Deep-Linking Sino-German Manufacturing: Full Record of Company Visits
During the March trip to Germany, colleagues from the Sino-Cooperation Platform visited dozens of high-tech German manufacturing companies with great anticipation and enthusiasm. These companies covered multiple fields, from industrial exoskeletons to mobile robots, from smart warehousing to logistics software, showcasing the spirit of German manufacturing: dedication to precision and innovation-driven development.
Through this series of visits, we not only learned about these companies' technological highlights and market demands but also felt their strong interest in exploring the Chinese market. Below is a summary of the feedback from companies during this Germany trip.
Company 1: Digital Intralogistics Solutions Provider
Company Profile
This company focuses on optimizing warehousing and production logistics through innovative Internet of Things (IoT) technology. With over 20 years of industry experience, it provides comprehensive intralogistics solutions from hardware intelligence to material management platforms, helping enterprises achieve digital transformation and cost optimization.
During the visit, the company showcased its cutting-edge technology—transforming entire factories into a Digital Twin system. Through this system, all forklifts, shelves, materials, etc., in the factory can be monitored in real-time and visualized in a 3D scene. This technology helps managers precisely control logistics dynamics within the factory, optimize paths, improve efficiency, and provide data support for intelligent decision-making.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
The exchange with this company was very smooth. Their currently desired cooperation models with Chinese companies include:
- Distributor Cooperation: Hoping to find Chinese companies willing to act as agents for their products, responsible for sales and marketing. Also seeking partners capable of providing local technical support services to help customers quickly deploy and apply their technology.
- Assisting Chinese Companies in Going Global: The company has experience helping Chinese companies expand internationally; they previously assisted a Chinese lidar company in successfully achieving international expansion.
The General Manager indicated that their technology is more suitable for medium-sized and larger factories. However, they set a clear cooperation requirement: the products of potential partner companies must be different from the lidar type to avoid direct competition.
Company 2: Industrial Exoskeletons Requiring No Additional Power
Company Profile
This German company's core expertise is industrial exoskeleton technology, focusing on non-electric, lightweight exoskeletons that help companies address occupational disease risks and efficiency issues in manual labor. Its technology is widely used in logistics, manufacturing, and construction and is very popular in the European market.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
We had an in-depth conversation with the CEO. They showed strong interest in the Chinese market, particularly hoping to find partners who can distribute their products. The CEO emphasized that partners must not only sell products but also have the ability to educate customers, explaining the importance of exoskeleton devices. The CEO mentioned that European workers often underestimate the value of exoskeletons for occupational health, and similar challenges might exist in China. Regarding investing and setting up production in China, the CEO expressed an open attitude.
Company 3: Smart Warehousing Expert for SMEs
Company Profile
This German innovative company specializes in providing flexible and efficient automated warehousing solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Its products mainly target small to medium scenarios with "500-5000 bins," helping customers optimize storage space, improve picking efficiency, and reduce operating costs.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
This company has not yet entered the Chinese market but shows great interest in Chinese partners. Their requirements for partners include support for local legal compliance and local technical service capabilities.
Company 4: Leader in the Mobile Robotics Field
Company Profile
This company is a leader in the field of Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs), dedicated to providing efficient robotic technical support for industry, logistics, green sectors, and R&D. Its products have high market maturity and are well-received by European customers.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
The company's CFO showed strong interest in the Chinese market and expressed a strong willingness for two-way cooperation with Chinese partners. They believe ideal Chinese partners should have solid technical capabilities and a stable customer base. Additionally, they mentioned financing needs.
Company 5: Supply Chain Hardware & Software Digital Platform
Company Profile
This German company focuses on supply chain solutions, using its digital platform to optimize core processes such as warehousing and transportation management for customers. Its products involve global supply chain software solutions and hardware support. The company is renowned for its comprehensive supply chain software platform and hardware support, helping enterprises achieve digital, intelligent, and efficient supply chains.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
This company currently has no partners in China. They are open to various cooperation models, including procurement, agency, and cooperation for Chinese companies expanding overseas.
Company 6: Unlocking Efficiency Potential Through Data Mining
Company Profile
This company is a spin-off from a famous German logistics research institute, focusing on automated analysis of manual workflows through sensors and machine learning algorithms. Its core technology uses anonymized data analysis to help companies discover efficiency bottlenecks in manual workflows, propose improvements, and enhance productivity and ergonomics.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
The company hopes to enter the Chinese market through authorized agents but has not yet finalized specific cooperation terms. They look forward to further discussions with the Think Tank and potential Chinese partners to jointly provide intelligent process optimization services for Chinese companies.
Company 7: Overhead Mobile Solutions
Company Profile
This company is an innovator in the logistics and manufacturing industries. Its ceiling-mounted mobile solution subverts traditional cranes and transport systems, creating new possibilities for space utilization and automated operations, especially suitable for complex manufacturing and logistics scenarios.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
This company warmly welcomes Chinese integrators and hopes to find suitable partners through our platform.
Company 8: German Industrial Smart Gloves
Company Profile
This German company manufactures smart gloves equipped with multiple sensors and scanners to assist workers in manufacturing and logistics. These gloves also provide feedback information, help protect workers' safety, offer business intelligence services, and even help managers develop more ergonomic solutions.
Interview Feedback: Cooperation Models and Specific Requirements
Compared to competitors, these industrial smart gloves can operate in cold storage at -30 degrees Celsius. Our host was the company's "Chief of Staff." Interested cooperation methods include integration and agency cooperation. They value the Chinese market highly and have various devices adapted to different scenarios.
Chinese interface integration is relatively convenient. The latest development is a middleware data platform that can integrate various data for visual presentation. The company has raised 40 million USD; Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz are its main clients. Currently, besides the European market, the US market is well developed.