The Haier Sino-German Commercial Drinking Water Appliance Factory has recently commenced operations in the Sino-German Ecopark. The facility specializes in producing a diverse range of products including pipeline dispensers, tea bar machines, water dispensers, and commercial units. With a planned annual capacity of 2 million units, it will further strengthen the region's smart home appliance industry.

Funded and developed by Qingdao Haier Water Ecological Technology, the project is a key initiative in strengthening and expanding Qingdao's smart home appliance industry chain. As a globally-acclaimed smart factory built to be eco-friendly in mind, the facility pioneers the integration of 22 industry-leading technologies and 18 advanced manufacturing techniques including fully automated CNC sheet metal lines and the highest-capacity, most efficient water dispenser assembly lines. Leveraging industrial IoT, big data, and artificial intelligence, the factory introduces innovations such as the "5G+ Equipment Interconnected Transparent Platform" and the "5G+ Smart Park Green Energy Management". Through the implementation of advanced production processes, automation equipment, rooftop photovoltaic parking lots, and air compressor waste heat recovery systems, the factory significantly enhances energy efficiency—achieving over 30% greater savings compared to traditional factories.

Construction of the Haier Sino-German Commercial Drinking Water Appliance Factory began in March 2023, with a planned building area of 35,000 square meters. Once fully operational, the factory is expected to generate an annual output value of 600 million yuan. As a key component of the Qingdao Free Trade Zone (QFTZ) water manufacturing industry, the project not only showcases the advantages of high-end, intelligent, and green manufacturing but also plays a leading role in setting and applying multiple industry standards. Its completion and operation will establish a new benchmark for technology and industrialization in the sector.

The QFTZ is accelerating efforts to develop a water-focused smart manufacturing industry by opening up more opportunities in the smart home appliance sector and fostering the growth of an international water ecological industry within the region. The completion of the 3-billion-yuan Interconnected Water Ecological Factory in October 2024 marked a significant milestone as its first water heater rolled off the production line. Once fully operational, the facility will have an annual production capacity of 5 million units, including electric water heaters, commercial water purification systems, and related products, establishing itself as a versatile smart factory. The QFTZ currently has attracted eight industrial projects, and as more projects come online, the QFTZ is poised to become the world's largest whole-house water smart manufacturing hub.