ISI-GF Equipment's products are used at Vietnam's VinFast automotive factory. [Photo/WeChat account: whkfq]
In the workshop run by ISI-GF Equipment (Wuhan) Corp, located in Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone (WEDZ), the production of welding gun equipment is in full swing.
"Over the past two years, our orders have surged, often necessitating overnight shifts to meet the demand," says Cheng Ping, head of the production department. "We've timed our growth with the booming new energy vehicle market."
ISI-GF Equipment, recognized as a national high-tech enterprise, specializes in cutting-edge resistance welding technology for the automotive sector. The company generated nearly 80 million yuan ($11.77 million) in revenue in 2025 and is expected to exceed 100 million yuan in 2026.
It stands out as one of the few companies capable of producing a comprehensive range of resistance welding products, serving giant automakers such as Dongfeng, Volkswagen, and Ford.
Resistance welding equipment is crucial to the welding process and is one of the four major components used in automotive manufacturing. Its quality and operational stability are essential for ensuring the structural integrity of car bodies and the safety of drivers and passengers.
ISI-GF Equipment has been the Chinese general agent for Italy's GF company since 2005, a firm with over 60 years of expertise in specialized resistance welding products.
Li Xiao, general manager of ISI-GF Equipment, said that, at that time, domestic equipment quality was subpar, and the market was dominated by leading brands such as Italy's GF, France's ARO, and Italy's Comau.
Italy's GF began bankruptcy proceedings in 2015, due to facing financial crisis and debt issues. Li Guisheng, founder of ISI-GF Equipment and father of Li Xiao, acquired the company for a symbolic 1 euro ($1.14), pledging to avoid layoffs for three years and to repay GF's debt, which exceeded 80 million yuan.
ISI-GF Equipment absorbed GF's advanced technology, team, and market presence, establishing a subsidiary in Turin, Italy. Li implemented a strategic three-step plan aimed at having ISI-GF Equipment "born in Europe, grow in China".
ISI-GF Equipment spent four to five years domesticating the advanced international equipment. After assimilating GF's products and technology, the company capitalized on WEDZ's robust automotive industrial chain to enhance its offerings.
With six technological iterations completed, the equipment now integrates cutting-edge technologies including robotics and artificial intelligence, maintaining a top-tier global status.
ISI-GF Equipment has reemerged in Europe with a revamped image, entering new markets such as the United States, Russia, and Morocco and planning to expand into South America and Oceania.
