Summary of the Expert Call on China's Automation Market Industry Overview - **Industry**: Automation in China - **Date of Call**: November 17, 2025 - **Expert**: Mr. Wang Baomin, Senior Partner at MIR (Marketing Intelligence Resource) Key Points Market Outlook - The automation market in China is expected to be stable in 2026, with a forecasted sales decline of -0.3% year-on-year (y-y) in 2025, reaching Rmb285 billion, followed by another -0.3% y-y in 2026 and a growth of +2.0% y-y in 2027 [3][9] - The OEM market is projected to outperform the project market, with growth of +1% y-y in 2026 compared to a decline of -1% y-y for the project market [3] Demand by Downstream Industries - Anticipated strong demand for automation from sectors such as: - New energy - Electronics (smartphones, optical modules, PCB, etc.) - Logistics - Robotics - Precision machinery (liquid cooling parts, humanoid screws, etc.) - Non-ferrous metal mining - Stable demand expected from packaging and plastics, while construction-related industries (building materials, elevators) are expected to remain sluggish [4][9] Price Outlook - With channel inventory normalizing, stable prices are expected in 2026 with reduced downside risk [5][9] Growth Projections for Specific Products - **PLC (Programmable Logic Controllers)**: - Small PLCs: +7.0% y-y in 2025 and +5.8% y-y in 2026 - Midsized/large PLCs: +6.3% y-y in 2025 and +5.2% y-y in 2026 - **Servos**: +7.4% y-y in 2025 and +8.0% y-y in 2026 - **Low-voltage AC drives**: +1.3% y-y in 2025 and +3.0% y-y in 2026 - **Industrial robots**: +11.9% y-y in 2025 and +12.8% y-y in 2026 - **CNC (Computer Numerical Control)**: +3.1% y-y in 2025 and +2.1% y-y in 2026 [11] Competitive Landscape - Domestic brands are gaining market share against foreign competitors, particularly in high-value segments [9][11] - Companies like Inovance, Geekplus, and Han's Laser are preferred within the automation segment [9] Strategic Opportunities - Two key opportunities identified: - Technology security - Energy security - Positive outlook for AI-driven downstream markets [11] Risks - **Upside Risks**: - Stronger-than-expected macroeconomic conditions boosting demand for automation products - Increased sales of ePVs equipped with Inovance's EV control system - Improved profitability in China's manufacturing sector leading to higher capital spending [15][16] - **Downside Risks**: - Failure to develop high-end automation products - Significant gross margin decline due to raw material price hikes - Intensifying competition and potential loss of key clients [19][16] Conclusion The expert call highlighted a stable outlook for China's automation market in 2026, with specific growth opportunities in various sectors and products. However, the market faces challenges from competition and potential economic fluctuations.

Group 1: Investment Strategy - The establishment of Jiaxing Hongpu aims to enhance equity investment efforts, focusing on industrial software (CAD, CAM, CNC, CAE) and high-tech hardware (sensors, machine vision, controllers, drivers, encoders, motors) [1] - The company plans to collaborate with professional equity investment funds to set up a merger fund, leveraging external expertise for independent investment decisions within agreed parameters [1] Group 2: Robotics and Product Development - The company has recently completed the acquisition of a motor company's control rights, which specializes in brushless motors and lead screw motors, complementing the company's existing driver products [1] - There are formal bulk supply agreements in place for undisclosed clients, adhering to confidentiality agreements [2] Group 3: Performance Goals - The company aims to achieve its equity incentive targets for the year [2] - Information disclosure practices are strictly followed to ensure transparency and compliance with regulations [2]

Core Viewpoint - Huichuan Technology announced on October 27 that its general automation segment includes products such as pneumatics, CNC, precision machinery, high-efficiency motors (excluding general servo motors), and sensors. The company noted that these products have experienced rapid growth this year, indicating a promising future for these segments despite their current smaller scale [1]. Group 1: Product Performance - Pneumatic products, CNC, precision machinery used in machine tools, and sensors have all achieved significant growth this year [1]. - The overall scale of these businesses is currently small, but they are in a phase of continuous cultivation and expansion [1]. Group 2: Future Outlook - The company believes that there is considerable growth potential for these products in the future [1].

