Research By The Propaganda Department Printing And Distribution Bureau On Heidelberg's Shanghai Factory: The German Precision Engineering’s Smart Manufacturing Practice in China

On November 14, 2025, Li Yixin, Director of the Printing and Distribution Bureau of the Publicity Department, Lu Zhou, Director and Second-Level Inspector of the Printing and Reproduction Division of the Printing and Distribution Bureau of the Publicity Department, Du Jianfang, Second-Level Researcher of the Distribution Division of the Printing and Distribution Bureau, and other officials visited the Heidelberg Shanghai factory for research, witnessing firsthand how this century-old brand "originating in Germany" has deeply integrated German quality with local needs while "taking root in China."

That afternoon, accompanied by Michael Nilges, President of the Heidelberg Shanghai factory, the research team first gained an in-depth understanding of Heidelberg's global production network. As a German printing equipment giant with 175 years of history, Heidelberg has, since establishing a presence in China, consistently adhered to the principle of "German precision at the core, local demand as the pulse"-the Shanghai factory not only fully introduced the original core technology system from the German headquarters but also iterated its production lines to address the Chinese printing industry's characteristics of short runs and customization, creating a dual-track operation model of "German standards, China adaptation."

It is worth noting that this survey coincides with the production layout upgrade of Heidelberg's iconic flagship model, the Speedmaster CX 104. Known for its high precision and adaptability, this equipment has gained the trust of over ten thousand customers worldwide, thanks to its technological advantages that cover diverse scenarios such as packaging and commercial printing. Starting this year, Heidelberg's Shanghai factory will exclusively handle the assembly of this model-an acknowledgment of the local technological capabilities the Shanghai factory has developed over 20 years, and it also marks the official beginning of the 'Made in China' era for German flagship models.

During the visit to the Printing Media Center and the Lean Production process, the research team directly experienced the practical details of 'German quality.' Zhan Huiguang, Manager of the Heidelberg Shanghai Printing Media Center and Product Management Department, introduced that the team includes both German technical experts stationed in China and local engineers who have been deeply involved in the Chinese market for decades, ensuring that the equipment meets German manufacturing standards while quickly responding to domestic customers' customized needs.

'Rooting in China is not about shifting production; it's about planting the root of German precision engineering in local soil,' said Kong Xinfeng, Product Director of Heidelberg Greater China. The Heidelberg Shanghai factory not only maintains the high reliability of German equipment but also reduces delivery times and maintenance costs for customers through the local supply chain, truly achieving 'German quality, Chinese efficiency.'

This visit was not only an affirmation of Heidelberg's technical strength but also a vivid annotation of this century-old brand's '175 years of global accumulation, 20 years of deep cultivation in China' model - from German precision engineering to Chinese smart manufacturing, its practice in China is becoming a typical example of foreign brands achieving 'global localization.'