The World Economic Forum (WEF) has added 12 industrial sites to its prestigious Global Lighthouse Network, with half of the new members located in China. The network, which now totals 201 facilities worldwide, recognizes leaders in advanced manufacturing and sustainable innovation.
Six Chinese enterprises earned Lighthouse status this year: Eaton, Mettler Toledo, Tongwei, Yunnan Baiyao Group, Hisensehitachi, and Haier Group. Haier announced it now operates 12 Lighthouse-certified factories—the industry's largest cluster by scale and product diversity.
Chinese companies also secured two overseas spots through Lenovo's Monterrey facility in Mexico and Midea's Thailand plant. China now hosts over 40% of all Lighthouse sites globally, reinforcing its position as a hub for smart manufacturing.
The WEF initiative highlights facilities excelling in productivity, sustainability, and workforce development. This expansion comes as global manufacturers increasingly adopt AI and automation to strengthen supply chains amid shifting economic demands.
