On May 11, 2026, the “Hunan Steel Cup” 12th National Iron and Steel Industry Vocational Skills Competition, hosted by the China Iron and Steel Association and the National Committee of the Chinese Machinery, Metallurgy and Building Materials Workers’ Union, and organized by Hunan Steel Group Co., Ltd., opened in Xiangtan, Hunan Province. Shandong Aotai Electric Co., Ltd. provides technical support for the welding event of the competition.

Opening Ceremony

As the highest-standard and most widely covered professional event in the domestic steel industry, this competition is not only an industry gathering that promotes learning and training through competition, but also an important occasion to carry forward the steel spirit and pool strength for development. During the five-day competition, 245 skilled elites from 69 participating units across 24 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) will showcase the outstanding skills and spirit of steelworkers in the new era. The total number of competitors, team leaders, coaches, and guests exceeds 600.

On the 12th, the welding competition kicked off. Contestants used Aotai’s fully digital intelligent welding equipment, ES ATIG-400PAC Plus and ES AMIG-350Pro Plus. The outstanding reliability and stability demonstrated by Aotai welding equipment during the competition earned recognition and praise from judges and participants alike.

The National Iron and Steel Industry Vocational Skills Competition, as the industry’s top-tier skills event for over 20 years, has already become a hall where generations of steelworkers refine their skills and realize their dreams. As a leading enterprise in China’s welding and cutting equipment industry, Aotai has always taken the cultivation of high-skilled talents and the promotion of national manufacturing development as its own mission. For decades, it has been dedicated to innovation and technological advancement. While maintaining its traditional welding technology advantages, it continues to accelerate the intelligent upgrade of welding technologies. We will always join hands with colleagues from all sectors to continuously inject strength into the building of a manufacturing powerhouse and a country strong on quality.