Ren Li

Founder & Chairman

Ren Li is a prominent Chinese entrepreneur and the founder of Letright Industrial Corp. Ltd., established in 1999. He is widely recognised for his leadership in integrating sustainability into business practices, particularly in the outdoor home furnishing industry.

ACES Awards

  • Responsible Business Leader Award: November 14, 2024 in Bangkok, at the 11th Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards

Key Achievements

  • Founder and Chairman of Letright Corporation: Ren Li founded Letright Corporation, which focuses on innovative outdoor furniture solutions. The company is known for products such as sun lounges, solar lights, and the Ombra Smart Pergola, which integrates energy-efficient technology to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Sustainability Pioneer: Ren Li has been committed to sustainability since early in his career. In 2001, he ceased producing wooden patio umbrellas to promote environmental responsibility. He also introduced Polywood, a wood-effect material, in 2007 to reduce wood usage while maintaining product quality.
  • ACES Awards 2024 Recognition: In November 2024, Ren Li received the Responsible Business Leader title at the Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards. This honor highlights his ethical governance, commitment to community welfare, and sustainable innovations.

Background

  • Vision and Philosophy: Ren Li advocates for businesses to balance economic progress with environmental stewardship. He has consistently emphasied that companies should act as forces for good by addressing global challenges through innovation and sustainable practices.Ren Li’s leadership has positioned Letright Corporation as a trailblazer in sustainable outdoor living solutions while contributing to global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
  • Educational Background: Ren Li holds an undergraduate degree from Zhejiang University (1987) and an MBA from the China Europe International Business School (2012).
  • Financial Profile: As of November 2024, Ren Li's net worth was estimated at $74 million. He also held a significant stake (7.96%) in DL Holdings Group Limited.
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Chinese Tycoon Ren Li

Letright Corporation founder recognised for his commitment to sustainable practices, ethical integrity, and impactful leadership.

In the wave of global sustainability, true leaders are those who not only respond to the call of the times but also forge ahead with visionary insight and unwavering commitment. Ren Li, Chairman of Letright Industrial Co., Ltd., exemplifies such leadership, driven by a deep sense of responsibility and a passion for societal well-being. On November 14, 2024, at the 11th Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards, Ren Li was honored with the “Responsible Business Leader” award, acknowledging not only his personal achievements but also his steadfast dedication to sustainable development over the years.

Ren Li, Founder of Letright Corporation (centre), was honoured as the Responsible Business Leader at the prestigious ACES Awards 2024 held recently in Bangkok, Thailand. The award was presented on stage by Dr. Shanggari Balakrishnan, President of the ACES Awards (left), and Hemant Batra, Honorary Chairman of the ACES Council (right)

Ren Li's journey in environmental stewardship began in 2001 when he made the bold decision to cease production of wooden patio umbrellas. At a time when other outdoor furniture companies heavily relied on wood, Ren Li believed in the principle of " every positive action, no matter how small, contributes to a larger impact." This decision was driven not by external pressures but by a genuine love for the planet and a sense of social responsibility. Remarkably, this initiative predated the 2015 Paris Agreement, demonstrating that true sustainability stems from internal conviction rather than governmental mandates.

Ren Li pictured providing his recorded speech.

Under Ren Li's leadership, Letright Industrial Co., Ltd., has consistently embraced innovation. Starting in 2001 with the large-scale production of solar lights, which replaced energy-consuming low-voltage lighting, Letright continued to innovate with the introduction of environmentally friendly wood-effect materials called polywood in 2007, reducing the use of natural wood. By 2016, the company had adopted heat transfer technology to meet consumers' innate desire for wood aesthetics, offering products that surpass real wood in quality—free from knots, requiring no polishing, and needing minimal maintenance. These innovations have not only balanced commercial success with sustainability but have also enhanced product quality and market competitiveness. Letright Industrial remains at the forefront of environmental technology, particularly with the launch of the world’s first Ombra Smart Pergola on September 28, 2023. This innovation addresses the challenges of traditional outdoor living by harnessing solar energy to significantly reduce carbon emissions, thus contributing substantially to global sustainability efforts.

The Ombra Smart Pergola revolutionises outdoor living, allowing people to enjoy their gardens, lawns, or rooftop spaces year-round. For restaurants and hotels with outdoor spaces that remain unused for much of the year, this innovation reduces reliance on traditional commercial heaters, drastically cutting energy consumption. By using solar-powered integrated air conditioning of Ombra Smart Pergola, it achieves a negative carbon footprint, offering unprecedented economic benefits to businesses. For government cultural and tourism projects, this enhancement improves the visitor experience in public spaces and drives the growth of the cultural tourism economy. These achievements fuel Ren Li and his team's relentless drive and have propelled Letright Industrial Co., Ltd.'s growth. Ren Li firmly believes that the future of the business world requires not only innovative products but also responsible and committed entrepreneurs. He emphasises that, Though we may come from different industries and backgrounds, we are all contributing to the same planet. I am very happy to be one of the many companies making a difference. Letright Industrial Co.,Ltd.'s mission is clear: Better Outdoor Living, Happier Human Being.

In his speech, Ren Li expressed gratitude to his team, family, and the ACES platform. He urged more companies to join the sustainability movement and take concrete actions to lead change, working together for the future of global business and the environment.

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View the specialised cases study conducted by the ACES Institute for Ren Li.

About Letright Corporation

Data facts and capabilities of the company.

Letright Corporation

Founded in 1999 by Ren Li, Letright is a fully integrated outdoor furniture company offering comprehensive solutions in design, R&D, manufacturing, and sales. The company holds over 1,000 product patents and has received numerous international design awards, including IF and Red Dot. With a presence in over 70 countries, Letright has established strategic partnerships with major retailers worldwide, known for its exceptional product design and market insights.
Committed to becoming a global leader in outdoor living through innovation and sustainability, Letright has embraced eco-friendly materials and technologies, moving away from solid wood to sustainable alternatives. In 2023, Letright launched the Ombra Smart Pergola, a revolutionary product enabling year-round outdoor enjoyment with negative carbon emissions. This dedication to excellence and environmental stewardship is encapsulated in its mission: "Better outdoor living, happier human beings."

Key Capabilities

  • Comprehensive Industry Chain: Letright integrates R&D, manufacturing, and sales to offer end-to-end solutions for outdoor living.
  • Innovative Product Design: Products include solar-powered furniture like the Ombra Smart Pergola, eco-friendly outdoor sofas (e.g., the Cloud Lounge Sofa), smart awnings (Pocky), and sustainable plastic strip chairs (KADA series).
  • Patents: The company has developed over 1,200 patents, showcasing its strong emphasis on innovation
  • Sustainability Leadership: Pioneered the use of eco-friendly materials such as Polywood to reduce reliance on wood and introduced photovoltaic technologies like solar lights as early as 2001
  • Global Reach: Products are sold in over 70 countries, with major markets in North America, Europe, and Oceania.
  • Recognition and Awards: Winner of prestigious design accolades such as the iF Design Award and Red Dot Award for its innovative products

Business Facts

  • Market Position: Ranked among the top two exporters of outdoor furniture in China.
  • Production Scale: Operates a 280,000-square-meter production base in Deqing, Zhejiang Province.
  • Brands and Subsidiaries: Includes multiple brands like Everite, Hicamp, Ombra, and Grand Leisure to cater to diverse market segments.
  • Customer Focus: Offers tailored outdoor living solutions to enhance user experience while promoting sustainability.