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Harbin Electric Celebrates Milestone with Fabrication of the World’s Largest Impulse Runner

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HARBIN, China, Jan. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On December 30, Harbin Electric Corporation (“Harbin Electric”), a global leader in power generation technology, achieved a significant milestone in hydropower technology with the successful welding and manufacturing of the world’s largest single-capacity and largest-sized impulse turbine runner. The engineering feat led to the launch of the globe’s first 500 MW single-capacity impulse hydroelectric generator set at the Zhala Hydropower Station. The achievement marks a major breakthrough in China’s research and development of high-head, large-capacity impulse hydropower units, positioning the country at the forefront of global innovation in this field.

The hydraulic turbine runner functions as the “heart” of the hydroelectric generator unit at the Zhala Hydropower Station, a critical component of Electricity Transmission of China’s Xizang project. It supplies the essential power for the unit to achieve a rated output of 500 megawatts. Under the direction of the project’s owner China Datang Corporation, Harbin Electric Machinery Company (“Machinery Company”) has independently developed the state-of-the-art impulse runner, boasting energy conversion efficiency that meets world-class standards. The runner is constructed with a forge-welded structure that includes one hub forging and 21 bucket forgings, resulting in a post-welding weight of 90.8 tons.

An impulse turbine is a type of hydraulic equipment that utilizes a pressure pipe to channel water flow onto an impulse runner for energy conversion. At the Zhala Hydropower Station, with a design head of 671 meters indicating a significant vertical drop and high pressure, the runner functions as a crucial load-bearing and flow-through component that directly impacts the efficiency of the hydropower unit. Throughout its operation, the runner withstands high-frequency dynamic pressures, which are critical to the unit’s stability and safety. Consequently, the welding and manufacturing requirements for the component are particularly stringent.

As the world’s largest single-capacity impulse turbine runner, this component’s hub forging boasts a diameter of 4.7 meters and a thickness of 1 meter, setting a world record for the largest martensitic stainless steel forging. The runner has a maximum outer diameter of 6.23 meters and a width of 1.34 meters, making it the largest impulse runner in the world. The manufacturing technologies for welding and processing, given the material, shape, and size, are at the forefront of their respective fields. Exploring these techniques involves numerous risk factors and uncertainties, presenting exceptionally high requirements and significant challenges in both welding and manufacturing.

To overcome the welding challenges associated with the manufacturing of the runner, the Machinery Company launched a technical initiative, employing digital simulation technology to investigate die forging techniques for large buckets. The company chose the highly efficient forging and welding manufacturing process due to its exceptional performance. Through 3D metrology and simulation calculations, the assembly and welding process was optimized by identifying the most effective welding parameters. The hub and buckets, crafted from martensitic stainless steel forgings, were joined using high-strength, resilient welds, significantly enhancing the runner’s impact toughness and fatigue resistance.

The Machinery Company formed a specialized runner welding technology team for the Zhala Hydropower Station to address the tough welding requirements of martensitic stainless steel and the intricate, curved structure of the ultra-thick bucket runner. The team performed detailed analysis and research on key welding manufacturing technologies, focusing on welding materials and processes, bucket positioning, welding station setup, welding distortion management and weld quality assurance. Through the process, the team developed a comprehensive suite of welding technology solutions, providing essential technical support for the efficient and high-quality fabrication of the 500 MW impulse runner.

By establishing the Zhala runner welding fabrication team, the Machinery Company deployed highly skilled and experienced welders and craftsmen to handle the welding tasks. At the same time, the company implemented lean management initiatives to ensure quality, maintain progress, and enhance efficiency. The cold work sub-factory, tasked with welding operations, played a crucial role in integrating production with technology. To enhance quality and efficiency, the sub-factory conducted extensive research and discussions on technological approaches and carried out multiple simulations, ensuring the seamless progression of the production process.

Despite the confined operating spaces between the buckets, members of the welding fabrication team effectively addressed several challenges, including high temperatures, the complexities of backhand welding, and the demanding task of cleaning between layers. They employed tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding for deep joints and metal active gas (MAG) welding for other positions, ensuring comprehensive, multi-layer quality control throughout the runner welding manufacturing process. After 107 days and a total of 1,712 hours of dedicated effort, the Machinery Company successfully navigated the challenges of welding the runner for the Zhala Hydropower Station, achieving a manufacturing milestone with the successful creation of the world’s first 500 MW impulse turbine runner.

