- Assisting in reducing chip thermal noise by 22%This deep technical collaboration elevated Shenghong from an ordinary supplier to NVIDIA’s “joint innovation partner,” capturing 50% of the global data center PCB market share.
Pioneers in CrisisChen Tao’s crisis awareness has always driven the transformation of the enterprise:
- In 2017, proactively laid out PCB for new energy vehicles during the industry’s peak
- In 2023, counter-cyclically acquired Singapore’s MFS Group to gain 66 international clients
- In 2024, took the lead in establishing AI-specific production lines in VietnamDespite a 52.54% debt-to-asset ratio and shareholder reductions raising concerns, his strategic layout has always been half a step ahead of the market.
The Paradigm Shift of Chinese ManufacturingThe transformation trajectory of Shenghong Technology reflects a new path for Chinese manufacturing to break through:
- Shifting from OEM models to joint technology research (co-developing with chip giants)
- Transitioning from cost advantages to technology premiums (product yield over 85%)
- Moving from domestic markets to global binding (60% of revenue directly exported)
When Jensen Huang raised his glass in Taipei, Chen Tao, standing in the back row, represented a new identity for Chinese supply chain enterprises—not merely followers, but indispensable technical partners. This veteran from the Gobi Desert is writing the best example of China’s manufacturing leap to high-end over the past 20 years.
Updates on Invested Enterprises:(Click the underlined text to read more)
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