**Abstract**
The phrase "big but not strong" is familiar to those who understand the machinery industry. This term has been frequently mentioned by leaders of various industry associations at different conferences. Among all sectors, the machine tool industry has been hit the hardest. There's a reason for this: as the "mother of industry," machine tools are fundamental to manufacturing. Other industries like heavy machinery and automotive rely heavily on machine tools. As one expert put it, "If the equipment isn't good, the impact will be felt."
However, this perspective is not entirely accurate. It’s well known that in the past, the automotive industry relied heavily on foreign-branded machine tools. Still, there is no denying that China's machine tool industry faces significant challenges. The high annual import value of machine tools remains a clear and undeniable fact.
High-end machine tools are crucial when assessing whether a country's machinery industry is truly strong. Key factors include whether the country possesses independent intellectual property rights in core technologies, whether it has strong capabilities in major equipment technology, and whether it leads globally in the quality of its mainstream machinery.
According to these standards, China's machine tool industry still has a long way to go. Especially in the high-end market, there have been few notable breakthroughs. Because of the lack of CNC machine tools — often called the "mother of industry" — China cannot fully manufacture many high-end products. Components such as efficient car engines, aircraft turbine disks, fuselages, and nuclear power plant parts depend on foreign machine tools to some extent.
For example, engine blades must be extremely precise to operate under high temperatures and pressures. These complex curved surfaces require ultra-precise five-axis linkage machines. The same applies to blades used in nuclear and gas turbines. High-precision lenses in electronics, missile seekers, and aerospace components also demand ultra-precision five-axis machines. Aircraft wings and large structures need high-speed machining tools, while large-scale components require powerful presses. The production of composite materials for aerospace requires wire laying machines. In all these areas where China's manufacturing lags, insufficient machine tool capabilities remain a key obstacle.
Domestic high-end CNC machine tools are clearly lacking in competitiveness. But this doesn’t mean there are no high-end machines at all. Rather, it refers to the absence of a large number of industrialized, market-oriented, and highly competitive high-end machine tools. While Jinan No. 2 Machine Tool has made progress, the challenge remains significant.
On July 11, Jinan No. 2 Machine Tool announced that it had won a large press line project for Ford Motor Company’s Kentucky plant, following previous orders for stamping lines in Kansas and Detroit in 2011. Previously, the factory had used German-made systems, but now Ford chose Chinese-made solutions. This marks an important step for domestic machine tools in the international market.
The automotive industry is critical for metal cutting machines. Historically, nearly half of domestically produced machine tools have gone to the auto sector. However, China’s machine tool industry rarely enters key areas like engine production lines. Most of the equipment required for the four main processes — stamping, welding, painting, and assembly — is imported.
Jinan No. 2’s success in the domestic auto market has helped it gain international recognition. With over 80% market share in automotive CNC stamping equipment, it has built trust with foreign automakers. Many leading Chinese automakers have joint venture backgrounds, which also helped Jinan No. 2 enter global markets confidently.
In recent years, the government has introduced policies to support the high-end machine tool industry, aiming to make 80% of high-end CNC machines and basic manufacturing equipment self-reliant by 2020. The responsibility falls on leading companies in each sector, which also benefit from these policies.
Despite progress, marketization and industrialization remain limited. Some technical achievements are impressive, but they haven’t translated into widespread adoption. The gap between development and real-world application is still significant.
Many small and medium-sized customers can’t afford high-end CNC machines, while larger companies hesitate to use them. High costs and reliance on imported components make it difficult for domestic manufacturers to compete. Even basic parts like lead screws and guide rails are hard to improve, adding to the challenges.
China’s high-end CNC market is becoming a battleground. As the economy transforms, industries demand higher-quality equipment. Domestic manufacturers are pushing forward, but the path to full competitiveness is still long.
Blaming users for not adopting domestic products is irrational. The solution lies in building trust and offering comprehensive solutions, not just individual machines. Companies must focus on user needs and provide end-to-end support.
Government policies encourage localization, setting minimum rates for bidding on major projects. But some foreign firms bypass these requirements through joint ventures, allowing them to maintain control over core technologies.
This trend raises concerns about true localization. While local labels may appear on products, the real innovation and expertise often remain overseas. This undermines the goal of building a self-reliant industry.
Ultimately, the success of China’s machine tool industry depends on more than just design and technology. Manufacturing processes, reliability, and user confidence are equally important. Only by addressing these issues can China truly become a leader in high-end machine tools.
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