Recently, manufacturing enterprises in Cixi, Ningbo have broken through bottlenecks by leveraging new growth drivers, ventured into overseas markets with self-developed technologies, and achieved transformation through forward-looking layout in emerging sectors.
Against the backdrop of ongoing transformation in traditional manufacturing and intensifying market competition, workshops are humming with high-speed operating equipment. New self-developed products roll off production lines in batches and are shipped overseas, showcasing the vigorous momentum of local smart manufacturing featuring robust production and sales as well as innovation-driven breakthroughs. Supported by three major growth drivers — new technologies, new markets and new sectors — a number of outstanding local enterprises have voluntarily abandoned the low-price, extensive homogeneous competition model, continuously overcome development hurdles, and forged a new path toward green, smart and globalized upgrading of smart manufacturing.
Staff of Taifengyuan produces Rogowski coil sensors (Photo provided by correspondent, China National Radio)
Independent control of core technologies serves as the fundamental strength for enterprises to stand out in the market. Inside the production workshop of Ningbo Taifengyuan Electric Co., Ltd., 21 high-precision Rogowski coil winding machines are running at full capacity, strictly controlling the winding spacing of precise inductance wires within 0.1 millimeters and consolidating product precision advantages through exquisite craftsmanship.
"After the large-scale grid connection of new energy sources, grid operating conditions fluctuate frequently, and conventional outdated equipment fails to meet new demands. Accurate sensing is a core prerequisite for stable grid operation," said Yuan Guojun, person in charge of the company. After eight years of dedicated research and development with cumulative investment exceeding 80 million yuan, the enterprise has successfully mastered core technologies for Rogowski coils and developed self-designed multi-modal current sensors. These sensors can accurately capture subtle grid fluctuations and fully guarantee stable operation of high-end scenarios such as precision medical care and AI computing power backends. Currently, the enterprise holds 210 patents and has participated in formulating 12 national and industrial standards. It has successfully transformed from a low-end component OEM into a professional power sensing technology service provider.
Staff of Taifengyuan produces Rogowski coil sensors (Photo provided by correspondent, China National Radio)
Focusing on the green environmental protection track, Ningbo Taiji Environmental Protection Equipment Co., Ltd. has effectively tackled long-standing industry pain points of low pollution treatment efficiency and high energy consumption plaguing traditional environmental protection equipment and completed iterative upgrading of core technologies. "The outdated model focusing merely on pollution control can no longer keep pace with industrial low-carbon transformation," said Shi Yuezhan, General Manager of the company. The self-developed flue gas purification and heat recovery system can realize coordinated purification of multiple pollutants with a heat recovery efficiency of over 95%, simultaneously achieving three goals: pollution abatement, energy conservation and efficiency improvement. It precisely meets energy-saving and low-carbon renovation demands of high-energy-consuming industries including non-ferrous metals, steel and coking.
In the industrial control sector, Zhejiang Lichuang Automation Technology Co., Ltd. has devoted itself to tackling core technical challenges and realized domestic independent substitution of key technologies. According to Li Jin, the enterprise’s person in charge, domestic core industrial control chips long relied on imports in the past, greatly restricting industrial development. After more than ten years of continuous research and polishing, the enterprise upgraded its first-generation PLC prototype to the fully self-controllable LC series controllers, whose performance surpasses imported equipment. It took the lead in realizing integrated touch control and operation. Meanwhile, the enterprise completed independent research, development and mass production of 0.18-micron special industrial chips, achieving full self-sufficiency of core components.
At present, the enterprise’s products serve more than 500 manufacturing enterprises nationwide covering over 20 industries. Its customized solutions help customers cut production costs by 30%, and existing orders are scheduled half a year ahead.
Self-developed core technologies constitute the key strength for enterprises to sail overseas and seize global market share. Seizing development opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative, enterprises break away from fierce competition in the domestic existing market, fully explore incremental overseas markets, and strive for simultaneous growth of domestic and foreign trade.
"Our products secure overseas orders thanks to precision and stability matching imported alternatives," Yuan Guojun introduced. Supported by outstanding product performance, Taifengyuan has successfully opened markets in South America, Europe, Southeast Asia and other regions. In May this year, the first batch of 10,000 high-precision Rogowski coil sensors were shipped to Brazil for an overseas grid operation and maintenance project. To this day, inquiries keep pouring in from customers around the globe, making its high-performance products highly sought-after in international markets.
While consolidating core businesses, many enterprises in Cixi adhere to forward-looking planning and proactive breakthroughs. They step out of the red ocean of traditional businesses, expand into promising emerging sectors, and continuously foster new long-term growth drivers.
When talking about corporate transformation, Yuan Guojun shared profound insights: "Low-end component OEM business suffers from cutthroat competition and thin profit margins. To achieve sustainable development, enterprises must voluntarily step out of their comfort zones and pursue transformation targeting industry pain points." Therefore, Taifengyuan exited the low-end processing track for traditional electric meter components and expanded into the new field of high-precision sensing for new power systems. It secured a position in the high-end operation and maintenance track after grid connection of wind power, photovoltaic and other new energy sources. The enterprise has successfully developed and launched multiple series of current sensors including high-precision Rogowski coils and TMR sensors, completing its transformation from a "component supplier" to a service provider offering new energy grid operation and maintenance solutions.
Staff of Taifengyuan produces Rogowski coil sensors (Photo provided by correspondent, China National Radio)
By breaking industrial barriers with new technologies, expanding development territory through new markets and accumulating growth momentum via new sectors, local enterprises in Cixi are vividly demonstrating the green transformation path of private manufacturers through repeated technical breakthroughs, market expansion and industrial upgrading.
