Zhou Qing, Operations Director of Hexagon Shanghai, vividly recalled his first visit to the "Four-leaf Clover", the venue of the China International Import Expo (CIIE). The expansive exhibition halls, the diverse array of products, and the constant flow of visitors left a lasting impression of China's commitment to openness. What amazed him even more was that through this grand event, he and his team not only showcased the company's strengths to the world but also rediscovered the immense value of their specialized business areas, thanks to enthusiastic feedback from the global market.

HIGH EXPOSURE FACILITATES "BOARDING THE SHIP"

In Zhou's view, subtle changes began to occur when the media connected Hexagon's advanced technology with this special design project.

Hexagon, a Swedish provider of measurement and information technology specializing in digital information technology solutions, had already been deeply involved in the full process of constructing the "Adora Magic City" cruise ship before participating in the CIIE. From hull structure design, internal management system setup, to fluid dynamics simulation analysis and large-scale measurement equipment, its industrial software provided technical support for "shaping" the cruise. 

In the CIIE, when the media conducted in-depth reports on this project, the team's pride surged, and the story of "Hexagon Supporting China's Cruise Dream" became widely known in the industry, bringing more clients to the company.

According to Zhou, after the reports were published, many shipbuilding enterprises and large component manufacturers came seeking collaboration, providing Hexagon with more effective business opportunities. "In this process, we also established long-term relationships with relevant government bodies and large enterprises, expanding cooperation on multiple dimensions."

Zhou admited that the CIIE acts like a magnifying glass, allowing the technical value hidden deep within the industrial chain to be seen by more people. "Previously, we relied on professional exhibitions focused on a single industry to reach clients, with a limited circle. The CIIE allowed us to break out of industry boundaries and gain unexpected recognition."

Zhou Qing, Operations Director of Hexagon Shanghai, receives an interview. 

FROM CHINESE EXHIBITS TO GLOBAL ORDERS

At the CIIE, "first launches" are more than mere product showcases; they serve as a "golden key" for companies to unlock new markets.

In 2024, Hexagon globally launched the "DEFLECTO High-Reflective Surface Defect Detection Solution" at the CIIE. This solution, primarily targeting the 3C electronics industry for detecting micro-defects in phone casings and computer screens, uses artificial intelligence to train models capable of identifying minute flaws.

"From a global perspective, China's electronics industry is the largest and most dynamic in terms of scale. And this technology is led and driven by China. The Chinese market not only matures this technology but also enables its productization. We then released these results through the CIIE, allowing the world to benefit from the related R&D outcomes," explained Han Fei, Vice General Manager of Hexagon East China. Once exhibited, the product received numerous orders and is now applied in Southeast Asia and Europe.

The "magnetic effect" of the CIIE allows these products and services to bypass the traditionally long cycle required for market expansion. As Han stated, "here, global attention and demand converge, enabling products to swiftly transform from 'exhibits' to 'commodities'."

PROPELLING CHINESE RESEARCH TEAMS TO WORLD

Through its three participations in the CIIE, Hexagon has continually advanced its localization strategy in China, elevating its Chinese team from "participants" to "leaders".

In 2019, during its first participation in the CIIE, Hexagon was deeply impressed by the immense potential and openness of the Chinese market, deciding to establish its China R&D headquarters. Today,  Hexagon has established R&D centers in Qingdao, Shanghai, Beijing, Shenzhen, and Wuhan, and operates five production bases across China.

In 2023, during its second participation in the CIIE, Hexagon's Chinese team showcased its "localization achievements." The successful debut of the world's most precise measuring machine prompted Hexagon's headquarters to allocate more core technology R&D work to China, breaking away from the traditional model of "R&D in Europe and America, production in Asia." Zhou stated, "This is a significant step in our localization strategy, indicating that China is not just a market but also a production base."

Han Fei, Vice General Manager of Hexagon East China, receives an interview. 

The Chinese market holds a significant position in the company's global strategy. Currently, China's annual output value accounts for more than 30% of the group's total output value. Hexagon in China is not only a sales market but also a global R&D center, with new equipment and technology developed locally in China capable of empowering other regions globally.

In 2024, during its third participation in the CIIE, Hexagon globally launched the "DEFLECTO High-Reflective Surface Defect Detection Solution," further empowering the Chinese team to take the lead in shaping the company's R&D direction.

"Previously, Hexagon introduced foreign technology to the Chinese market, but now we can export technology developed in China to the world," Han acknowledged. This transformation is largely fueled by the feedback received at the CIIE, where the Chinese team can directly sense the pulse of the global market and swiftly demonstrate the strength of Chinese innovation to the world.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is compiled from materials provided by relevant parties participating in the CIIE and media reports,  with the CIIE Bureau objectively compiling relevant content. The CIIE Bureau does not take responsibility for disputes or losses arising from the following circumstances: deviations in expression due to outdated information updates; readers' subjective judgments or actions based on this article; unauthorized alteration or dissemination of the content by third parties.