People

The general manager of CHS Shanghai, Liu Guoqiang, is thousands of miles from U.S. farmers who grow corn, wheat and soybeans, but he’s acutely aware of how those crops feed his country. He’s doing everything he can to help those producer-owners grow, even from halfway around the world.

“At the end of each day, when I close my notebook and computer, I hear these words from my boss: How have I performed today for U.S. farmers?”

Without U.S. farmers supplying trustworthy products, China would not have the protein it needs to feed its growing population, says Guoqiang.

“U.S. farmers are crucial to our business, to our channel, which relies on imports like soybeans,” he says. “Everything that happens in the U.S. farm community is crucial to customers here, because U.S. farmers provide the majority of supplies to feed the Chinese population.”

Guoqiang joined CHS in 2007, but he has known about CHS for many years. Guoqiang is mindful of the solid reputation CHS has built in China and his role in being a representative of CHS for Chinese consumers and grains customers.

“CHS is a preferred supplier on the market, with a good image,” he says. “Its vast logistics system — including rivers, the Gulf area and its strength in the Pacific northwest — contributes to a unique and reliable supply chain, which customers want. By providing good-quality products and good service to customers, we gain their full respect. that makes me proud to be part of CHS.”

When he began working for CHS, Shanghai was a one-person office. today, with a fully functioning office that includes a marketing desk, a trading desk, and support staff for asset ownership and project development, it employs about 30 people.

As part of the global reach of CHS, Guoqiang is in constant communication with CHS traders in north America and its three international groups — Europe, Middle East and Africa; South America; and Asia Pacific.

From emails to apps, technology keeps traders connected around the globe. Guoqiang is in touch with international offices in the morning, Europe offices in the afternoon, and U.S. traders at night. It’s a 24/7 job, but one he enjoys because he’s working for a company that’s fully connected.

“It really gives me a feeling of a big family and diversity, so it’s a joy to work with each other,” Guoqiang says.

Even though he is in an office thousands of miles from America’s heartland, CHS Shanghai General Manager Liu Guoqiang works every day to help U.S. owners grow their businesses.