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In the grand narrative of economic development, cities are like unique characters, each performing the story of industrial development. When Hangzhou is represented by the “Six Little Dragons” and is booming in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, Nanjing is working silently on its own track and embarking on a unique path of industrial development. Nanjing’s development does not pursue the hustle and bustle of hot spots, but it has made progress in the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, the construction of smart factories, and the development of advanced manufacturing clusters.
Digital transformation: The path to change for small and medium-sized enterprises
(I) Policy guidance and precise layout
Nanjing was selected as a national pilot city for digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises. This is an honor and a responsibility. Focusing on the three sub-industry of smart grid, integrated circuits, and intelligent manufacturing equipment, Nanjing has quickly issued plans and detailed rules with clear goals, and by 2026, it will promote no less than 650 industrial small and medium-sized enterprises to complete digital transformation and reach the second level or above. This move is like building a lighthouse in the ocean of industries, pointing out the direction for small and medium-sized enterprises to move forward. The introduction of the policy is not a blind follow-up, but is based on Nanjing’s own industrial foundation and advantages. In the field of smart grid, Nanjing already has a number of enterprises with strong technical strength. Through digital transformation, it is expected to further enhance its position in the global industrial chain; as a strategic emerging industry, digital transformation is its breakthrough in technical bottlenecks and realization of curves. The key to overtaking; intelligent manufacturing equipment is an important support for Nanjing’s manufacturing industry to move towards high-end, and digital transformation will inject new vitality into it.
(II) Enterprise practice, significant results
Nanjing Yoube Electric is a pioneer in this wave of digital transformation. Once upon a time, the traditional production model allowed enterprises to encounter bottlenecks in cost control and production efficiency. However, through digital transformation, Yoube Electric has introduced an advanced production management system to realize the visualization and intelligence of the production process. Employees can monitor every link on the production line in real time through the computer screen. Once problems arise, the system will immediately issue an alarm and provide a solution. This not only greatly improves production efficiency, but also significantly improves product quality. In the past, the defective rate of products was around 5%, but now it has dropped to less than 1%. At the same time, costs have also dropped significantly, with raw material waste reduced by 30% and labor costs reduced by 20%.
Nanjing China Electric Panda Lighting also gained a lot in digital transformation. The company uses digital technology to optimize the entire process of product research and development, production, sales, etc. During the product development stage, through virtual simulation technology, the performance of the product is tested and optimized in advance, shortening the R&D cycle from the original average of 6 months to within 3 months. In the production process, automated production lines and intelligent warehousing systems are introduced, achieving efficient production operation and accurate inventory management. In terms of sales, with the help of big data analysis, we can accurately grasp market demand and consumer preferences, and the market share of new products launched continues to increase.
(III) Face challenges and forge ahead
However, the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises has not been smooth sailing. Technical problems are the first hurdle before us. Many small and medium-sized enterprises lack professional technical talents and have limited understanding and application capabilities for digital technology. When introducing digital systems, they often face problems such as incompatibility with existing systems and difficulty in ensuring data security. Financial pressure is also an important factor restricting transformation. Digital transformation requires a lot of money to be invested in equipment updates, software purchases, personnel training, etc., which is an unbearable expense for some small and medium-sized enterprises with meager profits. In addition, the problem of talent shortage is becoming increasingly prominent. Compound talents who understand both technology and management have become the target of competition among enterprises, and small and medium-sized enterprises are often at a disadvantage in talent competition.
In the face of these challenges, Nanjing did not retreat. The government actively builds a technology docking platform and invites experts from universities and research institutions to provide technical guidance and solutions to enterprises. Establish special support funds to provide subsidies and loan preferential treatment to small and medium-sized enterprises that undergo digital transformation. At the same time, we will strengthen talent training and introduction, encourage universities to offer relevant professional courses, and attract foreign talents to start businesses and find jobs in Nanjing.
Smart factories: a high-end leap in manufacturing
(I) Excellent achievements, industry benchmark
Among the first batch of outstanding smart factories announced by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, five companies in Nanjing were selected, the number was the first in the province. This achievement has made Nanjing a well-deserved leader in the field of smart factory construction. Connie Electrical and Mechanical are among them. Walking into Connie Mechanical and Electrical Production Workshop, it feels like being in a science fiction world. The automated production line operates in an orderly manner, and the robotic arm accurately grasps and assembles parts, and the whole process is completed in one go. Here, there are almost no busy workers in traditional factories, and they are replaced by highly intelligent equipment and systems.
