»MM Maschinenmarkt« China

The Rise of New Forces in Machine Tools Amid Industry Transformation

Amid the global wave of intelligent manufacturing transformation, China's machine tool industry is undergoing a critical shift from "catching up" to "leading." Just as the new energy vehicle sector gave rise to emerging players like NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto, the machine tool industry has also seen a surge of innovative private enterprises reshaping the landscape with technological breakthroughs and market agility. The launch of the New Force in Machine Tools Brands Ranking is rooted in this context, aiming to focus the industry on core competitiveness, break free from the "involution" dilemma, accelerate industrial upgrading and innovation, and actively bridge the gap with global benchmarks.

Regarding the original intent, Jiang Yabao, Director of MM XIANDAIZHIZAO Publisher, noted: "During last year’s research for the Machinery Industry Technology Innovation Leadership Awards, we observed a striking trend—a growing cohort of private machine tool enterprises has achieved remarkable technological and service capabilities by focusing on core fields and key application scenarios. We wanted to draw broader attention to this group, which necessitated a concise and accessible term to encapsulate them collectively. Thus, we coined the term "New Force in Machine Tools".

From the "Eighteen Arhats" to the New Forces

China’s machine tool industry traces its origins to the First Five-Year Plan era, when state-owned giants like Shenyang Machine Tool and Dalian Machine Tool—dubbed the "Eighteen Arhats"—laid the foundation. However, as globalization intensified and manufacturing upgraded, the institutional constraints of traditional SOEs became apparent. In contrast, private enterprises emerging over the past two to three decades, such as Beijing Jingdiao and HIMILE GROUP, have broken through in niche sectors like 3C electronics, mold manufacturing, and aerospace with flexible strategies and sustained R&D, becoming indispensable pillars of the industry.

CIMT2025 served as a grand stage for these new forces to showcase their prowess. The exhibition, spanning 16 halls and attracting over 2,400 exhibitors and 340,000 visitors, became a global focal point. Here, Chinese new forces demonstrated their innovations, providing rich material for Modern Manufacturing’s inaugural New Force in Machine Tools Brands Ranking.

The Ranking: A New Evaluation Framework for the Industry

The ranking transcends mere listings; it employs "brand impression" as a multidimensional metric to steer the industry toward technological innovation, user needs, and global competitiveness. Li Zheng, Deputy Director of MM XIANDAIZHIZAO Publisher, emphasized in the Insight CIMT Special Program that the ranking seeks to "spark industry-wide reflection through discussion and evaluation." Its core objectives are:

Breaking the Price War Cycle: Amid homogenized competition, the ranking encourages firms to prioritize R&D and service upgrades over cutthroat pricing by highlighting capabilities like forward design and innovative applications.

Boosting Indigenous Innovation: While imports dominate high-end segments, new forces like KEDE CNC and DEED have raised the localization rate of five-axis systems to 70%+. The ranking offers users a reference for domestic alternatives, strengthening supply chain autonomy.

Accelerating Global Expansion: Aligned with the Belt and Road Initiative and RCEP, the ranking’s dual release (domestic/international) and planned "China Day" promotions at EMO 2025 aim to build a global benchmarking system.

Evaluation Criteria: Six Dimensions Setting Industry Trends

The ranking assesses enterprises across six core dimensions:

Forward Design Capability: Market-driven product development (e.g., Kede CNC’s 3-meter machine for nuclear blade processing).

User Process Expertise: Deep understanding of downstream needs (e.g., Ningqing’s gantry mills for aerospace).

Emerging Market Penetration: Growth in sectors like NEV (e.g., HAITIAN Precision’s 25% annual growth in integrated die-casting).

AI Integration: Smart manufacturing (e.g., Jingdiao’s AI-optimized CNC systems boosting efficiency).

Applied Results: Real-world impact (e.g., Leading Intelligent’s 1,000+ automated production lines).

Global Perspective: Compliance and standards (e.g.,HIMILE GROUP’s CE-certified medical CNC exports to Germany).

Expert Insights: Technology, Collaboration, and Globalization

In Modern Manufacturing’s Insight special program, experts dissected the new forces’ path forward:

Intelligence and Embodied Intelligence: The Future Direction of Next-Generation Machine Tools

Zhi Zhen, Chairman of CIIC, pointed out that future machine tools should possess "embodied intelligence"—enabling autonomous decision-making and self-optimization through AI large models. He emphasized that intelligent optimization of CNC systems, integration with peripheral systems, and real-time monitoring of machining processes will be key technological breakthroughs. For example, Huazhong CNC’s "Huazhong 10 Series" system uses AI algorithms to optimize machining paths, improving efficiency by 40%.

Professor Yue Caixu from Harbin University of Science and Technology stressed that intelligentization must be combined with domestic substitution. His team’s tool condition monitoring technology has been integrated into Huazhong CNC systems, enabling real-time tool breakage alerts and enhancing machining reliability.

Collaborative Innovation: Deep Integration of Industry, Academia, and Application

Wu Tianming, former Deputy Chief Process Engineer of Shanghai Electric Power Equipment Co.,Ltd.Generator Plant, highlighted from a user perspective that machine tool enterprises must collaborate closely with end-users. Kede CNC achieved a technological breakthrough in nuclear power blade processing equipment through tight cooperation with Shanghai Turbine Works and Dongfang Turbine.

Yu Guang, Associate Researcher at Tsinghua University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, noted that universities should leverage their strengths in forward-looking research. While adaptive machining technology matured in the 1990s, it now requires integration with modern computational power and industrial demands to achieve large-scale application.

Zhao Juan, a researcher at the STIP Tank, pointed out inefficiencies in China’s industry-academia collaboration. She recommended adopting models like Germany’s "it's OWL" (Ostwestfalen-Lippe) smart technology cluster, where government subsidies and platform-building accelerate the transfer of R&D成果 (achievements) to SMEs.

Breaking the Involution Trap: Differentiation and Brand Value

Li Zheng, Deputy Director of MM XIANDAIZHIZAO Publisher, argued that escaping "involution" (excessive internal competition) requires technological differentiation and brand-building. DEED MT, for instance, gained an edge in niche markets through high-precision products (30% above national standards) and customized services.

For instance global expansion should prioritize capability over low-cost competition. Haitian Precision, for example, established production bases in Vietnam and Indonesia, enhancing competitiveness through localized services.

Globalization Strategy: Standards Compliance and Local Adaptation

Christopher, a German expert, noted that overseas expansion requires understanding local user preferences—e.g., European markets value equipment redevelopment flexibility. Wu Tianming cited Shanghai Turbine Works’ increased domestic procurement ratio (from 25% to 75%) as proof that local market trust lays the foundation for global growth.

The release of the New Force in Machine Tools Brands Ranking not only clarifies the current industry landscape but also provides forward-looking guidance. By promoting the ranking and success cases, the initiative aims to gradually shift user bias toward domestic equipment. The rising procurement ratio at Shanghai Turbine Works demonstrates a growing trend: "Using domestic, trusting domestic."

Conclusion

The TOP10 reveal marks a new era of innovation-driven competition. From Jingdiao’s full-value-chain upgrades to KEDE’s five-axis breakthroughs, these enterprises embody the "new force" ethos. As R&D deepens and globalization accelerates, they are poised to elevate "Made in China" to "Smart China."

As Jiang Yabao stated: "The ranking is a means; industry progress is the goal." With sustained breakthroughs, these new forces will fortify the backbone of Chinese manufacturing.