The Chinese company of industrial robotics Estun has taken an important step in its international expansion with the opening of new facilities in DFactory Barcelona, the industry 4.0 hub driven by the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium (CZFB)With this decision, the firm reinforces its commitment to the European market and positions itself closer to customers and technology partners in the Iberian Peninsula.
Entering this innovation ecosystem not only means the arrival of a new technology company in Barcelona, ​​but also consolidates Estun's strategy to offer scalable and reliable solutions for companies of all sizes, from industrial SMEs to large corporations.
Estun: Three decades of innovation in industrial robotics
Founded in 1993 in Nanjing (China)Estun has established itself as one of the leading Asian brands in robotics and industrial automation, with a trajectory close to 30 years of continuous innovationThe company has built a technological ecosystem that encompasses everything from robot design to software development and digital solutions for industry.
Currently, the company has a global workforce of approximately 5.000 peopleDistributed among development centers, factories, and sales offices across different continents, this structure allows it to tackle complex projects and offer close technical support in key industrial markets.
One of the keys to its growth has been sustained investment in research and development: around 10% of their annual income They are allocated to R&D. This commitment has allowed them to evolve from basic automation solutions to advanced integrated systems, capable of responding to the needs of very different sectors.
Their value proposition is structured around three major business areas: industrial robotsIndustrial automation and digital solutions for industry. This comprehensive value chain approach makes it easier for customers to find all the hardware, software, and services they need to modernize their production processes from a single supplier.
Estun has also received international recognition: in 2020 was included by Forbes as the only Chinese industrial robot company on the list of "China's Most Innovative Companies", a milestone that reinforces its technological profile in a highly competitive sector.
Technological capabilities and industrial footprint in Europe
The arrival in Barcelona is part of a broader strategy with which Estun seeks gain weight in the European market, considered one of the key areas for the growth of advanced automation. The company already operates in the region through a production plant in Poland, with the capacity to manufacture up to 15.000 robots per year.
From this factory, Estun supplies a wide range of models that cover different automation needs: six-axis robots, Scara robots and collaborative robotsamong others. The load capacities of this equipment range approximately between 3 and 1.200 kilogramsThis allows us to handle everything from light handling tasks to heavy tonnage operations.
These robots are used in multiple sectors: welding, consumer goods, renewable energy, automotive or aerospaceAmong others. The versatility of the portfolio makes it easy for each customer to find solutions tailored to their type of production, current level of automation, and future growth potential.
In addition to hardware, the firm develops its own motion control and key componentsThis is especially relevant in a context where many companies rely on third parties for these parts. By integrating design, manufacturing, and quality control, Estun aims to guarantee stable performance and reduce risks in supply chains.
This comprehensive approach also lays the foundation for projects of next-generation robotics, such as increasingly autonomous production lines or even the development of solutions close to humanoid robotics, where precise movement control and data management are fundamental.
Commitment to Spain and close support from DFactory Barcelona
The new headquarters at DFactory Barcelona will serve as a nerve center for Estun's activity on the Iberian Peninsula. As explained by CEO of Estun Iberia, Dmitry KapishnikovThe establishment in this hub reflects a "strong commitment to the European market" and to providing a next technical and commercial service to customers in Spain and the rest of Europe.
The executive emphasized that the company wants strengthen collaboration with local industry, both with established manufacturers and with companies taking their first steps in advanced automation. The intention is to work on projects of joint R&D, share knowledge and promote the adoption of technologies that improve the competitiveness of production plants.
Kapishnikov emphasizes that this physical presence will facilitate a first-level supportWith a faster response to integration, commissioning, training, and maintenance needs. In a sector where production line downtime has a direct impact on costs, having a local supplier can be crucial.
The office at DFactory is also conceived as a space from which bringing industrial robotics closer Estun helps companies that haven't yet embraced automation to evaluate use cases, calculate return on investment, and design customized projects. In this way, Estun aims to make advanced automation "accessible and reliable," not only for large industrial groups but also for SMEs.
At the same time, the company will use this base to strengthen alliances with technological partners and research centers, taking advantage of the concentration of talent and projects related to Industry 4.0 that already exists in Barcelona and its metropolitan area.
DFactory Barcelona, ​​a leading hub in Industry 4.0
DFactory Barcelona has become one of the most relevant industrial innovation hubs from southern Europe. Driven by the Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium (CZFB)This space brings together companies, startups and research centers specializing in key technologies for the digital transformation of industry.
Currently, the hub hosts more than 40 companies and entities who work in fields such as robotics, advanced sensors, 3D printing, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and nanotechnology. This mix of profiles creates an environment conducive to collaboration and the development of cross-disciplinary projects.
The special delegate of the State in the CZFB, Pere Navarro, highlighted that the addition of Estun "enriches the DFactory Barcelona ecosystem" and helps to consolidate the It is committed to digitalization and advanced automation in the productive sector. The presence of a company specializing in industrial robotics thus adds to other firms already operating in the complex.
For her part, the general director of the CZFB, Blanca Sorigué, has emphasized that the arrival of Estun reinforces DFactory's commitment to create a robust ecosystem capable of attracting companies that provide high-impact solutions for European industry. These types of implementations help to position Barcelona on the map of advanced automation on an international scale.
The DFactory project is not stopping in its current configuration. A significant expansion of facilitieswhich will grow from 17.000 to 60.000 square meters by the end of 2026. This expansion will allow the incorporation of new companies, laboratories and testing spaces, reinforcing its role as a strategic hub of industry 4.0.
With the opening of its headquarters in DFactory Barcelona, ​​Estun combines its trajectory in robotics and industrial automation to an environment designed to accelerate the digital transformation of the productive sector. The combination of a company with technological capabilities and its own manufacturing facilities, together with a hub that brings together dozens of innovative players, positions Barcelona and Spain as a whole favorably to capitalize on the momentum of Industry 4.0 in Europe.
