The story of the founder of MACY- PAN hyperbaric chamber

Within the Shihu Dang Industrial Park in Shanghai's Songjiang District lies a company making waves across the global healthcare industry—Shanghai Baobang Medical Devices Co., Ltd. Stepping into Baobang's product exhibition hall feels like entering a sci-fi film setting: a capsule-shaped hyperbaric oxygen chamber stands quietly, while foldable portable devices resemble delicate suitcases; the crisp metallic sheen harmonizes beautifully with the warm, soft oil paintings adorning the walls. Baobang, the creator of this vision, acts like a master magician, continually blurring the boundaries between tradition and the future.

Surprisingly, the leader of this industry, which holds a 35% share of the global home hyperbaric oxygen chamber market, Pan Zongbing—its founder—is not a graduate of medical school. His life began as an apprentice in mold-making, still retaining a childlike innocence. With the innate business acumen inherent in Zhejiang entrepreneurs and a rebellious spirit daring to challenge industry norms, he spent over three decades writing a legend that transformed "China manufacturing" into "China smart manufacturing."

I. From Mold Apprenticeship to Commercial Awakening: A Long-Planned Transformation

Pan Zongbing embodies the quintessential traits of a Zhejiang businessman: pragmatism, resilience, and an extraordinary intuitive grasp of business trends.

Let's turn back the clock to the 1980s. While most of his peers were still studying in school, 16-year-old Pan Zongbing had already begun his apprenticeship in mold manufacturing in Ningbo, Zhejiang. These three years of training not only taught him a practical trade but, more importantly, forged his近乎 relentless pursuit of technical excellence. To others, he appeared as just a component; to him, he was the silent language of tolerances, stresses, and material flow.

Over the following decade, Pan Zongbing's career unfolded like an inspirational narrative: from a technical expert at a Taiwanese-funded enterprise in Guangdong to a mainland-based manager, he progressed from leading teams to overcome mold development challenges to overseeing comprehensive production and sales management. This leap from specialized expertise to managerial leadership perfectly illustrates how one can establish deep technical roots while evolving into a versatile management professional. "During that period, I spent every day' translating '—transforming clients' vague ideas into blueprints, then into molds, and ultimately into products on store shelves," recalled Pan Zongbing.

At the age of 28, he fulfilled his family's legacy by returning to Ningbo to establish a family and educate his children. However, driven by entrepreneurial passion, he refused to settle for mediocrity and chose to start a business in Shanghai, founding a mold company. Specializing in plastic and die-casting molds, the company rapidly expanded through its robust technical expertise and forward-thinking market strategy, growing from a small team of a few employees to over a hundred staff members and rising to the forefront of the industry. By then, Pan Zongbing had successfully built the company from scratch.

However, standing at the pinnacle of mold manufacturing, Pan Zongbing saw a broader vision. "In mold making, we are essentially helping others create their products—the mold is merely the starting point. My focus is on the market; the ultimate value lies in the end product." From mold design to injection molding and surface treatment, through his service to clients, he keenly realized that true value resides at the end product level. In 2005, he made a decision that puzzled those around him: to abandon the already established mold factory and start from scratch. Those years, which Pan Zongbing described as a period of "starting from zero," were marked by solitude and solitude, yet they laid the foundation for the future of Baobang.

In 2007, Shanghai Baobang Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. was officially established. Like a seed carefully planted in the soil, it marked Pan Zongbing's dedicated entry into the broader health industry. The company initially focused on producing electronic products such as hair care devices and beauty appliances—seemingly unrelated to medical applications—but its accumulated expertise in plastic molding technology laid a solid foundation for later designs and manufacturing of medical device casings and structures. These beauty devices were soon exported to Europe and North America. Upon entering the Japanese market, Pan Zongbing promptly identified a promising new sector: hyperbaric oxygen chambers.

