The straw hats that appear at the Paris Olympics opening ceremony are made in Wenling, Taizhou, Zhejiang province. [Photo/taizhou.com.cn]

At the Paris Olympics opening ceremony on July 27, the straw hats from a company in Wenling, Taizhou, Zhejiang province, took center stage, shining a spotlight on Wenling's traditional craftsmanship.

Wenling Yida Cap Co, established in 2000, has specialized in handicraft weaving materials, straw hat bodies, and finished decorative hats for over 20 years. With an annual export value exceeding 40 million yuan ($5.51 million), its products are popular in over 30 countries and regions, including Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

Last September, the company received an inquiry from a foreign trade enterprise seeking suppliers to customize straw hats for the Paris Olympics. Seizing the opportunity, they crafted samples based on provided designs.

"We encountered many obstacles," recalled General Manager Hu Kaitao. "For example, the materials needed to be environmentally friendly and the Olympic five-ring logo needed to be presented in exact accordance with the official design colors."

After a rigorous selection, the company eventually secured all straw hat orders for the Paris Olympics in mid-February this year. However, a new challenge soon emerged.

Word was given that over 100,000 straw hats in seven styles had to be delivered by the end of April, leaving less than 40 days for production. Overcoming post-Spring Festival labor shortages, the company mobilized its workforce, working overtime and negotiating extended delivery times with other clients to prioritize the Olympic order.

Hu emphasized that the Olympic order represents more than just business — it's a chance to showcase Wenling's traditional weaving craftsmanship on a global stage. "We hope that through the Paris Olympics, Wenling straw hats can find their way to even broader markets," said Hu.