Yiyatong Chairman Chen Weimin: Strategically Positioning in "Storage Chips + AI Computing Power," Transforming into a Technology-Driven Enterprise

“2026 will not only be the start of the 14th Five-Year Plan but also a critical milestone for YiYatong (002183) as it transforms from a ‘Global Supply Chain Service Platform’ into a ‘Technology-Driven Enterprise,’” said Chairman Chen Weimin in an exclusive interview with Securities Times.

As a supply chain giant under the Fortune 500 company Shenzhen Investment Holdings, YiYatong is accelerating its shift toward a technology-driven business model. The company has established the strategic focus of “Concentration, Pragmatism, and Enterprise Growth,” firmly pursuing “Domestic Substitution” and “Technology Empowerment.” Through deep investments in cutting-edge sectors such as AI computing power, semiconductor storage, and embodied robots, YiYatong aims to break the stereotype of being just a “traditional logistics mover” and set a goal for the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan to have over 50% of its overall scale in the technology industry.

YiYatong headquarters (left image), Chairman Chen Weimin (right image). Photo by Kang Yin / Provided

From Diversified Expansion to Focused Development

Earlier this year, YiYatong held its annual work conference at its Shenzhen headquarters. This event was seen as a significant milestone in the company’s strategic transformation. Chen Weimin outlined the overall strategic framework for 2026, charting a new development direction for the 30-year-old enterprise.

“YiYatong has reached a crossroads where a choice must be made,” Chen Weimin said in the interview. “In the past, we practiced the boundaryless supply chain concept, covering sectors like FMCG, beverages, and maternal & infant products. But in the stage of high-quality development, the company must focus on core capabilities and build a true moat.”

This strategic restructuring is based on a profound understanding of industry trends. Chen Weimin analyzed that the supply chain industry has evolved over nearly 30 years since the 1990s, and the era of solely pursuing scale expansion has ended. “Now, industries and countries are demanding high-quality development, which requires specialization. We must keep pace with the times and not remain stuck in the past.”

Among the three major strategic directions—“Focus, Pragmatism, and Enterprise Growth”—“Focus” is prioritized. Chen Weimin explained, “Focus is the prerequisite, meaning we will concentrate resources on sectors that can establish long-term barriers, such as semiconductor storage, AI computing hardware, and overseas networks, while strategically shrinking non-core or less profitable businesses.”

For non-core businesses, YiYatong will adopt a decisive divestment strategy. Chen Weimin clarified, “Some projects have performed well but are unrelated to our main business. We are considering divesting equity stakes; if other listed companies are interested in these sectors, we will consider capital disposal. The goal of divestment is to make our business more focused on technology industry services.”

In terms of capital operations, YiYatong will adopt a more pragmatic approach. Chen Weimin revealed, “Our investments are divided into two parts: one involves upstream and downstream clients we serve, where we will participate in strategic placements or capital investments if opportunities arise; the other involves mergers and acquisitions of promising targets. But we prefer to collaborate closely with our controlling shareholder, Shenzhen Investment Holdings, to achieve coordinated development.”

Specifically, future capital operations will mainly involve two strategies: “Bring In” and “Go Out.” “Bring In” refers to investing in and acquiring high-quality upstream and downstream companies in the industry chain, focusing on domestic substitution, semiconductors, storage, chips, and AI computing. “Go Out” involves our incubated businesses or subsidiaries entering capital markets through financing or acquisitions, providing returns to shareholders.

Focusing on “Storage Chips + AI Computing Power”

On the path of technological transformation, YiYatong has chosen two major directions: storage chips and AI computing power, forming a complete industrial layout. Chen Weimin elaborated on the company’s tech transformation strategy during the interview.

“In the storage chip sector, we have established a full-chain layout of ‘Design—Controller—Module—Distribution,’” Chen Weimin said. The logic behind this layout is to “build resilience” and “capture value.” Against the backdrop of increasing global supply chain uncertainties and the push for technological self-reliance, YiYatong’s layout aims to strengthen control over the industry chain and provide customers with one-stop, highly reliable solutions from chip selection to product delivery.