Connie Mechanical and Electrical’s success comes from its deep understanding and continuous investment in intelligent manufacturing. The company began to deploy intelligent manufacturing many years ago, and has invested billions of yuan in technology research and development and equipment updates. Through independent research and development and introduction of advanced foreign technologies, Connie Mechanical and Electrical has created a complete intelligent manufacturing system, realizing intelligent management of the entire process from raw material procurement to product delivery. Today, the production efficiency of Connie Mechanical and Electrical has been more than 5 times higher than that of traditional factories, and the product quality stability has been greatly improved, which has won wide praise in the international market.
(II) Technological innovation and lead development
In terms of smart factory construction, China Electronics Technology Institute 14 has embarked on a development path with technological innovation as the core. As a leading enterprise in the field of electronic information in China, the Institute of 14 has strong scientific research strength. During the construction of smart factories, the 14th Institute fully utilized its own technological advantages and independently developed a series of industrial software and intelligent equipment with international advanced levels.
Among them, the independently developed intelligent manufacturing execution system (MES) realizes real-time monitoring, scheduling and optimization of the production process. Through this system, managers can understand every detail on the production line anytime, anywhere, including equipment operation status, product quality data, production progress, etc. Once a problem is found, the system will immediately automatically adjust the production parameters or issue an alarm to ensure the smooth progress of production. In addition, the 14th Institute has also developed a series of intelligent equipment such as intelligent robots and automated detection equipment. These equipment are widely used in high-end fields such as aerospace, defense and military industry, providing strong support for the high-end development of my country’s manufacturing industry.
(III) Continue to advance, with a long way to go
Although Nanjing has made remarkable achievements in the construction of smart factories, it also faces some challenges. On the one hand, the construction of smart factories requires a large amount of capital investment, and for some small and medium-sized enterprises, it is difficult to raise funds. On the other hand, the construction of smart factories involves the integration of technology in multiple fields, such as automation control, information technology, artificial intelligence, etc. The technical standards are inconsistent, resulting in poor compatibility between different devices and systems, affecting smart factories. overall operational efficiency.
In order to solve these problems, the Nanjing government has increased policy support and financial investment in the construction of smart factories. Establish special funds for smart factory construction and provide subsidies and rewards to qualified enterprises. At the same time, we actively promote the formulation and improvement of standards for smart factory construction, strengthen industry-university-research cooperation, and promote technological innovation and results transformation.
Cluster development: a powerful synergy of industrial collaboration
(I) Clusters rise, industrial agglomeration
The Nansu special steel material cluster led by Nanjing has become the only national advanced manufacturing cluster in the steel industry in the country, which is a milestone in Nanjing’s industrial development. The Nansu special steel material cluster is centered on Nanjing and covers special steel enterprises in many surrounding cities, forming a complete industrial chain from raw material supply, steel smelting, steel processing to product sales. A group of well-known domestic special steel companies such as Nangang and Shagang are gathered in the cluster, which are at the leading level in terms of technological innovation and product quality.
In terms of industrial scale, the output value of the southern Jiangsu special steel material cluster is huge, with an annual total output value exceeding one trillion yuan. In terms of technological innovation, enterprises in the cluster have continuously increased R&D investment and have successively conquered a number of key core technologies, such as the production technology of high-strength alloy steel and the heat treatment technology of special steels. These technological breakthroughs not only improve the quality and performance of products, but also reduce production costs and enhance the competitiveness of the cluster in the international market.
(II) Collaborative innovation and complementary advantages
The selection of large aircraft clusters in the Yangtze River Delta (including Jiangxi) further demonstrates Nanjing’s strength in the development of advanced manufacturing clusters. In this cluster, Nanjing plays an important role in collaborative innovation. Nanjing has many universities and research institutions, and has accumulated rich scientific research results and talent resources in the field of aerospace. Through cooperation with enterprises and scientific research institutions in Shanghai, Jiangxi and other places, Nanjing has achieved complementary advantages and jointly promoted the development of the large aircraft industry.
In the design and development of large aircraft, universities and research institutions in Nanjing have undertaken a large number of basic research and key technical research tasks. For example, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics has achieved a series of important achievements in aircraft aerodynamics, structural design, etc., providing theoretical support for the design of large aircraft. In terms of parts manufacturing, some companies in Nanjing have provided high-quality parts for large aircraft with advanced manufacturing technology and equipment. At the same time, Nanjing also actively participated in the assembly and testing of large aircraft, contributing to the industrialization of large aircraft.
