‌IMETEC's Smart "Four-Piece Suite" Shines at China Dairy Expo 2025

At the 2025 China Dairy Expo, imetec's exhibition booth became a "hot spot" for dairy farm owners. Their showcased "hardware" perfectly addressed modern farm needs: an intelligent feeding mixer that autonomously mixes and distributes feed, a diligent push-feeding robot working 24/7, a versatile telescopic forklift, and a specialized calf-feeding robot. These "high-tech barn gadgets" drew crowds of farm owners who examined, touched, and bombarded IMETEC staff with questions—a striking scene in the current sluggish dairy market. As IMETEC Chairman Dong Heyin put it: "With low milk prices, farmers are under pressure. IMETEC's goal is simple: help farms cut real costs." To achieve this, the company consolidated scattered, labor-intensive traditional equipment into these four core "game-changers," delivering tangible savings.

‌From "Just Functional" to Industry-Leading‌
Chairman Dong reflected: "Earlier, our products were seen as merely usable but low-value. Through relentless innovation aligned with technological trends and farm needs, we’ve pivoted to our smart 'Four-Piece Suite'—products that are eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and labor-saving, maximizing cost-efficiency for farms."

Since accidentally entering the livestock machinery sector in 1998, IMETEC has grown from producing simple milking machines to breaking decades-long Western monopolies with Self-Propelled Mixers. Over 26 years, Dong’s vision of "making farms more efficient" has driven the team to refine industry-redefining smart equipment, positioning Chinese livestock tech on the global stage.

‌Breaking Barriers: The Path to Technological Independence‌
"2008 was a wake-up call," Dong recalled, describing overseas exhibitions where imported milking machines sold at sky-high prices while Chinese mega-farms still relied on manual labor. This spurred IMETEC’s shift toward R&D. "We switched from milking machines to full-chain equipment—mixers, feed trucks, manure spreaders—and later focused on smart, self-propelled models after observing global trends."

The breakthrough came with the self-propelled mixer. "The biggest hurdle was the electro-hydraulic control system," Dong explained. "Ensuring precision in rough farm conditions took five years and ¥20M+ in collaboration with Shandong Agricultural University." The effort yielded 108 patents and participation in drafting four industry standards. Their push-feeding robot, for instance, integrates 12 patents (laser navigation, adaptive algorithms, wireless charging), replacing four workers per shift with 24/7 automated operation.

‌The "Four-Piece Suite": Redefining Farm Economics‌
Dong outlined the cost logic: "Traditional farms need nine equipment types; we condensed them into four: the smart mixer, push-feeding robot, calf-feeding robot, and telescopic forklift." Field tests at a 12,000-cow farm showed four mixers (1–2 hours/day) could ｒｅｐｌａｃｅ loaders, tractors, and feed wagons, slashing costs by 70% and reducing 12–16 workers. The system also eliminates hidden issues like mold from residual feed.

The telescopic forklift, dubbed the "farm multitool," lifts 7 meters (vs. traditional 5m) and handles 100+ attachments. After a haystack accident, its sales surged. IMETEC also innovates in service: 3-year warranties, customized maintenance via the "Taishan Yunhuirong" app, and flexible financing (30% interest subsidies, zero-down options).

‌Global Strategy: China Speed on the World Stage‌
IMETEC’s latest Middle East order highlights their edge: "Foreign deliveries take 4–6 months; we deliver in 30 days," Dong said. Their mixers now export to 11 countries (including Russia and Brazil), competing in premium markets long dominated by欧美 brands. Customization is key—e.g., tweaking mixers for Brazil’s humid climate to prevent mold.

Green tech is another battleground. IMETEC’s electric mixer cuts feed-processing costs from ¥5/ton (diesel) to ¥1–2/ton. "We use premium CATL batteries—safety first," Dong noted. Though pricier upfront, total costs drop 70% over five years. This impressed European clients, where costs are higher.

‌Future Vision: Three Steps to Unmanned Farms‌
"Electrification is step one; full autonomy is the goal," Dong declared. IMETEC is investing ¥30M to expand mixer capacity (12→30m³) and testing in Dongying/Ningxia. Upcoming innovations include manure-collecting robots and AI calf feeders. Their Taishan Yunhuirong platform enables real-time data tracking, paving the way for "lifelong" equipment management.

Dong remains pragmatic: "Smart manufacturing is a marathon. Only relentless innovation and差异化 service will keep us ahead." The company’s 10-year roadmap prioritizes green, smart, and unmanned solutions to transform global farming.

‌Epilogue‌
As the interview ended late at night, Dong’s office light still burned. A world map on his wall marked with 11 export-country flags and pending Australia/NZ deals symbolized the journey from a Taian workshop to global stages. "The smart revolution isn’t just about replacing labor—it’s rewriting the industry’s DNA," Dong said. "We’ve walked 26 years, but the real journey starts now."

Source: Dairy Times (Reporter Du Zhaoxia)
Editors: Dong Xianhe
Supervisors: Zhang Yao, Feng Bin
Director: Zhao Min