La Trobe Business School Visits Hiboy: Dr. Neale G. O’Connor Shares His Impressions of Hiboy’s Manufacturing Power

On December 3rd, 2025, Dr. Neale G. O’Connor, an authority on Chinese supply chains, led a group of 15 business students from La Trobe Business School on a visit to the Hiboy manufacturing facility.

The tour covered three major areas: the Testing Center, the Electric Scooter Production Line, and the R&D Center. Together, these stops offered students a firsthand look at Hiboy’s engineering capabilities, quality assurance systems, and overall manufacturing strength.

At the end of the visit, Hiboy’s overseas manager, Richard, conducted an interview with Dr. Neale, during which he shared his impressions of the company’s operations. The following article highlights the key insights from that conversation.

Testing Center: A Thorough and Rigorous Validation System

For Dr. Neale, the Testing Center was one of the most fascinating parts of the visit. He was impressed by Hiboy’s comprehensive testing process, which includes load tests, durability tests, and a variety of other procedures designed to assess structural integrity, battery performance, riding endurance, and environmental resistance.

Beyond overall performance testing, the process also includes dedicated testing of key components such as motors, controllers, and chargers, as well as packaging carton tests, ensuring reliable power delivery, electrical safety, charging stability, and product protection throughout transportation and real-world use.

Every scooter undergoes extensive and continuous validation long before it reaches mass production. “I saw you testing so many different elements of the product, and this is ongoing all the time. It wasn’t just running for an hour or 30 minutes—it runs all day long,” said Dr. Neale.

The Testing Center clearly demonstrated the engineering discipline behind Hiboy’s products and highlighted the company’s commitment to user safety, durability, and high performance.

Production Line: Organized, Efficient, and Well-Structured

When entering the manufacturing area, Dr. Neale immediately noticed the high level of organization across the production line. From workstation layouts and component placement to the clarity of the process flow, everything reflected the efficiency of a mature manufacturing system.

He emphasized that what impressed him most was not the speed of production, but the team’s dedication to precision:

“They focus on attention to detail at every step. It’s not about speed—it’s about maintaining a constant pace. Nice and slow, because in the end, we want every product to be perfect. It’s not about making production as fast as possible, but as secure as possible—secure from a quality point of view.”

R&D Center: Where Product Strength Comes to Life

At the R&D Center, Hiboy showcased its full development chain, from structural engineering and electronic control systems to prototype testing and evaluation. For the visitors, this was where the true foundations of Hiboy’s product competitiveness became evident.

“I’m very impressed with the engineering and design department. They’re thinking about the products of the future, not just the products of today. I’m amazed by the whole range of products you have, and I think the future looks great for Freeman and Hiboy.”

Dr. Neale noted that the R&D Center demonstrated how Hiboy differentiates itself through technical capability and innovation. The brand’s forward-looking thinking and broad product vision, he said, signal a promising future.

A Valuable Learning Experience for Students: Beyond Manufacturing

The tour was immensely educational for the students. Beyond observing how products are made, they gained insights into how a global brand manages its supply chain, quality assurance, R&D structure, and the balance between engineering and market demands.

At the end of the visit, Hiboy arranged a supervised riding experience in a large open space outside the factory building. Students were equipped with helmets and given quick-start coaching before test-riding both e-scooters and e-bikes.

This hands-on session allowed them to experience ride comfort, acceleration, braking performance, and overall handling. The students thoroughly enjoyed the visit. They weren’t simply observing machines and production steps; they were learning how a business operates at a deeper level.

For business students, the Hiboy visit offered a rare opportunity to understand real-world manufacturing operations and the dynamics of an international company.

Overall Impression: Professional, Transparent, and Reliable

When reflecting on his first impressions, Dr. Neale highlighted the scale and layout of the facility:

“My first impression was the big space you have set aside for the production area. The space is important because it allows everything to be spread out properly. That makes a big difference when focusing on quality and workmanship on the production line.”

In closing, Dr. Neale expressed strong confidence in Hiboy’s capabilities and appreciation for the company’s openness in providing such an enriching experience for his students.

Final Thoughts

The December 3rd visit was far more than a factory tour. It deepened students’ understanding of the electric mobility industry and highlighted Hiboy’s strengths in product development, production management, and quality control. For Hiboy, it was also a meaningful opportunity to showcase its engineering excellence and foster international academic collaboration.