(III) Future prospects, forge ahead
However, Nanjing’s advanced manufacturing cluster also faces some challenges in its development process. On the one hand, the collaborative innovation mechanism between enterprises in the cluster is not perfect enough, and there is a phenomenon of fighting on their own, resulting in the waste of innovation resources and the inefficiency of innovation. On the other hand, in the context of the reconstruction of the global industrial chain, Nanjing’s advanced manufacturing cluster is facing tremendous pressure from international competitors. How to improve the global competitiveness of the cluster and achieve sustainable development is a problem that Nanjing needs to solve urgently.
In order to meet these challenges, Nanjing will further strengthen collaborative innovation among enterprises within the cluster. Establish and improve a collaborative innovation mechanism between industry, academia, research and application, strengthen cooperation and exchanges between universities, research institutions and enterprises, and promote the sharing and optimal allocation of innovation resources. At the same time, we will actively expand the international market, strengthen cooperation and exchanges with international advanced manufacturing clusters, learn from advanced experience, and enhance the global influence of Nanjing’s advanced manufacturing clusters.
Comparison and Inspiration: Nanjing’s Road to Development
(I) Comparison with Hangzhou
When we turn our attention to Hangzhou, Nanjing has obvious differences with this city represented by the “Six Little Dragons” and is a prosperous city in emerging industries. With the Internet economy as the core, Hangzhou has built a vibrant innovation ecosystem through the leadership of giant companies such as Alibaba. In the fields of artificial intelligence, e-commerce, digital finance, etc., Hangzhou has attracted a large amount of talents and capital, forming a strong industrial agglomeration effect.
Nanjing, based on manufacturing, is committed to the digital transformation of traditional industries and the development of advanced manufacturing clusters. Nanjing has rich universities and scientific research resources, providing solid technical and talent support for industrial development. However, in terms of innovation atmosphere and the ability to cultivate emerging industries, there is still a certain gap compared with Hangzhou. Hangzhou’s entrepreneurial culture is more active and its policy environment is more flexible. It can quickly capture the development opportunities of emerging industries and cultivate innovative enterprises with global competitiveness.
(II) Advantages and disadvantages of Nanjing
Nanjing’s advantage lies in its strong manufacturing foundation. In the fields of smart grids, special steel materials, intelligent manufacturing equipment, etc., Nanjing has a group of enterprises with strong technical strength and strong market competitiveness. In the long-term development process, these enterprises have accumulated rich technical and management experience and formed a complete industrial chain. At the same time, universities and research institutions in Nanjing provide a continuous driving force for industrial development.
However, Nanjing also has some disadvantages. In terms of innovation ecosystem, Nanjing’s entrepreneurial atmosphere is not strong enough and the venture capital market is not active enough, which makes it difficult for some innovative companies to obtain sufficient financial support. In terms of policy flexibility, compared with cities such as Hangzhou, Nanjing’s policy adjustments are relatively lagging behind, making it difficult to quickly adapt to market changes and industrial development needs. In addition, Nanjing also faces certain challenges in talent introduction and retention, and the loss of high-end talents is relatively serious.
(III) Development enlightenment
Through comparison with Hangzhou, Nanjing can gain some development inspiration from it. First of all, Nanjing should further optimize the innovation ecosystem and create a more active entrepreneurial atmosphere. The government can increase support for innovation and entrepreneurship, set up more entrepreneurial funds and incubators, and provide a better development environment for innovative enterprises. Secondly, Nanjing should improve the flexibility and pertinence of policies. According to the needs of industrial development, adjust policies and measures in a timely manner and increase support for emerging industries. Finally, Nanjing should strengthen the introduction and training of talents. Formulate more preferential talent policies to attract outstanding domestic and foreign talents to come to Nanjing to start businesses and find jobs. At the same time, strengthen cooperation between universities and enterprises and cultivate more professional talents who meet the needs of industrial development.
In the wave of economic development, Nanjing has shown strong resilience and potential with its unique industrial development path. Whether it is the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, the construction of smart factories, or the development of advanced manufacturing clusters, Nanjing is constantly exploring and innovating. Although there is still a gap in Nanjing in some aspects compared with cities such as Hangzhou, Nanjing has its own advantages and characteristics. As long as Nanjing can give full play to its own advantages, actively respond to challenges, continuously optimize the innovation ecosystem, and increase support for industrial development, it will surely achieve new leaps on the road of industrial development and create more brilliant achievements.
