Producing one smart toilet every 25 seconds – this Taizhou company is impressive!
In Jiaojiang, Taizhou, a smart toilet manufacturer operates quietly in a corner, diligently researching and producing. Over the past decade, it has evolved from manufacturing components to producing complete units, ultimately establishing a full industrial ecosystem for smart toilets. This enterprise has become a leader in the smart toilet sector: Zhejiang Yihe Sanitary Ware Co., Ltd. The company produces 3,500 to 4,000 sets daily, with an average output of one set every 25 seconds. Its annual production capacity stands at 1.2 million complete units and 1.5 million components, achieving a 30% year-on-year increase in overall revenue.
One production line operates at peak capacity year-round
At Yihe Sanitary Ware's production facility, robots methodically inspect toilet bowls while workers assemble lids, conduct checks and affix QR codes against display data. Critical components like heaters and flush mechanisms bear QR codes, enabling instant fault identification with a simple scan.
‘We produce approximately 3,500 to 4,000 complete units daily,’ states He Cong, Director of the Integrated Management Department at Zhejiang Yihe Sanitary Ware Co., Ltd. Unlike other enterprises with pronounced seasonal fluctuations, Yihe operates at peak capacity year-round. All eight production lines run at full throttle throughout the year. Since the twelfth day of the Lunar New Year, Yihe's 1,280 employees have been working at full speed. ‘Our order books remain quite full through April and May,’ he adds. He Cong added, ‘We collaborate with long-term, fixed partners in strategic alliances.’ While based in Jiaojiang, Yihe's clientele spans the globe.
Within Yihe's showroom, the array of smart toilet models and features is dazzling, with prices ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of yuan. Pre-launch prototypes of age-friendly toilets, particularly suited for elderly individuals with mobility challenges, further demonstrate the company's relentless pursuit of new product development.
The 39th China International Ceramics Industry Exhibition will also showcase numerous innovative technologies within the sector, such as highly efficient and energy-saving automated production line equipment, and the application of new materials with antibacterial and deodorising properties. These technologies will not only attract significant attention at the exhibition but will also be further integrated into actual products, thereby enhancing their competitiveness.
The secret lies in research and development and quality
Yihe Sanitary Ware was established in 2011. Over the past decade, the company has evolved from a manufacturer of intelligent bathroom components into a comprehensive specialist encompassing research and development, component production, automated assembly of complete units, and after-sales solutions. The key to this transformation lies in its commitment to research and development and quality.
From the outset, we have dedicated ourselves to the research, development and production of core components, with annual investment in R&D steadily increasing. As He Cong entered the Jardine Bathroom Testing Centre, each stage of the inspection process was clearly delineated, with the majority utilising digital and intelligent technologies. This testing centre is now a CNAS-accredited national-level laboratory for smart toilets. Over the years, it has yielded 245 valid authorised patents and 18 invention patents.
Our enterprise has consistently advocated that products should remain “reliable and durable” throughout their intended service life. This principle not only reflects the philosophy of our decision-makers but also represents Jardine Matheson's paramount requirement for product quality. Bathroom fixtures operate in complex environments involving water and electricity, which imposes even higher demands on product quality. Consequently, the company has always conducted product testing and experimentation against internal control standards significantly exceeding national requirements.
In 2018, Jardine Matheson initiated its corporate digital transformation, systematically advancing the establishment of an intelligent manufacturing system. This culminated in the completion of a digital closed-loop management system spanning the entire product lifecycle—from R&D design and supply chain coordination to intelligent manufacturing and quality traceability. Currently, 90% automation has been achieved across core production processes. Key enhancements—including automated laser engraving and intelligent injection moulding—have effectively boosted production efficiency by over 25%.