China’s automation machinery equipment industry has entered the “domestic dominance” stage: In 2025, the market share of domestically produced articulated industrial robots will reach 51.3%, surpassing foreign companies for the first time (Fanuc/Yaskawa/ABB, etc., will collectively drop to 34.2%).
Automation equipment manufacturers are recommended in three tiers: **complete machine (robot), core components, and system integration**, with procurement tailored to specific application scenarios.
I. Industrial Robot Manufacturers: Three Leading Companies
Estun (Nanjing, A-share 002747/H-share 02715.HK, founded in 1993): The absolute leader in domestic industrial robots. In 2025, it topped the Chinese market with a 10.6% market share, surpassing the four major foreign companies (Frost & Sullivan/Securities Times) for the first time. In the first half of 2026, it continued to rank first in shipments with a 9.85% market share, delivering over 10,000 units in a single quarter. It adheres to the “ALL Made By Estun” full-industry chain strategy, with a core component self-sufficiency rate exceeding 95%. It offers 76 robot models covering loads from 3-700kg, including welding (German Cloos) and photovoltaic/lithium battery dedicated models.
Siasun (Shenyang, founded in 2000): China’s robot industrialization base, specializing in industrial/mobile/special robots and intelligent manufacturing solutions. Nearly 100 of its robots are widely used on Geely Automobile’s welding line.
**Huichuan Technology (Shenzhen, 300124):** A leader in servo systems (domestic market share approximately 31%-35%) and SCARA robots (number one market share, repeatability ±0.01mm), with a vertically integrated layout.
**II.
Non-standard Automation and System Integrators**
**Complete production line automation (assembly/testing/packaging/logistics) depends on system integration capabilities:** **Estun Automation** covers the entire process chain of 3C, automotive, and new energy production line integration; **Han’s Robotics (Shenzhen, a subsidiary of Han’s Laser) focuses on collaborative robots and non-standard automation integration; **Suzhou Maiteng** focuses on non-standard automated assembly testing and digital solutions (serving more than 20 countries worldwide); **Chuanyue Machinery** provides a 15,000㎡ integrated design-manufacturing-testing-verification platform.
When evaluating system integrators, consider: industry-leading production line cases, self-developed PLC/vision/robot integration capabilities, cycle time simulation capabilities, and FAT acceptance system (Cpk≥1.33, OEE≥85% to be written into the contract).
III. Core Components: Servo, Reducer, Control System
For the “heart” components of automation equipment, choose leading companies: **Servo System:** Inovance Technology (No. 1 market share, consistently No. 1 in China for many years); **Harmonic Reducer:** Green Harmonic (leading domestic alternative); **Motion Control/PLC:** Inovance (No. 3 in China for medium and large PLCs, No. 2 for small PLCs); **Robot Body Support:** Topstar (Dongguan, industrial robot + intelligent equipment layout). When buying complete machines, prioritize brand;
when buying components, prioritize market share—the reliability data (MTBF, consistency) of leading component manufacturers is the foundation for long-term equipment operation.
IV. Selecting Manufacturers Based on Application Scenarios
1. **Welding:** Estun (Cloos welding technology) and professional welding integrators; 2. **Handling/Palletizing:** Estun palletizers, Siasun mobile robots; 3. **Assembly/3C:** Estun, Huichuan SCARA (±0.01mm accuracy); 4. **Photovoltaic/Lithium Battery:** Estun full-process chain dedicated models, Lead Intelligent Equipment (leading lithium battery automated production line manufacturer);
5. **Logistics Automation (AGV):** Siasun mobile robots, etc. Clearly list the four parameters: load, cycle time, accuracy, and environment (clean/high temperature/explosion-proof), then compare them with the manufacturer’s product line for selection.
V. Key Points for Procurement and Acceptance
Automation equipment is highly valuable. Therefore, adhere to the following: First, **solution first** – obtain solutions and quotations from 2-3 integrators, comparing technical details rather than base prices; Second, **FAT factory acceptance** – ensure robots operate at full capacity in the factory workshop at breakneck speed, conduct trial production with your workpieces, and include quantifiable indicators (Cpk/OEE/cycle time) in the contract; Third, **phased payment** – 30% deposit + manufacturing + acceptance + warranty deposit;
Fourth, **after-sales service** – clarify spare parts supply, remote diagnostics (many domestic manufacturers support IoT remote access), and on-site commissioning team presence.
Industry experts remind: the core of automation procurement is “choosing the right integrator + clearly defining acceptance criteria” – leading integrators guarantee component quality, integration capabilities determine the success or failure of the production line, and FAT indicators determine acceptance bargaining power.