Through the welding fabrication of the 500 MW runner, the Machinery Company effectively addressed the complex challenge of welding large, thick, low-carbon martensitic stainless steel forgings. The company successfully overcame the challenges of welding complex, curved, ultra-thick buckets, and mastered the critical technologies for manufacturing processes that reinforce surfaces with ultra-high bonding strength. The achievement marks a significant breakthrough in China’s manufacturing technology for electric power equipment. It also represents a key milestone for the Machinery Company in its quest to advance technological innovation, aligning with China’s strategy to accelerate the construction of hydropower facilities in Southwest China. In addition, this accomplishment sets a new benchmark in the sustainable development of the country’s energy equipment manufacturing industry.

The Zhala Hydropower Station, located in Zogong County, Chamdo within the Xizang Autonomous Region, serves as the focal point of the Southeast Xizang Clean Energy Integration Hub and is acknowledged as the world’s most challenging impulse hydropower project currently under construction. It features two 500 MW impulse hydropower units, which are the largest of their kind in terms of single capacity, power output, and technological sophistication. Recognized by the China National Energy Administration as a pioneering project in the country’s energy sector, the Zhala Hydropower Station distinguishes itself as China’s exclusive demonstration project for the development and application of the 500 MW high-head, large-capacity impulse hydropower unit.

The Machinery Company is a leader in China in the research and development of impulse hydropower units. Through decades of technological innovation, the company has perfected a unique design and manufacturing process for these units. Harbin Electric has developed and produced 67 impulse hydropower units for 30 power stations worldwide, including the Dongchuan Hydropower Project in China, the Minas plant in Ecuador, the San Gabá facility in Peru, and the Suki Kinari project in Pakistan. Through its involvement in these projects, the firm has gained expertise in advanced technologies for impulse hydropower units while accumulating extensive practical engineering experience in hydraulic development, model testing, structural design, as well as in the processing, manufacturing, transportation, installation and commissioning of key components.

 

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SOURCE Harbin Electric Corporation

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Hexaware Hosts Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire Mayoral Delegation, Deepens Partnership with University of Leeds

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October 23, 2026

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Part of the Great North Mayoral Delegation’s visit to India, discussions focused on Hexaware’s UK expansion and planned R&D centers in Leeds and Manchester

MUMBAI, India, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hexaware Technologies (NSE: HEXT), an AI-first digital and IT services company, hosted a delegation led by Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, and Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, as part of The Great North’s first joint mayoral-led trade mission to India

Hexaware met with Tracy Brabin and delegates from West Yorkshire at its Mumbai office to discuss the company’s UK investment plans, regional employment, and opportunities for technology collaboration across the North of England.

During the visit, Hexaware and the University of Leeds discussed their agreement to strengthen industry–academic collaboration through research, knowledge sharing, and experiential learning opportunities for students.

Earlier in the mission, on October 14 in Bengaluru, Hexaware leaders met Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, together with representatives of the British Deputy High Commission and the Invest Manchester team, to discuss Hexaware’s investment in the city region.

Hexaware announced that it will create hundreds of jobs and invest £9 million in a new Design and Innovation Centre at Manchester’s innovation district, SISTER, delivered in collaboration with the University of Manchester. By establishing a base at SISTER, Hexaware will have access to Europe’s largest clinical academic campus on Manchester’s Oxford Road Corridor and a rapidly expanding digital and tech ecosystem within the city.

The visits follow Hexaware’s June 2026 announcement of a £25 million UK expansion, expected to create approximately 1,200 jobs over three to five years across Manchester, Leeds, and Birmingham, including 420 in Manchester and 240 in Leeds. Plans include proposed R&D centers in Manchester and Leeds, with Newcastle also under consideration as a potential future location, given the region’s strong university talent pool and proximity to Scotland.

Parameshwaran Iyer, Executive Vice President & Head – Europe, Hexaware, said, “The North of England is an important part of our UK growth plans. Our investment goes into developing technology capabilities and recruiting graduates from the region’s universities, training them to work with enterprise and public-sector customers. Our new agreement with the University of Leeds will strengthen this pipeline, giving us closer access to graduate talent as we grow our presence in the region. We see considerable potential in the talent and expertise available across these cities.”

