When the lights of the "Four-Leaf Clover", the venue for the China International Import Expo (CIIE), first illuminated the KEYENCE booth, those sensors, gleaming with metallic luster, stood like a regiment of soldiers ready to explore their "battlefield", while the digital microscope lenses reflected the vibrant pulse of the Chinese market.

As a global supplier of sensors, measurement systems, laser markers, microscopy systems, and standalone imaging systems, KEYENCE views the CIIE as a "sensor" to perceive opportunities in China—by shifting perspectives, one can see countless doors opening to a bright future.

The KEYENCE booth at the CIIE. Source: KEYENCE

SENSING OPPORTUNITIES IN CHINA

At the KEYENCE booth, such scenes repeatedly unfold: automotive parts manufacturers gather around sensing equipment to discuss precision, researchers hold samples to inquire about the observational limits of microscopes, and logistics companies are eager for automation transformations in package management. 

These warm demands are more vivid than any industry report. Amidst the bustling exchanges, KEYENCE has sensed the transformation pace of Chinese manufacturing—when traditional factories yearn for "intelligent eyes", and precision manufacturing demands detection capabilities akin to "Hawkeye", those technical solutions that once served global factories have finally found new nourishment on this fertile ground through the CIIE.

According to Takeda Yukio, Chief Executive Officer of Business Operations Division at KEYENCE (CHINA) CO., LTD., through the CIIE, KEYENCE not only showcased how sensors, machine vision, and other innovative technologies empower smart manufacturing but also deeply participated in the co-construction of the industry’s upstream and downstream ecosystem. This fully demonstrates the openness and innovative vitality of the Chinese market.

CONNECTING GLOBAL WISDOM

"The unique aspect of the CIIE is its influence as a national-level platform and its high-quality audience," said Ichimura Takuya, Marketing Director of Microscopy/3D Measurement Systems Division at KEYENCE (CHINA) CO., LTD. Here, companies can directly engage with policymakers and industry leaders, gaining firsthand market insights. 

Displaying the latest technology and reaching target customers... More importantly, it is about accurately capturing the evolution of demand in the Chinese market. According to Ichimura Takuya, based on market feedback obtained at the CIIE, KEYENCE accelerated its product localization development, thereby assisting Chinese enterprises in successfully going global.

Over the years of continuous participation, KEYENCE's booth has been quietly undergoing profound changes—from initially bringing standard exhibits synchronized with global standards to focusing on showcasing industry solutions. Behind this adjustment is the "magnifying glass" effect of the CIIE—it allows companies to clearly see the uniqueness of the Chinese market: the need for innovative technology synchronized with the world, and the desire for flexible solutions that can be implemented locally. 

A long-time customer at the 7th CIIE laughed and said, "your equipment understands Chinese factories more and more." This "understanding" is the wisdom KEYENCE has accumulated amidst the lively voices of the CIIE—opportunities are never ready-made answers but are grown through deep dialogue with this land.

The KEYENCE booth at the CIIE. Source: KEYENCE

CATALYZING COOPERATIVE MOMENTUM

In Ichimura Takuya's view, the adjustment of KEYENCE's exhibition focus is a proactive response to the upgrading demand for intelligent and green manufacturing in the Chinese market. Through the CIIE, KEYENCE not only enhanced its brand awareness but also established closer cooperative relationships with leading enterprises in industries such as new energy, semiconductors, and 3C, with business volume increasing year by year. 

Business cards exchanged at the exhibition can become seeds for subsequent cooperation, and impromptu technical discussions might incubate brand-new solutions. "The CIIE is a benchmark platform for China’s new era of openness and sharing, and it is also a 'high-speed channel' for connecting global innovative technologies with industrial demands," said Takeda Yukio. In the future, KEYENCE will continue to use the CIIE as a fulcrum to accelerate technology implementation and help Chinese partners create the next generation of factory automation standards.

As the 8th CIIE approaches, KEYENCE knows that another journey of opportunity discovery is about to begin—and the most captivating part of this stage is always those Chinese stories full of possibilities hidden behind demands, with the CIIE stories being the most vivid chapters among them. 

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.