Reaching New Heights Yafeng Glasses - Jiaojiang’s leading eyewear manufacturer
In recent years, Jiaojiang’s eyewear industry has experienced remarkable growth, giving rise to a new generation of manufacturers known for their rapid development, excellent craftsmanship, advanced management, and spirit of innovation. Among these outstanding enterprises, Taizhou Yafeng Glasses Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “Yafeng Glasses”) has distinguished itself through its exceptional manufacturing capabilities, emerging as a leading force in Jiaojiang’s eyewear industry.
Fangmin Tao: Leading Yafeng Eyewear’s Global Transformation
A Visionary Entrepreneur in the Eyewear Industry
Mr. Tao, the principal leader of Yafeng Eyewear, is an entrepreneur recognized for his strong sense of exploration and innovation. With over a decade of persistence and strategic insight, he has successfully led the company from producing low-end promotional eyewear to manufacturing for world-renowned fashion brands such as Calvin Klein (CK), GUESS, FILA, and GAP.
From Local Manufacturer to Global OEM/ODM Partner
Under Tao’s leadership, Yafeng Eyewear has achieved a major transformation—evolving into a premium OEM and ODM eyewear supplier serving both domestic and international markets. His forward-thinking approach focuses on quality manufacturing, advanced technology, and sustainable development, positioning Yafeng as a trusted partner in the global eyewear supply chain.
Expanding International Footprint
Over the years, Fangmin Tao has successfully expanded Yafeng’s reach across Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and North America. Together with Taoshi Optics, another eyewear manufacturing plant under his management, Yafeng Eyewear has built strong partnerships with major global eyewear companies, including Zenni, Marcolin, and Safilo.
A Commitment to Innovation and Excellence
Fangmin Tao continues to lead Yafeng Eyewear with a clear mission—to combine precision craftsmanship, cutting-edge production technology, and international standards to create eyewear that blends style, comfort, and durability. His leadership not only drives Yafeng’s global growth but also contributes to elevating China’s eyewear manufacturing reputation on the world stage.
Establishing Yafeng Eyewear: Rooted in Guangdong’s Manufacturing Excellence, Thriving in Taizhou
A Visionary Start: From Street Sales to Factory Founding
In 1994, Deqing Tao, the founder of Yafeng Eyewear, made a bold decision to end his years of street-selling glasses and establish a manufacturing partnership. At that time, Taizhou’s eyewear industry was in its infancy — with few factories and a shortage of skilled workers. Determined to raise production standards, Mr. Tao traveled to Dongguan, Guangdong, to recruit experienced talent and introduce advanced eyewear manufacturing techniques to Taizhou.
Bringing the “Guangdong Gene” into Taizhou Manufacturing
From the very beginning, Yafeng Eyewear was built on Guangdong craftsmanship — a commitment to precision, efficiency, and quality.
Unlike most local factories that used lower-cost Ningbo-made injection molding machines, Yafeng invested in premium Guangdong-made equipment, known for their durability and accuracy.
Even its management style and production workflow followed the Guangdong model, giving Yafeng a distinctly southern character.
To this day, Yafeng maintains close cooperation with Guangdong eyewear enterprises, a unique choice in the Taizhou region. Visitors from Wenzhou often remark that the factory carries a strong “Guangdong flavor” — a reflection of Yafeng’s discipline and craftsmanship.
Becoming an Independent Manufacturer
After a brief partnership period, Deqing Tao founded his own company in 1999, officially establishing Taizhou Yafeng Eyewear Co., Ltd.
With a 1,000㎡ plant and a team of top technical professionals, Yafeng positioned itself as an export-oriented eyewear manufacturer, focusing on European and North American markets.
As one of the earliest Taizhou eyewear exporters, Yafeng’s growth was driven by exploration and persistence. The company produced promotional eyewear for global FMCG brands through Shanghai-based trade firms — for example, Heineken’s promotional sunglasses were once manufactured by Yafeng.
Early Brand Awareness and Marketing Innovation
Long before online marketing became the norm, Yafeng Eyewear understood the importance of visibility. It became one of the first eyewear companies to run a full-page advertisement in the Yellow Pages, an unconventional but visionary move at the time.
This initiative attracted several long-term overseas clients, some of whom continue to work with Yafeng today — all thanks to a single printed advertisement decades ago.
