AI、扩品、出海，三年海外再造一个“找钢”——访找钢集团创始人、董事长兼CEO王东

Core Insights - The article discusses the evolution and current strategies of Zhaogang Group, a pioneer in the industrial internet sector, emphasizing its focus on efficiency in the steel trading industry and its recent public listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange [2][3]. Group 1: Business Model and Operations - Zhaogang Group started as a platform to help businesses find steel products, addressing the pain points in procurement processes for enterprises [3]. - The company has developed a unique business model that enhances efficiency at various stages of the steel trading process, leading to an average procurement frequency of 26 times per year for clients [4]. - The sales radius for steel has significantly expanded, with instances of steel being sourced from as far as Guizhou to Hebei, demonstrating the platform's capability to connect buyers with optimal products [4]. Group 2: AI Integration - AI is a critical component of Zhaogang Group's operations, with applications such as AI procurement and trading assistants significantly improving efficiency [6][7]. - The company has seen its annual steel trading volume increase from under 10 million tons a few years ago to 50 million tons currently, attributed to AI's role in data management and transaction facilitation [6]. - Zhaogang Group has invested over 1 billion yuan in R&D, accumulating nearly 400 software patents, positioning itself as a leader in the industry [7]. Group 3: International Expansion - Zhaogang Group's international business is rapidly growing, with a reported revenue of 339 million yuan in the first half of 2025, marking a year-on-year increase of 38.9% [8]. - The company is expanding its services in regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia, leveraging existing relationships with Chinese enterprises operating abroad [8][9]. - Plans are underway to establish processing facilities overseas, with the first factory set to open in Dubai by the end of the year [8].