County in Shandong nets big gains and creates jobs

JINAN — Machines roar in the Shandong Jinguan Net company as blocks of polyethylene melt and stretch into threads, before being woven into nets.

These versatile nets are used in a variety of applications, including construction sites, fishing boats and football pitches in Southeast Asia, Africa and Europe.

"The orders have been scheduled until August," said Li Shufeng, head of the company's general office.

Jinguan is among 4,257 netting enterprises in Huimin county of Binzhou city in East China's Shandong province. The 320 types of netting products of these enterprises cover eight areas, including construction, sports and fishing.

In China, netting products from Huimin account for 80 percent of the domestic market. The enterprises behind these products have created jobs for over 120,000 people.

As one strolls through the county, signs of various netting companies are everywhere, along with trucks and people working to transport the products.

According to Li Peng, an official with the township of Lizhuang in Huimin, the county was once known for its industry of making horse carriage tools about 300 years ago. The technique of making whips, belly strips and bridles was similar to that used to make nets.

Therefore, as horse carriages became obsolete, local individuals shifted to the netting industry in the 1980s, Li Peng said.

Jinguan was founded amidst this trend, but problems began to arise later.

"The downturn in the real estate market led to a sluggish demand for construction rope nets, which account for a large proportion of the output," Li Shufeng said. Meanwhile, fierce competition resulted in low added value of products.

As a result, companies adopted various strategies to find a way out.

Jinguan chose to collaborate with universities to develop high-tech products. For instance, it has worked with Qingdao University to create smart deep-sea aquaculture intelligent net cages.

Another company, Anhui Net, has developed fire escape ropes which are strong, corrosion-resistant and fireproof. The sales volume of relevant products has increased rapidly.

Companies also upgraded their facilities to improve production efficiency.

The booming industry has drawn back locals who had previously moved elsewhere for work, including 40-year-old Li Fa'e.

Li Fa'e used to be a waitress at a restaurant in Zibo, Shandong. Seven years ago, when her child was old enough to start school, she decided to return to the township of Jianglou in Huimin.

"Working at my doorstep not only enables me to earn money but also allows me to spend more time with my family," she said. With a salary of about 6,000 yuan ($836) a month, Li said she is happy with her life now.

Similarly, some young people also returned to carve out their careers in the county, using the internet to expand the market. Currently, Huimin is home to 3,200 e-commerce businesses with annual online sales topping 3 billion yuan.

Looking to the future, Wang Wei, a leading official of Huimin county, said they will transform and upgrade amid technological changes. "We'll realize intelligent and digital transformation as well as equipment renewal, and make technological, industrial and talent advantages the core competitiveness of our rope and net industry."

Xinhua