At that time, the domestic civilian hyperbaric oxygen chamber market could almost be described as a "blank slate." Hyperbaric oxygen chambers remained large, bulky, and expensive devices primarily used in hospitals, evoking a sense of intimidating distance. Ordinary individuals had merely seen them but rarely used them. However, Pan Zongbing identified tremendous potential in this field: if hyperbaric oxygen chambers could be adapted for home use and made more compact, it would represent a vast blue ocean of market opportunities.

At the same time, he was acutely aware of the challenges he faced: the technical barriers of hyperbaric oxygen therapy were extremely high, with the internationally recognized standard pressure typically set at 1.3 atmospheres. Should they proceed or not? Pan Zongbing's choice was clear: if not entering the field altogether, then entering it would require becoming a disruptor.

"To achieve something, one must break the deadlock!" Pan Zongbing's tone carried the force of a hammer driving deep into the ground.

II. The "Nonconventional" R&D Approach: Persistent Pursuit and Unconventional Mechanics

The path of innovation has never been smooth. Pan Zongbing has repeatedly emphasized: "Innovation is the only way out; even when a situation appears dead-end, overcoming it opens up a viable path."

In 2012, Baobang launched its first fully independently designed and developed original product. At the time, this product was virtually synonymous with "defying conventions." It not only completely transformed the bulky appearance of traditional oxygen chambers in terms of design but also set exceptionally high technical barriers. While the prevailing standard pressure for flexible foldable oxygen chambers abroad was generally 1.3 atmospheres, Pan Zongbing insisted on achieving 1.5 atmospheres.

"The higher the pressure, the better the outcome. However, this comes with an exponential increase in the complexity of specialized mechanics, materials science, and welding techniques." There are no ready-made formulas or existing reference cases; each component requires redefining tolerances, material mechanics, fatigue effects, and surface treatments. Upon hearing this, many industry peers shook their heads, deeming it both cumbersome and high-risk—wouldn't undertaking such work be like running into a brick wall?

But Pan Zongbing is the kind of person who "knows there's a tiger in the mountain but still heads straight for it." Drawing on his artisan spirit honed as a mold apprentice and two decades of profound expertise in mechanical design, he immersed himself fully in deep-sea R&D. Air leakage remains a persistent issue with traditional oxygen chambers; he and his team innovatively employed an integrated high-frequency welding technology, elevating the chamber's sealing and safety to unprecedented levels. Each modification to an irregular structure often required redesigning over a dozen supporting components throughout the system. The team engineers all felt this was not merely building an oxygen chamber—it was essentially constructing an aircraft!

It is precisely this tenacious spirit that enables Baobang's products to outperform their competitors in performance. From portable soft oxygen chambers to multi-person rigid oxygen chambers, Pan Zongbing, like an tireless technological innovator, continuously pushes the boundaries of traditional medical devices. The Baobang team has gradually established a comprehensive closed-loop capability spanning simulation analysis, material selection, and process implementation—this constitutes the most difficult-to-replicate and formidable technical moat for rivals.

In 2015, Baobang, no longer satisfied with its success in the software market, began a comprehensive expansion into hardware R&D. Aligned with the highest European and American standards and integrating oxygen generation technology, temperature sensing, and precise pressure control, the first-generation hardware air chamber HP1501 was launched.

This product made Baobang an overnight sensation. Not only did it successfully serve the Tokyo Olympics, providing robust support for athletes 'physical recovery, but it also became the "secret weapon" of China's Olympic athlete recovery system at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, truly earning its reputation as the "national team supply station."

However, what truly established Baobang's leadership in the industry was the groundbreaking introduction of its "He 5000" series.

At the 7th China International Import Expo, the "He5000" hyperbaric oxygen chamber exhibited by Baobang became the focal point of the event. This product completely overturned industry perceptions—it shattered the stereotype that hyperbaric oxygen chambers are merely medical devices. Its spacious interior transforms what was once a monotonous rehabilitation therapy into a premium lifestyle integrating social interaction, leisure, and wellness. Whether in homes, gyms, beauty salons, or high-altitude campsites, the "He5000" seamlessly integrates into any setting. Baobang specifically named it the "Deep Oxygen Therapy SPA" and an "Active Health Management Solution." The "He5000" not only achieves technological breakthroughs in high-pressure output but also revolutionizes the user experience by allowing flexible positioning—from lying down to sitting comfortably.

