Reuben Miller is the Director Engineering and Manufacturing at Dongguan Sheng Hui Fitness Co. Ltd. He is currently based at Qingxi Town, Dongguan, Guangdong Province.

Where do you call home:
Well, for the last 2 years its been Guangzhou and Dongguan.  My family and I are pretty much settled here in Dongguan now so happy to call this home.  Before we moved here though, we came from Christchurch.  We still go home to Christchurch now and then to visit family and friends.

What brought you to China and how long have you been here?
I started working as an Engineer for Springfree Trampolines when they first began their China operations in 2004.  I was actually half way through my Masters degree at the University of Canterbury, when I was offered the chance to go to Xiamen to set up the production of the first lot of trampolines.  It was meant to take 2 weeks and I'm still here!  The first 4 years I worked for Springfree I travelled between Xiamen and Christchurch, but in 2009 I came over permanently to work for the Chinese company which has set up to manufacture here in Dongguan.
 
What has been your most unusual experience in China?
Where do I start?!! I have had many unusual experiences in China, although after a while here, they begin to seem quite normal. However, an unusual and sad experience happened to us last night when my family and our friends were taking a flight from Guilin to Guangzhou after spending the May Day holiday in Yangshuo. 

Our friends' 14 year old son, Austin, is a wheelchair user and he had taken his wheelchair through security assuming he could use it right up until he boarded and then have it waiting in Guangzhou for him when we arrived (which was the case on the way to Guilin).  After a 3 hour delay (due to bad weather) we finally lined up at the gate to board but the ground staff refused to let us on with the wheelchair. They required him to have it checked, which meant it would not be at the aircraft door in Guangzhou but instead at the baggage carousel. 

This caused a huge stir amongst the passengers and many refused to board in support of our Austin.  What followed was absolute chaos as security staff tried to board the passengers who wanted to get on and deal with the passengers who were very vocal and supportive of Austin's situation.  It was more chaotic than the LoWu markets in Shenzhen! We were so upset about the treatment Austin received from the airport and security staff but at the same time touched by the kindness and loyalty shown by so many passengers who could see this was unfair. 

In the end, and with so many passengers refusing to board, they agreed to let Austin board with his wheelchair.  We almost didn't take off due to mechanical problems and were delayed on the runway for another two hours, but that's another story!
 
What has been one of your company’s greatest achievements?
I now work for the Chinese manufacturing company, but from Springfree's perspective, I think they can feel very proud of the fact that their trampolines are so unique and safe.  They have won many consumer and design awards over the past few years and most recently won the Product of the Year in both Canada and the USA. 

From a Kiwi perspective though, perhaps the greatest achievement is that the Springfree was invented by a Kiwi, Dr. Keith Alexander who is an Associate Professor at the University of Canterbury.
 
What advice can you give to similar companies from NZ looking to enter China?
The best advice I can give is to ensure you invest a lot of time into it and take advice from professionals and other Western businesses who have succeeded in China.  Reading books on doing business in China and visiting for fleeting visits is not enough to succeed here.  You need to understand how China works and be able to accurately integrate the positive aspects of Western business culture and ethics into and alongside how business is done here.  Knowledge and understanding are the keys.