Leon Qiu — A Journey of Dedication, Trust and Performance
Leon Qiu — A Journey of Dedication, Trust and Performance
With nearly 15 years of service at China Engineers Limited (CEL), Leon Qiu has shown unwavering commitment, adaptability and a results driven mindset that earned him the FY2023 CEL Annual Best Employee Award – Sales Star. Today, as part of the Fujian Major Account Department, Leon plays a pivotal role in managing key relationships and leading machine sales, particularly for a renowned global mining group.
Leon began his journey at China Engineers Limited (CEL) in 2010 in the Fujian Customer Service Department. For nearly a decade, he delivered after-sales support across the Longyan region. In 2019, he transitioned into a frontline sales role, an unfamiliar but exciting challenge. “Every sale is a process of starting from scratch,” Leon says, describing how customer expansion, increased machine demand and market competition has kept him engaged and motivated.
We all know the stigma and pressure that comes with being in sales, from chasing KPIs to hitting ambitious sales targets. But Leon has proven that with focus, resilience and a strong work ethic, it can be a rewarding role. His recent award reflects not just his sales achievements but also his ability to turn challenges into opportunities. “I’m grateful for the recognition. It fuels my determination to tackle future challenges with even greater enthusiasm,” he shares.
According to Leon, three key factors contributed to his recognition as Top Sales in Fujian Province: strong internal support from the Major Account Department, customer expansion driven by market trends and consistent proactive communication with clients.
Leon emphasises that trust is the foundation of his sales strategy. “Early in my sales career, I faced doubts from customers about product quality and pricing. By showing up in person, solving issues quickly and staying engaged, I gradually gained confidence.”
Among his many milestones, two stand out most. First, securing a major hydraulic mining shovel order in 2023 from a customer operating the Rosebel Gold Mine in Suriname, his proudest achievement since shifting to sales. Second, facilitating the lease renewal and fleet upgrade of nine excavators in 2020, a testament to CEL’s trusted partnership with the client.
Leon’s dedication to client relationships goes beyond transactions. He stays connected with customer teams across time zones, provides ongoing support and facilitates executive level engagements between Caterpillar, CEL and client leaders.
For those new to sales, his advice is clear: “Master your product knowledge. Prioritise long term relationships over short term gains and always treat each sale as a reflection of the customer’s trust in you.”
Outside of work, Leon finds balance through quality time with his family. Whether it is running, playing basketball or simply enjoying the weekend together.
From service engineer to top sales performer, Leon’s story is a reflection of resilience, growth and the power of building genuine relationships. We are proud to spotlight his journey and grateful for his continued contributions to CEL.