A New Era Under Fangmin Tao: Modernization and Expansion
When Fangmin Tao took over, Yafeng Eyewear entered a stage of comprehensive modernization. He expanded both injection molding and metal eyewear production lines, added a dedicated titanium frame line, and continuously upgraded machinery for precision and sustainability.
His vision was clear: to make better glasses with every production cycle.
Under his leadership, Yafeng has evolved into a globally recognized OEM & ODM eyewear manufacturer, partnering with leading international eyewear brands and distributors.
Heritage Meets Innovation: The Yafeng Eyewear Legacy
Over the past three decades, Yafeng Eyewear has established itself as a trusted global eyewear supplier.
By combining Guangdong’s craftsmanship excellence with Taizhou’s industrial spirit, the company continues to refine every process — from injection molding and polishing to assembly and quality inspection — ensuring every frame meets international standards.
Today, Yafeng is not only a manufacturer but also a symbol of Chinese eyewear innovation and global collaboration.
Rebuilding Taoshi Optical: Pursuing Growth in China’s Domestic Market
In 2008, the global financial crisis abruptly disrupted Yafeng Eyewear’s upward momentum. As the world economy slowed, orders from Europe and the United States declined sharply. Facing this challenge, Mr. Fangmin Tao decided to pause the company’s rapid expansion and take a step back — to reassess the market landscape and carefully plan Yafeng’s next move.
Turning Eyes Toward the Domestic Market
With the temporary stagnation of overseas demand, Mr. Tao began to explore opportunities in China’s domestic eyewear market. After conducting thorough market research, he and his team identified clear signs of growth: the local eyewear industry was booming, and leading retail chains such as Baodao Optical and Bosch Optical were rapidly expanding across major provinces and cities.
Recognizing this as a pivotal moment, Mr. Tao established a new subsidiary — Taoshi Optical — dedicated exclusively to domestic production. At the same time, he upgraded the factory’s facilities and expanded production capacity to meet increasing local demand.
Dual Strategy: OEM Manufacturing and Independent Branding
From its inception, Taoshi Optical adopted a dual-track development strategy — combining OEM manufacturing with the creation of its own eyewear brand.
On the OEM side, Taoshi leveraged Yafeng’s strong foundation in export manufacturing and quickly earned recognition in the domestic market for its reliable quality and refined craftsmanship. The company soon established partnerships with well-known national chains, including Baodao Optical, providing high-quality optical frames and production support.
On the branding side, Mr. Tao personally led market visits, studying consumer preferences and adjusting product designs to align with evolving local fashion trends. He actively showcased Taoshi’s new collections at major domestic eyewear exhibitions year after year, steadily building brand awareness and visibility.
Achieving Steady Success in Domestic Channels
After years of persistence, Taoshi Optical’s self-owned brand — focused mainly on mid-range eyewear products — successfully entered retail distribution channels, forming long-term partnerships with optical shops, regional agents, and wholesalers.
Through continuous innovation and market adaptation, Mr. Tao’s foray into China’s domestic eyewear market began to bear fruit, marking a new chapter in the company’s growth — one that balanced manufacturing excellence with brand development.
Advancing Toward High-End Eyewear Manufacturing
Entering the Korean Market and Expanding Across Southeast Asia
In 2013, the global wave of Korean pop culture — fueled by hit dramas like My Love from the Star and The Heirs — sparked massive interest in Korean fashion and lifestyle trends. Among the biggest beneficiaries were Korean eyewear brands such as GENTLE MONSTER, whose bold designs quickly became the talk of the industry.
Sensing a new opportunity, Mr. Tao Fangmin, head of Taoshi Optical, decided to take an early step into the Korean market — at a time when most Chinese eyewear manufacturers had yet to look in that direction. After multiple business trips and market studies in South Korea, he officially led Taoshi’s expansion into this competitive market.
Drawing from his experience in China’s domestic market, Mr. Tao adopted a proven formula: manufacturing excellence first, competitive pricing second. By focusing on high-quality, cost-effective products, Taoshi gradually established distribution channels. At the same time, he invested in local trade exhibitions for greater brand exposure and invited Korean celebrities to endorse the company’s eyewear, effectively boosting brand visibility and market recognition.
