China's first smart glassware factory built in Shanxi

(chinadaily.com.cn)

Updated: 2020-06-01

China's first intelligent daily glassware factory recently started construction in Qixian county, a glassware production hub in North China's Shanxi province.

With an investment of 368 million yuan ($51.71 million) by Shanxi Dahua Glass Intelligent Manufacturing Co, the factory will be built in two phases -- first, a high-end crystalline goblet production line and a vase production line and secondly, a high-end water glass production line. 

The entire output process would be intelligent, with a central operations and management system used throughout the production and operations of the factory. Once it goes into production, the new plant is expected to produce 45 million pieces of glassware of various types each year and generate about 404 million yuan in annual output value, 107 million yuan in annual profits and pay taxes of 55.5 million yuan annually. 

To reduce the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the local daily glassware industry, Qixian county has been exploring the construction of Belt and Road Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Industrial Cooperation Zone -- together with countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Officials said this would boost the level of foreign cooperation and its brand value as a glassware production hub in China.

Since February, the county has arranged for companies to register, participate in and conduct business matchmaking at fairs at home and abroad -- such as the Shenzhen international Gift and Home Product Fair and the Ambiente Frankfurt show in Germany -- so as to promote more local glassware products to domestic and overseas markets.

Meanwhile, the county has cooperated with Shanxi Cultural Tourism Investment Holding Group Co on developing glass tea sets for the herbal tea industry. 

It has also made efforts to develop and transform itself from being a glassware export-oriented county into a comprehensive industrial development base, integrating glassware research and development, as well as the manufacturing, processing and marketing sectors.