Tony H.S. Su graduated from Chung Yuan University in 1978 with a bachelor's degree of Business Administration. He is the president of Dupont Greater China, responsible for businesses in Chinese mainland, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

Su joined DuPont Taiwan in 1980 as a customer service representative. A year later, he became sales and market development representative for polymer products in Taiwan. In 1986, he received his first overseas assignment in Hong Kong as Asia Pacific regional sales leader for High Performance Films.

He returned to Taiwan in 1988 to assume manufacturing leadership roles for DuPont Electronics. He returned to Shanghai to become the vice president for Marketing and Sales, China in November 2009. He was named to his current position in September 2010.

So why did DuPont choose a salesperson to manage its Greater China operations？

Su attributed his success to diligence and luck. He showed a keen market sense, perseverance and decisiveness. As early as in 1981, he became sales and market development representative for polymer products in Taiwan the second year after he joined DuPont.

Reflecting on his early years, Su said it was hard work, but he explored the markets. And after three years, he became a sales expert.

He would visit supermarkets and pay attention to biscuits, candies and meat that did not use DuPont packages to consider how Dupont could make them better. He would bring samples to its R&D division and shared snacks with colleagues. He enjoyed good relations with colleagues and clients.

Su said he was not an expert on product technologies, but he understood his clients and markets. He could provide the right technologies and products for clients. His greatest achievement was providing useful suggestions to R&D divisions based on clients' needs to meet sales quotas.

He still keeps a close eye on the sales and marketing team, giving suggestions on how to use technological advantages to satisfy market demand.

DuPont in China

DuPont achieved many firsts in China as one of the earliest world's Top 500 companies to enter the country. It was the first wholly foreign owned corporation to invest in the country, as well as first agricultural and chemical joint venture between the world's Top 500 companies in the Shanghai Pudong New Area.

In the past 25 years, DuPont has promoted national economic development. Its businesses had undergone three phases: in the early 1980s, it set up its Chinese office to start trade and businesses; in the mid and late 1980s, it built up factories and customer service network; and at the beginning of the new century, it brought its R&D division to the nation.

DuPont owned 39 single proprietorships and joint ventures in the country, investing over $800 million and hiring 6,500 staff members. It has businesses in chemical engineering, agriculture, food and nutrition, electronics, textile and automobile sectors, with its investment increasing to $1.2 billion in 2010.