At the ceremony, Jiang Zuolin, President of Festo Greater China, delivered the opening remarks. He expressed his appreciation to Customs and the Administration Bureau for their long-standing support of Festo’s operations in the Comprehensive Bonded Zone. He noted that relocating the East China Distribution Center to the zone was an important initiative that balanced strategic considerations with operational efficiency.

By integrating geographic and policy resources and connecting both domestic and international circulation, the relocation has enabled Festo to redesign its transportation routes and replenishment processes, delivering significant improvements in efficiency, cost control, and employee experience. The relocation has not only generated direct economic benefits, but also laid a solid foundation for the continued optimization of the supply chain and the enhancement of customer service capabilities.

Qu Yi, Deputy Commissioner of Pudong Customs, also extended his sincere congratulations on behalf of the local government. He noted that Festo has been both a participant in and a beneficiary of Customs reform. As early as 2017, Festo took the lead in piloting the system of “classified supervision of warehoused goods by status” in the Jinqiao Comprehensive Bonded Zone, becoming the first warehouse under the jurisdiction of Pudong Customs to implement classified supervision.

Since then, Customs and Festo have developed a strong partnership through the reform process. Following the relocation of the East China Distribution Center back to the Comprehensive Bonded Zone, it is now located next to the Asia-Pacific Logistics Center. The former “large triangle” logistics route—from Shanghai to Jinan and then back to Shanghai—has been replaced by a direct, 200-meter, warehouse-to-warehouse connection.

Festo’s relocation also coincides with a new phase of policy upgrades for comprehensive bonded zones. In 2026, the General Office of the State Council forwarded the General Administration of Customs’ Several Measures to Promote the Capacity Expansion and Quality Enhancement of Comprehensive Bonded Zones (State Council General Office Document No. 40), which systematically redefined the functions of comprehensive bonded zones at a higher policy level. The document explicitly supports companies in leveraging facilitation measures such as “direct transfer within the zone” to connect domestic and international markets.

Festo’s initiative to connect the Asia-Pacific Logistics Center with the East China Warehousing and Distribution Center is a precise implementation of the spirit of this policy.

Zhuang Yong, Deputy Director of the Jinqiao Administration Bureau, then delivered a speech. He noted that, on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of Festo Automation establishing operations in the Shanghai Jinqiao Comprehensive Bonded Zone, the Management Committee of the Shanghai Jinqiao Development Zone extended its warmest congratulations and sincere respect to Festo.

The Festo Asia-Pacific Logistics Center efficiently connects the supply chains of Festo’s Asia-Pacific countries with the company’s headquarters in Germany, while the East China Warehousing and Distribution Center provides precise coverage for markets across eastern Greater China. In particular, with the completion in 2021 of Festo’s largest overseas logistics hub outside Germany, Festo has demonstrated the resilience and commitment of foreign-invested companies operating in China.

Looking ahead, Zhuang Yong said he remains confident in Festo’s future development. He expressed the hope that Festo will seize the policy opportunities arising from the “capacity expansion and quality enhancement” of customs special supervision zones, further integrate the initiative with its “China to Global” strategy, and focus on expanding high-value-added business.

Following the speeches, the guests raised their glasses together to celebrate this milestone and wish the Festo East China Warehousing and Distribution Center every success following its relocation to the Comprehensive Bonded Zone, with continued growth and prosperity for its business.

Looking ahead, the Festo East China Warehousing and Distribution Center will continue to leverage the hub capabilities of the Asia-Pacific Logistics Center, continuously optimize supply chain processes, and provide customers with faster and more reliable products and logistics services.