Within just two to three years, Taoshi Optical’s products began to gain a solid foothold in South Korea. This success led to collaborations with major brands such as FILA and large retail chains. The achievements in Korea also opened doors to Japan, Thailand, and Indonesia, further expanding Taoshi’s influence throughout Asia and Southeast Asia.
Today, South Korea remains Taoshi’s largest market, but the company also manufactures eyewear for leading Japanese brands like Zoff, and maintains long-term partnerships with optical retailers and shopping centers across Thailand and Indonesia.
As China’s domestic market gradually slowed, and customer bases in Southeast Asia continued to grow, Mr. Tao strategically shifted Taoshi’s business focus. Domestic sales were reduced to just 10%, transforming Taoshi Optical into a dedicated OEM eyewear manufacturer for Asia and Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, Yafeng Eyewear, Taoshi’s sister company, relaunched its operations in Europe and the United States, marking a parallel evolution toward global diversification.
Returning to Europe and the U.S.: Transforming Toward Premium Eyewear Manufacturing
With the global economy recovering, the European and American eyewear markets began to thrive once again. Former partners renewed their collaborations with Yafeng Eyewear, while new clients continued to join — drawn by the company’s refined craftsmanship and rising production standards.
As cooperation deepened, Mr. Tao became even more demanding about product quality. He believed that the previous $3–$4 price point products were no longer sufficient for Yafeng’s ambitions. To truly “make better products,” change was essential. Beginning in 2018, Yafeng set out on a clear path to upgrade its manufacturing capabilities and brand positioning.
Ⅰ. A Consistent and Efficient Business Model
From its inception, Yafeng Eyewear has maintained close partnerships with major Guangdong and Hong Kong-based eyewear manufacturers, learning from their advanced management and production systems. These collaborations not only broadened Yafeng’s customer network but also deepened its understanding of global standards.
Through this exposure, Yafeng realized that sustainable growth for traditional eyewear manufacturers depends on standardization and product excellence. The company therefore introduced systematic practices such as 5S management to ensure high operational efficiency and consistent product quality.
Ⅱ. Recruiting Top Industry Talent
Talent has always been central to Yafeng’s growth. From its early days — when the company invited experienced technicians from Guangdong — to recent years, when it hired professionals from leading international eyewear groups such as Safilo, Yafeng has continually sought to strengthen its leadership and technical teams.
Many of these new hires brought experience from major eyewear hubs like Dongguan and Shenzhen, enabling Yafeng to successfully integrate world-class manufacturing management systems into its daily operations.
Ⅲ. Upgrading Equipment and Strengthening Quality Control
At Yafeng, investment in equipment means investment in progress. The company allocates significant resources each year to upgrade existing machines and acquire advanced production technologies, ensuring continuous improvement in both efficiency and precision.
Quality is equally prioritized. Before each major production run, internal quality control meetings are held to reinforce standards. The sales team actively gathers customer feedback, while Yafeng regularly engages third-party audits to ensure compliance with international manufacturing standards — a practice that has attracted even more high-end global eyewear brands to partner with the company.
Within just two years, Yafeng Eyewear successfully completed its transformation into a high-end eyewear manufacturer, now fully capable of producing $10+ premium optical frames.
Manufacturing at the Core, Technology Shaping the Future
In 2022, Yafeng Eyewear achieved a 20% year-on-year increase in annual output value, with strong profitability. This year, the company’s revenue has continued to grow steadily—driven largely by a continuous influx of new clients. As Yafeng Eyewear’s reputation for quality continues to spread, more international eyewear industry leaders have begun to take notice, leading to an expanding network of global partners.
For the future, Tao Fangmin has a clear vision: stay true to manufacturing excellence. In his view, professionals should focus on what they do best. For Yafeng Eyewear, that means attracting and retaining clients through superior manufacturing, while business development and trade operations are best left to specialized trading companies.
On its path to becoming a world-class eyewear manufacturer, Yafeng Eyewear continues to refine every aspect of its operations—ensuring consistent quality, dependable delivery, and continuous improvement in supply chain management, lean production, and digital integration—all in pursuit of the high standards expected by top-tier global brands.
Always attuned to market trends, Tao Fangmin is equally passionate about innovation. In recent years, the company has invested heavily in developing new products such as Bluetooth-enabled glasses and smart reading glasses. Once launched, these products are expected to mark another milestone in Yafeng Eyewear’s journey toward exploring new markets and advancing the future of eyewear technology.