Thales Shanghai recognized as Advanced-Level Smart Factory as part of decade-long Industry 4.0 transformation

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(IN BRIEF) Thales Smart Card Technologies (Shanghai) has been recognized as a “Shanghai Advanced-Level Smart Factory” in 2025, reflecting more than a decade of Industry 4.0-driven digital transformation that has delivered a 70 percent automation rate and 80 percent connectivity across the facility. The Shanghai Manufacturing Competency Center has integrated AI, IoT, advanced robotics, and a unified digital platform to enable end-to-end visibility, predictive maintenance, and data-driven decision-making, doubling order processing efficiency while strengthening quality and operational resilience. The achievement reinforces Thales’ leadership in intelligent manufacturing, deepens its strategic presence in China, and supports the resilience of its global supply chain through locally advanced capabilities.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 3-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales Smart Card Technologies (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. has been officially designated as a “Shanghai Advanced-Level Smart Factory” by the Shanghai Municipal Commission of Economy and Informatization in 2025, a recognition that underscores the facility’s leading position in intelligent manufacturing and digital transformation. The accolade reflects Thales’ sustained commitment to Industry 4.0 principles and its strategic investment in advanced production capabilities within China’s rapidly evolving industrial landscape.

The Shanghai site has achieved a 70 percent automation rate and an 80 percent connectivity rate, placing it among the most efficient manufacturing facilities in Thales’ global network and establishing it as a benchmark for smart card production worldwide. This milestone represents the culmination of more than a decade of systematic digital modernization, driven by a structured Industry 4.0 roadmap that integrates automation, data analytics, and intelligent technologies across all aspects of operations.

Against the backdrop of China’s push toward high-quality industrial development and innovation-driven growth, this recognition reinforces Thales’ leadership in smart manufacturing and its long-term strategy to deepen its presence in the Chinese market. By leveraging local industrial ecosystems and technological capabilities, Thales continues to strengthen the resilience and agility of its global supply chain while contributing to China’s broader digital and industrial transformation.

Established in 1998, the Thales Shanghai Manufacturing Competency Center (MCC) serves as a comprehensive hub for eSIM and banking card production, overseeing the entire lifecycle from product design to final packaging and delivery. Over more than two decades, the facility has delivered a wide range of localized solutions from Shanghai to customers across the world, positioning itself as a key pillar of Thales’ global operations.

The smart factory transformation has been built on a foundation of lean manufacturing, advanced automation, digital integration, and intelligent connectivity. These elements enable real-time visibility across the manufacturing value chain, continuous monitoring of production processes, and data-driven decision-making that enhances efficiency, quality, and responsiveness.

The Shanghai MCC has implemented several innovative technologies that demonstrate its leadership in intelligent manufacturing. Advanced AI-powered vision systems now perform real-time quality inspections, eliminating manual delays and ensuring consistent product standards. Inspection data feeds directly into machine-learning models, while AI-driven training tools enhance operator skills and performance.

A self-developed, unified digital platform connects order management, product design, materials planning, and logistics into a single data architecture. This integrated system provides end-to-end traceability, improves collaboration across internal teams and external partners, and enables greater operational agility.

Human-machine collaboration has been significantly strengthened through the deployment of vision-guided systems, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and collaborative robots (Cobots). These technologies support high-precision production processes and seamless logistics flows, boosting productivity while allowing employees to focus on higher-value tasks.

IoT-enabled edge devices and connected equipment provide continuous monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities, improving asset reliability and optimizing performance throughout the equipment lifecycle. This approach reduces downtime, enhances operational resilience, and supports more efficient resource utilization.

Collectively, these innovations have delivered measurable business benefits. End-to-end digital workflows have doubled order processing efficiency, demonstrating the tangible impact of the smart factory transformation.

Jean-Marc Reynaud, CEO of Thales in China, stated that the recognition reflects the dedication and expertise of the Shanghai team. He emphasized that the MCC showcases how China-based capabilities in efficiency, scalability, and innovation strengthen Thales’ global supply chain, enhance operational excellence, and reinforce its role as a trusted partner within China’s industrial ecosystem.

Thales is a global technology leader operating across the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. The company invests over €4 billion annually in research and development, focusing on critical technologies such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum computing, and cloud solutions. With more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales generated €20.6 billion in sales in 2024.

In China, Thales has been an established partner since 1964, contributing to the development of the country’s aerospace, digital identity, cybersecurity, and connectivity industries. The company employs more than 800 people across seven Chinese cities and operates R&D centers and innovation hubs in Beijing, Dalian, and Hong Kong, reinforcing its commitment to local innovation and long-term collaboration.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

About Thales in China

Thales provides innovative solutions for the infrastructure that forms the backbone of China’s growth. The Group introduced its aerospace business to China in 1964 and has been recognized as a trusted partner of long-term cooperation with the Chinese aviation industry. In the areas of Cybersecurity & Digital Identity, Thales has also successfully applied its advanced technology to mobile communication, Fintech, automobile connectivity and software monetization, etc. Thales employs more than 800 people with offices located in 7 cities across China. With R&D centers and Innovation Hubs established in Beijing, Dalian and Hong Kong, Thales is committed to develop innovative solutions for customers.

Media Contact:

Media relations: pressroom@thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales