Actsun of Mainland China offers the AC -301, a handheld massager for face, head and shoulder.

R&D focuses on enhanced functions and cosmetics. Popular features include USB power, no-slip grip and adjustable vibration intensity.

Cosmetic design enhancement is among the top R&D trends for electronic handheld massagers in mainland China. Massagers for the face, head, shoulders and other body parts come in ergonomic and attractive designs such as animals and cartoons. User-friendly and lightweight designs are popular. Some units come with one or two features such as IR hot wave, electromagnet, USB power, no-slip grip and adjustable vibration intensity.

Taiwan makers offer various types of body and facial massagers. For body massagers, most models come with rotating rollers or nodes. Body massagers with mechanical vibration and tapping action are popular. Numerous models have warm air action and dual massage heads. Moreover, bio-ceramic units that emit far-infrared rays (FIR) and units with pushing action to help reduce cellulite are emerging products in the line. For facial massagers, makers offer models that emit ultrasound and ion or bio light to help maintain facial skin health. Some units also come with brushes and roller balls.

There are more than 50 companies in mainland China that manufacture electronic handheld massagers. Most of them are healthcare industry specialists, and provide a wide range of products such as massage chairs/cushions/ beds, eye massagers and foot massagers. Mainland makers in this report include Shenzhen Universal Industries Co. Ltd, Actsun International Industrial Co., and Ningbo Osun Electronic Co. Ltd.

In Taiwan, there are about 30 to 40 electronic handheld massager makers, most of which do OEM, ODM and OBM business and are based in Taipei and Taichung. Some have production facilities in Guangdong province in mainland China. Most makers export more than 50 percent of production mainly to the United States and Western Europe. Taiwan makers in this report include Hope Song International Enterprise Co. Ltd, Union Chen Ind. Corp. and Kabumedo Co. Ltd.

	The HY-10316HA , from Taiwan's Hope Song, is a handheld massager with bio-ceramic materials.

On the mainland, Universal Industries has released model SU622, which comes in dolphin design. The handheld massager has built-in IR function-emitting hot waves to stimulate user's metabolism. Similarly, Osun has also released some products in dolphin design.

Actsun has introduced AC-301, an octopus-shaped handheld massager. The unit is powered by two AA batteries. It is suitable for massaging the face, head, shoulders and other body parts. Actsun offers other cartoontype massagers in dog, tortoise, bug and fruit shapes.

Osun has also launched model 503C. The unit features two speed levels to adjust massaging intensity. It has two massager heads, built-in IR function and a long non-slip grip. Similarly, Universal Industries has released models with IR function and adjustable massaging speeds.

Universal Industries' SU610 can be used as a wrist cushion when using a PC mouse. The unit, which also has adjustable massaging speeds, can be used for the arm, shoulder, neck, thigh and foot.

In Taiwan, Hope Song offers massage chairs, massage cushions, massage beds and handheld massagers. Its model HY-10316HA is an ergonomic handheld massager with bio-ceramic material. The model emits IR rays to produce heat. It has two adjustable intensity levels and comes with a rotating roller.

Kabumedo, which also manufactures massagers that emit IR heat, offers the ES-330 Facemate. The unit is a 6-in-1 face massager that features both 1MHz and 3MHz ultrasound function with eight intensity settings. It is also a negative ion inductor that helps smoothen skin. It emits mixed wave current for wrinkle reduction and high-energy light with 660nm wavelength, and functions as a skin tester that indicates a user's skin condition-whether it is dry, normal or oily. The model bears CE, GS, T-mark and UL approvals.

Union Chen, meanwhile offers model UC-568, a dualhead handheld massager. The unit has IR heat function. It features 6,000prm and 1.38kg weight.

In mainland China, entry-level handheld massagers with weak massaging intensity are priced under $2. Models in this range include USB and cartoon-designed massagers that are aimed at the gifts market. High-end products with stronger massaging intensity, IR function, adjustable speed and multiple massaging heads are usually priced at about $60.

The vibration motor is one of the major components of handheld massagers; mainland manufacturers source it from Japan, Taiwan and domestic suppliers. ABS is mainly sourced from Taiwan and domestic suppliers. Mainland manufacturers believe that prices will be stable in the next six months as they try to absorb additional production costs.

In Taiwan, Union Chen and Hope Song expect prices to increase in H1 2007 because of rising manufacturing costs. Union Chen expects prices to increase by 30 percent, while Hope Song expects prices to increase by less than 3 percent. Kabumedo, on the other hand, expects prices to remain stable because of the maturity of the industry and steady demand.

Taiwan entry-level handheld massagers with two adjustable intensity levels and Taiwan-made motors are quoted between $15 and $16, FOB. For disk roller massagers with two adjustable speed levels and IR heat, the prices range from $18 to $20, FOB.

There are three main production centers of electronic handheld massagers in mainland China-Fujian, Guangdong and Zhejiang.

Osun was founded in 1987. The company's major products include massage chairs/cushions, foot bubble massagers, treadmills, foot health massagers, handheld massagers and other healthcare products, It has an annual production capacity of 450,000 sets.

Osun accepts OEM and ODM orders, and also sells products under its Oriental Dragon brand. The company's major export markets include Asia, North America, Western Europe and Eastern Europe.

Universal Industries, established in 1996, offers electronic handheld massagers and other home appliances. More than 90 percent of the company's output is shipped overseas, mainly to North America, Europe and Asia.

Actsun, founded in 2000, offers electronic body massagers/toning systems, electronic handheld massagers and eye massagers, and home appliance products. The company's monthly capacity is 200,000 sets for all products, More than 90 percent of its products are exported to Asia, North America and Europe.

Taiwan's Hope Song does OEM and OBM businesses. The manufacturer's monthly capacity is 60,000 units and average monthly output is 10,000 units. Hope Song exports its products worldwide with the United States and Europe as its major markets.

Kabumedo does OEM, OMD and OBM businesses. The company's monthly production capacity is 20,000 units; its average monthly output is about 5,000 units. About 40 percent of Kabumedo's products are shipped overseas, mainly to Europe and the United States.

Union Chen is focused on OBM business, although the company does accept OEM and ODM orders. The company's monthly capacity is 3,000 units. About 30 percent of Union Chen's sales come from exports, specifically to Europe and the United States.