TEFISEN | Where Does the Road Lead for Dongguan Pad Printing Machines?

[Abstract]  The Dongguan pad printing machines industry had evolved from manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic, to the intelligent pad printing machines. Manufacturers seized the opportunities presented by the rapid development times, riding the wave of change to achieve a qualitative transformation from quantitative growth in this industry. So, what exactly has the Dongguan pad printing machines industry experienced over these years? And how have these manufacturers responded to each opportunity and challenge they faced?

I. The Inception and Exploration of Dongguan Pad Printing Machines

In the diverse and ever-evolving field of printing equipment, Dongguan pad printing machines are increasingly highlighting their significant position in the industry with their unique characteristics and advantages. During the vigorous development of the manufacturing industry in Dongguan in the 1980s and 1990s, the demand for printing equipment also surged. It was precisely at this time that pad printing technology from Europe was introduced to China, and some forward-thinking entrepreneurs in the Dongguan area quickly seized this opportunity to introduce pad printing machine equipment and commence production.

Although the initial Dongguan pad printing machine manufacturers were small in scale and their production equipment and technology were relatively rudimentary, they bravely took the first step. At that time, the main focus was on producing simple manual pad printing machines, which were supplied to local small processing factories for printing simple patterns and text. However, these small attempts laid a solid foundation for the future development of the Dongguan pad printing machine industry.

II. The Growth and Breakthroughs of Dongguan Pad Printing Machines

With the rapid development of the manufacturing industry in the early 21st century, the demand for pad printing machines increased rapidly like bamboo shoots after a spring rain. Dongguan pad printing machine manufacturers also seized this opportunity, increasing investment in technological research and development to enhance the quality and performance of their products.

On the one hand, some manufacturers actively introduced advanced foreign production technologies and equipment, such as control systems, allowing Dongguan pad printing machines to make their mark, with significant improvements in printing accuracy and efficiency. TEFISEN Technology Co., Ltd. entered the printing machine industry during this period, fully drawing on international advanced manufacturing technologies and experiences, and combining them with its own industry experience.

On the other hand, to meet the needs of different customers, Dongguan pad printing machine manufacturers introduced various types of products. TEFISEN offers a rich product line ranging from oil basin and oil cup pad printing machines to flat, round, and multifunctional screen printing machines, as well as automatic pad printing and screen printing equipment. They also focus on product design and user-friendly operation, making pad printing machines easier to use and maintain.

As the quality and performance of Dongguan pad printing machines gradually gained recognition in the market, their products not only sold well domestically but also began to be exported to Europe, America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions. They actively participated in domestic and international industry exhibitions, actively exploring new markets and channels, thereby enhancing the popularity and influence of Dongguan pad printing machines.

III. The Rapid Development and Intelligent Transformation of Dongguan Pad Printing Machines

Since the 2010s, with the rapid development of technologies such as the Internet of Things, big data, and artificial intelligence, Dongguan pad printing machines have ushered in new development opportunities. Manufacturers began to apply automation and intelligent technology to pad printing machines, launching fully automatic pad printing machines controlled by PLC microcomputers and driven by servo motors, greatly reducing manual operation. In recent years, with the surge in popularity of artificial intelligence (AI), pad printing machines have gradually entered the era of intelligence.

Industrial upgrading has also become an important development direction for Dongguan pad printing machine manufacturers. To enhance their core competitiveness, they strengthen cooperation with upstream and downstream enterprises, forming a complete industrial chain. They establish long-term cooperative relationships or self-support with enterprises in ink, pad printing rubber heads, oil cups, molds, etc., to increase product value-added and truly provide customers with one-stop solutions.

As competition intensifies, Dongguan pad printing machine manufacturers have become increasingly focused on brand building, realizing that to succeed in this industry in the long run, they must develop their own brands. By strengthening technological research and development, improving product quality and after-sales service, and combining online and offline promotion, they aim to establish a good corporate image and influential brands. Brands such as Kent and TEFISEN are gradually being recognized by more people in domestic and international markets.

