At the time, I remember how nervous we all were in taking on these challenges. It showed real courage and dedication from everyone involved to ensure this project was delivered successfully. Many of the innovations from this project are now considered “standard” within our organization. It was such a good project that not only do we use it to this day to demonstrate our agility but the client from this project continues to approach us to build more of their hotels. We plan to build his next hotel in Dover in 2026.

Other project highlights include the resort hotel in Norway, the Marriott in Iceland and the Retirement Apartments in Gibraltar. All of these projects have been gateways into locations outside of the UK and each one has been a great example of how our system and our team have embraced the global market.

Michael engages in discussions with clients.

Of course, none of this is possible without the full support of the CIMC team. We often have very detailed, technical conversations. Although we have different languages and cultures, we always maintain very good communication. I often forget that English is not their first language. We have a clear understanding and an ease of communication that can only be found amongst dedicated professionals.

However, it is much more than this. Considering one of the core values of CIMC, Integrity, especially with the thought that “Trust is more precious than gold”, I see this reflected every day working with the team. Within CIMC it seems as though respect is a default starting position. This is a welcome change to many organisations in the UK! I can feel this, and I believe that our clients feel this too.

CIMC MBS is an international team.

After 20 years of working with the team, I hope I have built up a level of trust and understanding that goes beyond work. Many of my colleagues are now considered my friends, I have had many dinners with them, met with their families and even played sports with them (although I have yet to be invited to play Chinese Mah Jong!) 

So it is, when any of these friends visit the UK, I am always happy to invite them to my home. Many have sat in my garden, met my wife and daughters and listened to them tell stories about me which show a side they would not have known otherwise.

Michael has forged a deep friendship with his colleagues at CIMC.

My wife often tells me that since I joined CIMC Modular Building Systems (CIMC MBS), I have become much more motivated. Every day when I get home from work, I always talk excitedly about the new things happening in the team, and I say that working with such a down-to-earth and reliable group of people is a blessing in my career.

My daughters often say that my colleagues are especially kind. They remember fondly the visits from my colleagues, the gifts they have brought and the friends they have met from CIMC. In my family's eyes, CIMC is not just a powerful enterprise, but more like a warm and caring big family. It is this warmth that has kept me passionate about this job for 20 years.

Definitely a highlight for me was when I was fortunate enough to bring my wife and daughters to China in 2018. It was my eldest daughter’s 15th birthday at that time and we held a big celebration in Jiangmen. My colleagues brought their children and we spent the evening in a karaoke room playing with balloons, eating cake and singing all sorts of songs. To be honest, that was the first time my family had ever been to China. Now, nearly 10 years later, they still can’t forget the most pleasant time they experienced here.

The entire Crane family has a great affection for CIMC.

From a client to an employee, from a technical engineer to the manager of the European region, my 20-year connection with CIMC MBS has allowed me to witness and participate in our development, growth and improvement. So when I talk about our modular system it is with a passion and pride that is clear to everyone. 

I believe it is this passion which helped with my transition into a more marketing focused role. Leading the business development of the European team, I was faced with the comments, criticisms and scepticism of many clients and I have learned to deal with all of this using my knowledge and the security of having a fantastic team supporting me at every step.

It is truly an honour to have worked at CIMC, a global leader in its field. I’m deeply grateful for the impact and inspiration I’ve received from all of my colleagues and leaders here. A special thanks goes to Chairman Mai Boliang here. In the three different times that I have met him throughout my career, I could clearly feel the charisma of a world-class business leader. His confidence in CIMC was something that truly resonated with me.

My story with CIMC is not finished, yet. My gratitude to CIMC is never-ending. I hope that I can return another time and share even more details about my entire journey with such a world-leading organisation.

As for right now, I’d like to extend my thanks for your time and I wish every single one of you all the best with your own CIMC stories.