Bev Craig, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said, “Greater Manchester has established strengths in healthcare, life sciences, and AI, supported by close cooperation between universities, researchers, and industry. We welcome Hexaware’s plans for Manchester and the opportunities they present for investment, innovation, and employment in these sectors.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said, “It was great to visit Hexaware’s headquarters in Mumbai and hear first-hand about the company’s ambitious plans for growth in the UK. Their investment in Leeds and the creation of hundreds of new jobs is fantastic news for West Yorkshire and a strong vote of confidence in our region. Trade missions like this give us the opportunity to meet decision-makers directly, strengthen international relationships and explore how businesses like Hexaware can deepen their links with West Yorkshire to create a stronger, better-off region that works for all.” 

Glenn McCauley, Head of Proposition Development at the University of Leeds, said, “We were delighted to join this Great North Mayoral Delegation to India and to discuss with Hexaware leadership and with the Mayor of West Yorkshire how the University of Leeds’ agreement with Hexaware can be a catalyst to drive economic growth in our region.”

India and the North of England are connected above all through people, with more than 81,000 people of Indian heritage living in Yorkshire and the Humber, and 50,000 people of Indian diaspora in Greater Manchester. Thousands of Indian students also choose universities in the two regions every year. Increasingly, Indian companies are also among the region’s investors and employers. The India–UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), in force since July 2026, alongside The Great North’s investment initiatives, gives that relationship fresh momentum.

Hexaware will continue discussions with regional partners on its proposed R&D facilities, graduate recruitment, and technology partnerships across the North of England, drawing on Leeds’ strengths in digital engineering, data science, robotics, fintech, and technology-enabled care, and Manchester’s strengths in healthcare, life sciences, cyber, and AI.

About Hexaware

Hexaware is a global technology and business process services company. Every day, Hexawarians wake up with a singular purpose: to create smiles through great people and technology. With offices across the world, we empower enterprises worldwide to realize digital transformation at scale and speed by partnering with them to build, transform, run, and optimize their technology and business processes. Learn more about Hexaware at https://hexaware.com.

 

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Fosun Wealth Opens Its First Private Wealth Center in Hong Kong at Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui

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October 23, 2026

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Appointment-Only Center for High-Net-Worth Clients, Partnering with Fosun Wealth IFA to Expand Wealth Management Capabilities

HONG KONG, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Fosun Wealth International Holdings Limited (“Fosun Wealth”) announced the official opening of its first Private Wealth Center on the 23rd floor of Prudential Tower, at The Gateway, Harbour City, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong. The center provides a dedicated offline space for meetings and wealth planning in Hong Kong, exclusively tailored for high-net-worth clients. Visits are by appointment only, and the center operates in partnership with Fosun Wealth IFA (Independent Financial Advisor), supporting clients from initial discussions and tailored proposals through to signing and implementation.

The opening ceremony, themed “A Starry New Chapter on Victoria Harbour”, brought together business partners from fund, asset management and insurance industries in Hong Kong to celebrate the occasion.

Expanding amid Industry Growth to Address Clients’ Demand for Long-Term Advice

The opening comes as Hong Kong’s wealth management sector continues to expand. According to the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, as of the end of 2025, total assets under management (AUM) in Hong Kong jumped 20% year-on-year (YoY) to a record high of HK$42.2 trillion. Among the major segments, AUM of private banking and private wealth management business increased by an impressive 24% YoY to HK$12.9 trillion. At the same time, client expectations have shifted. High-net-worth individuals are increasingly looking beyond fragmented, one-off product recommendations and seeking professional institutions that can deliver cross-market and multi-generational support over the long term.

The center’s location in Harbour City offers views across Victoria Harbour and a calm, private setting. It features four dedicated meeting rooms, with each client received by a relationship manager throughout their visit to allow for in-depth discussions in a confidential environment. In addition to client meetings and document signing, the center will also host smaller, focused sessions to help clients better capture opportunities in Hong Kong’s wealth management market.

