奥地利高管斯蒂芬：在长沙干事业就像吃湘菜，越品越上头

Austrian executive Stefan Auernig pursues his dreams in Changsha. Combining German rigor with Chinese diligence, he has delved deep into the construction machinery sector. He says, "Building a career in Changsha is like eating Hunan cuisine—the more you savor it, the more addictive it becomes."

奥地利高管斯蒂芬长沙筑梦，以德式严谨加中式拼劲深耕工程机械领域，他说——在长沙干事业就像吃湘菜，越品越上头。

Editor's Note

编者按

Talent is the "primary engine" fueling a city's upward momentum. Changsha has always taken high-end talent as a guide, built a "stage" for gathering talent, forged a "magnet" for attracting talent, fully optimized the development ecology for overseas talents, and warmly invited outstanding individuals from home and abroad to take root in Changsha with their wisdom and talents, enabling one innovative project after another to bear fruit on this land.

人才，是城市向上生长的“第一引擎”。长沙始终以高端人才为引领，搭好聚才“舞台”、建好引智“磁场”，全力优化海外人才发展生态，热忱邀请海内外英才带着智慧才华扎根长沙，让一个又一个创新项目在这片土地结出硕果。

The recently released Chinese Cities Foreign Talent Attraction Index shows that Changsha has been on the list for six consecutive years and ranks 17th in China. This index not only demonstrates Changsha's positive attitude towards welcoming global talents to start businesses in Hunan, but also serves as a vivid testament to Hunan's efforts to build a highland for reform and opening-up in inland areas.

近日发布的中国城市外籍人才吸引力指数显示，长沙连续6年上榜并位列全国第17位。这一指数彰显的不仅是长沙欢迎全球人才来湘创新创业的积极姿态，更是湖南打造内陆地区改革开放高地的又一鲜活注脚。

Starting today, the "Hello Changsha" studio is launching the "Foreign Executives in Changsha" series. The series explores the journey of these participants and drivers of Changsha's high-quality development from "foreign visitors" to "China hands," and listens to their dream-chasing stories in Changsha.

今日起，Hello Changsha工作室推出“洋高管湘创记”系列报道，将镜头对准在长外籍高管，探寻这些长沙高质量发展的参与者、推动者从“异乡客”变成“中国通”的足迹，倾听他们在湘江之畔的逐梦故事。

In 2015, Austrian young man Stefan Auernig packed his bags and embarked on his journey from the banks of the Danube, and first settled by the Huangpu River. In 2020, he bid farewell to the prosperity of the "Magic City" (Shanghai) and chose Changsha to pursue his dreams. Today, the ginkgo tree he planted in the "Talent Forest" within Jianshanhu Park, Changsha is already full of vitality.

2015年，奥地利青年斯蒂芬·欧宁格背起行囊，从多瑙河畔启程，首站落脚黄浦江边；2020年，他告别“魔都”的繁华，选择来长沙奔赴梦想；如今，他在长沙尖山湖公园“人才林”种下的银杏树，早已生机勃发。

As the Chief Operating Officer of Hunan Deutz Power Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as Hunan Deutz), Stefan has chosen to take root in Changsha because "Changsha is home to many strivers and a city suitable for chasing dreams." Having worked and lived in China for over a decade, this foreign executive embodies both the Chinese spirit of perseverance and tenacity and the German rigor. Amid the integration of Chinese and Western cultures, he is writing a story of "creating the future in Changsha."

作为湖南道依茨动力有限公司（下称“湖南道依茨”）首席运营官，斯蒂芬选择扎根长沙，因为“长沙有很多奋斗者，是一个适合追梦的城市”。这位在中国工作生活已十余年的外籍高管，身上既有中式的拼劲，又有德式的严谨，在中西文化的交融中，书写着“在长沙创未来”的时代故事。

The Cross-border "Adventure King": "I just choose to put in extra effort while others have meals"

跨界“闯关王”：“我只是在大家吃饭的时候，选择了吃苦”

When we first met Stefan, he was standing in front of the office projection screen, breaking down the product performance parameters and sorting out after-sales feedback item by item with colleagues. He spoke fluent Chinese and presented his ideas with clear logic.

