From April 24 to 26, Man Shengang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of Shandong Heavy Industry Group, visited Japan to inspect the Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center and the Lovol Osaka Innovation Center. During the visit, he met with key partners in technological innovation and high-end supply chains and witnessed the signing of several important cooperation agreements. Ma Changhai, Party Committee Member and Vice President of the Group, also participated in the visit.

Positioning the Japan Innovation Centers as Strategic Hubs for Cutting-Edge Technology of the Group

Man Shengang visited both the Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center and the Lovol Osaka Innovation Center, where he met with local employees, received work updates, and held discussions with technical experts. During the visit, the Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center and SINOTRUK signed cooperation agreements for a pickup truck development project and a lean management initiative. The two innovation centers in Japan serve as strategic pillars in Shandong Heavy Industry’s global R&D system and supply chain network. The Weichai Tokyo Innovation Center focuses on the development of powertrain and commercial vehicle, while the Lovol Osaka Innovation Center specializes in the development of agricultural equipment and construction machinery. Since their establishment, these centers have fully leveraged Japan’s advanced industrial ecosystem, technological expertise and talent resources, working closely with local partners to foster collaborative innovation—significantly enhancing the Group’s product development, technological capabilities and market competitiveness.

Man Shengang stated that Shandong Heavy Industry Group’s strategic vision is to build a world-class, multinational high-end equipment group, driven by technological leadership and green development. The two innovation centers in Japan must aim higher, take on greater responsibility and advance with broader vision, higher standards and stronger momentum, positioning themselves as key drivers in the Group’s journey toward global leadership in cutting-edge technology. He emphasized the need to benchmark against leading enterprises, learn from the best and collaborate with giants. It is crucial to learn not only their “outward practices” but also their “inner philosophies,” to embrace both their “form” and their “spirit.” The goal is to continually enhance capabilities in technological innovation, supply chain management and quality control. Man further stressed the importance of deepening the integration of industry, academia, research and application, focusing on practical, effective and results-oriented collaboration. He called for expanding cooperation in technological innovation and supply chains, building a complementary, win-win ecosystem for R&D, value creation and shared success. Man highlighted the need to establish a strong platform for innovation, create an effective mechanism for seamless collaboration and reciprocal exchanges between Chinese and Japanese R&D teams, foster continuous innovation, and strive for new breakthroughs—making even greater contributions to the Group’s technological advancement.

Expanding the Open Innovation Network to Lead the Development of Green Power Technologies

During his visit to Japan, Man Shengang met with several key partners and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements for cutting-edge technology projects. NPR-Riken Corporation specializes in the R&D and production of critical engine components such as piston rings, valve seats and camshafts. In Tokyo, Man Shengang met with Yasunori Maekawa, Chairman and CEO of NPR, and Teruo Takahashi, President and COO of NPR-Riken, to witness the signing of a cooperation agreement between Weichai Power and NPR-Riken. The two parties will further collaborate in frontier technologies, including the development of piston rings for methanol and hydrogen engines, jointly advancing the research and application of green, low-carbon engine solutions.

Man Shengang also visited HORIBA, Ltd. in Shiga Prefecture, where he met with Masayuki Adachi, President of HORIBA, Ltd., and witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between Weichai Power and HORIBA, Ltd. HORIBA, Ltd. is a global leader in analytical and measurement instruments, with its emissions testing equipment playing a critical role in the global automotive industry. The two companies will further collaborate on advanced solutions for diesel engines compliant with China’s National VII Vehicle Emission Standards, testing technologies for hydrogen, ammonia, alcohol-ether and synthetic fuel engines, as well as technologies and equipment for non-road engine applications, supporting Weichai’s continued leadership in green power development.

Executives from Weichai Group, SINOTRUK, Weichai Lovol Intelligent Agriculture, and Lovol Heavy Industry, along with other affiliated enterprises, participated in the event.