“Jelly, I want Xizhilang.” This advertising slogan, which has resonated across the country for more than 20 years, holds childhood memories for countless people. What many people don’t know is that a large portion of the Xizhilang jelly, Youlemei milk tea, and Meihao Shiguang seaweed snacks you often enjoy are produced in the Lishui Economic Development Zone.
After 23 years in Lishui, this “national snack” brand has announced more good news:Xizhilang Group plans to invest 1 billion yuan to build the third phase of its smart factory project on the south side of the development zone’s industrial park, with the goal of making it the group’s first “smart factory.”
Established in Lishui for 23 years, the company ships 100,000 boxes daily to East China
In 2003, Nanjing Xizhilang Food Co., Ltd. began operations in the Lishui Economic Development Zone; it is one of the Xizhilang Group’s four major production bases. The plant covers an area of nearly 400,000 square meters, with a total floor area exceeding 220,000 square meters, and currently operates nearly 100 automated production lines.
“About 100,000 cases of products are shipped from here every day to supply the entire East China market. ‘By 2025, Nanjing Xizhilang’s output value will reach nearly 2 billion yuan,’ said Feng Hongbing, general manager of Nanjing Xizhilang Food Co., Ltd. He explained that the company’s current product lineup includes four major series: Xizhilang Jellies, Good Times Seaweed Snacks, Youlemei Milk Tea, and Happy Time Cookies.”
When asked why the company has continued to choose Lishui, Feng Hongbing remarked, “We signed the agreement here in 2002 and officially began production in 2003. We had considered other locations at the time, but here we found ample government support, industrial incentives, and a robust network of supporting businesses in the surrounding area, which is why we decided to put down roots and grow our business in Lishui.”
Investing 1 billion to build a smart factory, with an annual output value exceeding 3 billion
To improve product quality and production efficiency, Nanjing Xizhilang has invested a total of nearly 100 million yuan to independently develop and upgrade its smart jelly production line and has implemented a digital smart manufacturing MES system. Building on this,The Group is accelerating the construction of its Phase III project and plans to invest an additional 1 billion yuan to introduce more advanced automation and digital technologies.
According to the plan,Phase III of the project will add 145 mu of land on the south side of the factory grounds to build a smart e-commerce center, a R&D center, and 17 production lines.The project will leverage 5G, AI, the Internet of Things, and automation technologies to advance the construction of a digital factory, establishing it as the Group’s first “smart factory” and upgrading it toward a “lights-out factory.”
Feng Hongbing said, “During peak season, our daily output is around 170,000 to 180,000 cases, and during off-peak seasons, it’s generally around 100,000 cases. Once Phase III of the project reaches full production capacity, the Nanjing plant’s annual output is expected to exceed 3 billion yuan.”
Since the beginning of this year, Nanjing Xizhilang has been actively expanding its new retail channels,We continue to launch short-shelf-life, low-sugar snack foods, including neutral-flavored pudding, filled nori, floral-scented milk tea, and Youle Coffee. These new products better meet the demands of today’s young consumers for light, guilt-free options and high quality,The response has been positive since its launch.
With Major Food Companies Flocking to the Area, Lishui’s Culinary Ecosystem Takes Shape
It is worth noting that several well-known food companies are also clustered around Nanjing Xizhilang: Founded in 2010,Sensitive Plant(Jiangsu) Food Co., Ltd. specializes in the research, development, and production of snack foods. Its flagship product, dried mango slices, has sold a cumulative total of 4 billion pieces, ranking among the top in the country in terms of production and sales;Little ForeignerThe Group’s two major brands, “Xiao Yangren” and “Miaolian,” have accompanied generations of consumers through many wonderful moments;Guest of HonorOther snack brands are also establishing a presence here.
These "major food manufacturers" are located side by side, forming Lishui's unique food industry ecosystem. Currently, Lishui District has developed industrial clusters in areas such as snack foods and the deep processing of fruits and vegetables, and is home to more than 20 food manufacturing enterprises above a certain scale,These include "The Steak King" Daxidi, "China's First Listed Baozi Company" Babi Foods, and the Nanjing plant of "Coffee Super Factory" Mo Yin Coffee, among others, with products designed to capture the everyday flavors of home cooking.
No matter how the products have been upgraded or how the production lines have evolved, that familiar feeling of “When it comes to jelly, I want Xizhilang” has never changed. With the completion of Xizhilang’s Phase III Smart Factory, this sweet memory will continue to unfold in Lishui.
