Yiyatong Chairman Chen Weimin: Layout "Storage Chips + AI Computing Power" Transform into Technology-Driven Enterprise

Securities Times Reporter Kang Yin

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

As a supply chain giant under the Fortune 500 company Shenzhen Investment Holdings, YIYATONG is accelerating its transformation into a technology-driven enterprise. 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 traditional image of being merely a “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.

From Diversified Expansion to Focused Development

Earlier this year, YIYATONG held its annual work conference at its Shenzhen headquarters, seen as a significant milestone in its strategic transformation. Chen Weimin outlined the overall strategic framework for 2026, charting a new development direction for the company, which has been established for 30 years.

“YIYATONG has reached a crossroads where a choice must be made,” Chen Weimin said in the interview. “In the past, we practiced the borderless supply chain concept, covering over ten sectors including fast-moving consumer goods, beverages, and maternal and infant products. But in the stage of high-quality development, the company must focus on core capabilities to build a true competitive 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, “Although some projects have performed well, they are unrelated to our main business. We are considering divesting through equity transfers; if other listed companies are interested in these sectors, we will consider capital disposal. The goal 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 may participate in strategic placements or capital investments; 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 invested or 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 strategic approach to tech transformation.

“In storage chips, we have established a full-chain layout of ‘Design—Controller—Module—Distribution,’” Chen Weimin explained. The underlying logic 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 industrial chain and provide customers with one-stop, high-reliability solutions from chip selection to product delivery.

How does YIYATONG demonstrate core value in the storage industry chain? Chen Weimin said, “Service + scale distribution” is our core competitive advantage, with investment as an enabler. He further explained the balance between “cooperation” and “independence”: “In strategic high ground areas 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 symbiotic pattern of ‘you in me, me in you.’” Currently, YIYATONG has made strategic investments in Xinghuo Semiconductor, and its portfolio includes the listed storage controller chip leader Lianyun Technology, as well as investments in Shanghai Xinjing Shuo to enhance 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 closed-loop of “empowerment—feedback” between AI computing power and outbound business. Chen Weimin described this vision: “In serving outbound clients like new energy vehicle companies, we have accumulated valuable global deployment experience, local compliance knowledge, and customer networks. The firsthand information and relationships gained on these ‘battlefields’ will 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 total 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 restructuring through ecological empowerment. Chen Weimin elaborated on this strategic approach.

“YIYATONG’s core strength lies in its 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, and many overlook this.”

This advantage is particularly evident in robotics. Chen Weimin pointed out, “Many AI and robotics companies invest heavily in R&D and production, but lack real-world application scenarios. We leverage our strengths to help domestic 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 supporting industries,” he observed. As Chinese companies establish factories overseas, YIYATONG’s services extend accordingly. From Southeast Asia to key global markets, YIYATONG is building a resilient and efficient supply chain service network to help local AI and robotics companies 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 Chinese supply chain capabilities 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 ecological empowerment. Chen Weimin stated, “YIYATONG has the foundation and capability to do this well. If we remain only in traditional business, we might miss the opportunities of the new era.”

Looking ahead, Chen Weimin is confident in redefining YIYATONG’s valuation. He believes that once YIYATONG is recognized as a “technology-driven enterprise,” the capital markets 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 YIYATONG’s success over the next five years.”