I. Widespread Price Hikes
Price increases are sweeping across the sector. According to industry announcements, a wave of price hikes for automation components is taking effect in 2026: Heng’erda raised prices for linear guide products by 10%–15% starting April 9, 2026;
Schneider increased prices for ATV12 variable frequency drives (VFDs) by 5%, ATV320 VFDs by 3%–10%, the entire Lexium servo series by 3%–10%, and selected BRS3 stepper motor models by 30%, effective September 25, 2026; and Xinjie touchscreens saw an overall price increase of 8%–20% starting September 1, 2026. Price hikes are occurring simultaneously across four major categories: guide rails, VFDs, servos, and touchscreens.
II. Cost-Side Pressures
Rising raw material and chip costs are driving these increases.
Industry data reveals significant cost-side pressure: in the first half of 2026, LME copper spot prices hovered between $12,000 and $14,000 per ton, a year-on-year rise of 30%–40%.
Power semiconductors underwent two rounds of price hikes: CR Micro and Silan Micro raised prices across all product categories by over 15% starting July 1; Yangjie Technology raised prices by 10%–15%; StarPower Semiconductor increased prices for IGBT and silicon carbide (SiC) modules by over 15%; and SJ Semiconductor raised prices by 15%–25%. Additionally, Infineon implemented a second round of price increases (10%–20%) in July for automotive-grade IGBTs, high-voltage MOSFETs, and power management chips. Raw materials and chips are the primary drivers of these price increases.
III.
Price Reductions via Localization
Localization is driving structural price reductions.
According to industry data, alongside price hikes, domestic substitution has significantly driven down costs: by 2026, the localization rate for domestic speed reducers surpassed 72%, with procurement prices for equivalent specifications dropping from 1,280 yuan to 410 yuan—a 67.9% decrease. The localization rate for servo motors rose from 23.1% to 69.5%, while the average unit price fell by 48.3%. Unit prices for planetary roller screws plummeted from the 10,000-yuan range to the 1,000-yuan range, with some specifications quoted in the hundreds—creating a stark contrast where imported component prices rise while domestic ones fall.
IV.
Simultaneous Rise in Demand Volume and Price
Demand has recovered, driving up both volume and price.
Industry statistics show that the industrial control market reversed a three-year downward trend in 2026: Q1 sales for AC servo systems reached 6.4 billion yuan (up 16.8% year-on-year); sales for large and medium-sized PLCs hit 2.977 billion yuan (surging 36.1% year-on-year); and sales for small PLCs reached 1.651 billion yuan (up 14.4% year-on-year). With demand rebounding alongside rising costs, the industry has entered a phase of simultaneous volume and price increases; prices for core components like screws are expected to continue rising during the 2026–2027 window.
V.
Market Outlook and Procurement Recommendations
Market outlook and procurement advice.
Industry analysis projects the 2026 market size for high-precision guide rails at 15.92 billion yuan (up 8% year-on-year), while the global linear guide rail market is expected to grow from approximately $2.4 billion in 2025 to $3.471 billion in 2032 (a CAGR of 6.5%). Procurement recommendations: lock in prices and stock up early for long-term orders; avoid price hike effective dates (which occur in multiple waves in September, April, and July); verify the precision of domestic substitutes before switching; and use quarterly batch inquiries for bulk purchases to hedge against volatility—as price differentiation makes comparative shopping particularly valuable.
Conclusion
The market trends for automation equipment components show a pattern of “mixed price movements alongside simultaneous increases in volume and price.” On the price-hike side: linear guides rose by 10%–15%; Schneider variable frequency drives (VFDs) and servo systems by 3%–10%; certain stepper motors by 30%; and touchscreens by 8%–20%. These increases were primarily driven by a 30%–40% year-on-year rise in copper prices and two rounds of price hikes (totaling 15%–25%) for power chips. On the price-reduction side: domestic speed reducers dropped by 67.9%, servo motors by 48.3%, and ball screws saw prices shift from the ten-thousand-yuan range down to the thousand-yuan range. Regarding demand: servo system sales grew by 16.8% year-on-year, and sales of large- and medium-sized PLCs rose by 36.1%, marking a shift in the industry from destocking to simultaneous growth in volume and price.
Industry norms suggest that 2026–2027 will be a window for rising prices on core components like ball screws;
recommended procurement strategies include locking in prices early, switching to domestic alternatives after validation, and using staggered inquiries to hedge risk—thereby fully leveraging the benefits of domestic price reductions to offset the cost pressures of rising prices.
