Nanjing Qiantan Energy Storage Technology Co.,Ltd. achieved another breakthrough.
2026-09-20
Planning, design and commissioning of a smart factory
September 2026 | Nanjing Qiantan Energy Storage Technology Co.,Ltd
Exterior view of a smart factory (Source: Nanjing QianTan Technology)
Author: Nanjing QianTan Technology
A smart factory project for an industrial enterprise developed by Nanjing QianTan Technology has recently entered the operational stage. The project is based on advanced technologies for the production of traction batteries and lean manufacturing principles. The comprehensive strategy, which includes “full automation, deep digitalization and targeted adoption of intelligent solutions,” is designed to help the customer regain competitive advantage through high quality and total cost leadership - and this in the face of dual pressures: the expansion of lithium-ion batteries into the market and fierce price wars.
01 Industry transformation: from scale-up to value-based competition
The lead-acid battery industry is undergoing a profound restructuring. On the one hand, the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, accelerating industry consolidation and lower costs through economies of scale present unique opportunities for leading enterprises. On the other hand, the decline in the prestige of the industry, the rapid displacement of products by lithium-ion analogues, protracted price wars and insufficient competitiveness of the main products are driving many companies into the trap of destructive competition based on the supply of similar products.
What really matters to end consumers is high quality, favorable price/performance ratio, increased safety levels and long service life. Nanjing QianTan Technology believes that enterprises need to rethink the fundamental question - what will be the key to success in the next stage of competition? The answer lies not in another price war, but in leveraging technology leadership and smart manufacturing technologies to provide cost transparency throughout the process and robustly strengthen core competitiveness.
Figure 1: Nanjing Qiantan Technology Company Building (Source: Nanjing Qiantan Technology)
02 Path to breakthrough: “three transformations and one change” based on lean manufacturing principles
Within the framework of the project, a strategy was adopted that combines two directions: priority of high quality and leadership in terms of total costs. The focus is on advanced technologies and production processes in the field of traction lead-acid batteries, as well as high-quality and efficient complete solutions. The principles of one-piece flow organization are applied, which allows to shorten production cycles, reduce dependence on manual labor and increase the stability of the characteristics of manufactured batteries.
The implementation of this strategy is carried out through “three transformations and one change”: comprehensive automation, deep digitalization and the introduction of intelligent technologies. The initiative, based on lean manufacturing principles and driven by business process transformation, is aimed at achieving six key objectives: increasing efficiency, reducing inventories, reducing production cycle times, improving quality, reducing costs and optimizing workforce. By combining a technology leadership strategy and data-driven decision-making, the enterprise moves from piecemeal cost reduction efforts to systemic improvements across the entire value chain.
Figure 2: Automated work area with industrial robot (Source: Nanjing Qiantan Technology)
03 Implementation path: from conceptual design to creation of exemplary production
Unlike traditional approaches to plant construction, which prioritize equipment over process logic, Qiantan's solution is implemented in stages: strategic concept development, process route testing, automation planning, material flow and equipment layout, production planning, data-driven value creation, and the implementation of local intelligent systems and big data technologies. The strategy starts with a pilot project to create a model smart factory, followed by replication and scaling of the solution throughout the enterprise.
An inspection of the finished facility shows that key operations are performed by industrial robots, and the production lines are organized according to the “one-piece flow” principle. The routes for moving materials were clearly defined, which made it possible to significantly reduce the volume of work in progress and inventories. The workshops are spacious and bright, logistics aisles are clearly marked; Operators are freed from routine tasks and focused on equipment monitoring and quality control.
Figure 3: Clean, well-lit battery workshop (Source: Nanjing Qiantan Technology)
04 Data-Driven: Ensuring Cost Transparency Across the Value Chain
Many plants do not achieve expected performance levels after commissioning; The main reason lies in the lack of high-level digital planning and the lack of deep logical integration between equipment, processes, materials, quality control systems, lean manufacturing principles and MES systems. Qiantan Technology brings management at both the corporate and plant levels to a single information platform, thereby digitalizing business management and ensuring effective control.
A parallel Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) initiative - aimed at improving quality, delivery efficiency, operational flexibility and cost efficiency - is being implemented in phases over a period of 6 to 60 months. The process evolves from integration at the level of individual operations to interaction and adaptability of the entire supply chain, providing a systemic transformation of the business management model.
Figure 4: Shelving for holding and moving materials (Source: Nanjing Qiantan Technology)
05 Industrial Connectivity: Using Online Transactions to Boost Manufacturing
The transformation of production goes beyond the factory walls. To overcome the shortcomings of traditional sales channels, characterized by "blindness, deafness and slowness", Qiantan Technology is developing an integrated online trading platform that combines B2B and B2C segments. This initiative is designed to eliminate information asymmetries, reduce transaction costs, reduce unsold inventory levels and optimize resource allocation.
Using online transactions to provide end-to-end services across the supply chain, the platform ensures that information, financial and logistics flows are seamlessly synchronized. It brings together production bases, distribution centers, service points, resellers and end consumers into a single platform, transmitting real-time market demand data directly to the production stage, thereby creating a virtuous cycle in which “production is driven by sales, and sales are driven by production.”
Figure 5: Automated battery assembly and electrolyte filling production line (Source: Nanjing Qiantan Technology)
The Nanjing Qiantan Technology team has extensive experience in organizing complex production processes at leading enterprises in the battery industry and has successfully implemented projects to plan and implement smart manufacturing technologies for a wide range of companies. Starting from the establishment of a model enterprise, Qiantan Technology, in collaboration with industry partners, brings to life the concept of “combining industry expertise to jointly create smart manufacturing in China”, turning it from a vision into a scalable manufacturing reality.
