Smart manufacturing drives upgrade in Huzhou's childrenswear industry

Pieces of childrenswear are sold in a store. [Photo/Tide News]

Zhili town in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, is renowned as a leading hub for childrenswear manufacturing in China. Home to over 14,000 childrenswear enterprises, the town commands two-thirds of the national market.

With an annual output of 2 billion pieces, Zhili saw childrenswear sales surpass 87 billion yuan ($12.61 billion) in 2025. Riding the wave of smart manufacturing, local companies are exploring new development opportunities.

Franiel (Huzhou) Apparel has relocated to new facilities this year, leaving behind its old site. Workers at the new facilities are busy fulfilling summer orders. Over 20,000 pairs of shorts are scheduled for March delivery. Every production step is traceable to specific operators, ensuring quality control.

Smart screens at sewing stations display process details and garment codes, while QR codes on tags allow real-time production tracking. This data-driven approach replaces traditional handwritten records, optimizing cost efficiency and productivity.

Franiel's innovations aim to attract young talent and simplify complex tasks, enhancing operational efficiency. The company's new cotton sun-protection clothing, praised for its texture and variety, experienced an increase in sales.

Nearby, Zhejiang Classic Fairytale Fashion's automated system boosts uniform production efficiency by 20 percent. With a daily output of 1,000 sets, the company is poised for a 30 percent sales increase this year.

Peng Hongxia, a leader of Zhejiang Classic Fairytale Fashion, emphasized quality and innovation as they expand into international markets and embrace custom designs to meet growing demand.