Multiple regions across China have established production bases for precision molds, and the mold industry is experiencing rapid development.

China’s rapid economic growth has propelled the mold industry forward at an astonishing pace, providing it with a continuous source of momentum. Over the past decade, China’s mold industry has maintained an average annual growth rate of around 15%, experiencing robust development. According to Luo Baihui, head of the International Association of Mold and Plastic Hardware Industry Suppliers, China now has more than 30,000 mold manufacturing facilities, employing over one million people. The industry’s annual output value has reached nearly 100 billion RMB. Among these, there are over 20 mold enterprises with an annual output value exceeding 100 million RMB; dozens of medium-sized enterprises have output values ranging from 50 million to 100 million RMB; and enterprises with output values around 20 million RMB account for the vast majority of the market.

In recent years, the pace of structural adjustment in the mold industry has significantly accelerated. The development speed of large-scale, precision, and complex molds—as well as standardized mold components—has outpaced the industry’s overall growth rate. Meanwhile, the proportion of plastic molds and die-casting molds has been steadily increasing. The number and capabilities of specialized mold manufacturers catering to market demands have grown rapidly, and with the deepening reform of the economic system, “three-capital” enterprises and private enterprises have also flourished.

With strong support from local governments, China has successfully established several mold industry parks. These parks have played a positive role in perfecting industrial chains, attracting foreign investment, and boosting social investment. Although there are regional disparities in the distribution of China’s mold industry, the southeastern coastal regions centered on the Pearl River Delta and the Yangtze River Delta continue to maintain a leading pace of development, accounting for more than two-thirds of the country’s total mold output value.

As the leader in China’s mold market, Guangdong’s position is unshakable. Not only is Guangdong the country’s largest exporter and importer of molds, but it is also renowned for its high rate of CNC adoption in mold-processing equipment, outstanding equipment performance, sophisticated mold-manufacturing techniques, and standardized production processes. Currently, more than 40% of the nation’s total mold output value comes from Guangdong, and the province’s strength and influence in the mold manufacturing sector continue to grow. The world’s largest mold-frame supplier and Asia’s most prominent mold manufacturer have both established their operations here. Looking ahead, as Guangdong further optimizes its industrial structure and as industries such as IT, automotive, and high-tech flourish, Guangdong’s mold manufacturing will place even greater emphasis on precision and complexity, providing global customers with higher-end products and services.

Shanghai, on the other hand, is dominated by automotive molds, and its mold-manufacturing capabilities are equally impressive. Automotive mold manufacturers in Shanghai enjoy a strong reputation domestically; their products not only meet the demands of the domestic market but are also exported to markets around the world. As the automotive industry continues to develop, Shanghai’s mold-manufacturing sector will face both greater opportunities and new challenges.
Shanghai’s mold industry will focus on six core industries and key sectors, with particular emphasis on the synergistic development of the information technology (IT) industry and the automotive sector. The IT industry will concentrate on the R&D of precision magnesium alloy die-casting molds and precision injection molds, while the automotive industry will prioritize molds for exterior body panels, large-part die-casting molds, and multi-station progressive dies for precision stamped parts. By 2010, it is expected that the domestic production rate of IT industry molds will reach 85%, and the domestic production rate of automotive molds will reach 90%.

Currently, the number of mold-making enterprises in Shanghai has exceeded 1,500, with a total workforce of over 70,000 people. The annual output value is close to 10 billion yuan, and the annual growth rate exceeds 20%. In the automotive mold sector, Shanghai boasts numerous strong enterprises, including private companies such as Huazhuang, Qianyuan, Yifeng, and Huangyan, as well as joint ventures like Ogihara, Visteon, and Koito. Most of these enterprises have an annual output value exceeding 50 million yuan, with nearly seven of them surpassing the 100-million-yuan mark. Some individual enterprises even achieve annual growth rates as high as 100%, making them the backbone driving the advancement of Shanghai’s automotive mold industry. By 2010, it is projected that Shanghai’s total output value for automotive molds will reach approximately 20 billion yuan, contributing an additional 700 million yuan in output value to the industry, while also boosting exports by 130 million U.S. dollars and increasing overall output value by 600 million yuan.

The mold industry in Jiangsu Province is also worthy of serious attention. The province’s key production centers are located primarily in Suzhou, Nanjing, and Changzhou, and the industry exhibits several distinctive features: a high proportion of privately-owned enterprises, relatively concentrated business clusters, an emerging market structure, and rapid development of high-level molds. After numerous entrepreneurial efforts, a number of highly qualified leading enterprises have emerged, fostering clear specialization and unique regional characteristics. The development of the mold industry has played a significant role in driving industrial upgrading both locally and in neighboring regions.

In summary, China’s mold manufacturing industry is now ushering in unprecedented development opportunities. According to analyses by industry associations, China’s mold industry will continue to grow at a rate of over 15% annually, entering the fastest period of development in its history.