初见斯蒂芬时，他正站在办公室投屏前，和同事逐项拆解产品性能参数、梳理售后反馈，中文流利、逻辑清晰。

Hunan Deutz is a Sino-German joint venture engine manufacturing enterprise. "He is widely recognized as an all-round ace," said Xiang Benjie, the company's deputy general manager. Stefan is familiar with the operations of the German headquarters; when projects get stuck, he can help open up "fast tracks" and dissect technical difficulties with remarkable clarity.

湖南道依茨是中德合资的发动机制造企业。“他就是大家公认的‘六边形战士’。”公司副总经理向本杰说，斯蒂芬熟悉德国总部运作，项目卡壳时能帮助打通“快速通道”，把技术难题等拆解得明明白白。

A graduate in construction machinery, Stefan took his first job in Changsha as head of a pharmaceutical equipment enterprise. Prior to that, he also served as a senior executive at companies in Guangdong and Shanghai.

工程机械专业出身的斯蒂芬，来长沙后的第一份工作是制药设备企业负责人。此前，他还在广东、上海的企业当过高管。

From Austria to China, and from kitchen appliance quality control and medical equipment R&D to construction machinery manufacturing, each cross-border transition was like "passing a checkpoint" was like "overcoming a challenge." Yet Stefan believes they are essentially connected—all centered on high standards and strict requirements for product quality.

从奥地利到中国，从厨房家电品控、医药装备研发到工程机械制造，每一次跨界都像“闯关卡”，斯蒂芬却觉得本质相通，核心都是对产品质量的高标准、严要求。

"A persistent problem-solver" is how Yang Wei, the company’s Quality Director, describes Stefan. When Stefan first joined Hunan Deutz in 2024, he identified that the product’s underperformance in the market stemmed from communication issues among three parties. He immediately set up a special task force, organized daily meetings for all stakeholders to analyze and discuss, and pushed for product optimization and improvement until customers gave their approval.

执着的问题解决者，这是公司质量总监杨伟对斯蒂芬的评价。2024年，斯蒂芬初到湖南道依茨，发现因三方沟通问题导致产品市场表现不佳，他立即成立专项组，组织各方每天开会分析讨论，竭力推动产品优化改善，直到客户点头认可。

In just over a year, Stefan has not only made the cooperation between Chinese and German shareholders more transparent and doubled efficiency, but also helped the company expand its global sales footprint. He said with a smile, "There's a Chinese saying: 'There are always more solutions than difficulties.' I will do my best to facilitate closer cooperation between the Chinese and German shareholders."

短短一年多，斯蒂芬不仅让中德股东的合作更透明、效率翻番，还帮公司拓展了全球销售市场。他笑着说：“中国有句俗话叫‘办法总比困难多’，我会尽我所能助力中德股东更紧密地合作。”

Outside of work, Stefan's greatest passion is fitness. To make the most of his time, he keeps a small treadmill in his office—jogging while browsing Chinese e-books during lunch breaks is his routine. When people exclaim that he's a "time management master," he always responds humorously, "I just choose to endure hardships while others are having their meals."

工作之外，斯蒂芬最爱健身。为了把时间“攥”得更紧，他在办公室摆了台小型跑步机，午休时边慢跑边刷中文电子书是常态。有人惊叹他是“时间管理大师”，他总幽默回应：“我只是在大家吃饭的时候，选择了吃苦。”

"Imported" Changsha Resident: "Changsha is down-to-earth and hard-driving—perfectly matches my challenge-loving personality"

“进口”长沙人：“长沙够实在、够拼，跟我爱挑战的性格相符”

Paper cuttings, folding fans, and Chinese-style flowers—Stefan’s desk is adorned with many "Chinese elements." Taking a closer look, the teacup holds not tea but coffee. "This Chinese-Western mixed style is exactly the same as my current work atmosphere," he said with a smile, picking up the cup and taking a sip.

剪纸、折扇、中式花卉，斯蒂芬的办公桌上，放着不少“中国元素”，凑近一看，茶盏里盛的不是茶而是咖啡。“中西混搭的style，和我现在的工作氛围一模一样。”他笑着端起咖啡抿了一口。

When Stefan first saw Chinese characters as a child, he found the complex characters mysterious and interesting. When he decided to teach himself Chinese, his friends couldn’t understand and thought he was "crazy." Hard work pays off: now he can communicate fluently with everyone in Chinese. "I’m a total 'imported' Changsha resident now," Stefan joked during the interview.

