Yoga Leggings,Yoga Clothes for Women,Beyond Yoga Leggings,Yoga Wear,Women Yoga Pants Foshan Nanhai Boxin Clothing Co., Ltd , https://www.boxinfushi.com
"World Factory" Dongguan Machine "**"
**"The World Factory" of Dongguan: The Rise of the "Machine Boom"**
In 2005, Dalang Town’s woolen garment manufacturers used only 2,000 CNC weaving machines. By 2008, that number had doubled to 4,000, and by 2009, it surged to 6,000. This marked the beginning of a significant shift in the textile industry.
Wang Yongzhou, a 27-year-old salesman from Zhejiang, has seen his business transform dramatically. He sells computerized horizontal weaving machines—machines that use programming to control the entire weaving process. A year ago, he sold just two or three units per month, but now he can sell one every day. “The most important thing is that we’re out of stock,†he said with excitement. “More than five sets, you get twice; more than ten, four times. But it will take until September.â€
His company, Tiger King CNC, was once known for producing automatic mahjong machines. Now, they’ve shifted focus to the new horizontal loom market. Last year, they opened a distribution center in Dongguan, shipping machines from Zhejiang. With sales booming, the company plans to invest 50 million yuan to build a factory there next month.
Wang’s store is located on Yinlang Road in Dalang Town, a major hub for woolen textiles. Two years ago, this road wasn’t even busy. But since last year, the rise of computerized horizontal weaving machines has transformed the area. Today, the street is bustling with activity, filled with the hum of machinery and the energy of change.
This small town has attracted 45 CNC loom companies, with one-third of them established after 2009. In November last year, over 50 textile machinery companies submitted more than 150 booths to the 8th Dalang Meeting—an event that had never seen such demand before. The organizing committee had to expand exhibition areas, but even then, space was limited.
According to statistics, around 88,900 CNC looms were produced and sold in Dalang in 2009, mostly to the Pearl River Delta. Dalang itself and the nearby Changping Town consumed over 4,000 units.
The machine-buying trend isn’t limited to the textile industry. Dongguan Bojin Machinery and Equipment Factory, which produces toy-making equipment, is also experiencing a boom. Their cotton-filling machines can replace 20 workers each. Sales Director Wang Junping said they sold over 70 units last year, and this year, they expect to sell at least 200.
Another popular machine is the plug-in machine, used for inserting electronic components into devices like home appliances, energy-saving lamps, and LED displays. Only two domestic manufacturers are active in this field: Dongguan Xinze Valley and Canbei Electronics.
“We used to sell about 150 units a year,†said Chen Zhuozhong, a sales director. “This year, we’ve already received 450 orders.†Zheng Ke Electronics, which opened in the second half of the year, is also seeing strong demand. On July 19, the author visited their factory in Da Ling Shan Town and saw a red banner indicating over 100 units sold. Workers were working overtime during meal times, and the general manager said orders have been placed up to October.
Donglian, the first and only machinery leasing company in Dongguan, has also benefited from the trend. Initially, they leased large construction and medical equipment, but after 2009, they shifted to labor-intensive industrial machines like plug-in and placement machines. Since then, their business volume has skyrocketed, reaching 1.5 billion yuan.
Everyone involved in selling or buying machines points to one common reason: labor costs are too high. A local business owner told the author that due to a shortage of workers, he bought three plug-in machines to handle the workload.
What has caused this sudden wave of automation? Take the computerized horizontal weaving machine as an example. Before 2004, many workshops used hand-held machines and automatic belt conveyors, requiring one worker per machine or two for the latter. Now, a single worker can manage 6–8 machines.
Wang Yongzhou explained the cost savings. Textile workers earn between 1,500 and 1,800 yuan per month, plus food and lodging, bringing total monthly costs to over 2,000 yuan. A machine costs 80,000 to 150,000 yuan, but labor costs drop to one-sixth to one-eighth of the original. Within a year or two, the investment pays off.
The plug-in machine offers even greater savings. For the same monthly production capacity, a machine line needs 3 workers, while a manual line requires 14. At 1,500 yuan per person, using machines saves nearly 200,000 yuan annually.
Cai Lihui, General Manager of Guangzhou Tema Sound Factory, was drawn to these savings. He bought five plug-in machines, replacing 80% of manual work. The cost savings matched those of other businesses.
This transformation was unthinkable decades ago. In the 1980s, China became a global manufacturing hub, relying on migrant workers who worked long hours for low wages. Machines, meanwhile, were considered expensive.
A STOLL CNC weaving machine from Germany could cost 250,000 to 400,000 yuan, while a Japanese machine might cost 350,000 to 450,000 yuan. With maintenance costs of 20,000 to 30,000 yuan per year, it would take 5–7 years to recoup the investment.
But since 2004, the situation has changed. Labor supply has decreased, and wages have risen significantly. Meanwhile, domestic technology has improved, making machines more affordable.
Today, a domestic computerized horizontal weaving machine costs 80,000 to 150,000 yuan—less than a quarter of imported models. Maintenance is cheaper, and payback periods are just 1–2 years.
Moreover, younger workers today are different. They no longer tolerate long hours or strict rules. Many prefer to work fewer hours and enjoy better living conditions. This shift has forced companies to rethink their strategies.
Foxconn’s recent labor issues and Honda’s incident brought attention to these changes. Companies have raised wages to retain workers, and minimum wages have increased across regions.
Yongyong, a second-hand equipment dealer, saw this shift firsthand. A business owner called him to inform him of night shifts, but no one showed up. The boss ended up buying three plug-in machines instead.
This is just the beginning. As China’s population bonus period ends, automation is becoming inevitable. While China’s current machine level is comparable to Western countries in the 1980s, the path to full automation remains long.
From 1978 to 1998, China’s economic growth relied heavily on cheap labor. But with rising wages and shrinking workforce, the era of cheap labor is ending.
Japan faced a similar transition in the 1970s, shifting toward high-wage, high-productivity strategies and leading the world in robot adoption. China may follow a similar path.
Currently, 27% of Chinese factories use CNC machinery—a significant increase from previous years. However, Japan’s rate is 82%, showing how much progress still needs to be made.
Despite the challenges, the move toward automation is irreversible. As labor prices rise, more industries will adopt machines to stay competitive. And for the first time, China is not just a factory—it’s becoming a smart factory.