EDITOR'S NOTE:

It has been three years since the first edition of the China International Import Expo. This series of stories highlights the achievements and changes that participating enterprises have experienced because of the annual expo.

United States smart building solution provider Johnson Controls, which has participated in the China International Import Expo for three consecutive years since the first edition in 2018, remains convinced that attending the annual trade fair is essential to its growth.

Over the last three years, the company has introduced an array of new products to serve the demands of their Chinese clients in fields such as smart buildings and city upgrading.

At the inaugural CIIE, the company released several new products and services designed for smart buildings and smart cities. An automatic control system from Johnson Controls was also installed in the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai).

At the second CIIE, Johnson Controls debuted five new products related to smart safety management, automatic control systems for buildings and chiller systems with remote control functions. Smart building experts in the industry were invited to give detailed information about these new products at its booth.

At the third expo, Johnson Controls unveiled its OpenBlue digital platform -- it operates as the "brain" of a smart building -- and attracted significant attention from the media and buyers. The company also signed 11 intended deals worth over $18 million and inked an MoU with the CIIE Bureau, pledging that it would attend the next three editions of the trade fair.

That same year, Johnson Controls became a vice-chair of the expo's special committee for industrial digital transformation with the aim of supporting the upgrading of equipment manufacturers in China.

In the last three years, the CIIE has created unrivalled opportunities for Johnson Controls to reach more clients in China, not only during the expo, but also before and after the fair.

In August last year, the company signed major deals during a matchmaking event held in Jinan of Shandong province. In December, Johnson Controls signed a strategic agreement with the Jinan government to provide solutions for smart buildings and regional energy efficient enhancement. The company will also support Jinan in its quest to become a model city for green development.

After attending the CIIE for three years, the company believes that the event is an effective trade and communication platform that can create many possibilities.

China has become one of the most important markets for Johnson Controls and the company is optimistic about the Chinese market.

Zhu Yonghuan, vice-president of Johnson Controls and general manager of Johnson Controls China, said the company has brought many new and tailor-made smart and sustainable products for Chinese clients to the CIIE. It has also gathered constructive feedback from expo visitors and clients which has allowed the company to better understand the Chinese market. This feedback ensures that Johnson Controls can develop the most suitable products for local clients.

"The annual CIIE provides us with an ever-growing platform. We are keen to bring the latest products and market insights to the CIIE to communicate with potential buyers," Zhu said.

"We hope we can take advantage of the CIIE to support China's dual circulation development pattern and contribute to its carbon neutrality and carbon peak goals."

Enterprises participating CIIE are invited to share their own stories, please send email to ciiestories@ciie.org.

By Tang Zhihao

CIIE Stories | Exhibitors benefit a lot from CIIE