Case

As the 2024 Chinese New Year approached, our company had already closed for the holiday and the factory had grown quiet after another busy year. None of us could have imagined that a simple visit to an old friend would bring us our first export order—and begin a partnership that crossed borders.

Mr. Liang, one of our company directors, took several newly developed mat samples to visit his longtime friend, Mr. Yang, whose company manufactures protective workwear. He wanted to congratulate Mr. Yang on reopening his business after a renovation.

By coincidence, Mr. Yang’s customer from Qatar, Mr. Hamad, was also visiting the company that day.

During their conversation, Mr. Liang introduced the new mats he had brought with him. Mr. Hamad carefully examined the surface, printing and non-slip backing, and showed great interest in the overall quality.

We soon learned that Mr. Hamad had recently undertaken the renovation of a Muslim prayer room at a university in Qatar. The project required approximately 80 prayer mats. However, our existing products were mainly designed for household and commercial use. They were not thick enough to provide sufficient comfort for frequent kneeling, and the available patterns were unsuitable for a prayer room.

Although we did not have a ready-made product that met his needs, Mr. Liang generously gave Mr. Hamad a sample to take home and try. They exchanged contact details, and the brief encounter appeared to have come to an end.

A few days later, however, Mr. Liang received an unexpected call from Mr. Hamad.

Mr. Hamad explained that although the mat was slightly too thin for use in a prayer room, its non-slip performance was excellent, its colors remained vibrant and the printed design was beautiful. He then asked, “Could you customize a prayer mat specifically for our project?”

That phone call transformed a chance meeting into the beginning of a real partnership.

After carefully discussing the intended use and the customer’s requirements, we decided to develop an entirely new prayer mat for Mr. Hamad. Because worshippers would kneel on the mat frequently, we doubled the thickness of the inner foam layer to provide greater cushioning and comfort for the knees.

We also upgraded the surface to a denser and softer premium velvet fabric, giving the mat a finer texture and a more refined appearance. For the design, we used the artwork supplied by the customer and added tassels and other decorative details inspired by Islamic culture.

Following several rounds of communication, adjustment and sampling, we successfully created a customized prayer mat that combined comfort, practicality and cultural character. This product subsequently became a new addition to our company’s mat collection.

The order itself was not large, but it carried special significance for both sides.

By working directly with the manufacturer, Mr. Hamad reduced unnecessary intermediary costs and obtained a customized product that met the project’s requirements at a competitive price. For us, it was much more than a sale. It gave us the opportunity to develop a new product based on a customer’s real needs and marked our first step into the international market.

After receiving the initial shipment, Mr. Hamad was highly satisfied with both the product quality and the customization. As our cooperation deepened, he placed several repeat orders.

His recognition strengthened our belief that consistent quality, flexible customization and responsible service can earn the trust of international customers—even for a company taking its first steps into overseas trade.

Mr. Hamad’s order was like a door that opened unexpectedly, allowing us to see the possibilities of a much broader global market. His trust and encouragement gave us the confidence to formally begin our export journey and introduce more high-quality mat products to customers around the world.

We remain deeply grateful for that chance encounter and sincerely thankful to our dear Mr. Hamad.

From one complimentary mat to an entirely new product line, and from a brief meeting before the Chinese New Year to a growing international partnership, we gained far more than our first export order. We gained a valued business partner, as well as the confidence and courage to pursue international trade.

It is both our privilege and our honor to discover new needs, develop new products, explore new markets and grow together with our customers.