Pan Zongbing was overwhelmed with emotion. He remarked, "In the past, patients were 'forced' into the oxygen chamber. Now, patients voluntarily 'enter' the oxygen chamber. This is not a change in functionality, but a change in dignity."

This nearly "magical" transformation has enabled Baobang to firmly establish itself as the industry leader amidst increasingly fierce international competition. A figure frequently cited within the industry is that for every three household hyperbaric oxygen chambers sold globally, at least one originates from Baobang in Songjiang, Shanghai.

Honors have poured in one after another. In 2023, Baobang was awarded the Innovation Award at the 31st China International Fair for Trade in Services; in 2025, at the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo, the "HE5000" and "HEfort" series once again won gold medals, and CCTV's "News Broadcast" featured a special report on its environmentally friendly intelligent manufacturing. Before the camera, the production line operated quietly, with robotic arms performing precise operations, generating almost no additional noise or emissions.

In the face of these honors, Pan Zongbing merely smiled calmly. He revealed that Baobang's reach is expanding to broader intelligent health devices such as cryotherapy chambers and phototherapy cabins. "China's enterprises are fully capable of building a comprehensive 'health universe' and standing at the center of the global market," he said, his gaze fixed on the window as if gazing into a distant future.

III. Companies That "Don't Hold Meetings" vs. Those with "Instant Confidence"

At Baobang, the expression of corporate culture is as distinctive and unique as its products themselves.

"The most distinctive feature of our company over the years has been our minimal reliance on meetings," Pan Zongbing said with a hearty laugh, his tone tinged with self-satisfaction. In his view, employees' pursuit of self-worth and awakening of self-awareness represent the true invaluable asset of an enterprise. Particularly noteworthy is the "original spirit" upheld by the R&D team, which rejects the trend-following approach of "injection-style" development—refusing plagiarism, blind conformity, and homogenization. This original approach manifests in management through streamlined systems and enhances creativity through strategic innovation.

By avoiding large meetings, reducing internal friction, and freeing up time for engineers and designers, Baobang's R&D zone at 9 a.m. remains eerily quiet—filled only with the rhythmic tapping of keyboards and occasional murmured discussions. Without morning meetings to rally spirits or weekly reports to push deadlines, everyone knows precisely what they're doing amid the rich aroma of coffee. It is this seemingly "non-interventionist" work environment that has enabled Baobang to secure over 100 core technology patents to date. Behind each patent lies a late-night failure, a complete overhaul experiment, and the stubborn determination to "at least give it a try."

The breadth and confidence inherent in this management system are vividly reflected among Baobang's employees. Pan Zongbing said proudly, "When our employees visit foreign trade platforms like Alibaba for exchanges, the moment they speak, others immediately recognize them as' Baobang people.'" This confidence is genuine, stemming from a deep understanding of their own products and thorough familiarity with technical details. Within Baobang, there is a core value— "Health, Beauty, Confidence" —with "Confidence" regarded by Pan Zongbing as the golden key to success.

It is this confidence that has enabled Baobang to thrive as an innovative leader with multiple proprietary brands such as "MACY-PAN" and "O2PLANT." In overseas markets, Baobang's products have long shed the old label of being "cheap China-made," becoming a trusted health solution favored by renowned athletes, entertainment stars, financial elites, and even prominent writers. An NBA player who purchased a Baobang oxygen chamber wrote on social media: "This is the best recovery device I've ever used—there's no doubt about it."

IV. From "Shanghai Songjiang" to the "Roof of the World": Care Across Altitude Dimensions

Beyond the principles of business, one can better understand human nature.

