Thirty Years of Perseverance: Hodias' Three Leaps from Trading to Industrial Park

In 2024, Qingdao Huadi Food Co., Ltd. (Hodias) celebrated its 30th anniversary. The same year, it was honored with the title of "Qingdao Time-Honored Brand." From a modest trading house in Pingdu, Shandong, founded in 1994, to today’s two modern manufacturing bases serving renowned domestic and international brands such as CP Group, Jinluo, Haidilao, and Yangguofu, Hodias has accomplished three transformative leaps over three decades.

First Leap: From Trading to Manufacturing (1994–1998)

In 1994, Hodias was established in Pingdu, Qingdao, initially as a small trader of flavors and fragrances. At that time, the company had limited capital and basic facilities, but its founders quickly realized that pure trading would always leave them vulnerable—only by mastering R&D and production could they secure a firm foothold in the industry.

In 1998, Hodias made its first critical decision: to build its own factory and develop proprietary flavor essences. This marked its transition from a trader to a manufacturer—the first step from "reselling" to "making." That same year, the company incorporated Baihua Flavors, and in 2000 it was officially renamed Qingdao Huadi Flavor & Fragrance Co., Ltd.

Second Leap: From Flavors to Seasonings (2003–2004)

In 2004, Hodias registered the trademark "Dachu Sibo" and put forward the philosophy of "Healthy and Delicious New Life." Cooperating with universities, it developed four types of seasonings and formally entered the catering ingredients sector. This move accelerated Hodias’ growth and made it one of the first companies in China’s food ingredients industry to venture into professional catering solutions.

During this period, Hodias built a comprehensive product lineup covering three major categories—sauces and pastes, chicken powder and bouillon, and flavors and fragrances—with over 400 products. Registered capital reached RMB 110 million, and annual output value approached RMB 500 million. Its sales network spanned 32 provinces and autonomous regions across China, with more than 3,000 distributors. In 2012, Hodias went global, exporting to Vietnam, Nigeria, and other countries.

Third Leap: From Product Provider to Solution Platform (2017–present)

The third leap transformed Hodias from a pure product manufacturer into a "total taste solution provider."

In 2017, the company began innovating standardized sauces and seasoning pastes for signature dishes under the Dachu Sibo brand. In 2018, the China Cuisine Association and Dachu Sibo jointly established the country’s first national-level R&D base for standardized famous dishes—the "Famous Dishes Standardization R&D Base." Hodias engaged the association’s president, hundreds of master chefs, and thousands of regional cuisine specialists to create customized, standardized dishes for catering businesses.

On the market front, Hodias forged strategic partnerships with major restaurant chains, including Laoxiangji, Haidilao, Laoniangjiu, Xiapu Xiapu, Ajisen Ramen, Yangguofu Malatang, and Yangmingyu Braised Chicken Rice. It offers one-stop customized, standardized, and personalized seasoning solutions for chain restaurants. Its products are now exported to Southeast Asia, Australia, Africa, and other regions, building a global marketing network.

In 2023, Hodias completed its role transition—from a product supplier to a systematic solution service provider. That year, it launched an SAP ERP public cloud project to drive comprehensive digital transformation.

On January 8, 2024, the "Chinese Flavor Valley" Healthy Seasonings Smart Industrial Park officially opened. Located in Cuijiaji Township, Pingdu, the park covers 206.55 mu (approx. 34 acres) with a total investment of RMB 750 million and a planned floor area of 175,000 square meters. On the same day, the 2024 Chinese Flavor Valley Innovation and Development Conference & Hodias 30th Anniversary Ceremony was held. The Institute of Food Science and Technology of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences awarded Hodias the title of "National Specialty Committee for Functional Seasonings of the Industry Alliance of Edible Medicinal Homologous Products." With this, Hodias entered a new phase centered on "Smart Industry + Cultural Tourism + Healthy Living."

Today, Hodias boasts two modern manufacturing bases with a combined investment of RMB 1.4 billion, employs over 500 staff, and holds multiple international certifications including ISO9000, HACCP, and BRC. Through three leaps in thirty years, Hodias has grown from a small Pingdu trading company into a national high-tech enterprise and a leading player in China’s food ingredients industry.

As Mr. Zhang Fucai, Chairman of Hodias, once said: "There is a pattern to business growth; every industry and every product has its cycle. So when business is good, you must innovate and prepare the second growth engine—that is the Hodias way." Thirty years of perseverance—Hodias’ next thirty years have already begun.