Analysis of the Current Status and Future Prospects of the Domestic Forging and Pressing Machine Market

　　With the rapid development of China's automotive, high-speed rail, wind power, light industry, and other sectors, the demand for and production volume of forged and pressed components have been steadily increasing. The forging industry is now experiencing an urgent need for high-precision forging presses, presenting unprecedented growth opportunities for the sector. After years of technological advancement, China's domestic forging press market has established a well-rounded, scientifically sound development strategy—focusing on enhancing product quality while simultaneously controlling manufacturing costs and expanding market outreach. As the industry moves forward, it must seize these opportunities by shifting from a purely production-oriented model to one that integrates production with service offerings. This transition will enable the industry to develop cutting-edge, highly automated forging press solutions, solidify its position in the domestic market, and ultimately pave the way for global expansion.

　　I. Forging and Pressing Machine Market Analysis.

　　(1) Currently, the forging press industry market is thriving. As China’s capabilities in forging presses, cold-heading materials, and die technologies continue to advance, upset-forged components—widely used across industries such as automotive, transportation, home appliances, and power—are increasingly essential. Consequently, the widespread adoption of upset-forging equipment for manufacturing high-volume, precision parts has become an inevitable trend, driving overall positive growth in the forging press market.

　　By the end of 2015, the national fastener industry is expected to reach a total production output of 7.5 to 8 million tons. China is also a major exporter of fasteners, with approximately 50% of its production destined for international markets—including the EU, the U.S., and Europe. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, the industry saw an average annual export growth rate of 8% to 10%, driving the sector’s total export value to 30 billion yuan by 2015. However, most of the exported fasteners still consist of medium- and low-strength products, resulting in lower prices and limited availability of high-value-added items.

　　As fastener production increases, the domestic forging and pressing machine market is also seeing continuous growth in both production and sales volumes. Zhejiang Province, Jiangsu Province, Hebei Province, Shanghai, Guangdong Province, and Shandong Province are the key markets for forging and pressing machine sales in China, accounting for approximately 90% of the country’s total sales in this sector.

　　(2) Domestic and international forging press companies have established themselves in different market segments. The clustered development of fastener industries in regions like the Yangtze River Delta and the Pearl River Delta has spurred the rapid growth of private enterprises in areas such as Wenzhou, Zhejiang, and Dongguan, Guangdong, which now produce automated forging press products and are playing an increasingly vital role. Relying on well-developed social collaboration networks, these companies can deliver products within tight deadlines and offer prices that are highly competitive, enabling them to firmly secure their position in the mid-to-low-end automated forging press market. However, due to their relatively weak technological capabilities and limited capacity for sustained product innovation, they currently lack the strength to compete effectively in the high-end market segment.

　　As domestic user companies expand in scale and steadily strengthen their financial capabilities, their demands for the performance and quality of forging and pressing machine products continue to rise—leading more of them to opt for high-end cold heading equipment sourced from overseas. Leading international manufacturers include Italy’s SACMA, Belgium’s Netstal, U.S.-based National, Switzerland’s Hartebal, Japan’s Sakamura, and Japan’s Asahi Taiwei, among others. These companies primarily cater to the manufacturing needs of complex, non-standard parts in key industries such as automotive, firmly establishing themselves as dominant players in China’s premium forging and pressing equipment market.

　　(3) The market for traditional automatic forging presses is shrinking as these products undergo continuous innovation and upgrades. Older models, such as shearing machines and plate bending machines, are gradually being phased out of the market, leading to a significant decline in their market share. As a result, China's forging press manufacturing industry urgently needs to transform and upgrade, shifting toward the high-end market segment.

　　II. Market Outlook Analysis for Forging and Pressing Machines.

　　(1) Key Industry Served by Forging and Pressing Machines: Trends in the Fastener Manufacturing Sector In 2009, the State Council approved subway construction plans for 22 cities. By around 2015, cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou were set to have 79 rail transit lines under development, with a total planned investment of 882 billion yuan. As the market capacity for railways, subways, and other transportation systems continues to expand, demand for fasteners is accelerating. Looking ahead, sustained national economic growth, rising per capita incomes, and increased government investments in infrastructure development and industrial advancement will all contribute to a further surge in fastener demand.

　　Generally speaking, for every 10% increase in fastener production volume, equipment capacity needs to expand by approximately 15%. Meanwhile, after years of operation and production, many fastener companies have come to realize that only by adopting advanced, high-tech equipment and enhancing the technological sophistication of their products can they truly strengthen their core competitiveness. As a result, upgrading and replacing existing equipment has already become an undeniable trend, creating significant opportunities in the market.

　　(2) Key Industry Served by Forging Presses: The automotive components sector is witnessing a growing trend toward forging press products that manufacture specialized, non-standard parts for vehicles. Currently, this market is still in its early stages domestically, driven by the industry's increasing demand for high precision, efficiency, and multi-station capabilities. However, with continuous advancements in multi-station forging press technology, these cost-effective, energy-efficient, and highly productive machines are gaining wider acceptance among automotive component manufacturers—and they’re fast becoming an inevitable trend in the evolution of the automotive parts industry.

　　Additionally, industries serving forging and pressing machines—such as power generation and bearing manufacturing—are expected to grow rapidly in the future, which will undoubtedly drive a significant increase in demand for forging and pressing machinery.