Xiangzhou District, Zhuhai

Xiangzhou District in Zhuhai, in recent years, has been experiencing rapid development in intelligent manufacturing industry.

Widely known as a key center for production of printer consumables, Xiangzhou District has managed to transform its various traditional industries into the intelligent manufacturing sector.

Five years ago, Xiangzhou already boasted a printer consumables industrial cluster featuring the largest industrial scale, most complete industrial chain and highest technological capacity.

Technicians install an industrial robot in the production line. [Photo courtesy southcn.com]

However, due to just having a few leading enterprises and lack of innovation, the district's competitive industry underwent a downside risk.

Centering on boosting the development of real economy, Xiangzhou has been strengthening its efforts to develop new technologies to advance the smart manufacturing sector, step up industrial upgrading and construct a more competitive modern industrial system.

Some brand enterprises, such as Ninestar Corporation and Huiwei Corporation took initiative in improving technological competence and expand exposure in the whole industrial chain.

"Since 2012, Ninestar has expanded its business layout, shifting itself from being a single printer supplies provider, to a Pantum laser printer producer and then a 3D printing technology service provider," said Zhan Jianzhou, deputy general manager of Ninestar, adding that the company has more than 3,600 creation patents.

According to Zhang, technological innovation is the key to rapid development.

In 2016, the district was home to 163 enterprises engaging in intelligent equipment manufacturing, with the total output value of 56.63 billion yuan ($8.64 billion), registering a year-on-year increase of 11.8 percent.

Industrial robots are developed by Zhuhai-based Gree Intelligent Equipment Co [Photo courtesy Zhuhai Daily]

Statistics showed that Xiangzhou District's industrial output accounted for a whopping 73.2 percent of the region's GDP in the first quarter of this year.

The rapid growth of printer consumables industry is the epitome of its intelligent manufacturing industry in the region.

Xiangzhou has basically shaped an industrial chain integrating research, development, manufacturing and application in the field, having the Zhuhai-based Gree's intelligent equipment manufacturing as the lead.

To further speed up the construction of Xiangzhou District to be a demonstration base for intelligent equipment manufacturing industry, the local government will carry out a series of supporting measures covering financial subsidy, talent introduction, and preferential policies.

A special fund of 100 million yuan will be allocated to qualified advanced equipment manufacturing enterprises and projects from 2015 to 2017, pushing the district on a trajectory of rapid growth in the industry.

Zhang said Xiangzhou District boasts a promising prospect for its 3D printing industry, with several laboratories and research institutes mushrooming in the region.

The district will also guide and encourage social power to involve in the key industries of high-end information, robotics and automation, and software.