In 1994, German conglomerate Henkel Group decided to enter the Chinese mainland market. As a technical expert in the cosmetics division, I joined seven colleagues from detergent, adhesive, raw materials, and other departments to leave Germany, bringing decades of expertise honed in Berlin’s laboratories. Our destination was Zhaoqing, a city adjacent to the Pearl River Delta. There, we established Henkel’s first wholly-owned subsidiary in mainland China—Zhaoqing Henkel Cosmetics Factory. I served simultaneously as Production Director of Henkel China’s Cosmetics Division, R&D Director, and General Manager of the Zhaoqing plant, shouldering immense responsibilities. Countless nights were spent working until dawn, driven by the mission to transplant German manufacturing standards to this new frontier.

It was in Zhaoqing that I met him, then the financial manager. Though we worked in different departments, his sharp data analysis and deep business acumen during a cost-optimization meeting left a lasting impression. We soon discovered a shared commitment to product quality and long-term vision for corporate growth. This synergy became the foundation for a new chapter when Henkel closed the Zhaoqing plant in 2000 during a strategic realignment.

After the factory closure, I returned to Henkel’s headquarters in Germany, yet memories of my time in China lingered. In 2006, upon retirement, I received a call from my former colleague. “Rolf,” he said, “I want you to come back. Let’s build our own cosmetics company in China.” The proposal set my blood racing—combining German craftsmanship with China’s market dynamism was the challenge I’d always envisioned. At the time, China’s transitioning from pure OEM manufacturing to self-driven R&D. I knew my expertise could help build a company rooted in German engineering ethos.

Returning to China, we assembled a team that included former core employees from the Zhaoqing plant. Initially, we focused on export orders to Europe and the U.S., and OEM production for brands like Fengcai, Mininurse, Safeguard, and Watsons. But I believed OEM was merely a starting point—innovation was the true competitive edge. We channeled resources into R&D, achieving a milestone with our breakthrough in caffeine applications for hair care.

Though caffeine stimulates scalp blood flow, its poor water solubility had limited industry usage to 0.8%. After 18 months of R&D, our team developed a microencapsulation technology that boosted caffeine content to 1.4%, significantly enhancing efficacy. This innovation not solidified our OEM position but attracted global brands seeking collaboration.

In 2016, to align with the Greater Bay Area’s industrial cluster, we relocated to Nanhai, Foshan. There, we built a state-of-the-art R&D center and production line, earning National High-Tech Enterprise certification in 2018. Every equipment upgrade and patented technology reaffirmed my belief: quality always wins.

In 2024, we moved our headquarters to Nansha, Guangzhou. Standing in our new smart factory, watching robotic arms precisely blend ingredients, I recalled the humble Zhaoqing plant of 1994. Thirty years on, markets and technologies have evolved, but our core philosophy remains: German precision crafting truly effective, performance-driven products.

The story of Desifine is not just corporate growth—it’s a testament to artisans’ dedication. Guided by “R&D-driven, quality-first” principles, we will continue writing a new chapter for Chinese innovation in the global cosmetics arena.