The leader in the field of tool kits and scientific kits - Jun Ying Zhang, the chairman of Proskit’s Industries
Interview Date: 2022/9/12 | National Taipei University of Technology 412th Alumni Association Journal
Pro’sKit, an internationally well-known tool brand, has distributed network in more than 90 countries in five continents. Pro’sKit has provided complete tool solutions for customers around the world. The products cover more than 4,000 items in 23 categories, including professional hand tools, power tools, test instruments, soldering tools, tool sets, educational science kits, etc., which meet the market demand for one stop shopping.
"Pro’skit Industries Co., Ltd." was established in 1991. Originally started as a professional hand tool in Taipei, it is well-known in the industry for its variety of tool types and excellent product quality. It has also won the “Little Giant Award” from the Taiwan Ministry of Economic Affairs. The brand popularity of Pro’skit was raised in the tool industry gradually. Chairman, Jun Ying Zhang, graduated from Taipei Institute of Technology (the predecessor of National Taipei University of Technology) in the five-year mechanical department in 1976.
Jun Ying Zhang grew up in a military village. He has an honest personality, and he never gave up. After graduating from the technical college and serving in the military for two years, he joined a jacking company. He focused on improving production rate and product yield rate. In 1980, he changed his job to a hardware and screw trading company. Then, he joined an electronics company by hance. After working for three years, the boss of Jun Ying Zhang wanted to focus on the business development of electronic components. The boss separated the tool field from the original company, and encouraged Jun Ying Zhang to start a business to undertake business in the tool field. The boss became his benefactor in his life.
Newborn calves make little of tigers. In the 1991, Jun ying Zhang borrowed 5 million start-up funds to set up "Pro’skit Industries Co., Ltd.", with a revenue of about 32 million in the first year. Jun Ying Zhang said that at the beginning of his business, he set the goal to produce professional tools of electronics and electricians. At that time, there were few own brands in Taiwan, thus, he had a some achievement in the tools industry after three years. He said, "No matter how the times change or how automated the production line is, tools must be assisted in inspection and maintenance. This is the niche of "Pro’skit", and high quality is our constant insistence. ".
Quality is the core value operation of Pro’skit. In order to ensure that the product quality reaches a certain standard, Pro’skit has established a special laboratory for product quality control and technical improvement. With the rapid growth of the company, he has established a global warehousing and China regional marketing center in Shanghai. He established a complete global marketing service system with Taiwan headquarters, and also devoted to brand management. In addition, Pros’kit has further developed into the domestic student market, which provide teachers and students with various high-quality tools to improve the efficiency and safety of teaching and learning. At present, nearly 90% of the departments of information, electronics, and electrical engineering in Taiwan schools, use Pro’skit tools.
Jun Ying Zhang was not satisfied with this. In 2017, Pro’skit extended downward in learning and education. He extended the Pro'sKit (Professional Science Kits) science kits to the science education market, expanding the scope of the product line. In order to let children can synchronously learn globally, Pro’skit integrated with the STEAM education system. Jun Ying Zhang cooperated with friends who have known each other for many years to develop a variety of MIT scientific educational kits, and also applied for patents in many countries.
They printing out the 3D samples and revise several times before the official production, in order to maintain the quality. Although only 2~6 products can be developed in a year, the feedback from the market has given them full confidence. They did the research and development continuously, in order to let children can learning scientific principles and scientific environmental protection concepts by doing. In the technology developed generation, science kits are a thing that can shorten the distance between parents and children, also can cultivate the creativity of children.
"Pro’skit Science kits" is 100% made in Taiwan. The development that includes knowledge, DO IT YOURSELF and aesthetics, is based on STEAM education system which include different field of science such as light, electricity, wind, salt water, magnetism, programming. Through interesting mode, it can inspire the imagination and creativity of children.
Briefly introduce the products: 1. "Solar Power Principle" products, including 7-in-1 solar charging vehicle set, 14-in-1 solar-powered robot; 2. "Mechanical Power Principle" products, including 5-in-1 mechanical knitting robot, A1 intelligent Baobi three-in-one deformation tank; 3. "aerodynamic principle" products, including aerodynamic engine car; 4. "hydraulic power principle" products, including hydraulic robot arm, hydraulic mechanical gloves; 5. "salt water power principle" including variety of products such as salt water powered thunderbolt vehicles, salt water powered off-road vehicles, and salt water powered cruise vehicles.
It has been 31 years since the establishment of Pro’skit" in the 1991. The company's member number has grown from 7 to 135 in total at present. Looking back on the glorious period of hand tools, every time Jun Ying Zhang went to factory, he always urges shipment or panic buying.
However, in the face of the strong competitive pressure of rushing to catch up in the follow-up, Jun Ying Zhang has been baptized by rich experience and strengthened his belief. An important factor for the product to stand firm in market is "quality". The slogan of "Learning is not afraid of damaging tools ", Pro’skit is guaranteed for one year and warranty for three years. Thence, the good quality of Pro’skit can be deeply rooted in the hearts of these students. Also, the products had a good reputation since then.
Mentioning interesting things at the technical college and his employment periods, Jun Ying Zhang said that he grew up in a military village, which was siege mentality.He couldn’t speak and understand Taiwanese that made his classmates consider he is arrogant and could not be integrated. After getting along with him, classmates gradually got to understand him. Jun Ying Zhang also mentioned an interesting memory which happened after getting a job. The base camp of Taiwan's tool industry is in Taichung and Changhua, and the bosses there almost speak Taiwanese. However, because of his serious and pragmatic attitude in doing business, he is trusted by the bosses. One of bosses said to Jun Ying Zhang if he could discuss business in Taiwanese next time, he would give Zhang 10% cheaper.
"Innovation, Quality, Service" is the business philosophy of Pro’skit. The high-quality service team not only continues to develop products and assist customers in market development, but also takes from the society and uses it for the society. Pro’skit actively promotes the practice and implementation of social responsibility. They comply with various environmental protection policies and product safety standards, and give back to the society with practical actions such as tree planting, corporate donations, material donations, and sponsorship of international competitions. Pro'sKit® takes pride in the trust of customers, takes the smile of consumers as the goal, devotes itself to brand management, and develops high-quality tools to meet the needs of the market.
Jun Ying Zhang said: "I made some suggestions based on my experience. Due to the poor social conditions in the past era, I had to work very hard and be conservative in everything I did. I started to adjust the product line until 15 years later after starting my business. Adding more categories such as test instruments, electric welding and power tools products, to create new sales access and performance growth for the company. Modern young people are facing an era of rapid information and social changes, so they can no longer have a conservative attitude and must be proactive. In short, it can be summarized into three items: 1. Pay more attention to the changes in the surrounding environment, adjust the direction at any time, and have the courage to accept new ideas and new things; 2. You must cultivate more second expertise; 3. Language is very important. Young people should be more flexible. They can absorb new knowledge at any time, adjust their mentality quickly, and make arrangements ahead of time to keep up with the times."
