One of China’s largest cities and main gateways to the world, Shenzhen is the site of the country’s first Special Economic Zone. Over the decades, its manufacturing sector has grown exponentially, particularly for electronics, which earned it the nickname “China’s Silicon Valley.”
Shenzhen has also developed into a hub for other industries, including connectors. It plays host to the country’s first connectors and cable assemblies industrial park, which was established by the Shenzhen Connectors Industry Association in 2015 to promote the domestic sector.
There are hundreds of these suppliers in the city that include top homegrown companies such as Shenzhen Everwin Precision, Shenzhen Deren and Kingsignal. ECT, also a Shenzhen-based manufacturer specializing in miniature electronics connectors and interconnects systems, ranks high in the mini RF connectors niche worldwide. Its products are widely used in the consumer electronics, communications and automotive industries.
Attracted by Shenzhen’s comprehensive supply chain and preferential economic policies, many foreign suppliers have set up factories there. Amphenol has several facilities in the city, operated by its subsidiary companies. Amphenol Anytek mainly produces terminal blocks for industrial control, communications and commercial equipment, and wind energy applications, while Amphenol Precision focuses on high-precision connectors and cable assemblies.
In terms of exports, the volume of shipments from Shenzhen has been steadily increasing over the past several years and will continue to do so through 2025. Chinese enterprises send at least 30 percent of their output overseas, with some getting entire orders abroad. The main destinations are Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region, with some suppliers also shipping to South America and the Middle East.
Higher growth prospects
The global market for connectors is expected to register 5.8 percent CAGR, from $73.1 billion in 2022 to $114.6 billion by 2030, but China will exceed this rate, according to Technavio. The country is projected to reach 7.3 percent CAGR based on the forecast market size of $24.9 billion by 2030.
AskCI, one of China’s leading industry research and consulting services firm, attributes this growth to rising demand in the communications, consumer electronics, new energy vehicle, industrial control and security sectors.
Driven by this upbeat market forecasts, many Chinese manufacturers are investing in production expansion.
Shenzhen Shinning has allocated $60.55 million for a new project scheduled to start mass manufacture within 2024.
Shenzhen GLGNET, a major maker of Ethernet, high-speed and power connectors in the city and a national high-tech enterprise, is spending $111.38 million on its R&D center and Huizhou subsidiary. This will enable the company to realize an annual production of 626 million high-precision connectors. Shenzhen GLGNET, which is among the top suppliers to ZTE, had a total turnover of $100.15 million in 2022.
R&D initiatives
Eager to take advantage of rising demand driven by 5G communication, new energy vehicles, the Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, connectors manufacturers in Shenzhen will continue working to develop more midrange and high-end types. Their goal is for China-made products to replace those from foreign companies in the years to come.
Shenzhen Deren, for instance, sets aside about 5 percent of sales for R&D activities every year. Such a strategy has yielded high-voltage connectors for EVs. It has also led the company, already eyeing the future, to introduce high-speed connectors for 6G internet. This next-generation cellular technology is expected to be launched commercially by 2030.
Various connectors are widely available in China and can be sourced for a range of consumer electronics, computers and peripherals, communications, automotive, medical, industrial, military, space and aviation applications. They include A/V, RF, fiber-optic and PCB connectors as well as terminal blocks in standard and IP65- to IP68-rated versions and compliant with CE, UL, TÜV, GS and RoHS requirements.
These connectors typically have copper alloy terminals with gold, tin or silver plating and insulators designed to withstand high temperatures. The materials used come from domestic or foreign suppliers, depending on customers’ requests.
At present, material costs are not expected to increase, keeping prices unchanged throughout 2024.
Here are some Shenzhen-based suppliers of connectors and their products.
Shenzhen Antenk Electronics Co. Ltd
Year established: 2004
Head office location: Shenzhen, Guangdong
Key export products: Connectors
Annual export sales: $53.3 million
Export ratio: 65%
Main export markets: Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific
Model: DFS-32EAS0-208
MOQ: 100 units
Lead time: 20 days
Description: DIN 41612/IEC 60603-2 Type C connector; female, vertical type; 32 positions; telecom, data transmission applications
Shenzhen DYS Fiber Optic Technology Co. Ltd
Year established: 2009
Head office location: Shenzhen, Guangdong
Key export products: Connectors
Annual export sales: $14.25 million
Export ratio: 95%
Main export markets: Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific
Model: SC Fast Connectors
MOQ: Negotiable
Lead time: 5 days
Description: Fiber-optic connectors; SC type; single fiber; in-line connection available; -40 to 85 C operating temperature
Shenzhen Indus-Connector Ltd
Year established: 2014
Head office location: Shenzhen, Guangdong
Key export products: Connectors
Annual export sales: $1.05 million
Export ratio: 70%
Main export markets: Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific
Model: IEC61076-2
MOQ: 50 units
Lead time: 7 days
Description: M12 connector; 12 pins; 30V rated voltage, 1.5A rated current; ≤5mohm contact resistance; ≥100Mohm insulation resistance; -25 to 85 C operating temperature; IP67 or IP68
Shenzhen Sinrui Technology Co. Ltd
Year established: 2005
Head office location: Shenzhen, Guangdong
Key export products: Connectors
Annual export sales: $6.25 million
Export ratio: 50%
Main export markets: Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific
Model: M12 Connectors
MOQ: 10 units
Lead time: 7 days
Description: M12 connectors; 8 cores; female; black; IP68
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