Full tower computer cases

Infrastructure, supply chain, support industries and workforce combine to make the city one of China’s top production hubs.

Dongguan is among the top processing and manufacturing hubs for computer products in China. Makers from this industrial city in Guangdong province account for more than 10 percent of global market.

Attesting to its status as a major sourcing center is Dongguan’s 95 percent matching rate, which means that suppliers based there are capable of producing most kinds of computer parts and components. Keyboards and mice, computer cases, laptop batteries and memory card readers form the bulk of output.

Makers draw their expertise from the city’s efficient airports, highways and ports, strong support industries, technically skilled workforce, developed supply chain and active foreign direct-investment portfolio.

Dongguan is regarded as the Pearl River Delta region’s largest sourcing hub for China computer products after Shenzhen. The city has more than 2,750km of first-class highways. It boasts an efficient airport and seaports. The shipping berths in Humen town, in particular, are capable of processing 6 million tons of cargo. These logistical advantages ease the transport of materials, components and end products from and to overseas markets.

Suppliers also benefit from a complete production chain for the line from core module design to plastic injection, SMT processes and final assembly. The majority has the capacity to make most kinds of computer parts and components. They can also conduct almost all necessary manufacturing processes with no need to get out of the city. An adequate supply of low-cost, skilled workers gives makers a good pool from which to hire product developers.

Dongguan is committed to build on this technology infrastructure. It has $500 million in planned investment in related projects for implementation from 2005 to 2010. A science park in the Songshan Lake district is being maintained in cooperation with a US-based IT academy since 2003, demonstrating the city’s emphasis on attracting technology businesses. High-tech companies in Dongguan enjoy a 15 percent tax incentive.

Keyboards and mice are the city’s leading computer products, accounting for 30 percent of China’s total turnout. According to customs statistics, the country manufactured 532 million units in 2007, up 9 percent from 2006. Demand for these two input devices continues to grow. The first five months of 2008 alone recorded an output of 217 million units, a 10 percent growth from the same period in 2007.

As with all China suppliers, Dongguan computer products makers’ main challenge has been the global economic downturn. Local manufacturers are also dodging the effects of recent negative publicity involving labor matters.

Dongguan Weilong Hardware Industrial Co. Ltd, Dongguan Jiding Electronic Technology Co. Ltd, Ying Jian Enterprise Co. Ltd and Eastern Times Technology Co. Ltd are among the 3,000 computer product makers based in Dongguan.

Dongguan Weilong has been producing computer cases since 1999. The company exports to Europe, the Middle East and Asia.

The supplier’s monthly capacity is 300,000 computer cases. Its current output is 200,000 units per month. The 400 production staff includes a 29-member product development team. The company can release up to four new models a month.

Dongguan Jiding, established in 2000, manufactures computer cases and power supplies. Ninety percent of the company’s computer cases are shipped to Europe, South America and Asia. The monthly capacity is 150,000 units.

The supplier offers standard, mini and slim towers. At present, the output is 30,000 units per month. It has more than 200 production staff, with 10 involved in product development. The company can release five to six new models per month.

Ying Jian has been supplying PC accessories since 2004. Its best-sellers are multicard readers, which account for 75 percent of total revenue. HDD enclosures contribute 20 percent. The company also offers hubs, HDMI cable assemblies, ATA/SATA cables and case molding.

The products are shipped to Brazil, Germany, the UK and France.

Ying Jian has a production staff of 200. Its average monthly output for multicard readers is 150,000 units.

The company’s 10-member product development team can conduct design in-house. SMT is subcontracted while plastic injection can be done in-house.

Ying Jian does ODM business for Hedy and Founder.

Eastern Times, established in 1994, specializes in designing and manufacturing computer peripherals. Its products include mini mice with retractable wire, Skype-compatible phone mice, mouse pads, mini USB hubs and computer toolboxes. All products meet CE, FCC and RoHS standards. The company’s monthly capacity is 1 million units.