Learning about Bao's innovation, the Ministry of Transport immediately promoted the grab system nationwide.

Since the system's introduction, no major injuries or death related to wood handling have been reported in nine of the country's major ports.

As that system proved to be such a success, Bao turned his attention to the handling of pig iron-a tough and dirty job. Needless to say, Bao's efforts proved fruitful and pig iron grab system was introduced in 1985.

Not one to sit on his laurels, Bao set his sights on a "hat-trick", starting work on designing a grab system for scrap steel and started research and development of an accompanying processing system.

Thanks to Bao's inventions, working conditions at ports and railways, as well as electricity, sanitation and nuclear power plants, among other industries-both at home and in 20 other countries and regions-were greatly improved.

Bao was dubbed the "cargo-handling king".