Group 1: General Automation Business Performance - The general automation business has seen positive order growth across over 40 downstream industries, indicating a recovery trend in manufacturing [2][3] - The company’s market share in the domestic market continues to rise, primarily by replacing foreign brands, especially in the automotive and semiconductor sectors [2][3] - The lithium battery industry has contributed to the growth of the general automation business, alongside successful penetration in semiconductor, 3C equipment, machine tools, and automotive sectors [3][4] Group 2: Profitability and Competition - The core profit margin of the general automation business has been on the rise, despite some price pressure on products [3][4] - The company has maintained stable overall gross margins through rapid growth in high-margin products and optimization of product structure [3][4] - Inventory levels among downstream distributors are normal, with no signs of stockpiling [3] Group 3: International Expansion and Strategy - The company has invested over 700 personnel in overseas operations, focusing on developing safety products that meet European and North American standards [4][5] - The overseas business has grown nearly 50% from January to September 2025, outpacing domestic growth [5] - The company faces challenges in brand recognition and product requirements in the European and American markets, which it aims to address through international branding efforts and product development [4][5] Group 4: Robotics and AI Development - The company is focusing on developing humanoid robots by first establishing a competitive advantage in core components and then targeting industrial applications [6][7] - The integration of AI and vision technology into industrial robots is a key development area, enhancing the company's competitive edge [6][7] - The company plans to leverage open-source models in AI applications, emphasizing the importance of industrial context in AI deployment [9][10] Group 5: Financial Outlook and Cost Management - The company expects to maintain stable gross margins in the general automation business through product structure optimization and cost control [10][11] - R&D expenses are projected to continue rising, supporting long-term growth, while sales and management expenses are expected to decrease due to scale effects [11] - The target is to keep the overall expense ratio around 17% [11]

Core Insights - In the third quarter, nearly 3,000 A-share listed companies were investigated by institutions such as securities companies, fund companies, and insurance firms [1] - The leading company in institutional research was Huichuan Technology, which received over 400 institutional inquiries [2][13] - The "hard technology" sectors, including integrated circuits, electronic components, and application software, attracted significant institutional attention [3][17] Securities Companies - CITIC Securities conducted the highest number of investigations, totaling 1,002, with the top three companies of interest being Chaohongji, Wentai Technology, and Liugong [5][7] - The top ten securities companies by investigation frequency were listed, with CITIC Securities leading [6][7] Insurance Companies - Major insurance companies such as Ping An Pension, Changjiang Pension, and Taiping Pension each conducted over 100 investigations [8] - The top ten insurance companies by investigation frequency were detailed, with Ping An Pension leading [9] Foreign Institutions - Foreign institutions, including Point72 Asset Management and Goldman Sachs, ranked high in the number of investigations conducted [10] - The top ten foreign institutions by investigation frequency were provided, highlighting their focus on specific companies [11] Company Research Focus - Huichuan Technology plans to invest 8% to 10% of its revenue in R&D, focusing on software and overseas market products [14] - Maiwei Bio-U is exploring liver-targeting and CNS-targeting for its siRNA projects [14] Industry Trends - The AI sector is expected to remain a focal point in the A-share market, with predictions of steady growth in the computer industry [17][18] - Recommendations include focusing on AI applications, computing power, and related sectors such as industrial software and internet financial software [18]

Core Insights - The third quarter saw nearly 3,000 A-share listed companies being researched by various institutions, indicating a strong interest in certain sectors [1][9] - The "hard technology" sectors, including integrated circuits, electronic components, and application software, received significant attention from institutions [2][9] Group 1: Institutional Research Activity - In the third quarter, nearly 200 companies were researched by over 100 institutions, with the robotics leader, Huichuan Technology, receiving the most attention from over 400 institutions [1][9] - CITIC Securities conducted the highest number of research sessions, totaling 1,002, focusing on companies such as Chaohongji, Wentai Technology, and Liugong [3][4] - Insurance companies like Ping An Pension, Yangtze Pension, and Taiping Pension also showed high research activity, each exceeding 100 sessions [5] Group 2: Sector Focus - The technology sector remains a focal point, with AI and computing expected to drive growth in the upcoming quarters [10] - CITIC Securities anticipates steady revenue growth in the computer industry, suggesting a focus on AI applications and computing power in the fourth quarter [10] - Zhongtai Securities highlights that downstream capital expenditure in AI will continue to boost the industry chain, with a focus on servers and data centers [10]

Core Viewpoint - Huichuan Technology (300124) announced on August 28 that its R&D expense ratio is approximately 10%, focusing on key areas such as software development, overseas market products, and strategic business investments including humanoid robots [1] Group 1 - The company invests in software fields, including FA platforms, PLC, CNC, and digital platforms, aiming to address domestic shortcomings [1] - Development of products for overseas markets is a significant focus for the company [1] - Other strategic business investments include products related to humanoid robots [1]