IV. The Economic Foundation and Technological Innovation of Dongguan Pad Printing Machines

The 136th Canton Fair kicked off on October 15, 2024, with 420 Dongguan enterprises participating, including 85 new exhibitors, accounting for more than 20% of the total. Behind the enthusiasm of enterprises actively participating in the fair to secure orders is the continuous recovery of Dongguan's foreign trade imports and exports. According to the Dongguan Municipal Bureau of Statistics, from January to July 2024, the added value of industrial enterprises above the designated size in the city amounted to RMB 296.376 billion, with a year-on-year increase of 9.8%. Among the industries, the leading industries maintained a faster growth rate, with the electronic information manufacturing industry increasing by 20.1%, the packaging and printing industry by 10.8%, and the chemical manufacturing industry by 9.9%.

In terms of investment fields, industrial investment increased by 11.5%, of which industrial technological renovation investment increased by 23.6%; infrastructure investment decreased by 1.5%; and real estate development investment decreased by 9.1%. By industry, new-momentum investment grew rapidly, with investments in advanced manufacturing and high-tech manufacturing increasing by 12.9% and 10.4%, respectively. Among them, equipment manufacturing investment grew by 13.9%, electronic and communication equipment manufacturing investment by 12.9%, medical equipment and instrumentation manufacturing investment by 9.5%, and pharmaceutical manufacturing investment by 5.7%.

Dongguan has 13,900 industrial enterprises above the designated size, with companies like Huawei, OPPO, and vivo ranking among the first tier of the global smartphone industry. Pad printing machines are widely used in electronics, toys, packaging, and other industries. Dongguan's strong industrial base provides a wealth of customer resources and application scenarios for the Dongguan pad printing machine industry, while this growing industry has also become a new opportunity.

Technological innovation is the core driving force behind the continuous development of the Dongguan pad printing machine industry. Dongguan has continuously increased its investment in research and development funding. In 2023, the number of national high-tech enterprises in Dongguan exceeded 10,000. Dongguan pad printing machine enterprises have also actively increased their R&D investment to continuously improve the precision, efficiency, and stability of their products. Taking TEFISEN Technology Co., Ltd. as an example, in 2024, the company plans to invest 50% of its funds in the research and development of pad printing machines and screen printing machines.

V. Overseas Expansion and Future Prospects of Dongguan Pad Printing Machines

Guangdong TEFISEN Technology Co., Ltd.'s pad printing machines and screen printing machines are primarily targeted at overseas markets, especially Southeast Asian regions such as Vietnam and Thailand. In these regions, the company ensures timely product supply and after-sales service by establishing branches or franchises. In the Vietnamese market, TEFISEN has adopted the model of establishing TEFISEN Vietnam branches, with the Chinese headquarters appointing branch heads and technical engineers to implement a partnership system and independent accounting, while hiring local Vietnamese staff for other positions. This more flexible approach allows for direct sales, rapidly expanding market share and enhancing brand influence.

Simultaneously, we implement online and offline promotion strategies. Offline, we participate in various industry exhibitions to showcase our pad printing machines, screen printing machines, and other products. Online, we utilize various online channels, such as social media, the TEFISEN website, B2C platforms, etc., to publish product information and enhance brand awareness.

Through this close cooperation, our pad printing machines, inks, and other products have successfully been integrated into the industrial chain systems of customer enterprises, achieving complementary product lines and mutually beneficial brand cooperation. Locals in Vietnam are familiar with the local market and regulations, providing us with regulatory consistency and promotional strategies. More importantly, the Vietnamese branch undertakes the responsibility of installation and after-sales service, ensuring that customers can enjoy timely and professional support after purchasing our products. This cooperation model has greatly accelerated the penetration of our products in the Vietnamese market.

As more enterprises venture overseas, Dongguan pad printing machines have penetrated into various industries and enterprises, making greater contributions to the global industrial printing equipment field.