Hong Kong: Driving GBA Enterprise Transformation via R&DInterview with Tom Jintang Liang, Marketing Director, QKM Technology (Dongguan)Co Ltd

Analysis and News - Case Studies

As a leading innovative technology enterprise in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), QKM Technology (Dongguan) Co Ltdrelies on its independent R&D strengths to build high-end robots, open application software platforms and custom-made smart solutions,providing clients in different sectors with specialised automation solutions. Tom Jintang Liang, Marketing Director of QKM Technology, says thecompany hopes to attract Hong Kong talent well-versed in automation technology, big data analytics, the internet and arti�cial intelligence (AI) tojoin the company and help develop intelligent robotics technology in pursuit of new breakthroughs.

Compact, High-end Industrial Robots

QKM Technology (Dongguan) Co Ltd was founded in 2011 by world‑renowned scholars and specialists, including Professor Li Zexiang and Dr ShiJinbo of the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. QKM Technology is anational‑level new‑ and high‑tech enterprise, specialising in R&D, production, sales and application of compact, high‑end industrial robots.

Headquartered in the Songshan Lake Science & Technology Industrial Park in Dongguan, Guangdong, QKM Technology has set up researchcentres in Shenzhen and Shanghai, as well as branch o�ces in Suzhou, Ningbo, Chengdu, Chongqing and Changsha, all of which are responsiblefor robot sales and after‑sales service. As of the end of 2018, the company has completed Series A, B, and C funding rounds and securedinvestments from a number of leading domestic and foreign private funds, such as SAIF Partners and Sequoia Capital.

Independent R&D Bolsters Competitive Edge

According to Liang, QKM Technology relies on its independent R&D strengths to make high‑end robots, open application software platforms andcustom‑made smart solutions, providing specialised automation solutions to clients in sectors ranging from electronics, hardware manufacturingto food products, daily‑use articles, pharmaceuticals and new energy. In less than 10 years since its founding, the company has developed nineproduct series with a total of 30 robot models, to offer one of the mainland’s most comprehensive ranges of robotic products.

Liang reckons the greatest difference between QKM Technology’s automation products and traditional robots lies in the size. He said: “Byintegrating the robot control system in the base of the robot, QKM Technology products are not only compact in size, but can also meet variousapplication demands. Our innovative distributed control system architecture, which aligns with the future development direction of processtechnology, has also driven the company to rank among the top players in the industry.”

HL6 six‑axis robot.

Since the establishment of the company, under the leadership of founder and CEO Shi Jinbo and her team, the R&D team started developingcontrol systems for robots. In 2018, QKM Technology developed its own control system through independent R&D.

27 Aug 2020

HKTDC Research

According to Liang, in the early days the company’s growth relied heavily on the interpersonal relationships, networking resources, knowledge,experience and international exposure accumulated in Hong Kong by its founder Professor Li Zexiang. All these helped QKM Technology map outdevelopment strategies giving full play to its competitive edge.

As a leading innovative technology enterprise in the GBA, QKM Technology started out in south China and has now built up a strategic networkcovering the whole country, as well as Southeast Asia. The company also supplies robotic products and technology to clients in foreign countries,such as South Korea and Vietnam. Liang said that company development is hinged on and driven by the development of the electroniccommunications products manufacturing industry. He said: “We have provided a large catering group in Hong Kong with a one‑stop automationsolution, which involved a robotic‑driven automated production line designed, manufactured and tested according to client speci�cations. Thisautomated production line helped to enhance the group’s production capacity and cost effectiveness.”

Automated mooncake packaging line.

Technical Staff Shortage Poses Greatest Challenge

QKM Technology’s short‑term objective remains specialising in the R&D and production of industrial robots in an effort to enhance its corecompetitiveness. However, the company does not rule out the possibility of developing consumer robots.

The greatest challenge facing the company now is the shortage of specialised technical staff. As R&D is the base on which the company growsand automation involves a full range of disciplines, QKM Technology needs a large range of talent from different specialties to help the companyachieve its development goal.

Liang reckons Hong Kong can provide a large pool of excellent talents with international exposure for companies in the new‑ and high‑tech sectorlike QKM Technology. He said: “The company hopes to attract talent with a Hong Kong background, and those who are well‑versed in automationtechnology, big data analytics, the internet and AI to join us and help develop intelligent robotics technology in pursuit of new breakthroughs.

“The Hong Kong government and relevant education institutes have organised visits and study missions to the company. We hope that the HongKong government can make more efforts in deepening exchanges between industries, help GBA enterprises attract Hong Kong talent, andencourage talent possessing such knowledge and skills to visit us for exchanges and co‑operation.”

Catalyst for Greater Automation in GBA Manufacturing Sector

Currently, many manufacturing enterprises have relocated or areplanning to relocate their production base to regions such as SoutheastAsia, where labour cost is relatively low. In Liang’s view, relocatingproduction base to other regions solely for the sake of savingproduction cost is not the right way to pursue sustainable businessdevelopment. He said: “As consumer demand for product quality rises,companies should pay more attention to enhancing their coretechnology and product quality and should seek to transform fromlow‑end manufacturing to high‑end manufacturing, increaseproduction capacity and lower costs, thereby raising product qualityand price to further strengthen their competitiveness.”

Liang adds that Dongguan is a world‑class production base with alarge cluster of upstream and downstream manufacturing enterprises,as well as complete industry chains. This is one of the reasons whyQKM Technology chose to establish its presence in the city. QKM Technology production plant.

In view of the position of Dongguan as a leader in the GBA manufacturing industry, QKM Technology hopes to set off from Dongguan and assistenterprises in other cities to transform into ‘smart manufacturing’ and upgrade from low‑end to higher‑end manufacturing.

Hong Kong Advantages: Talent, IP and Finance

Liang points out that QKM Technology currently carries out independent technology R&D, making intellectual property (IP) the company’s corecompetitive edge. As such, IP protection is very important.

In the course of development of the company in particular – and the automation industry at large – Hong Kong not only can provide humanresources, but also give support in terms of IP protection, �nancial management and fundraising. Liang said: “As QKM Technology expands itsbusiness overseas, it needs the assistance of professionals well‑versed in globally recognised business models, as well as laws and regulations tohelp the company develop its business outside China.”

Note 1: The opinions and views expressed are those of the interviewees and do not necessarily re�ect the views of HKTDC or PwC. HKTDC or PwCshall in no way be responsible for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the information provided by them, and for any loss associated withthe use of such information.

Note 2: This English version of the case study is translated by HKTDC based on the Traditional Chinese version prepared byPricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Limited. Should there be any inconsistency or ambiguity between this English version and theTraditional Chinese version, the Traditional Chinese version shall prevail. PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Limited will not have oraccept any liability, obligation or responsibility whatsoever for any loss, destruction or damage (including without limitation consequential loss,destruction or damage) however arising from or in respect of any use or misuse of or reliance on the English version of this case study.

Related Topics

Information Technology Services Technology Machinery Hong Kong Guangdong Mainland China

Macau Dongguan high-end robots open application software platforms smart solutions

electronic communications automation big data arti�cial intelligence

Company interview conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers Advisory Services Limited

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