The signing ceremony for S&SYS' ship electrical automation system project was held in the Nantong National High-tech Industrial Development Zone (NHIZ), Tongzhou district, on April 8.

The project marks the first manufacturing base funded and built in China by S&SYS, which was originally the electromechanical division of Samsung Heavy Industries under Fortune Global 500 company Samsung Group. It will be put into production in the third quarter of 2026. Over the next five years, it is expected to generate about 1 billion yuan ($146.39 million) in cumulative sales.

Jae-hyuk Bae, CEO of S&SYS, cited China's status as the world's largest shipbuilding market, as well as the district's advantageous location, complete supporting industries, and highly-efficient governmental services as reasons for choosing the NHIZ. He also said he looked forward to closer cooperation with the district's government to drive high-quality industrial development.

The NHIZ has been focusing on the marine equipment industry in recent years, bringing together companies like Donghwa Entec, Sinostar Marine, and Danhua Marine. Hosting research institutes like Shanghai Jiao Tong University Nantong Advanced Technology Research Institute and collaborating with Southeast University, the zone has formed an integrated model for platform building, technology commercialization, and talent development in marine engineering and high-end equipment.

The cityscape of Tongzhou district, Nantong. [Photo/WeChat account: wxtzfb]