Walter Wang

Early Life

Walter Wang was born in Xindian District, Taiwan, on March 25, 1965. His father was Taiwanese billionaire Wang Yung-ching, founder of Formosa Plastics Group. When he was nine years old, Wang moved to Berkeley, California, with his mother. Wang attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science.

Rise to Success

Wang's business career began in 2005 when he purchased JM Manufacturing through syndicated loans. He then bought PW Eagle in 2007 to form JM Eagle, which relocated its headquarters to Los Angeles, California, in 2008. Under Wang's leadership, JM Eagle has become the largest plastic pipe manufacturer in North America. JM Eagle has approximately 10% of the U.S. plastic pipe market.

Key Business Strategies

Wang's strategy focuses on creating a one-stop shop for various plastic pipe applications, including PVC and polyethylene pipes, across 22 plants in North America. JM Eagle offers an industry-leading 50-year warranty.

Philanthropy

Wang, along with his wife Shirley, co-founded the Walter and Shirley Wang Foundation and JMM Charitable Foundation. Their philanthropic efforts have included donating over 400 miles of pipe to eight African countries, which provided clean water to 500,000 people in 52 villages. They have also supported various educational institutions, donating over $20 million to UCLA, Columbia University, Brown University, and Harvard-Westlake School.