Driven by strong policy support, the story of manufacturing transformation in Dongtai, Jiangsu is vividly unfolding in workshops. As a benchmark of Dongtai's industrial strength strategy, the evolution of Jiangsu Leida Co., Ltd. (Leida Group) mirrors the city's manufacturing makeover.
In the workshop of Dongtai Leida Steel Cord Co., Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Leida Group, the roar of wet drawing machines is constant. A new 8 million yuan intelligent production line is running at full speed, pushing annual steel cord capacity to a new height of 330,000 tons. Transitioning from a brick factory to a cement plant and now into the steel cord industry, the company's multi-billion yuan investment in technical upgrades reflects the 'dare to break and build' spirit of Dongtai entrepreneurs.
'Entering the steel cord industry, the Group recognized the power of intelligent transformation and advanced technology. We produce high-strength, high-precision products to become a major supplier of radial tire reinforcement materials in China,' said Han Henggui, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Leida Group.
In a corner of the workshop, imported Italian medium-frequency furnaces precisely control temperatures. Through unique heat treatment, 5.5mm wire rods are drawn into 0.9mm bead wire with a tensile strength of 2,200 MPa. This key material for high-end tire reinforcement is becoming a new weapon for Leida Steel Cord in international markets.
'Through continuous optimization of heat treatment and coating technology, we achieved a qualitative leap,' said Xu Wei, Deputy Manager of the Steel Cord Company, pointing proudly to the wire in processing.
Now, the annual capacity for bead wire has exceeded 100,000 tons, with stable daily shipments reaching 100 tons. As Leida people say, 'Make a market one meter wide into a depth of a hundred meters.' From steel cord and galvanized wire to hose wire, steel fiber, and now bead wire, the company's product map continues to expand through innovation.
'Leida Group, as a private enterprise, has been a banner for industrial enterprises in Dongtai for years,' said an official from the Dongtai Bureau of Industry and Information Technology. In the first four months of this year, total sales of Leida Steel Cord reached 1.42 billion yuan, a year-on-year surge of 107%. Newly launched bead wire products contributed half of this, successfully entering the supply chains of top-tier international tire brands.
From traditional industry to high-end manufacturing, from domestic to international stages, Leida Group's transformation path showcases its courage and wisdom, reflecting the high-quality development of Dongtai's manufacturing driven by policy and innovation.