2025-11-19 01:50Summary 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.