How can a small hair dryer shake up the global small-appliance market? In the latest episode of "Beacon Over Lingnan", a conversation with Ye Hongxin, founder of Laifen, tells the story of how the Guangdong-based company broke the dominance of overseas giants to become the world's top-selling brand of high-speed hair dryers. Its rise not only reflects the transformation of manufacturing in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) from catching up to taking the lead, but also shows the world the new value of "Made in China."

One key lesson from Laifen is that it did not take the easy path of imitation. Instead, it chose to develop its core technologies independently. In particular, its self-developed three-phase high-speed brushless motor departed from the technological approach adopted by some international brands, which use single-phase high-speed brushless motors, helping the company build a technological moat of its own. 

Laifen's journey from manufacturing to innovation, and from catching up to taking the lead, has also been underpinned by the GBA's strong manufacturing base and robust industrial ecosystem. According to available data, Laifen's products are now sold in more than 60 countries and regions worldwide, with over 35 million users.

Today, a growing number of homegrown brands that have emerged from the GBA, including DJI, Laifen and Midea, are steadily taking the lead in international markets through advances in technology, quality and design, bringing the high value of China's smart manufacturing to the world. Laifen's growth trajectory proves that in the next phase of global competition, only by mastering core technologies and truly respecting and understanding users can "Made in China" shed the "low-cost" label and win global respect and consumer recognition through technological and brand leadership.

从“跟跑”到“领跑”，广东制造持续向上跃升

一柄小小的吹风机，如何搅动了全球小家电市场？在新一期《思想耀岭南》对徕芬科技创始人叶洪新的访谈中，这家粤企打破海外巨头垄断、拿下高速吹风机全球销量第一的故事，不仅折射出粤港澳大湾区制造业从“跟跑”到“领跑”的时代之变，也让世界看见了中国制造的全新价值。

徕芬科技带来的启示，首先在于它并未选择简单的模仿之路，而是选择了一条核心技术的自主研发之路。特别是其自主研发的三相高速无刷电机，打破了一些国际品牌采用单相高速无刷电机的技术路径，构建了属于自己的技术护城河。

徕芬科技实现从“制造”走向“创造”、从“跟跑”到“领跑”，背后也离不开粤港澳大湾区深厚的制造业基础和优良的产业生态。数据显示，徕芬科技的产品已远销全球60多个国家和地区，拥有超3500万用户。

如今，我们看到，诸如大疆、徕芬、美的等一批从大湾区成长起来的国产品牌，逐步以技术、品质、设计等持续领跑国际市场、向外输出“中国智造”的高价值。徕芬科技的成长轨迹证明，在全球化竞争的下半场，唯有掌握核心技术、真正尊重并理解用户，“中国制造”才能撕掉“平价”标签，通过技术、品牌的领先优势，赢得世界的尊重和消费者的认可。

文｜杨帅
译｜魏薇
英文审校｜郑奕玲