Experts in the industry emphasize that behind the construction of major industrial giants, there are often small fasteners that play an indispensable role. Though they may seem insignificant, these tiny components have a critical impact on the performance and reliability of larger systems. Because of their essential function in connecting parts, consumers increasingly favor brands that offer high-quality fasteners during procurement.
Fasteners, also known as standard parts, are mechanical components used to join two or more elements into a single unit. They are widely applied across industries such as machinery, equipment, vehicles, ships, railways, bridges, buildings, tools, and instruments. Luo Baihui, Secretary General of the International Model Association, highlighted that with China’s growing manufacturing sector, fasteners have become one of the most traded products, meeting international standards. This plays a vital role in promoting Chinese fastener companies globally and encouraging their participation in international cooperation and competition.
Due to the specific requirements for specifications, dimensions, tolerances, weights, performance, surface conditions, marking, and packaging, fasteners are regulated by several national and industry standards. Different systems, such as English, German, and American, are followed depending on the product type.
The machinery industry is one of the largest consumers of fasteners. However, due to late recognition of the importance of basic mechanical components, China has long lacked sufficient investment, leading to a weak foundation. As the level of mainframe technology improves, the bottleneck created by outdated mechanical basics has become more apparent. Although recent government support in areas like technology introduction and R&D has helped, there is still a significant gap compared to foreign standards. Issues include limited product variety, unstable quality, high early failure rates, and poor reliability.
As key basic components in the machinery industry, fasteners must keep up with evolving demands. Luo Baihui notes that while common standard fasteners are oversupplied domestically, high-end types—such as high-temperature, special-shaped, titanium-plastic composite, and specialty fasteners—are in short supply and rely heavily on imports. The National Machinery Bureau has classified "common standard fasteners" as restricted development products, while "high-strength shaped fasteners" are encouraged.
With China's industrialization and technological progress, the demand for high-strength fasteners has grown. During the 12th Five-Year Plan period, it was estimated that the number of construction machinery products like loaders, excavators, and road rollers would reach 6 million units, with annual sales around 50,000. Based on this, the annual demand for high-strength fasteners could be between 20,000 to 30,000 tons.
Fasteners are not only fundamental to China's equipment manufacturing but also a cornerstone of the national economy. While maintaining cost advantages, the industry must focus on innovation, quality improvement, and better cost-performance to ensure sustainable growth. By 2015, the total output of the industry was expected to reach 7.5 to 8 million tons, with exports showing steady growth. The average annual export growth rate during the 12th Five-Year Plan was projected at 8% to 10%, reaching 30 billion yuan by 2015.
For domestic manufacturers, opportunities lie ahead. Projects such as high-speed rail, aerospace, highways, and airports provide a chance to move toward higher-value markets. Boeing plans to add 3,400 aircraft over the next 20 years, while the National Development and Reform Commission has invested 800 billion yuan in urban rail transit projects. With new rail mileage reaching 6,560 kilometers, the demand for rail fasteners is expected to exceed 5.5 to 7 billion yuan. These large-scale projects will significantly boost the need for advanced fasteners, making it possible to shed the “low-end†label.
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