The 2025 WOD Manufacturing Digitalization Expo in Shanghai brought together over 200 suppliers from 10 countries and regions, who showcased cutting-edge solutions for smart factories, highlighting the burgeoning role of multinational corporations in China's industrial transformation.

Running from June 17 to 19, the event marked the world's first full-scenario digital manufacturing exhibition, drawing unprecedented crowds and attention from industry leaders and enthusiasts alike.

Among the prominent exhibitors was Festo, a renowned player in automation technology and technical education based in Germany, with over 30 years in the Chinese market.

Specializing in serving industries such as new energy vehicles, electronics, lightweight assembly, and semiconductors, Festo presented a range of application scenarios of its digital solutions at the expo, including real-time energy consumption monitoring and predictive maintenance.

Wang Rui, vice-president of Festo China, noted the overwhelming interest from clients in these innovative applications.

Hexagon and ABB, global leaders in measurement technologies and industrial automation and power technologies respectively, tailored hybrid strategies for the Chinese market.

Hexagon operates multiple research and development hubs and solution centers across China, while ABB's China-based digital empowerment center focuses on local artificial intelligence innovation in an effort to address real-world challenges, as highlighted by Zheng Xiliang, the head of ABB's digital center.

Dassault Systemes highlighted its "In China, For China" approach by integrating AI into its 3DE platform for smart manufacturing.

Samson Group also showcased its innovative solutions at the expo, with the Sam Guard platform using artificial intelligence for predictive maintenance in chemical and pharmaceutical plants.

Research by Ipsos and Digit Events Limited forecasts China's manufacturing digitalization market to reach 2.7 trillion yuan ($376.6 billion) by 2030.

CEO Zhou Jianliang of Digit Events Limited highlighted that AI, digital twins, and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) factors are reshaping the future of manufacturing, indicating a promising trajectory for the industry in the coming years.

Source: Shanghai Observer