LI TIANLONG, owner of a motor manufacturer in Yongjia, eastern China’s Zhejiang Province, said digital transformation has saved his 60-employee company from bankruptcy. His firm, Zhejiang Shuntian Transmission Technology Co., underwent a tough period during which production efficiency was extremely low and employee performance kept slipping. “I was then in desperate need to find a way out,” said Li. In 2021, Zhejiang Shuntian finally resolved to cooperate with Inclution, a digital service provider founded in Hangzhou, Zhejiang’s capital. However, very little was known about digital transformation among Li’s employees at that time. He came under fire by many who strongly opposed digital transformation for fear of uncertainties. “I just feel lucky that I have overcome many struggles to finally make my company go digital,” Li said. Thanks to the digital transformation, Zhejiang Shuntian saw its annual order delivery hit a record high, with its annual output up 13 percent year on year at the end of 2021. Li said that now frontline employees only need to operate all-in-one machines, and they can work with zero contact. Also, the sales, production, warehouse storage and quality inspection have been coordinated to give instant feedback to staff. “The workshop director knows the whole picture of workshop production and operation via smartphones or computers,” said Li. “All materials have digital codes in the warehouse, and the warehouse system can improve the inventory turnover rate and greatly reduce the hidden costs resulting from insufficient material preparation and other problems.” China is speeding up digitalization in the manufacturing sector. The country will promote the deep integration of digital technology and the real economy and empower the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries to spur economic growth. (Xinhua) | 