Pakistani Boy Sells Wuhan-Made Smart Instruments Globally

July 23, 2023

Hubei Daily (Reporter Ma Wenjun, Correspondent Yang Yong, Intern Yang Min) – From July 12 to 13, the 2025 National Music Education Conference was held at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music. At the INNEO International Technology exhibition booth, an array of sophisticated smart instruments captivated attendees, with Alex, a Pakistani sales expert, enthusiastically demonstrating their features to Chinese and international experts.

A master’s graduate of Wuhan Textile University with a deep passion for music, Alex chose to stay in Wuhan and joined INNEO International Technology in Jiang’an District this February. As a foreign trade sales specialist, he is responsible for exporting smart pianos, violins, and other instruments to over 50 countries and regions. In just six months, he has secured orders worth millions of yuan and observed a growing trend: Chinese instruments are increasingly surpassing traditional European and Japanese brands in quality.

"Europe, especially Germany and Italy, once dominated the high-end market, but now clients recognize the superior cost-performance ratio of Chinese instruments. Our products are gaining fame across Europe and can compete head-to-head with Italian and German brands," Alex said, attributing this success to the company’s relentless innovation.

Founded in 2017 in the Wuhan Institute of Technology’s Jiang’an incubator, INNEO International Technology traces its roots to 1999, when the institute collaborated with a local enterprise to develop China’s first digital piano. For smart instruments, the digital sound source is the "heart," determining audio quality and nuance. However, China long relied on imported high-end sound modules, which were costly and restrictive.

To break this dependency, Inneo partnered with Professor Yu Jilin’s team at Wuhan Institute of Technology. After three years of R&D, they launched a domestic high-end sound circuit board in 2023. Using digital modular technology, it replicates hundreds of instrument tones with precision. Professional evaluations confirm that smart pianos equipped with this module achieve near-perfect emulation of acoustic pianos at one-third the price of premium U.S. products. Its competitive edge has even driven reverse exports to Europe and America markets, with outsourcing services exceeding 100 million yuan and contributing to last year’s 200 million yuan total revenue.

"I’m not a pianist, but I’m great at selling pianos!" Alex joked. Upon joining, he identified a gap in the company’s global marketing strategy—overreliance on local distributors while neglecting social media outreach. After two months of market analysis, he drafted a comprehensive proposal that convinced management to launch official accounts. He even starred in tutorial videos showcasing product features, attracting a flood of overseas followers.

The results were remarkable. At June’s China (Beijing) Musical Instrument Expo, multiple clients approached Alex via social media, securing bulk orders. In early July, an Italian distributor signed a six-figure deal for smart pianos targeting France and Germany. Today, 30% of overseas orders originate from social platforms—a figure Alex aims to raise to 50%.

Responding to global demand, Inneo also launched the "Plume" foldable smart piano—weighing just 5.5 kg, portable in a backpack, and capable of mimicking 36 instrument sounds. It quickly garnered bulk orders from Poland and Italy.

"Wuhan offers the perfect blend of career growth and culture—I eat hot dry noodles every other day!" Alex shared. The company has since hired sales talent from Russia, Sri Lanka, and Peru. "Our R&D team is integrating the essence of traditional Chinese instruments into premium sound modules. Together, we’ll bring the music of Jing-Chu to the world."