Established in 1980, the ISO9001: 2000- certified Sheng-E Enterprise Development Co. supplies a complete range of cylinders, pistons, and other engine parts and components for auto and motorcycles.

Among the firm's most-in-demand products are high-grade nickel-silicon carbide (ceramic) motorcycle cylinders and hot-forged pistons. The company's president, King Hsieh, reports that the inner wall of the new cylinder's liner is electroplated with ceramic to provide a stronger and smoother surface. The company is so sure of the cylinder's durability that it provides a five-year, 200,000-kilometer warranty.

In addition to superior durability, Hsieh says, the ceramic cylinders have other advantages that traditional metal versions cannot match, including better heat resistance, improved heat dissipation, zero carbon accumulation and engine knock (thanks to more efficient combustion), and heightened fuel efficiency.

To help get optimum performance out of the cylinders, Sheng-E has also developed a series of hot-forged pistons to go with them. Hot- forged pistons have a much smoother surface than pistons made with other methods, Hsieh says, because of the high-precision processing and greater hardness achieved by using a special heat treatment. In addition, he goes on, the new pistons are much more durable and their quality much more consistent than that of pistons made with the traditional gravity die- casting method, because the ratio of cold shrinkage and heat expansion is much lower.

Hsieh reports that the company has developed a complete range of ceramic cylinder/hot-forged piston sets for almost all 50cc to 250cc Honda and Yamaha motorcycles, and is developing sets for larger motorcycles as well as automobiles. Sheng-E also offers custom-made design and manufacturing services to meet differing customer needs.

Other major sellers in the company's product line are piston rings, connecting rods, and crankshafts for motorcycle engines. These items are all produced in-house at three plants in mainland China, including one in Fujian Province (about 800 employees) and two in Guangdong Province (each about 200 workers). According to Hsieh, Sheng-E's monthly output includes 30,000 to 40,000 cylinders, 500,000 pistons, 20,000 to 30,000 crankshafts, and about 100,000 connecting rods.

The firm's output is shipped to both OEM (original equipment manufacturer) and replacement-market customers in Southeast Asia (which takes about 60% of total exports), the U.S. and Europe (30%), and Japan (10%).