Global Sources, organizer of the Consumer Technology & Innovation Show (CTIS), announced that Professor Hermann Simon, a world-class management guru and the father of the "hidden champion" theory, has officially joined as the chief juror and presenter of the Hidden Champion Awards. Professor Simon will also deliver a keynote speech at the Technology & Innovation Conference, concurrent with CTIS at Shanghai New International Expo Center from June 9 to 11, 2021.

Professor Hermann Simon is the founder and honorary chairman of Simon-Kucher & Partners, a global leader in management consulting. He is a world-renowned author and has published 40 books in 27 languages. Since 2005 he has consistently been voted the most influential living management thinker in German-speaking countries. He is the only German in the Thinkers50 “Hall of Fame” of leading management thinkers worldwide.

Coined by Professor Simon, the term “hidden champions” refers to highly successful companies that, despite a low level of awareness among the general public, hold leading market positions with unique competitive strategies in their respective fields. Professor Simon believes that many Chinese enterprises are in the early stages of developing into hidden champions, and growing rapidly in recent years with high levels of investment in research and development.

The Hidden Champion Awards were jointly launched by CTIS and Chief Executive China, Global Sources’ renowned business management magazine and online media outlet. More than 30 enterprises have signed up to join the competition so far. The judging panel, headed by Professor Simon, will inspect and examine the contenders beginning in April, and will select 10 enterprises as the final winners.

CTIS and Chief Executive China offer professional management best practices and advice through multiple media channels to help outstanding manufacturers develop their core competitiveness and grow as hidden champions, taking the top positions within their own industries.