Yunnan is the cradle of Pu'er tea: fertile soil, suitable climate, and tea production traditions have given birth to many masters and their unique products. Among the masters, Zou Bingliang (Chinese: 邹炳良, pinyin: zōu bǐngliáng) and Lu Guolin (Chinese: 卢国龄, pinyin: lú guólíng) stand out. These two people worked hard and worked on the development of the Yunnan tea industry in the 50s and 60s, they were both directors of the Menghai Tea Factory. In 1997, they left the factory and were invited as chief consultants on Pu'er tea to the Yunnan Tea Import and Export Company of China National Products and Livestock Husbandry. In 1999, two old gentlemen and four investors jointly established Haiwan Company (full name in Chinese: 宁海湾茶业有限责任公司, pinyin: Níng hǎiwān chá yè yǒuxiàn zérèn gōngsī) with a registered capital of 500,000 yuan and more than 150 employees. The company covers an area of 13 acres. Within 10 years, the company has created several famous brands such as Jia Jia (Chinese: 加嘉, pinyin: Jiā jiā) and Old Comrade (Chinese: 老同志, pinyin: Lǎo tóngzhì) and more than 10 new products.
In 2002, the company obtained the “Certificate of Hygienic Registration of Export Product Manufacturers” issued by China Import and Export Commodity Quarantine Bureau. Now about 70% of the products are exported to Southeast Asia, Europe and America, the remaining 30% remain in the domestic market. The annual production capacity is 800 tons, and the export volume is constantly growing. The company has been widely recognized by domestic and overseas sellers for its excellent product quality and high-quality service. It has 2 raw material bases in Yushoushan (Chinese: 玉寿山, pinyin Yù shòushān) and Anning (Chinese: 安宁海湾茶业有限公司, pinyin Ānníng hǎiwān chá yè yǒuxiàn gōngsī).
The main goal of the Stary Comrade brand was to create high-quality, but affordable tea for everyone. Comrades did not make money on the sudden excitement in the pu-erh market. Pu-erh tea should not be an element of luxury, because tea is included in the "7 essential products for life" along with firewood, rice, oil, salt, sauce and vinegar. The personalities of the two leaders formed their own culture at the enterprise. In 2009, the Stary Comrade pu-erh tea won the "Famous Brand of Yunnan" competition.