Employees of Henan Kuangshan Crane Co. Ltd. were left stunned after the company’s chairman reportedly distributed $26 million in cash during its annual end-of-year celebration, inviting staff to take home as much as they could carry.
The event, held on February 13, saw stacks of banknotes arranged across 800 banquet tables under bright stage lights, creating a dramatic backdrop for the company’s bonus giveaway. Approximately 7,000 employees attended the celebration, with many seen eagerly gathering cash from the towering piles.
According to reports, one employee managed to carry home about $13,000 in cash.
During the gala, company chairman Cui Peijun explained his preference for handing out physical cash rather than transferring bonuses electronically.
“Some people ask why we don’t just transfer the money to their accounts, but that way, it’s just cold numbers,” he reportedly said. He also questioned the value of gifting household appliances or jewellery, instead opting to give each employee an additional 20,000 yuan (about $2,800) in cash.
Cui, who reportedly owns 98.88 percent of the company’s shares, is said to be effectively redistributing a large portion of his dividends back to employees.
Founded in 2002, the crane manufacturing and leasing company operates in more than 130 countries and has built a reputation for rewarding its workforce generously.
In 2024, the company recorded a net profit of $38 million, with around $24 million distributed among staff. The previous year, it awarded $8.5 million to its 40 top-performing employees, with the three highest-performing sales staff each reportedly earning $730,000.
To mark International Women’s Day in 2024, the company also distributed nearly $230,000 in bonuses to about 2,000 female employees.
Cui has previously spoken about his motivation for the large payouts, noting that many young workers face financial pressures such as mortgages and car loans, and that providing additional support can help ease their burden.