How does YiYatong’s core value manifest in the storage industry chain? Chen Weimin explained, “Service + scale distribution” is our core competitive advantage, with investment as an enabler. He further clarified the balance between “cooperation” and “independence”: “In strategic high ground like controllers and automotive-grade storage, we pursue autonomous influence; in general products and market channels, we cooperate extensively with domestic and international partners, ultimately forming a ‘mutual presence’ ecosystem.” Currently, YiYatong has made strategic investments in Xinghuo Semiconductor, and its portfolio includes the listed storage controller chip leader Lianyun Technology. The company also invested in Shanghai Xinjing Shuo to enhance its storage module layout.

AI computing power is another key pillar of YiYatong’s transformation. In recent years, through investments in Zhuoyi Hengtong (AI industrial control hardware) and controlling Zhuoyou Yunzhi (computing power integration and operation), YiYatong has gained control of critical nodes in the industry chain. “Our AI computing business provides full-stack support for outbound enterprises—from domestically produced AI industrial control machines to computing centers and cloud services—enhancing their product intelligence and R&D efficiency,” Chen Weimin said.

Notably, YiYatong is building a “value-adding—feedback” closed loop between AI computing power and outbound business. Chen Weimin described this vision: “In serving outbound clients like new energy vehicle companies, we’ve accumulated valuable global deployment experience, local compliance knowledge, and customer networks. These frontline insights and relationships directly feed back into our computing power business, helping us develop products and solutions better suited to overseas markets.”

Regarding market concerns about profitability, Chen Weimin expressed confidence: “By the end of the 14th Five-Year Plan, we hope the technology industry will account for 50% or more of YiYatong’s overall scale. Besides basic services, we are providing professional solutions for domestic substitution, which will have higher gross margins than before.”

Reconstructing Application Scenario Value

Unlike traditional tech companies, YiYatong aims to leverage its unique advantages in application scenarios to achieve value redefinition through ecosystem empowerment. Chen Weimin discussed this strategic approach in depth.

“YiYatong’s core strength lies in abundant application scenario resources,” he said. “For example, logistics scenarios and services for Shenzhen state-owned enterprises. These are extremely valuable resources for technological innovation, especially in the AI era, but many overlook this.”

This advantage is particularly evident in robotics. Chen Weimin pointed out, “Many AI and robotics companies are investing heavily in R&D and manufacturing, but they lack real-world application scenarios. We leverage our strengths to help local AI and robotics companies go to market, which is fundamental to industry services.”

If technological transformation is YiYatong’s “core,” then overseas expansion and industry investment are its “wings.” Chen Weimin emphasized that industry outbound is a trend, not just a business model. “China’s manufacturing and tech products are expanding abroad, involving upstream and downstream industries,” he observed. As Chinese companies establish factories overseas, YiYatong’s services are extending accordingly. From Southeast Asia to key global markets, YiYatong is building a resilient and efficient supply chain service network to help domestic AI and robotics firms go global.

Through investments in high-quality industry chain companies like VSTECS and Junzhi Group, YiYatong is creating an “industry router” model. VSTECS, as the top ICT distributor and service provider in Asia-Pacific, has over ten thousand product lines and a comprehensive local channel network. Junzhi Group is a leading provider of mobile communication transmission solutions in China, with breakthroughs in 5G and 6G, participating in multiple industry standards, and holding over 200 patents.

“When a Chinese AI server company goes overseas via YiYatong to Southeast Asia, we can quickly connect it to VSTECS’s local service network, achieving end-to-end delivery from Chinese factories to overseas data centers,” Chen Weimin explained. This “platform (YiYatong) + ecosystem (partner network)” model functions like an “industry router,” precisely matching China’s supply chain with global market demands.

YiYatong’s transformation exemplifies how traditional Chinese supply chain companies are evolving into technology-driven enterprises. With the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan, YiYatong is reshaping its core competitiveness through technological transformation and ecosystem empowerment. Chen Weimin stated, “YiYatong has the foundation and capability to do this well. If we only stick to traditional business, we might miss the opportunities of the new era.”

Looking ahead, Chen Weimin is confident about revaluing YiYatong. He believes that once the company is recognized as a “technology-driven enterprise,” the capital market will reassess its value. “We are aligning with national strategic needs, focusing on the entire industry chain ecosystem,” he said. “This deep accumulation in the tech field will be key to winning the next five years.”