On May 13, the 28th Dalian International Industrial Expo opened at the Dalian Free Trade Zone International Convention and Exhibition Center. More than 900 renowned domestic and international industrial enterprises gathered, with over 50,000 visitors expected to attend. This event is not only a major industrial showcase but also a collective response to the question of how the manufacturing sector can embrace digitalization.

At the China International Industrial Fair: A Leap from “Manufacturing” to “Smart Manufacturing”

Stepping into the exhibition hall, global industrial giants such as Mazak, FANUC, Yaskawa, ABB, Siemens, and Schneider Electric took center stage. From micron‑level precision inspection to high‑end five‑axis machining centers, and from collaborative robots to digital factory solutions, a parade of cutting‑edge equipment left visitors dazzled.

But what truly captivates me is not these “high‑end,” cutting‑edge devices, but rather a seemingly ordinary yet profoundly disruptive concept— Data-Driven Intelligent Manufacturing 。

Insights from the Gigafactory: Data Makes Production “Speak”

At the exhibition, the case of FAW Jiefang’s Dachai “Super Factory” drew widespread attention. The factory’s core architectural philosophy is remarkably straightforward: Stable, comprehensive, and accessible 。

• Stable : Establish a three-tiered defense system to ensure data security;
• All : Interoperates with over a hundred protocols, enabling even legacy devices to “speak up”;
• Passing : Integrate product flow, order flow, and manufacturing flow into a unified system, achieving end-to-end connectivity across all factors.

The results are staggering: platform anomalies have been reduced by more than 30%, the product development cycle has been shortened by over 20%, and quality traceability now extends back 15 years!

What does this mean for the coatings industry?

Imagine this: in our paint manufacturing facility, every batch—right from raw material input and reaction temperature to grinding fineness and color deviation—could be recorded in real time, with automated alerts and end-to-end traceability. This would not only ensure regulatory compliance but also serve as a cornerstone of competitive advantage.

The “Technology for All” Experiment in Dalian Jinpu New Area

Even more surprisingly, digital transformation is not just “a game for big corporations.”

Representatives from Dalian Jinpu New Area Inte Simulation Technology Co., Ltd. introduced the Dalian Industrial Simulation Public Service Platform, which was jointly developed by Detai Technology and Inte Simulation. The platform has deployed 11 simulation software packages, including fluid‑based and structural‑analysis tools. Since going live over a year ago, it has delivered remarkable results: one enterprise, by leveraging these simulation tools, reduced its physical‑modeling cycle from one month to two days, cutting costs by RMB 50,000 per run—amounting to annual savings of RMB 400,000—and shortening its R&D timeline by 45%.

What does this mean for our coatings companies?

Coating formulation optimization, color matching, and process parameter tuning—tasks that once relied on seasoned experts’ experience and iterative trial-and-error—are now being dramatically accelerated through simulation technology.

More importantly: This is not “the future,” but a tool that can be used today. 。

Policy Tailwind: Countdown to 2027

At the exhibition, the “General Assessment Indicator System for Digital Transformation in Manufacturing” released by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology sparked widespread discussion. The system categorizes enterprises’ digitalization levels into six tiers, ranging from L0 to L5.

The policy objective is very clear:

• 2027 All industrial enterprises above designated size in major industrial provinces and cities must achieve full data‑driven traceability coverage.
• 2030 : Industrial enterprises above designated size further achieve digitalization of their operational processes.

As a key city, Dalian is stepping up its efforts. However, the results of the preliminary assessment indicate: Achieving the 2027 target will still require tremendous effort. 。

What does this mean? The window of opportunity is rapidly narrowing. Companies that proactively position themselves early will reap the benefits of favorable policies, while those that remain on the sidelines may face compliance risks.

In Dalian’s Jinpu New Area, a coatings company is responding to the challenge of “digital transformation” with concrete actions—namely, Holy Hong Chemical Our new factory on Songmu Island was designed from the outset with a “digital DNA”:

• Real-time collection of production data, with end-to-end traceability;
• Intelligent control of process parameters reduces human error.
• Automated environmental data monitoring, ensuring compliance with peace of mind.

This is not “intelligence for the sake of intelligence,” but rather… Solve real-world business pain points with data. How can we ensure consistent quality across every batch of paint? How can we swiftly respond to customers’ customized requirements? And how can we turn environmental compliance into a competitive advantage rather than a cost?

Drawing on the case studies and policy directions presented at the exhibition, Holy Hong’s considerations can begin with three steps:

Step 1: Assess the Current Situation We will cooperate with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s enterprise surveys and conduct an assessment of our level of digitalization. Only by understanding which stage—L0 to L5—we are at can we target our efforts effectively.

Step 2: Small Incision Breakthrough There’s no need to do it all at once. You can start with… Order Management Order fulfillment—enables end-to-end visual tracking of orders from receipt to shipment; it can also be used to… Cost accounting Cost Allocation — Accurately apportion costs such as materials, outsourced services, labor, and utilities to each individual order.

Step 3: Leverage the platform Leverage government‑provided public platforms to pilot digital tools at low cost. Never underestimate the strategic value behind “free.”

Conclusion: The future is already here—where are you?

At the 2026 Dalian International Industrial Fair, not only was the cutting edge of technology on full display, but a clear message was also conveyed: Digital transformation is not a matter of “whether or not to do it,” but rather an essential question of “how to do it.” 。

For industrial coatings companies, this is both a challenge and an opportunity.

Holy Hong Chemical, as a pioneer in the intelligent transformation of industrial coatings in Northeast China, is eager to explore all possibilities along this path with you.