儿时初见汉字时，斯蒂芬便觉得复杂的汉字神秘有趣。当他决定自学中文时，身边的朋友都不理解，认为他“疯了”。功夫不负有心人。现在，他已经能用一口流利的中文与大家交流。“我现在就是个十足的‘进口’长沙人。”接受采访时，斯蒂芬打趣地说。

Over the years in Changsha, Stefan has not only witnessed the city’s rapid changes but also gradually integrated into local life. "When I first arrived, I found Hunan cuisine so spicy, but now the more I eat it, the more I savour it." These days, he even recommends chopped chilli fish head to his colleagues at the German headquarters.

在长沙这些年，斯蒂芬既见证了城市的日新月异，也逐渐融入了本地生活。“刚来时觉得湘菜辣得上头，现在却越吃越香。”如今，他甚至会向德国总部同事推荐剁椒鱼头。

"Changsha is down-to-earth and hard-driving, which matches my challenge-loving personality." Stefan’s attitude toward building a career in Changsha is just like his feelings about Hunan cuisine—intense at first taste, but increasingly captivating the more you savour it.

“长沙够实在、够拼，跟我爱挑战的性格相符。”斯蒂芬对在长沙干事业的态度，就像对湘菜的感情一样——初尝有点冲，越品越上头。

Dream-Builder in Changsha: Hoping for More International Platforms to Jointly Pursue New Industry Heights

星城筑梦人：期待长沙添更多国际平台，共逐行业新高

While people label this foreign executive with titles like "Adventure King," "Almighty Man," and "Time Management Master," Stefan prefers to call himself a "Dream-Builder in Changsha." As he often says, "To grow strong, never shy away from challenges."

当大家把“闯关王”“六边形战士”“时间管理大师”等标签贴在这位洋高管身上时，斯蒂芬更愿意称自己为“星城筑梦人”。就像他常说的：“想变强大，就别怕任何挑战。”

This April in Munich, Germany, leading Changsha enterprises including Sany Group, Zoomlion, and CRCC Heavy Industry showcased their presence at bauma Germany, dubbed the "Olympics of global construction machinery." A series of products demonstrated the solid strength of "Changsha Mecha." As a construction machinery professional present at the event, Stefan felt particularly proud: "Changsha enterprises are expanding their booths by the year. Their products are gaining global acclaim for high cost-effectiveness. Through the integration of Chinese and foreign technologies and intelligent manufacturing upgrades, they are bound to secure a more prominent position in the global market."

今年4月，德国慕尼黑，来自长沙的三一集团、中联重科、铁建重工等头部企业组团亮相有全球工程机械“奥运会”之称的德国宝马展，一系列产品亮出“长沙机甲”的硬实力。作为工程机械从业者，在场的斯蒂芬格外自豪：“长沙企业的展位越扩越大，产品凭着高性价比‘圈粉’全球，通过中外技术融合和智能制造升级，必将在全球市场占据更重要的地位。”

Now, as Changsha fully commits to building a global R&D center city, Stefan has grown even more determined to "deepen his engagement in the construction machinery sector." He hopes that in the future, more international industry exhibitions and technical forums will take root in Changsha, drawing in outstanding talents worldwide to participate in technological cooperation.

如今，长沙正全力建设全球研发中心城市，这让斯蒂芬更坚定了“深耕工程机械领域”的想法。他期待未来的长沙能有更多国际行业展会、技术论坛落地，吸引更多优秀的人才来参与技术合作。

This echoes Changsha’s unremitting pursuit—the city not only offers a promising vision of "low-cost entrepreneurship and high-quality life" but also resonates with the youthful call: "Grab your backpack and set off; come to Changsha to start a career or work." Changsha is a city where talents can thrive, just like a fine tree offering a secure roost.

这也是长沙孜孜不倦的追求——这里既有“低成本创业、高品质生活”的幸福图景，更回荡着“背起双肩包出发，创业就业到长沙”的青春召唤。长沙城，良木可栖。