Chinese Company Drops $26 Million in Cash at Year-End Party, Employees Told to Take as Much as They Can Carry

Henan Kuangshan Crane Co. Ltd., a Chinese crane manufacturer and rental company, made headlines after distributing $26 million in cash to its employees at its annual year-end party on February 13. Staff were invited to take home as much money as they could carry, with the cash spread across 800 banquet tables.

About 7,000 employees attended the event, where towering piles of banknotes drew excitement and attention. One worker reportedly left with $13,000 in cash, according to the Chosun Daily.

Cui Peijun, the company’s owner who holds 98.88% of its shares, explained the unusual approach to handing out bonuses: “Some ask why we don’t just transfer the money to accounts, but that way it’s just cold numbers.” He added that in previous years, gifts included jewelry, but cash was considered more meaningful.

Founded in 2002, Henan Kuangshan operates in over 130 countries. The company has a history of generous employee rewards. In 2024, it recorded a net profit of $38 million, of which around $24 million was given to employees. In 2023, the top 40 performers received $8.5 million collectively, with the three best salespeople each earning $730,000.

The company also celebrated International Women’s Day last year by awarding nearly $230,000 in bonuses to almost 2,000 female staff.

Cui said his motivation is practical, aiming to ease financial pressures for younger employees: “It is not that I love giving out money; young people are burdened with car loans and mortgages, and any relief we can offer helps.”