Cornerstone industries drive transformation in NETDA

The steel wire rope and textile industries were the cornerstones of growth in the Nantong Economic and Technological Development Area's early years. After 40 years, these industries have undergone a significant transformation and now serve as models of innovation and development.

One of the leading companies in NETDA's steel wire rope sector is Jiangsu Nengda Wire Products Co Ltd. Earlier this year, the company partnered with the Jiangsu Shagang Institute of Research of Iron & Steel to develop high-strength steel wire ropes for bridge cables. Currently, its steel wire ropes are being used in the construction of the Zhangjinggao Bridge and are expected to play a critical role in other major transportation projects, particularly bridge construction.

In the textile sector, Luolai Home Textiles stands out as a prominent representative. Since achieving the top spot in e-commerce sales in 2012, the company has remained an industry leader by embracing smart manufacturing. Luolai has made significant strides in areas such as intelligent manufacturing, automated quality testing, smart logistics, and digital transformation. These efforts have shortened production cycles, reduced costs, and revolutionized production methods, enabling the company to achieve an industry-leading upgrade.

According to Yu Yin, manager at Luolai Lifestyle Technology Co Ltd, the company is investing 5 billion yuan ($686.32 million) in its smart industrial park project. Once the first phase is operational, the park will achieve comprehensive upgrades in precision, automation, and digitalization compared to the existing factories. Production output per unit area is expected to increase by 50 percent, further propelling the industry toward a higher level of development.

A factory belonging to Luolai Textile. [Photo/Nantong Daily]