Parts maker celebrates opening of Detroit tech center

For Zhang Daocai, chairman of the Sanhua Holding Group, it was a "historic moment, a milestone."

The manufacturer of controls and components for the commercial and residential heating, ventilation and air conditioning and refrigeration industries, on Thursday announced the opening of its new North American automotive tech center in Detroit, Michigan.

Zhang flew to Detroit from his headquarters in Hangzhou, in the eastern province of Zhejiang, to celebrate with staff members, government officials and business partners what he called a crowning achievement for the company he started in 1984 with modest means.