From April 24 to 26, Man Shengang, Party Secretary and Chairman of Shandong Heavy Industry Group, visited Japan to survey Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center and Lovol Osaka Innovation Center, meet with partners in scientific and technological innovation and high-end supply chains, and witness the signing of important cooperation agreements. Ma Changhai, member of the Group Party Committee and Vice General Manager, participated in the survey.

Building the Japan innovation centers into the Group's bridgehead for cutting-edge technology

Man Shengang first visited Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center and Lovol Osaka Innovation Center, where he met with local employees, listened to work reports, and held discussions with experts. During the visit, Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center and Sinotruk held a signing ceremony for cooperation on a pickup truck development project and a lean project. The two innovation centers in Japan are strategic pillars for Shandong Heavy Industry's global R&D system development and supply chain layout. Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center is positioned for powertrain system and commercial vehicle R&D, while Lovol Osaka Innovation Center is positioned for agricultural equipment and construction machinery R&D. Since their establishment, the innovation centers have fully leveraged Japan's advanced industrial chains, technology chains, and talent chains, and have worked with local partners to carry out collaborative innovation, effectively driving the continuous improvement of the Group's product, technology, and market competitiveness.

Man Shengang said that Shandong Heavy Industry's strategic vision is to build a world-class high-end equipment multinational group with leading technology and green development. The two innovation centers in Japan should set high-level positioning, shoulder their responsibilities, and plan and advance their work with broader vision, higher standards, and greater effort, so as to become a bridgehead for cutting-edge technology that drives the Group toward world-class status. They should precisely benchmark against advanced enterprises, learn from the strong and dance with giants, learning both their "surface" and their "substance," both their "form" and their "soul," and continuously improve capabilities in scientific and technological innovation, supply chain, and quality management. They should deepen the integration of industry, academia, research, and application, base themselves on practicality, usefulness, and effectiveness, increase exchanges and cooperation in scientific and technological innovation and supply chains, and build a research and development community, value community, and community with a shared future featuring complementary advantages and win-win cooperation. They should build a stage for innovation careers, create a mechanism for efficient collaboration and two-way secondment between Chinese and Japanese R&D teams, continue to innovate and scale new heights, and make greater contributions to the Group's scientific and technological innovation endeavors.

Expanding the circle of friends for open innovation   Leading new green powertrain technologies

During the survey in Japan, Man Shengang visited a number of important partners and witnessed the signing of cutting-edge technology cooperation projects. Riken NPR Corporation focuses on the R&D and production of key engine components such as piston rings, valve seats, and camshafts. In Tokyo, Man Shengang met with Yasunori Maekawa, Chairman and CEO of Riken NPR, and Teruo Takahashi, President and COO, and witnessed the signing of a cooperation project between Weichai Power and Riken NPR. The two sides will further cooperate in cutting-edge technology fields such as the development of piston rings for methanol and hydrogen engines, jointly promoting the R&D and application of green and low-carbon engines.

Man Shengang visited HORIBA, Ltd. in Shiga Prefecture, held discussions with Masayuki Adachi, President of HORIBA, and witnessed the signing of a cooperation project between Weichai Power and HORIBA. HORIBA is a globally leading supplier of analytical and measurement instruments, and its emissions testing equipment occupies an important position in the global automotive industry. The two sides will carry out further cooperation in areas including advanced solutions for China VII emission diesel engines, testing technologies for hydrogen, ammonia, alcohol-ether, and synthetic fuel engines, and non-road engine application technologies and equipment, helping Weichai continue to lead the development of green powertrains.

Relevant responsible persons from Weichai Group, Sinotruk, Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agricultural Technology, Lovol Heavy Industry, and other affiliated enterprises participated in the activities.