Smart Manufacturing & Hardware Innovation is a four-day advanced manufacturing program in Shenzhen, held April 6–9, 2027, for senior executives and investors, and one of three programs in CKGSB’s Intelligent China series.
The program combines CKGSB faculty sessions with direct exposure to companies in Shenzhen’s manufacturing ecosystem, where suppliers, contract manufacturers and prototyping shops sit close enough together that a design can become a working product without leaving the city. You examine how manufacturing ecosystems accelerate product innovation, supply-chain resilience and industrial competitiveness, and how automation is changing the economics of the factory floor.
You look at which parts of a supply chain can realistically move as tariffs and diversification push some production toward Southeast Asia, and which stay tied to Shenzhen’s density of suppliers, so you can weigh what applies to your own sourcing, production and partnership decisions.
Through faculty discussions, company visits and exchanges with fellow executives, you gain a clearer perspective on China’s manufacturing capabilities and what they mean for your business. Apply these insights to evaluate sourcing options, technology adoption and potential partnerships.
See how Shenzhen's manufacturers turn supplier density and fast iteration into speed to market, and identify what applies to your own operations.
Assess sourcing, supply and investment openings across China's advanced manufacturing base, from component suppliers to contract manufacturers and prototyping shops.
See how China's manufacturing ecosystems compete on speed, supplier density and industrial scale, and what that means for global manufacturers.
Build a clearer view of how automation and supply-chain diversification are reshaping manufacturing costs, location decisions and industry strategy in Shenzhen.
Separate what works because of Shenzhen's supplier density and infrastructure from what your organization can actually replicate elsewhere, given different market conditions.
Use insights from faculty sessions, company visits and peer discussions to assess opportunities for your own products, operations and partnerships.
Applications are reviewed on the same basis as the rest of the program: senior executives from companies in relevant industries, and investors. Companies not yet operating in China are welcome to apply if they meet this profile.
The program is designed to give you access to perspectives and conversations that are difficult to obtain through conventional business visits. Depending on the program and host organization, that access may include:
Faculty discussions and company visits help you put these insights in context, weighing commercial opportunities alongside operational risks and the realities of working across markets.
Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB) is China's first faculty-governed, privately-funded business school. It has more than 50 world-class faculty members, most of whom were tenured at top global schools such as Michigan, Duke, Wharton, and Yale. CKGSB's influential student and alumni network represents the best, brightest, and most influential leaders in China, with more than half at the Chairman or CEO level.
CKGSB has nurtured 151 unicorn companies since its inception. It has a vision of developing a global ecosystem that nurtures the next generation of breakthrough innovation. More than 4,500 global executives have participated in CKGSB programs offered in English and other non-Chinese languages since 2009.
CKGSB Alumni lead one-fifth of China's most valuable brands.
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Smart Manufacturing & Hardware Innovation runs in Shenzhen from April 6 to 9, 2027. It is part of the Intelligent China: AI, EVs & Smart Manufacturing series, preceded by EV & Intelligent Mobility in December 2026 and followed by AI, Robotics & Platforms in July 2027. Each program can be taken on its own, or all three together for USD 23,880.
Yes. You can take this program on its own for USD 8,800, or combine it with EV & Intelligent Mobility and AI, Robotics & Platforms for the full 12-day series at USD 23,880.
Senior executives responsible for manufacturing, operations, or supply-chain decisions, and investors evaluating hardware or manufacturing businesses with exposure to China.
The application deadline has not yet been set. Register your interest with the program team to be notified when it is announced.
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