With over 60 years of development, Hai'an's transformer industry has grown into a 10‑billion‑yuan‑level industrial cluster, home to 104 related enterprises. Its industrial output has exceeded 20 billion yuan, comprising 6 leading firms with output over one billion yuan each, 34 enterprises with output over 100‑million‑yuan each, and 8 national‑level "Little Giant" enterprises (885929) specializing in sophisticated, specialized, distinctive and innovative operations. Fortune Global 500 enterprises including Hyosung and Eaton (ETN) have set up operations here successively, forming a complete industrial chain covering raw material supply all the way to finished‑product testing. Against the backdrop of a "transformer shortage" driven by three overlapping demands: global power grid renovation, new‑energy (850101) grid‑connection and AI computing‑center construction, Hai'an‑based enterprises are collectively seizing opportunities to expand overseas.
Innovation serves as the core driving force for industrial leadership. Multiple leading enterprises keep forging ahead in cutting‑edge fields:
- Wang Xiaofeng, President of Ryan Electric, disclosed that the enterprise's 500 kV extra‑high‑voltage main transformer workshop will be put into operation in the second half of this year. It will accelerate the research and development of solid‑state transformers and tap into global markets through its joint venture and cooperation with Eaton (ETN).
The coordinated industrial development cannot be achieved without guidance and empowerment from the government and industry organizations. On June 2, the Second Council of Nantong Transformer Chamber of Commerce took office. Meanwhile, eight major service systems were released, and several platforms were inaugurated, including an industry self‑regulation convention, the Smart Grid (885311) Supporting Industrial Chain Coordinated Development Alliance, the Transformer Industry College, the Chamber of Commerce's Shenyang Office and a shared‑service platform. The Chamber of Commerce curbs malpractices such as cut‑throat price competition and poaching talents through self‑regulation rules. The Industry College and talent platforms match enterprises' labor demands, while overseas offices and industrial‑chain alliances open up channels for domestic and international resources. Supported by local exclusive "one‑chain‑one‑policy" initiatives and full‑cycle (883436) enterprise‑benefiting services, Hai'an has built a comprehensive support system spanning R&D, production‑capacity expansion and market development.
Evolving from manual workshops to a 10‑billion‑yuan cluster, from traditional manufacturing to high‑end smart manufacturing, and from isolated competition to united global expansion, Hai'an's transformer industry keeps undergoing transformation. Going forward, the locality will seize opportunities brought by global energy (850101) transition and the computing‑power economy. It will strengthen and complete the industrial chain driven by innovation, strive to build a world‑class transformer industrial cluster, and make "Hai'an Smart Manufacturing" shine on the international stage.