Technological transformation investment proportion rises to 55% in WHDZ

The city of Wuhan in Central China's Hubei province has initiated a three-year work plan to achieve the intelligent transformation of industrial enterprises since 2019. As a major battlefield that makes major contributions to Wuhan's industrial economy, the Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WHDZ) has quickened efforts to complete its transformation.

There are currently eight enterprises in the zone that have been elected as demonstration firms for intelligent transformation, including Dongfeng Brose Automotive Systems Co, Dongfeng Lear Automotive Seating Co, and Chassis Brakes International Group.

The proportion of investment in technological transformation in the zone has risen from less than 40 percent to 55 percent.

Dongfeng Brose Automotive Systems Co, a Sino-German joint venture auto parts company, for example, has cumulatively invested 300 million yuan ($45 million) in intelligent transformation. In October 2018, Dongfeng Brose's global standardized factory began operating in WHDZ. 10 of its 31 production lines have now been made fully automatic, with barely any need for human intervention.

"Auto spare parts need high operational stability. The products' quality varies due to workers' uneven proficiency. But machines can solve this problem, as long as we preset the procedures," said Sun Xiang, vice general manager of Dongfeng Brose.

Back in April this year, many specialized intelligent diagnosis institutions were arranged by the government to offer their services to the company. Sun said that they will expand investment in the transformation, including in an energy management system that will minimize carbon emissions and reach carbon neutrality by monitoring, planning, and balancing demands for energy in production.

Another beneficiary of intelligent manufacturing is Hubei KAIT Automotive Electronic & Electrical Systems Co. According to Zheng Haifa, president of the firm, their annual sales are expected to reach 400 million yuan, an estimated increase of at least 20 percent.