Challenges for the Mold Industry in the Era of "Involution"
In his speech, Mr. Yi shared that, according to data from the German WBA Aachen Tooling Academy, the average profit margin of the German mold industry in 2022 had plummeted to one-third of its level in 2016, highlighting the severe challenges facing the global industry. Under the dual pressures of price reductions and ongoing profit compression, mold companies are entering a new competitive landscape characterized by "involution." In response to this situation, more and more companies are adopting a "vertical integration" strategy to redefine and strengthen their core competencies. At the same time, they are seizing opportunities in the digitalization and intelligence era, using these as core driving forces to stimulate new quality growth from within the company.

"Vertical Integration" to Build a "Hexagonal" All-Round Intelligent Manufacturing Factory
"Vertical integration" aids companies in creating a "hexagonal" all-round intelligent manufacturing factory with comprehensive competitive excellence, necessitating a holistic transformation from design to manufacturing, processing, warehousing, and logistics. Mr. Yi pointed out that EMAN has been deeply involved in the intelligent manufacturing systems of the mold industry for 20 years, leveraging its experience from over 2,000 digital and automated factory implementations to develop a complete digital solution for the mold industry. This solution covers all scenarios of mold design, production management, processing, warehousing logistics, and supply chain, including a digital production management system (MES), an intelligent mold design system, an advanced planning and scheduling system (APS), a flexible manufacturing system (FMS), and an in-plant intelligent warehousing and logistics system (AS/RS). These systems can help mold companies achieve seamless integration and flow of data across various scenarios, stages, and systems for digital transformation, thereby facilitating an integrated, holistic, and vertically integrated approach. This enables mold companies to achieve a fully digital and intelligent process from order to production, and from logistics to shipment.

As an enabler, EMAN has consistently been at the forefront of the industry, currently serving over 2000 clients including many industry leaders, specialized and innovative enterprises, and hidden champions. Together with numerous clients, EMAN has co-developed multiple benchmarks in digital transformation across various industries. In this sharing session, Mr. Yi presented a wealth of typical application cases from sectors such as automotive, home appliances, toys, and precision electronics, involving different types of molds like injection molds, stamping molds, and die-casting molds. These cases provide mold companies with abundant practical experience and pathways for transformation.

Amid frequent fluctuations in the global economic landscape and the continued deepening of digital transformation, EMAN is committed to driving innovation through technology and being guided by market demand. Together with more companies, EMAN aims to build "hexagonal" all-round intelligent manufacturing factories, helping mold companies enhance their competitiveness and secure success in complex and volatile market environments, thus opening a new chapter in intelligent manufacturing.