Wuxi turns in good economic results

A worker is busy at a workshop in Wuxi No 1 Cotton Mill Textile Group Co Ltd.[Photo by Gao Erqiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

As the paragon of China's national industry, century-old brand Wuxi No 1 Cotton Mill Textile Group Co Ltd has weathered the ups and downs of the textile market and remains the vanguard of China's cotton and textile industry.

With an annual output valued at 2 billion yuan, No 1 Cotton currently owns a total of 600,000 spindles and 600 weaving machines, producing 30,000 tons of luxury yarn and 50 million meters of upscale fabrics each year.

According to Tang Qiyi, general manager of the company, No 1 Cotton will upgrade its production process in automation and intelligent manufacturing when it celebrates its 100th anniversary next year.

"To solve the shortage of labor in the textile sector, automation and intelligent manufacturing is our answer," Tang said.

According to Tang, 130 million yuan had been invested into one of their workshops last year to replace some manpower with automation. The new technology enabled the workshop's 20 workers to produce 2.5 times more fabrics than conventional workshops, not to mention other benefits such as lowered logistics costs and an improved working environment.

"A further 180 million yuan will be invested to another workshop this year, so our company will be transformed from labor-intensive into intelligent manufacturing," Tang said.

In addition, in line with the Belt and Road Initiative, No 1 Cotton has decided to invest $220 million in a 300,000-spindle textile project in Ethiopia, with the first phase's 100,000-spindle workshop to be completed in 2019, Tang added.

Similarly, Jiangsu Sunshine Group, the world's largest wool textile manufacturer, is also carrying out technological innovation in the group by establishing a big data platform to improve the whole production process, which ranges from product R&D to manufacturing and retail.

"Our goal is to realize intelligentization in the whole value chain, from a woolen textile to a piece of clothing ready for sale," said Chen Lifen, president and general manager of Sunshine Co Ltd, adding that Sunshine has the responsibility to set a benchmark in the textile industry on intelligent manufacturing.

In order to meet the constantly changing market demand, Sunshine spares no effort in investment in R&D.

"More than 50 patterns of fabric are launched on a daily basis, and Sunshine also introduces woolen products into home decoration. The woolen textured wallpapers are environmentally friendly, and more comfortable compared to traditional wallpapers," Chen said.

Having half of its sales generated from overseas sales, Sunshine has invested $1 billion in Ethiopia to expand its capacity, the local Wuxi Daily reported.

Contact the writers at shijing@chinadaily.com.cn