Where Innovation Meets Imagination
Yaskawa is expanding its manufacturing operation in Sweden, according to a report on Evertiq.com.
One of the world’s largest industrial robot manufacturers, Yaskawa is investing a further €4 million into the plant at Torsås, Sweden.
The work will eventually expand the facility by 2,000 sq m and is expected to be completed by summer 2018. [Read more…] about Yaskawa invests €4 million in production facility in Sweden, and partners with Midea in Asia
China’s auto market is creating “explosive growth opportunity” for companies prepared to adapt their approach, according to a new report by Gao Feng.
The report, Rising Opportunities in China’s Automotive Independent Aftermarket, was produced by Bill Russo, Jason Zhang, Jackie Tang and Peter Hu.
The authors say China’s automotive market has “entered a new phase” which brings “enormous opportunities”. [Read more…] about China’s fast-growing automotive market presents opportunities for all
China’s plan to expand the nation’s robotics and automation industry seems to be working, according to a new survey by TheRobotReport.com.
The website tracks robotics companies worldwide and editor Frank Tobe says he wrote about 194 robot companies in China in 2015, but now that number has more than doubled to greater than 500.
The Chinese government launched a “robot revolution” as part of its Made in China 2025 program a couple of years ago, partly because it has become the world’s biggest buyer of robots and would like some of those robots to be made by domestic companies. [Read more…] about Chinese government’s plan to grow robotics and automation industry seems to be working
By Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng
China’s fast economic growth, its gradual but consistent transition from a planned economy toward a market economy, the emergence of highly intensive competition in the open sectors, the increasing prevalence of technology and the availability of angel investing and venture capital funds all contributed to the emergence of waves of entrepreneurship and innovation in China that the country had not seen before.
In their search for growth strategies, these Chinese entrepreneurs were typically fast and agile. Some of them developed diversified conglomerates, and there were others that decided on a narrow focus, taking the core competence approach.
The results have been mixed. Interestingly, some of them, through trial and error, discovered a third way of strategy development. We call it “multiple jumping”. [Read more…] about Finding a third way forward for China’s economy
By Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng
For a long time, Chinese companies have been known for copying market-proven products, brands and business models from the West and adapting them for the local market with only minor modifications. Such a phenomenon is known as shanzhai, a Chinese term that was originally used to describe a bandit stronghold outside government control. In today’s slang, it refers to businesses based on fake or pirated products.
Shanzhai has been prevalent in China in recent decades and this has earned China the reputation of being a “copycat nation”. Western media report that China’s preferential policies and regulations to restrict market access, such as the the “Great Firewall” in the internet industry, and the lack of intellectual property protection, give Chinese companies an unfair home advantage to create copies.
While shanzhai is common across a range of products and services, it is particularly prevalent in the internet sector. Chinese internet companies are often compared to their Western counterparts based on the similarity of their business models. For example, Baidu is known as the “Google of China”, Alibaba as the “eBay of China”, and Xiaomi as the “Apple of China”, just to name a few. [Read more…] about How China’s ‘copycat’ tech companies are now the ones to beat
By Edward Tse, CEO of Gao Feng
Hong Kong’s government has a reputation for being inward-looking when it comes to formulating policies.
Prior to the 1997 handover, such an approach was acceptable and made sense, as Hong Kong was separated from mainland China.
However, interactions between the city and mainland have significantly increased since the handover.
The government must now take a more holistic approach to understanding the overall developments on the mainland and their implications for the future of Hong Kong.
A case in point is Hong Kong’s land use planning. [Read more…] about China must take holistic approach to future of Hong Kong
The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has organised a joint US-China Robotics Forum to be held April 4 at the Automate 2017 Show and Conference at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
The forum will bring together A3’s Robotic Industries Association, the leading North American robotics industry trade organization, and its counterpart, the China Robot Industry Alliance.
According to the World Robotics Report 2016, published by the International Federation of Robotics, China has significantly expanded its leading position as the largest robotics market in the world purchasing 27 per cent of the total supply in 2015. [Read more…] about Automate 2017 to host US-China robotics forum
HIT Robot Group, which claims to be China’s leading robotics manufacturer, will make its debut appearance at Automate 2017, the largest show of robots and automation technology in North America.
The company will bring its latest smart factory model of robot and hopes Automate will provide a platform for seeking global partners.
Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) every other year, Automate is one of the top 10 manufacturing shows in the US.
This year the event will take place at McCormick Place in Chicago from April 3rd to April 6th, and will attract big names in the automation industry like ABB, Denso and Kawasaki. [Read more…] about HIT Robot Group to showcase products at Automate 2017 for the first time
Mobile Industrial Robots, a developer and manufacturer of autonomous mobile robots, claims it has seen “an astounding 500 percent growth in sales” in 2016, with over 200 MiR100 robots and accessories installed in more than 30 countries.
The company says it has an “ambitious” plan, and has recently expanded its global presence, establishing regional offices in New York and Shanghai.
With substantial increases in hiring in 2016, MiR also tripled the size of its Denmark headquarters, relocating to a new location that will support its ongoing expansion.
In 2017, the front-runner expects to further consolidate its leadership position with a new product that will be launched in Chicago on April 3, 2017 at Automate, North America’s largest automation trade show. [Read more…] about MiR reports 500 per cent growth in sales of logistics robots
By Edward Tse, Gao Feng Advisory
Donald Trump’s recent appointment of Peter Navarro to head his newly formed White House National Trade Council has sparked controversy.
Navarro is known for his hawkish views on China and many believe that, by appointing him, the US president-elect is signalling that he will play hardball with China on trade when he takes office.
Navarro has written a number of books and filmed a documentary in which he criticised China for unfair trade practices, especially with the US. He has called China “a cheat”, “brutal” and “amoral”.
Instead of launching a trade war, collaboration is the way to go. [Read more…] about Trump policy on China: Playing hardball
