Werner Gerich analyzes diesel engien problems with technicians. [Photo provided to China Daily]

It was 1984 and Werner Gerich was 65. His Wuhan stint saw him become director, a rare promotion. In his two years as a director, Gerich rejuvenated the rundown factory, introducing transformational reforms of his own and significantly improving the products. The achievement earned him the honor of being dubbed "Mr Quality".

In 2005, the local government erected a bust of Werner Gerich in Wuhan.

In the 1980s, putting a State-owned factory into the hands of a foreigner was a rare venture. Gerich junior has an explanation for it. As he sees it, it showed the tremendous courage of the ongoing reform in China and he is proud of his father's participation in the process.