In Heze, Shandong province, digital transformation is reshaping the manufacturing landscape.
At Heze Jinqi Electronic Technology in Caoxian county, worker Zhang Yongli uses smartphones to scan QR codes on work orders. This innovation automatically translates order details into machine-readable instructions, significantly reducing errors and time. According to General Manager Miao Guo, production losses have decreased from 5 percent to 2.8 percent, and order delivery times have been cut from seven days to three, with the delivery rate soaring to 98 percent.
In 2025, the company invested 7 million yuan ($1.03 million) in an intelligent warehousing center, reducing labor costs and enhancing efficiency. As a result, the company's 2025 revenue grew by 52.1 percent year-on-year, reaching 350 million yuan.
In Caoxian county, a hanfu livestreaming base developed by Shandong Jizhi Life Technology brings together over 3,000 hanfu products from 500 enterprises in the supply chain. The base has nurtured over 1,000 internet influencers and sold 1.1 million hanfu garments.
On the intelligent hanfu manufacturing production line, the entire process, from design and cutting to printing and sewing, is digitally controlled, leading to a 50 percent increase in production efficiency and a 30 percent reduction in costs. Notably, the base platform aggregates multi-source data from sales, logistics, and production, utilizing large language models to analyze and predict market trends.
Meanwhile, Chengwu county is home to the "Cloud Chain" platform, an initiative by CITIC Group that enhances the entire electrical transmission industry. Acting as an "industrial JD.com or Taobao", the platform facilitates online procurement and financing, reducing costs for small businesses. Since its launch in September 2023, it has attracted over 700 enterprises, facilitating transactions worth 78.36 million yuan.
These advancements in Heze reflect Shandong's commitment to digital economic growth and the integration of "industrial brains" with manufacturing actors. In Heze, digital transformation is not just a buzzword but a tangible force driving efficiency and innovation across industries.
