Interpreting South China’s Electronics Manufacturing Trends: NEPCON South China 2012 is a Resounding Success

One of the largest and longest standing trade and purchasing platforms in the region, NEPCON South China 2012 spanned a massive 38,000 sqm and attracted over 500 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions. The event, which featured over 1,000 types of electronics manufacturing equipment, test and measurement products and diverse components, gave visitors a vivid illustration of the most advanced electronics manufacturing solutions in the industry today.

Boasting thousands of exhibitors from the mobile phone, automobile, IT digital, packaging and printing fields, South China covers virtually the entire electronics manufacturing industry chain. As the most influential electronics manufacturing trade event there, NEPCON South China 2012 featured today’s most advanced SMT equipment and state-of-the-art technologies, as well as test and measurement, soldering, electrostatic discharge, electronics manufacturing automation, machine vision (MV), tool and robot sectors. New technologies, products and solutions from the local and international SMT and electronics manufacturing industries were comprehensively displayed and demonstrated on-site.

Well known manufacturers like Juki, Samsung Techwin, Assembléon, Fuji, ASYS Group, Borison Automation , Evest, Panasonic, Sony, ASM, Omron, Senju, Kurtz and Hiwin showcased their most innovative technologies. These included printed circuit board production equipment, systems, materials, services, designs, test solutions and SMT machinery.

With rapid economic development on the Chinese mainland, the electronics manufacturing industry in South China is now facing labor shortages and rising HR costs. In response, the electronics manufacturing industry is committing itself to equipment upgrades.

Huang Junhua, Manager of USI’s Engineering Department, said, “Much of the low value-added electronics manufacturing in South China is set to either be transferred or replaced. Communications devices, displays, integrated circuits and other elements on the high end of electronics manufacturing, will be developed further. This exhibition lets us see numerous well-known industry manufacturers, as well as the innovations that can help electronics manufacturers tackle the challenges of industrial upgrades, labor shortages and rises in labor costs.”

Lu Jixiang, Associate Director of Huizhou Daya Bay Mitsuhiro Technology Electronics Co., Ltd, commented, “This year’s NEPCON South China event hosted many of the top exhibitors in the industry. It also featured advanced technologies, together with new products and equipment. These two elements allowed us to learn about the newest trends and technologies in electronics manufacturing.”

The 2012 edition of NEPCON South China received a roundly positive assessment from exhibitors. Tatsuo Eguchi, Assistant General Manager of Sony China’s Factory Automation Division, said, “The multitude of trade visitors who came to NEPCON South China brought about many opportunities for business development. That’s why we regularly choose this show as the platform for global launches of new Sony products. We are very satisfied with the effectiveness of this exhibition – it has been a key part of our company’s strategic development.”

Juki International Trading also debuted new products at the show, attracting a steady stream of visitors to their booth. Satohiro Hama, Director, said, “This year’s show had a real boost in the number and quality of visitors. Apart from engineering technicians, we also met decision makers above manager level, with practical procurement needs.”

A large number of delegations sent by individual companies visited NEPCON South China 2012, boosting prospects for exhibitors. Among them were BYD, TCL Technology Electronics (Huizhou), TCL Mobile Communication, Foshan Shunde Poly-Products Electrics, BBK, Foxconn and Jabil Circuit.
By combining conference and exhibition elements, NEPCON has established itself as the definitive barometer of China’s electronic production equipment and electronics manufacturing industry. Reed Exhibitions, organizers of the show, consistently innovate multiple elements of the event, for example by adding conferences on topical industry issues and other complementary activities, to help participants get a fuller understanding of development trends in electronics manufacturing.

The SAE Congress Asia, 2012 EDN Automotive Electronics Forum, SMTA South China Conference 2012, ESD Technology Forum, Electronic Component Purchasing Meeting, SMTe 2012 Anniversary and 10th Member Gathering, SMTe Senior Talent Gathering, Engineer Salon and SMT Home Member Gathering, and other NEPCON staple activities were held concurrent to the exhibition. This stimulated energetic discussion on how best to propel the new technologies, innovation capabilities and service quality of China’s electronics manufacturing industry to new heights.
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ATE China and IMT South China 2012 were collocated with NEPCON South China this year. ATE featured a diverse array of advanced electronics assembly and packaging equipment. It also delivered on a key demand among producers of electronics: the provision of technological solutions. The manufacturers were also keen to find new suppliers and sharpen their competitive edge.

IMT South China 2012 showcased a comprehensive range of local and international metal processing equipment and products. Targeted at the electronics industry, the majority of exhibits related to mould making and medical machinery, rendering the event a prime metal processing equipment show that was well matched with the application industry.

Thomas Huang, Assistant Vice President of Reed Exhibitions, said, “Next year’s NEPCON series of events will, as always, be a premium showcase for the entire SMT and electronics manufacturing industry. NEPCON China 2013 will run from April 23 to April 25 in Shanghai; while the South China event will take place between August 27 and 29 in Shenzhen. We look forward to welcoming an even greater number of top exhibitors, as well as closely targeted trade visitors, to both events.”