Experts from Decathlon observe the automation presentation at Qianxiduo Nantong Packaging Co in Hai'an. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Decathlon's Global Packaging Digital Conference, with a focus on digitalization of its packaging sector, took place at Qianxiduo Nantong Packaging Co, a dark factory in Hai'an, a county-level city of Nantong, on April 22.

The event brought over 30 packaging experts and technical directors to the factory, including Thierry Monniaux, head of packaging in Decathlon. They witnessed firsthand the smart manufacturing transition of a traditional packaging enterprise.

At the material storage center, the fully automatic ASCOT system was running. After receiving an order, it automatically picked the right cardboard from thousands of similar materials and sent it via conveyor belt to the next machines.

Qianxiduo has also built the first domestically made automated logistics warehouse for cardboard products in China's packaging industry. Its loading and unloading efficiency has reached 40 pallets per hour for inbound operations and 55 pallets per hour for outbound operations.

In the printing and carton workshops, several automated guided vehicles (AGVs) were navigating freely using advanced guidance technology. Zhang Naiwei, Qianxiduo's general manager, noted that from cutting and printing to laminating and die-cutting, all material handling is carried out by the AGVs.

As a pioneer in China's smart packaging sector, Qianxiduo plans to collect real-time data across every step of production, from raw material storage and production scheduling to equipment operation and finished goods delivery, creating a seamless digital chain.

On this second visit to Qianxiduo, Thierry Monniaux was impressed by the factory's automation and digital progress. He said that he had witnessed many advanced smart designs, especially innovations in front-end applications, adding that the visit had given him great confidence in the cooperation between the two sides.