Strengthening Collaboration with Fosun Wealth IFA to Enrich Service Matrix

The Private Wealth Center will also serve as a working base for Fosun Wealth IFA, supporting professional discussions and the review of more complex cases. Launched by Fosun Wealth in 2025, Fosun Wealth IFA is Hong Kong’s first one-stop platform for independent financial advisors (IFAs) to establish and grow their practices. It has already built a team of nearly 500 advisors. Built on a compliant licensing framework, the platform integrates diversified financial products, AI-powered tools and structured trainings, supporting advisors from licensing through ongoing professional development to independent practice. The goal is to help raise standards and professionalism across Hong Kong IFA industry.

Fosun Wealth subsidiaries hold securities and insurance brokerage licenses. Under strict compliance, they provide access to insurance, securities, asset management, and corporate financing services. Fosun Wealth has also established partnerships with numerous leading fund houses, asset managers, and insurers, supporting both the Private Wealth Center and the IFA platform.

Cheng Kang, CEO of Fosun Wealth, said: “Hong Kong continues to strengthen its position as an international hub for asset and wealth management, supported by its resilience and openness. This creates a valuable opportunity for us to deepen our presence in the local market. The opening of the Private Wealth Center is more than the launch of a new location—it marks a new chapter in Fosun Wealth’s commitment to serving high-net-worth clients in Hong Kong with a more personal, long-term approach, bringing our ‘warm private wealth stewardship’ to a broader client base. Whether we are serving high-net-worth clients or building a stronger ecosystem for financial advisers, we aim to set a high standard in Hong Kong’s wealth management industry. We will focus on turning our capabilities into lasting value for clients, and work with clients and partners to support the continued growth of the sector.”

About Fosun Wealth International Holdings Limited

Fosun Wealth International Holdings Limited (hereinafter referred to as “Fosun Wealth”) is an AI-driven global one-stop Web5(Web2+Web3) wealth management platform wholly owned by Fosun International Limited (stock code: 656.HK) in Hong Kong. With its solid financial position, Fosun Wealth has obtained various licenses via its subsidiaries, including Type 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 licenses granted by the Securities and Futures Commission(SFC) of Hong Kong, and an insurance broker license granted by the Insurance Authority(IA) of Hong Kong. Fosun International Securities Limited, a subsidiary of Fosun Wealth, is one of the first batch of brokerages to provide virtual asset dealing service. Fosun Wealth has launched several industry-leading brands, including the Fosun Wealth App, Finloop, FinChain, and Fosun Wealth IFA. For more information, please visit: www.fosunwealth.com.

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SOURCE Fosun Wealth International Holdings Limited

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WOLFX Student Super App Reaches 104 Universities One Month After US Launch

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October 23, 2026

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All-in-one college platform reports 300 percent subscription growth following Arizona campaign 

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — WOLFX, an all-in-one app designed to help college students thrive academically, socially and financially, has been downloaded by students at 104 universities in 130 cities across the US just one month after its launch in Indiana.

The platform recorded a 300 percent increase in subscriptions following its Rush WOLFX campaign in Arizona. Rush WOLFX is a game of skill that involves college fraternities and sororities putting their business skills to the test to win a $10K prize. 

WOLFX plans to hold six additional Rush competitions at Universities across the country next month.

WOLFX brings together AI-powered study tools, wellness support, a student marketplace and opportunities for student entrepreneurs in a single app, giving students who juggle academic, social and financial pressures one place to manage college life.

“I developed WOLFX to make the lives of college kids better. To see the app being so well received across America gives everyone involved a huge boost,” said Simon Bishop, founder of WOLFX. “As a father, I know college can be a daunting time for students and parents. WOLFX is aimed at easing those fears of loneliness and isolation. I’m so happy WOLFX is making a difference.”

Students say the app is already part of their daily routine.

“This is honestly the only college app you’ll ever need,” said Katie Wolf, a cheerleader at Indiana University. “Whether it’s managing my schedule, working on a business idea or even selling some items on the student marketplace, WOLFX has me covered. This app is a game changer for college students.”

WOLFX Platinum is available for $28.99 per month. WOLFX can be downloaded on iOS and Android.

About WOLFX

WOLFX is a student-focused super app designed to help college students navigate campus life through AI-powered study tools, wellness support, a student marketplace and entrepreneurial opportunities. The platform aims to make college life more connected, manageable and rewarding. WOLFX is available on iOS and Android. Learn more at https://wolfxapp.com/.

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SOURCE WOLFX

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