Zibo Equipment Manufacturing Association Visits Shandong China Coal Group to Learn About Innovative AI Agent Applications

On the afternoon of September 4, Zhang Zhenfu, Section Chief of the Industry Exchange Division of Zibo Industrial Economic Development Promotion Center, and Yan Bo, Party Branch Secretary of Zibo Equipment Manufacturing Association, led a delegation of 40 representatives from member enterprises of the association to visit Shandong China Coal Group for exchange activities. The visit focused on the practical implementation of artificial intelligence in the equipment manufacturing sector to jointly explore new paths for the digital transformation of the manufacturing industry. Han Yong, General Manager of Shandong China Coal Group, Li Zhenbo, Group Informatization General Manager and General Manager of Zhongyun Group, Guan Chenghui, Group Party Secretary, and other leaders received the delegation.

The observation group visited the Group Culture Exhibition Hall, China Coal AI Intelligence Center, cross‑border e‑commerce company, digital product exhibition hall and intelligent workshop in sequence. The China Coal AI Intelligence Center stood as the core focus of this investigation. Li Zhenbo, Group Informatization General Manager and General Manager of Zhongyun Group, gave on‑site demonstrations of how AI technology is deeply embedded across the full enterprise operation chain for domestic and foreign business scenarios, enabling visiting entrepreneurs to gain first‑hand insight into the changes brought by AI agents for market expansion among equipment manufacturers.

The demonstration highlighted the One‑Person Team (OPC) operation mode where one individual manages seven agents simultaneously. It fully illustrated the closed‑loop implementation of seven intelligent business modules: AI‑powered product release, AI intelligent reception, AI inquiry intention screening, AI intelligent outbound calling, AI customer risk control, AI supplier matching, and AI‑assisted transaction completion. The complete intelligent system enables seven agents to operate synchronously around the clock, significantly cutting labor costs and improving operational efficiency. During the tour, visiting enterprise representatives stopped to observe. The AI scenario deployment, cross‑industry adaptability and intelligent applications won high recognition and praise from the entrepreneurs present.

After the site visit, both sides held a forum in the meeting room. At the meeting, General Manager Han Yong extended a warm welcome to entrepreneurs from Zibo Equipment Manufacturing Association. He then introduced the Group’s overall strategic layout and achievements in artificial intelligence. He stated that digital transformation has become an inevitable trend for the manufacturing industry. Based on real‑world industrial needs, the Group has increased R&D investment in AI agents, targeting core pain points in operation, customer acquisition, marketing and business execution. Full‑scenario AI agent applications have been deployed to empower the upgrading of traditional equipment manufacturing through technology. He also expressed hope that this exchange would serve as an industry communication bridge for sharing transformation experience and building consensus on development.

Secretary Yan pointed out in his speech that Zibo’s equipment manufacturing industry is now at a critical stage of transformation, upgrading, quality improvement and efficiency enhancement. Many small‑ and medium‑sized manufacturers are confronted with common challenges including barriers to digital transformation, high costs for AI implementation, insufficient scenario adaptation and uncertainty over intelligent renovation. With years of in‑depth engagement in smart manufacturing, Shandong China Coal Group has realized comprehensive deployment of AI technology across business and production scenarios, accumulating abundant replicable and promotable practical experience and setting a benchmark for digital and intelligent transformation of regional equipment manufacturers. He hoped that this visit would further advance regular communication between Zibo Equipment Manufacturing Association and Shandong China Coal Group, boost industry resource exchange, technology sharing and experience learning, jointly tackle key difficulties in industrial transformation, and drive high‑quality and intelligent development of the regional equipment manufacturing sector.

Subsequently, both sides engaged in in‑depth discussions covering difficulties in AI transformation for equipment manufacturers, digital transformation paths for small‑ and medium‑sized enterprises, scenario expansion of industrial agents, and collaborative development of industrial chains. Visiting entrepreneurs shared their confusions and reflections on transformation based on their respective business conditions, generating numerous practical ideas on site.

This exchange has built a platform for mutual learning among equipment manufacturers within Shandong Province. Going forward, Shandong China Coal Group will keep advancing the integrated innovation of AI and manufacturing, develop more replicable and deployable intelligent applications. The Group looks forward to deepening exchanges and cooperation with industry peers, promoting the high‑end and intelligent evolution of the equipment manufacturing industry, and jointly supporting high‑quality development of the manufacturing sector.