Ecological reconstruction and adaptability achieved!
CMRA Second Council Meeting and Industry Leaders Summit
On the afternoon of December 12th, the “CMRA Second Council Meeting and Industry Leaders Summit” was held in Dongguan, Guangdong. The meeting was chaired by the Secretary-General of the CMRA, Li Jinke. The alliance’s president, Zhang Lei, honorary president Wang Hongyu, vice presidents Gong Jianning, Zheng Yong, Wu Yao, Zhang Xianjun, Ren Haihua, Wang Wenfei, Li Dawei, Lu Bing, and other leaders of alliance member units, totaling more than 80 people, attended the meeting.
At the beginning of the meeting, CMRA President Zhang Lei delivered the opening speech. He stated that this year marks the sixth year since the establishment of CMRA, and through everyone’s collective efforts, CMRA has continued to grow, consistently driving the industry forward. In 2023, influenced by the international political and economic situation, enterprises are facing significant pressure, and industry competition is becoming increasingly intense. While competition is normal, malicious competition can harm the entire industry. As member units of the alliance, he urged everyone to actively seek solutions to address these challenges together. In recent years, Chinese mobile robotics has been developing positively in technology, products, and applications. The future market space remains vast, and he believes that with everyone’s concerted efforts, the industry will continue to thrive.
Subsequently, Secretary-General Li Jinke provided an overview of the current development status of CMRA and outlined the various tasks planned for 2023. Throughout the year, CMRA organized a series of industry exchange meetings, initiated the development of two group standards, conducted in-depth market visits to over a hundred enterprises, and released a series of industry reports and blueprints in the field of industrial research. In addition, the alliance established a Public Affairs Department in 2023 to facilitate connections between enterprises and various platforms such as government and capital. The alliance’s overseas platform is also gradually being established and improved.
Li Jinke expressed gratitude to all the leaders and member companies for their continuous support and care for the alliance. The vision of the alliance is to make Chinese mobile robotics have a global impact. In the future, the alliance will continue to strive in this direction, working to propel the Chinese mobile robotics industry onto the world stage.
At the meeting, the president, vice presidents, chairman of the board of directors, and representatives of vice-chairman units of the alliance successively addressed issues related to industrial development.
Founder and CEO of Geek+, Zheng Yong: Since the beginning of this year, there have been significant changes in the economic landscape both domestically and internationally. The uncertain environment is believed to be a challenge faced by companies across the industry. Geek+ has undergone considerable changes in the past two years to adapt to the evolving market conditions. Since its establishment in 2015, the company has transitioned from an early focus on scale to gradually entering a relatively more mature stage, emphasizing profitability. From a business perspective, Geek+ continues to refine its focus.
Geek+’s strength lies in its overseas operations, which present a promising market. However, the overseas business environment differs from that in China. We hope that all enterprises expanding internationally can engage in more rational competition, collectively shaping a positive image for Chinese companies. This is deemed necessary.
Wu Yao, Vice President of HikRobotics: Competition in the industry is normal, and each company is in a different state. Different pursuits over a certain period lead to different market strategies. However, it is essential to maintain a certain level of rationality. Delivery issues should be emphasized, and I believe that truly addressing the needs of users is the foundation for the long-term development of a company. This is also the direction we aspire to pursue. We hope that HikRobotics can become a positive incentive driving the development of the entire industry.
Founder & CEO of Fairyland Tech, Li Dawei: We cannot change the era we live in, so it is crucial to recognize our environment and adapt to the times. In the current market environment, cash flow is the key to ensuring that a company ‘lives for today,’ while profitability determines whether a company can survive until tomorrow. When it comes to the essence of business operations, I believe that every company should first establish its foundation—something irreplaceable by others. Furthermore, I hope that all founders in the industry can adhere to their original intentions, remain steadfast in their beliefs, and adopt a long-term perspective. It’s okay to progress slowly, as long as you are on the right path.
Vice General Manager of MTD CAM, Gong Jianning: With an increasing number of participants in the mobile robotics industry, robust growth has been achieved through intense competition. However, throughout this process, it is hoped that everyone can persist in the original intention of creating value for customers and empowering them. Serving each enterprise well is crucial. The application of robotics is undoubtedly a major trend in the future development of the manufacturing industry. Let’s work together to build a positive industry reputation.
General Manager of KSEC Intelligent, Zhang Xianjun: Based on KSEC’s own development experience, we have been focusing on cultivating smaller niche industries, such as the liquor industry, over the past few years. We have now established our competitive barriers in the industry, and the competition is relatively less intense. Therefore, I suggest that everyone explore new industries, establish their thresholds, enhance project profitability, and achieve the company’s sustainable development.
