By Jin Lu

Visitors at the intelligent demonstration factory of Ningbo Cixing Co., Ltd. were recently captivated by a cutting-edge innovation: a fully automated flat knitting machine, capable of seamless knitting and powered by industrial internet technology. Suspended above the machine, spools of yarn fed into the needle grooves below, where the needles worked with remarkable speed. In just 30 minutes, the machine produced a stylish knitted sweater.

Cixing, maker of textile manufacture equipment, is a national sector champion of manufacturing and a pilot demonstration enterprise for intelligent manufacturing designated by China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The company is a leading producer of computerized flat knitting machinery. According to the China Textile Machinery Association, in the past few years, Cixing secured the top global market share in computerized flat knitting machines, with 21% in 2020 and 2021, and 25% in 2022.

Innovative Knitting Technology Impresses Visitors

"This new computerized flat knitting machine is the result of a decade of development and was our 'star product' last year," said Li Lijun, Vice General Manager of Cixing. "Compared to traditional equipment, it eliminates the need for multiple sewing steps, cutting production time by over 20%." Li further explained that the machine's embedded computer controls the cut, pattern, and size of the clothing, allowing designers' ideas or customer customization needs to be realized with ease through Cixing's independently developed intelligent patterning software.

"Since last year, Cixing has accelerated innovation and expanded aggressively into both domestic and international markets, resulting in impressive sales of computerized flat knitting machines," Li added. The company now serves customers in nearly 30 countries and regions, with more than 10,000 clients in China alone.

Strengthening critical technology research and rapidly adopting intelligent manufacturing have proven to be Cixing's secret recipe to success in new markets. In recent years, the company has significantly increased its investment in innovation, ramping up research and development efforts and building a team of nearly 260 R&D professionals. To cater to the equipment upgrade needs of many small and medium-sized sweater companies, Cixing developed a high-cost-performance computerized flat knitting machine.

A major customer from Tongxiang, Zhejiang, who was at the company to pick up a shipment in person, placed an order for 500 of Cixing's new machines after evaluating the cost-benefit ratio. "One operator can manage 16 of these new machines, and for every four machines, we save one sewing worker," he said. "This not only reduces labor costs but also boosts efficiency, with the equipment cost recoverable within two years." He added that with fewer skilled workers returning each year and the relatively long cycle of training new employees, upgrading equipment has become essential.

Homegrown Equipment Gains Nationwide Traction

Cixing is positioning itself not merely as an equipment manufacturer but as a provider of comprehensive digital knitting solutions. The company integrates hardware, such as computerized flat knitting machines, into full-scale digital factory solutions, helping customers enhance quality and efficiency while enabling flexible, customized, and high-value-added production models that prioritize small-scale runs and rapid turnaround times. "Cixing aims to lead the industry by developing a flexible supply chain in knitting and accelerating the shift towards service-oriented manufacturing," said Sun Pingfan, the company's chairman.

In recent years, Cixing has collaborated with downstream clients to speed up the development of "cloud factories," which allow for regional and distributed sweater production, reducing inventory, shortening production cycles, and boosting efficiency. Simultaneously, the company has formed strategic partnerships with upstream yarn manufacturers to strengthen the market competitiveness of its flexible supply chain. By partnering with prominent e-commerce companies, Cixing has successfully broadened its sales channels and increased the volume of orders from clients.

After years of expanding its market presence, Cixing has garnered a significant following in the global knitting industry. The company has offices in Bangladesh and Turkey and representatives in Italy and Argentina, creating a robust international network for market promotion, technical training, and product maintenance.

"Wherever our products are sold, we provide a full suite of online and in-person aftersales services," said Sun. He highlighted that in Bangladesh alone, Cixing has deployed nearly 50 technical service personnel who have trained over 3,000 skilled operators and management professionals in the use of computerized flat knitting machines.

"We aim to master core technologies and drive the industry forward." Sun remains steadfast in his commitment to independent innovation, steering the company with unwavering determination. The introduction of the seamless forming machine has emerged as a key growth driver, propelling the company's revenue to exceed 2 billion yuan last year. In the first quarter of this year alone, revenue hit 495 million yuan, marking an 11.72% increase from the previous year.