Ningbo Daye Garden Industry Co Ltd, one of the largest garden power tool manufacturers in China. [Photo/cnnb.com.cn]

A total of 15 enterprises from Ningbo recently made the list of Zhejiang provincial "hidden champions" in 2020, according to local media reports.

The term "hidden champions" was coined in 1990 by Hermann Simon, a German business professor and management consultant. The concept refers to highly successful companies, often market leaders in a specific niche market and not known to the wider public.

They are usually small and medium-sized enterprises with products and services difficult to be surpassed and imitated.

Ningbo topped the list with 15 "hidden champions", followed by Wenzhou (13), Jinhua (11), Huzhou (10), Hangzhou (9) and Taizhou (9).

The 15 enterprises from the city are primarily from sectors including high-end equipment, new materials and key foundation components.

One of the companies is Ningbo Daye Garden Industry Co Ltd. The Ningbo-headquartered company, one of the largest garden power tool manufacturers in China, exports its products to more than 50 countries and regions including Germany, France, Poland, the Netherlands, Russia, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.