Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the contrasting trends in employee changes among 44 listed instrument companies in China for 2024, indicating a split between companies expanding their workforce and those reducing it due to revenue pressures [1][5][10]. Group 1: Overall Trends - The overall trend shows a slight increase in employee numbers among listed instrument companies, with 24 companies expanding their workforce compared to 20 companies reducing it [5][6]. - Mindray Medical leads with a total of 21,667 employees, reflecting a 20.08% increase, driven by international expansion and digital transformation [5][6]. - Nanwei Technology shows a significant employee increase of 56.60%, attributed to its acquisition of shares in Fuli Instruments and expansion in high-margin product lines [5][6]. Group 2: Employee Reductions - 20 companies experienced varying degrees of layoffs, with HeXin Instruments seeing a drastic reduction from 684 to 276 employees, a nearly 60% drop [6][10]. - Other companies with significant layoffs include Wanyi Technology, JuGuang Technology, and Blue Shield Technology, indicating a strong correlation between workforce adjustments and revenue pressures [6][10]. Group 3: R&D Investment - Mindray Medical not only leads in total employees but also has a R&D team of 5,259, accounting for nearly 25% of its workforce, with an 18.85% increase in R&D personnel [7][10]. - Nanwei Technology's R&D personnel increased by 37.14%, with R&D investment rising by 25.84%, reflecting its commitment to high-precision material development [7][10]. - Other companies like Puyuan Precision Electric and Sand Technology also reported over 10% increases in R&D personnel, indicating active investment in new technologies [7][10]. Group 4: Industry Cycle Reflection - The changes in personnel structure reflect the development stages of various sub-industries, with life science instrument companies facing downward pressure due to market demand shifts and cost-cutting policies [9][10]. - In contrast, optical instruments and environmental monitoring companies are more active, leveraging new business opportunities and technological breakthroughs [9][10]. - The ongoing competition for high-quality R&D talent is expected to intensify as companies respond to technological innovation and domestic substitution trends [10].