Pan Zongbing's identity extends far beyond that of an "entrepreneur." He also serves as a graduate supervisor at Donghua University and a visiting professor at Shanghai University of Engineering Science. Under his leadership, Baobang has established industry-academia-research collaboration bases with both Shanghai University and Donghua University—not merely to cultivate talent for the company, but also to sow seeds for the future of China's manufacturing sector. "Not all of my students will work at Baobang, but wherever they go after graduation, they will always remember what the true spirit of engineering entails," Pan Zongbing said earnestly.

In 2023, a special plea for assistance reached Pan Zongbing: Tibetan aid officials working in Dingri , at an altitude above 4,000 meters, were enduring prolonged exposure to extreme conditions of low atmospheric pressure and oxygen deficiency, posing serious threats to their health. Without hesitation, Pan Zongbing immediately decided to donate three hyperbaric oxygen chambers. When the equipment arrived at the foot of Mount Everest, both the escorts and recipients were deeply moved—it was not merely cold machinery, but a vital "life support system" for maintaining robust health.

It was precisely this portable hyperbaric oxygen chamber designed for high-altitude use that secured orders worth millions of yuan at the 2025 China International Import Expo. From the R&D center by the East China Sea to the lifeline at the foot of Mount Everest, Pan Zongbing has validated a simple truth through both technological innovation and human compassion: "Beyond business principles lies the true essence of humanity."  "When an enterprise's solution happens to address societal pain points, it means Baobang has found the right direction for innovation," Pan Zongbing remarked.

To date, Baobang's industry-academia-research base has trained dozens of master's and doctoral students specializing in life support technologies for low-oxygen environments. The initiative spanning from Songjiang, Shanghai to the Roof of the World represents more than a one-time charitable act—it has evolved into a replicable "life channel," enabling technological advancements to reach their ideal heights.

V. From Craftsman to Art: The Two-Way Journey Between Technology and the Soul

Today, Pan Zongbing is far more than just an entrepreneur. He also holds a lesser-known identity: an active participant in Songjiang's cultural and artistic scene. In his exhibition space, the metallic sheen of Baobang materials mirrors the brushstroke textures on oil canvas, creating a visual polyphony about "temperature" where industrial rationality and artistic sensibility engage in mutual dialogue. This perhaps reveals another facet of his character: not only does he seek to heal the body through technology, but he also strives to nourish the soul with art.

Regarding this dialogue between industrial rationality and artistic sensibility, he holds his own perspective: "When we develop hyperbaric oxygen chambers, it appears to supplement oxygen for cells, but in essence, it replenishes vital energy for life itself. When this energy flows smoothly, people gain vitality; when their spirit is strengthened, life gains color." This conviction has become the shared founding principle and consensus among Baobang's team. Reflecting on his journey, Pan Zongbing summarizes his life in four words— "dedication" and "innovation." Dedication manifests in his unwavering pursuit of technical excellence over three decades; innovation is evident in his constant challenge and redefinition of industry norms whenever they became entrenched. From an apprentice mold maker to a leading pioneer in the hyperbaric oxygen chamber field, he has traversed this path for more than thirty years—each step akin to that of a craftsman outlining the contours of human existence.

He maintains two distinct approaches: when entering the R&D workshop, he retains a habit from his apprenticeship days—personally touching the welds of new products, tapping the casings, and listening to their sounds; once outside the company, the cigar in his hand takes on a different character under the flickering lights—that reflects the composure forged through trials and tribulations, and the unwavering commitment to delivering craftsmanship to the world.

Perhaps this is the core secret of Baobang: an entrepreneur who grew from a mold apprentice and never forgot his original aspirations; a rebel daring to disrupt industries, always holding reverence for every component; and a leader poised to stand at the pinnacle of the global industry, possessing both the guidance of a lighthouse and the courage of a pioneer. Between technology and human warmth, commerce and passion, Pan Zongbing has achieved a balance that seems nearly impossible, and Baobang stands as the most solid embodiment of that equilibrium. Under his leadership, Shanghai Baobang Medical Devices Co., Ltd. stands at the forefront of the global health industry wave, raising a vibrant banner of "China Intelligent Manufacturing."