General Manager of CSG Huaxiao, Lu Bing: Looking at the direction of industrial development, we are confident in the future development of mobile robotics. The market size is gradually increasing, and there is significant demand in the industry. However, from the perspective of business operations, managing a company is like dancing on the edge of a cliff. One must always plan where the next step will land; otherwise, there is a risk of falling into the abyss. In business management, it is not only crucial to identify the right industry and enhance product quality but also important to improve the efficiency of internal management within the company.
President of Guozi Robotics, Wang Wenfei: Capital is like a double-edged sword. In the beginning, there might be significant industry bubbles, and the AGV industry experienced this phenomenon in the past few years. However, it is gradually recovering rationality now, which is a positive trend. Regarding international expansion, I hope that in the future, the industry can join hands to venture into overseas markets, making Chinese AGV a prominent symbol. By doing so, we can attract more customers to choose Chinese companies. Throughout this process, all of us need to ensure our profits—a favorable outcome.
Founder & CEO of iplusbot, Chen Shouxian: In the current broader economic environment, the most crucial aspect of business operation may be how to enhance internal aspects. One is improving internal operational efficiency, and the other is leveraging the unique resource endowment of the enterprise to amplify it as a pivot for overall development. These are the aspects we need to consider. This year, many are talking about going international. I believe that if we are to go abroad, everyone should adhere to a bottom line—quality and integrity. This is the key for Chinese companies to gain international customer trust.
Honorary Chairman of CMRA, Wang Hongyu: After the changes in the listing rules on the Science and Technology Innovation Board this year, profitability has become a core issue that companies need to consider. Especially in the current Chinese capital market, with the exit of USD funds and relatively small-scale local capital investment, it is crucial for companies to “sustain” themselves. Additionally, many companies currently have diverse business operations and scattered industries. I believe everyone can adopt a subtraction approach, focusing their business more, and moving forward with a leaner strategy. Moreover, companies can appropriately slow down their pace; “running too fast” may leave many issues behind, and the “debts” incurred in the early stages will eventually need to be repaid.
Chairman of Hangcha Intelligence, Ren Haihua: In addition to AGV, this year, Hangcha Intelligence has established a joint venture with another company to engage in system integration. We maintain an open and cooperative attitude, hoping to collaborate for mutual success with everyone.
Founder & CEO of Youibot, Zhang Zhaohui: Youibot has consistently implemented an industry strategy. We have been focusing on the electronics industry since 2019. Later, due to the cyclicality of many industries, we expanded into 1-2 more industries. Currently, our main focus is on in-depth cultivation in 2-3 industries. I also look forward to each one of us finding our areas of expertise and bringing our best products to a global scale.
Founder & CEO of Future Robotics, Li Luyang: As everyone has emphasized the importance of cash flow, I fully agree. Judging by the industry development situation this year, money can solve 99% of problems. How to make money? Every company has several high-quality customers. Serving these customers well and increasing customer stickiness are key to making money. Additionally, selling more products that are easy to deliver with high profits and adopting a focused approach to flagship products are crucial factors for profit improvement.
Hai Robotics China President, Liu Jingtao: “Hai Robotics has always been contemplating the essence of value creation. We now believe it is about providing customers with high-quality services, achieving ultimate quality in both hardware and software and enhancing the quality of project delivery and management control. Simultaneously, we aim to avoid deteriorating the industry, chart our course, and make it easier for others to follow. By adhering to this principle, we can enhance industry reputation, and consequently, expand the overall market share.”
EP Equipment Robot Business Division General Manager, Qiu Fangchang: EP Equipment initially focused on products when entering the mobile robot industry. Now, we are starting to undertake some simple projects. In the entire process of manufacturing industry transformation, many companies, during the initial exploration phase, only need some basic automated handling. We are thinking step by step to meet these simple needs first. Making products that are very simple, user-friendly, and easy to use is quite challenging. Many companies are currently developing out-of-the-box and lightly deployable vehicles, but there is still a long way to go. Each company has its strengths, and we can complement each other, collaborate, and jointly serve our customers.
Vice General Manager of NTI Intelligent Robotics, Zou Yangbo: I believe that any company should stand firm in its development philosophy and goals. Once a company has chosen its path, it must have confidence in the industry. The mobile robotics industry still holds immense potential for development, with significant demand both in China and globally. By taking practical steps and moving forward steadfastly, companies can certainly achieve substantial and sustained growth.
The power of an individual may be insignificant, but the strength of a collective is inexhaustible. The development of the industry carries a heavy responsibility and a long road ahead. Reflecting on the past, summarizing the present, and looking ahead to the future, we believe that, with the collective efforts of alliance members, the future of China’s mobile robotics industry will evolve in a more positive and healthy direction.
