Reliable electricity is powering Pinghu's thriving luggage industry as local manufacturers expand their global footprint amid shifting trade dynamics.

On May 7, staff from the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company visited Newcomer Group Co Ltd in Xindai town, Pinghu, a county-level city of Jiaxing in Zhejiang province to provide a one-stop service for power capacity upgrades. A dedicated team was also dispatched to ensure emergency power supply and uninterrupted electricity for the company.

Xinxiu Group entered the global market in 1998 after securing two high-cube container orders from a Chilean customer at the 83rd Canton Fair. Over the past 27 years, the company has sold more than 80 million bags and expanded its market to 68 countries, becoming a leading name in China's luggage industry.

Located in one of the country's top three luggage manufacturing hubs, Xindai town has earned the title "Capital of Travel Luggage in China" with a well-established industrial chain. Last year, exports accounted for over 80 percent of Pinghu's total luggage sales.

Facing a global trade shift and declining orders from Western markets, Pinghu's luggage sector is navigating a challenging period. In response, Xinxiu Group has sought to diversify its market reach by tapping into new opportunities.

The company leveraged platforms like the Dubai International Consumer Products Expo and the Yiwu Market in Dubai to establish direct connections with international buyers. Two expos led by the company in November 2024 and March 2025 drew over 10,000 purchasers and generated over $100 million in intended orders.

"With a recent surge in power demand from luggage manufacturers, we launched a 'door-knocking service' to assess production needs and ensure reliable power supply," said Fan Zhenyu, a technician from the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company.

To meet rising energy needs, the State Grid Jiaxing Power Supply Company has built 1.029 kilometers of new 10 kilovolt power lines, installed three transformers, and added 800 kilovolt-ampere of power capacity in Xindai town over the past two years. Regular inspections of power equipment and lines have been conducted, and the company offers customized "Power + Energy Efficiency" services to improve the local business environment. So far, the company has carried out targeted inspections at 68 specialty luggage firms across Pinghu.