Technical education? City of Enping and PRIMINER: From vision to reality.

Two years ago in Enping: from vision to reality

Two years ago, I had the honor to be present, together with Prof. h.c. Dr.-Ing. Ömer Sahin Ganiyusufoglu, at important strategic discussions between the management of PRIMINER and the policymakers of the city of Enping, in Guangdong province, China. During this meeting, which took place in the city hall of Enping, the foundation was laid for an ambitious industrial and academic project with a major impact on the machine-building sector, both locally and internationally.

PRIMINER and the city of Enping: plans for a new factory

During those discussions, concrete plans were developed for the construction of a new PRIMINER factory in Enping. The goal: to create a modern production hub where the latest generation of machining centers and other advanced machine tools can be developed and manufactured.

This factory in Enping is intended not only to become an important production site for PRIMINER, but also a technological hub that brings together the entire value chain of design, engineering, manufacturing, and quality control. The choice for Enping is strategic: the city is located in the dynamic Guangdong region, with good connections to industrial clusters in Dongguan, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou.

A 3D image of the building PRIMINER plans to build in Enping.

Government invests in knowledge: new university for mechanical engineering

One of the most remarkable decisions from those discussions was the local government's commitment to invest not only in industry but also in knowledge. The policymakers of Enping announced that they would establish a university faculty specifically focused on strengthening mechanical engineering and industrial engineering. The aim was clear: to provide sustainable and structural support to our field, while simultaneously creating a direct link between industry and education.

That vision has since become reality – and how.

Two years later: a completely new university in Enping

Today, just two years after that first meeting, a brand-new university stands in Enping with sparkling new buildings, modern labs, and extensive research facilities. The campus is designed to educate a new generation of engineers and technicians, with a strong focus on practical applications, CNC technology, automation, and advanced production techniques.

The brand-new buildings of Enping University will be taken into use in September 2026. Just a year ago, this was a vacant plot next to a lake.

In September, no less than 40,000 students will start their studies at this university. This impressive number not only shows the scale of the investment but also the priority the Chinese government gives to technical education, engineering, and industrial development.

China as a nation of engineers: 6 million engineering graduates per year

In this context, it is important to emphasize that about 6 million engineers graduate annually from the various universities throughout China. This figure underscores the enormous focus on STEM education (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) and also explains the speed with which technological developments and industrial projects are realized in China.

The combination of large-scale educational investments, powerful industrial players like PRIMINER, and a government that actively supports infrastructure and innovation makes China a unique engine for the global machine tool and metalworking industry.

PRIMINER construction plans in Enping approved

While the university in Enping was being built from the ground up, PRIMINER's own plans have also evolved further. In the meantime, the construction plans for the new PRIMINER factory have been officially approved at the capital level. This means that the project is not only locally, but also nationally supported and recognized as a strategically important investment in the machine-building sector.

Another view of the building that PRIMINER will start constructing in the first quarter of 2026. The intention is to start production here at the end of 2026 or beginning of 2027.

Start of road infrastructure and factory timeline

In order to efficiently integrate the new factory into the region, work has begun on the construction and improvement of the road infrastructure around the future production site. These infrastructure works are essential for the smooth supply and removal of materials, machines, and personnel, and once again underline the seriousness and scale of the project.

The schedule is ambitious: by the end of 2026, an entirely new factory hall will be erected where all PRIMINER machines can be built. This modern production facility will be equipped with the latest technologies in machining, automation, quality systems, and digital manufacturing.

The speed of doing business in China

The evolution we see in Enping – from a first meeting at the conference table to a new university and an approved factory project with ongoing infrastructure works, all in just two years – demonstrates in a nearly tangible way the speed at which business is conducted in China.

Where in many regions such projects remain stuck in planning and permit phases for years, in China, visions are rapidly transformed into concrete actions, buildings, factories, and educational programs. This dynamic is a major reason why China plays a leading role in global manufacturing and machine building.

10 years of PRIMINER Europe: a look back with respect

While in China, the foundations are being laid for future growth, we are also celebrating an important milestone closer to home this year: PRIMINER Europe marks its 10th anniversary. When you look back at what this company has achieved in just a decade, you can't help but be impressed.

In that relatively short period, PRIMINER Europe has grown into a reliable partner for the European metalworking and machine-building sector. With a focus on quality, service, technological innovation, and long-term customer relationships, PRIMINER Europe has established its place in a competitive market. The European market is thus directly connected to the power of Chinese production and development capacity.

Looking ahead: new investments in Dongguan and R&D

The investments in Enping are not stand-alone. In parallel with this project, a new R&D center is currently being built in the city of Dongguan – also in Guangdong province. This research and development center will play an important role in further expanding PRIMINER's technological lead.

A year ago, these plans were made for an R&D center in Dongguan.

In Dongguan, new machine concepts, innovative machining strategies, automation solutions, and digital applications are being developed. The R&D center thus forms the bridge between academic research, industrial innovation, and practical applications at customers worldwide. Always with German standards and values in mind.

November 2025 this is the status of the building. Commissioning is scheduled for November 2026.

Future perspective: an integrated ecosystem of education, R&D, and production

When we look at the bigger picture, we see an integrated ecosystem emerging:

- Enping: new university, strong focus on machine building, modern laboratories, and a new PRIMINER factory under construction.

- Dongguan: an advanced R&D center where new technologies and solutions are developed.

- Europe: PRIMINER Europe as a link between Chinese production and European customers, with knowledge of the local market, service, and support.

This whole creates a powerful structure in which education, research, and industry reinforce each other. Students from Enping can grow into engineers who work in production in Enping or development in Dongguan. Innovations from the R&D center find their way to the European market via PRIMINER Europe. In this way, an international collaboration arises that propels the machine-building sector forward.

Conclusion: confidence in the future

When I look back at that first meeting two years ago in Enping, together with Prof. h.c. Dr.-Ing. Ömer Sahin Ganiyusufoglu and the city policymakers, it is impressive to see how much has been achieved in such a short time. What was put on paper then is today visible in the form of university buildings, laboratories, infrastructure works, and approved factory plans.

We therefore look to the future with great confidence. The combination of a fast entrepreneurial climate in China, the strength of Chinese engineering education, the investments in Enping and Dongguan, and the ten years of experience of PRIMINER Europe together form a solid foundation for further growth.

In the coming years, we will continue to closely follow and help shape these developments. One thing is certain: the machine-building industry, both in China and in Europe, is only at the beginning of a new chapter – and PRIMINER will play an active, connecting, and innovative role in it.