In the global PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) market, giants such as Siemens, Mitsubishi Electric, Omron, Schneider Electric, and ABB have long held dominant positions.
Among them, the market leader in 2023 is undoubtedly Siemens, which holds a commanding 40% market share and achieved a revenue of 77.8 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 11%. Following closely are Rockwell Automation, Omron, and Schneider Electric, all of which also play significant roles in the global PLC market.
Unique Landscape of the Chinese PLC Market
Compared to the global market, the Chinese PLC market presents a more complex and diversified situation. It is home to hundreds of PLC companies, creating a fiercely competitive battlefield. Domestic PLC manufacturers can be broadly divided into two camps: project-based and product-based, serving discrete industry automation and process industry automation, respectively. In this challenging and opportunity-filled market, domestic PLC manufacturers are striving for breakthroughs and innovations.
Growth Potential of the Chinese PLC Market
With the continuous development of industrial automation and the increasing demand for applications, the Chinese PLC market is experiencing unprecedented growth opportunities. The upgrading of the manufacturing industry, the development of high-end equipment, and the promotion of the Industrial 4.0 era are all driving the continuous expansion of the Chinese PLC market. It is expected that by 2023, the market size of PLCs in China will reach an astonishing 16.54 billion RMB, with the market sizes for small PLCs and medium to large PLCs being 8.072 billion and 8.468 billion RMB, respectively. Driven by multiple factors such as new technology applications, system openness, and pricing, the growth potential of the Chinese PLC market remains enormous.
Rise of Domestic PLC Manufacturers
Among numerous domestic PLC manufacturers, Inovance Technology is undoubtedly the most representative and influential. With its outstanding technical strength and innovative capabilities, Inovance has successfully captured the top market share in the domestic market for frequency converters, servo motors, and PLCs. Its market share for servo motors is as high as 17% (currently even higher), creating a strategic advantage over foreign brands such as Siemens and Yaskawa. Inovance’s peak market value exceeded 230 billion RMB, with revenues surpassing 23 billion RMB, making it a leader among domestic PLC manufacturers.
In addition to Inovance, there are other noteworthy PLC manufacturers in China, such as Zhongkong, Holley, and Baoxin Software. Although these companies may not match Inovance in terms of PLC scale and market share, they each possess strong advantages and competitiveness in specific fields or technological applications. For instance, some manufacturers focus on providing customized PLC solutions for specific industries, gaining deep insights into industry needs and processes, thus offering products and services that are more aligned with practical applications. Others have made significant progress in technological innovation, continuously launching new products and technologies with independent intellectual property rights, contributing positively to the overall level of domestic PLCs.
The existence and development of these manufacturers not only enrich the product lines and technical choices in the Chinese PLC market but also provide users with more options and possibilities. Together with leading companies like Inovance, they are driving the prosperity and development of the Chinese PLC market.