Application Demand Emerging; Zhongli Holdings Plans to Invest in Intelligent Robot Project

Securities Times Reporter Zhang Yifan

On the evening of March 17, Zhongli Co., Ltd. (603194) announced plans to invest in a new technology project with an annual production capacity of 50,000 intelligent robots and 100,000 sets of forklift components. The total planned investment for the project is 350 million yuan. Zhongli Co. revealed that as core technologies mature, the demand for intelligent robots in applications such as warehousing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and cold chain logistics has become evident.

It is understood that this project is planned to cooperate with the Zhejiang Anji Economic Development Zone Management Committee and will be implemented within the Two Mountains High-tech Industrial Park in the zone. The project is expected to start in September 2026 and be completed within three years. Through this project, Zhongli aims to extend its industrial chain upstream, expand independent production of supporting components, and achieve resource sharing to enable management collaboration and cost optimization. This will further improve operational efficiency and create industrial clustering advantages.

“Intelligent robots are high-end intelligent equipment encouraged by the state. Driven by domestic smart logistics policies, core technologies such as laser SLAM, visual navigation, multi-sensor fusion, cluster scheduling, and digital twin are nearing maturity. The penetration rate in warehousing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and cold chain logistics is rapidly increasing, with clear demand in application scenarios. The company also has corresponding technological reserves and project implementation experience,” said Zhongli Co.

Zhongli Co. primarily focuses on electric forklifts and other mobile industrial vehicles. Under the wave of automation, the company is promoting its vision of transitioning from simple material handling to intelligent and digital mobility. Last year, Zhongli showcased achievements including smart warehouses, intelligent loading and unloading, embodied robots, unmanned logistics vehicles with automated loading and unloading collaboration, and AI commercialization efforts. The company offers over 100 specifications across 10 major series, aiming for a comprehensive layout of its intelligent handling product matrix.

This disclosed investment appears to be Zhongli’s first direct commitment to expanding intelligent robot production capacity. Last year, Zhongli announced a 478 million yuan investment in a smart logistics equipment project, which includes R&D centers for intelligent forklifts and autonomous ground handling equipment, smart logistics system integration, core component manufacturing lines, assembly workshops, and testing platforms.

In recent years, mass production of intelligent robots has experienced explosive growth, with the entire machine manufacturing, core components, and specialized scenario robots sectors undergoing a wave of capacity expansion.

According to Gao Gong Robotics’ incomplete statistics, from 2025 to the end of January 2026, in just over a year, 45 robot-related projects have reported new developments, with a total investment exceeding 50 billion yuan. The average investment per project surpasses 1.1 billion yuan, with the highest individual project reaching around 10 billion yuan, demonstrating significant investment strength. In terms of financing, the robotics industry has also maintained high enthusiasm. According to data from Tianzhong Jiachuan CV Source, despite the impact of the Spring Festival holiday, the industry completed 53 investment and financing deals in February 2026, with a total investment exceeding 12 billion yuan, showing a clear increase compared to the same period last year.