As global manufacturing accelerates toward digitalization and intelligent production, China continues to play a central role in the world’s industrial automation supply chain. Yet for overseas buyers, the real challenge has never been finding suppliers — it is identifying the right partners, verifying their capabilities, and building long-term trust.

At ITES 2026, this dedicated forum brings together leading experts from cross-border sourcing platforms and third-party verification institutions to provide practical insights into how AI and trusted certification are reshaping industrial procurement.

Forum Overview

Theme:
From Discovery to Trust: Sourcing China’s Industrial Automation Suppliers in the AI Era

Focus Area:
Cross-Border Empowerment • Industrial Automation

The session will explore how global buyers can move from fragmented supplier discovery to data-driven decision-making and verified partnerships — combining AI-powered sourcing tools, market intelligence, and professional audit systems.

Key Topics and Sessions

1. Cross-Border Empowerment • Focus on Industrial Automation

Speaker: Jane, Operations Manager – Made-in-China.com

This session provides an overview of the latest trends in China’s industrial automation sector, including key product developments, supply chain advantages, and evolving global demand. Leveraging the global supplier network of Made-in-China.com and its Sourcing AI tool, the presentation demonstrates how overseas buyers can efficiently connect with digital manufacturing solutions and qualified suppliers.

2. The New Engine of Smart Manufacturing: AI Reshaping Global Industrial Collaboration

Speaker: Aude Carmelle, International Sourcing Expert – Made-in-China.com

AI is transforming sourcing from a manual search process into an intelligent decision-making system. This session will include:

• A trend analysis of AI’s role in smart manufacturing and global supply chain restructuring

• A live demonstration showing how Sourcing AI interprets technical drawings, specifications, and procurement documents to match buyers with suitable suppliers

• Insights into how AI will enable a more collaborative and transparent global manufacturing ecosystem

For buyers seeking efficiency, precision, and scalability in supplier selection, this session offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of industrial sourcing.

3. Building Trust in Heavy Machinery: A Buyer’s Guide to Sourcing from China

Speaker: Vivian Zhang, Head of E-commerce Department – SGS Nanjing

With more than 17 years of experience in supplier verification and compliance auditing, SGS will share real-world insights into the risks and hidden challenges in industrial equipment sourcing. The presentation will explain:

• Which certifications and audit reports truly matter in supplier evaluation

• How third-party verification reduces cross-border procurement risks

• The role of long-term collaboration between inspection bodies and sourcing platforms in building a trustworthy industrial ecosystem

This session is particularly valuable for buyers in heavy machinery, automation equipment, and precision manufacturing sectors who require reliable quality assurance and regulatory compliance.

Who Should Attend

This forum is designed for:

• Overseas buyers in industrial automation, smart manufacturing, and machinery

• Procurement managers and sourcing specialists are evaluating Chinese suppliers

• Distributors and system integrators seeking long-term supply chain partnerships

• Companies interested in applying AI tools to improve procurement efficiency

Why This Forum Matters

In the AI era, sourcing is no longer only about price and specifications. It is about data transparency, supplier credibility, and intelligent decision-making. By bringing together a leading B2B platform and a globally recognized inspection organization, this forum offers a rare opportunity to understand both sides of the sourcing equation — technology and trust.

How to Attend

All ITES visitors are welcome to attend the forum.

If you have already completed visitor pre-registration, you may enter the exhibition hall directly and proceed to the conference room to attend the session — no additional registration is required.

If you have not yet registered, please complete your free visitor registration via the link below:

https://global.iteschina.com/en/audience/registration?source=20260323micmeeting

Seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and early arrival is recommended.