Report Overview
The China power tools and hand tools market size was valued at USD 7.53 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2021 to 2028. In terms of volume, the market is projected to reach 224.7 million units by 2028. The growth can be attributed to growing domestic consumer spending on construction, the rising popularity of Do-It-Yourself (DIY) and Do-It-for-Me (DIFM) for home improvement, and a notable rise in infrastructure development projects under the One Belt One Route (OBOR) initiative. Additionally, rapid industrialization and the surge in the number of construction projects in Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces could also bode well for the market growth over the assessment period.
The Chinese power tools and hand tools market faced a decline in sales in Q1/2020 in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the market gradually recovered over the rest of the year. The resumption of construction activities, expansion of the rail network, and the announcement of a fiscal package by the Chinese government to develop public infrastructure were some of the factors that offset the impact of the pandemic. Moreover, the increased purchase of power and hand tools through e-commerce platforms has helped the market recover from the impact of the pandemic to a certain extent.
China is a global manufacturing hub and presents an enormous demand for power tools to cater to the market’s mass production requirements. Power tools offer several benefits over hand tools, including the simplification of heavy workloads and increased operational efficiency, ensuring that they are extensively used in both industrial and residential environments. Newer technologies are also being incorporated to improve the efficiency of power tools. For instance, the shift from Nickel-Cadmium (NiCad) to Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries is extensively capitalized by tool manufacturers to produce and commercialize products for domestic and international markets.
The rising popularity of cordless power tools is also expected to favor market growth over the next few years. This can be ascribed to an increase in demand for miniaturized products. Technological advancements in chip-making and battery technology are expected to reduce the need for corded power tools and hand tools. Though foreign brands dominate the country’s power and hand tools market, regional companies are slowly moving from OEMs to self-governed brands in the cordless space.
The ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China are likely to impact the prices of power and hand tools in the market. The prices of hand tools prices have declined in the last few years; however, the imposition of tariffs on raw materials such as steel and aluminum led to an increase in prices globally, which was eventually reflected in the China market. In early 2018, U.S. President Trump declared tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese imports citing that unfair trade practices affect U.S.-based manufacturers. Due to these tariffs, prices of products such as power tools increased by about 10 to 25% in 2019, a trend that is expected to continue over the next two to three years.
Product Insights
Based on product, the China Power tools and hand tools market is segmented into power tools and hand tools. The power tools segment accounted for the largest market share of over 69% in 2020 and is expected to expand at a CAGR exceeding 7% over the forecast period. The rising popularity of Li-ion batteries replacing conventional batteries is expected to drive growth over the forecast period. The power tools segment is further categorized into drills, saws, wrenches, grinders, sanders, and others.
The rising popularity of power drills, notably hammer drills, is also expected to bode well for the market growth. The drills segment is expected to register the highest CAGR exceeding 8% over the forecast period. This can be attributed to their lightweight design and long battery life. The hand tools segment is also expected to grow at a promising pace over the forecast period. Ergonomic designs and the introduction of pocket-friendly hand tools such as pliers and wrenches are also expected to boost the demand for hand tools over the forecast period.
Mode of Operation Insights
Based on the mode of operation, the market has been segmented into electric, pneumatic, and others. The electric segment accounted for nearly two-thirds of the market in 2020 and is expected to expand at a more than 7% CAGR over the forecast period. The rising popularity of cordless power tools and lightweight and ergonomic designs of electric power and hand tools are anticipated to drive the growth of the segment over the forecast period. Advancements in battery technology are also expected to boost the demand for electric power and hand tools over the forecast period.
Companies such as Makita, Stanley Black and Decker Inc., and Techtronic Industries Ltd have emphasized improving their technical capabilities to strengthen their cordless product portfolios. For instance, advancements in FlexVolt technology developed by DeWalt, a Stanley Black, and Decker Inc. brand, allowed the company to adopt small brushless motors, which allow power tools to offer improved efficiency. Similarly, advancements such as the red lithium battery developed by Milwaukee, a brand of Techtronic Industries Ltd, also enabled the company to manufacture power tools with a longer lifespan. Such advancements are likely to bode well for the market over the assessment period.
Application Insights
Based on application, the market has been bifurcated into industrial and residential. The residential segment accounted for nearly two-fifths of the market in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 5.10 billion by 2028. The market growth can be attributed to the rising popularity of DIFM and DIY home improvement and landscaping projects. Additionally, the rising demand for ergonomic and pocket-friendly hand tools is expected to work favorably for the market over the forecast period.
The industrial segment accounted for the larger market share of around 60% in 2020 and is estimated to reach USD 7 billion by 2028. The growth prospects of the segment can be ascribed to rapid industrialization and rising applications in commercial sectors, notably in construction and automotive. The industrial segment is further categorized into oil and gas, automotive, aerospace and defense, construction, rail, and others. The automotive and construction segments collectively accounted for nearly 50% of the market in 2020, thanks to the surge in construction spending in Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang provinces.
Sales Channel Insights
Based on the sales channel, the market is bifurcated into the offline channel and online channel. Owing to the presence of several small-scale manufacturers, the offline sales channel is likely to continue to dominate over the forecast period. OEMs earn the majority of the sales through distribution channels that include retailers, dealers, distributors, and importers. The offline channel accounted for more than 65% market share in 2020 and is projected to reach USD 7.8 billion by 2028.
The online channel covers OEM sales across e-commerce platforms and third-party e-commerce marketplaces such as Alibaba.com, Made in China.com, and Global Sources. E-commerce channels allow OEMs to automate manual and labor-intensive processes and provide customer self-service options, eventually reducing operational costs. The COVID-19 pandemic boosted the online sales of OEMs, a trend expected to continue over the next few years as well. The online channel is expected to grow at a CAGR exceeding 7% over the forecast period.
Key Companies & Market Share Insights
The China power and hand tools market is highly fragmented and features international players such as Stanley Black and Decker, Inc.; Makita Corporation; Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd; and several privately-held domestic vendors such as Zhejiang HangboPowertools Co., Ltd; Positecgroup.com; and Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co., Ltd. These players are concentrating on strengthening their hold on the market by implementing strategies such as mergers & acquisitions, partnerships, and geographical expansion. These strategies help companies expand their business geographically and further enhance their service offerings across national and international markets. For instance, in July 2018, Zhejiang SALI Abrasive Technology Co., Ltd. opened several new retail stores in Uzbekistan to expand its presence. The company offers several types of power tools and hand tools through these shops in Uzbekistan.
Companies such as Ronix Tools and NINGBO YONGFEITE ELECTRICAL& SCIENCE CO., LTD. are engaged in developing new technologies through strategic partnerships to gain a competitive edge in the market. For instance, in April 2021, Ronix Tools introduced the new power detect technology in its four new brushless tools, including Hammer Drill, Angle Grinder (DCG415), and Circular Saw (DCS574), and Reciprocating Saw (DCS368). The technology recognizes the battery with which the tools are paired and adjusts power output accordingly. The technology is suitable for high-end applications. Some of the prominent players operating in the China power tools &hand tools market are:
Atlas Copco AB
CHERVON (China) Trading Co., Ltd.
Ebic Tools Limited
Emerson Electric Co.
Guizhou GangZhiyi Commercial Trade Co., Ltd
Hangzhou Great Star Industrial Co., Ltd.
Hilti Corporation
Hongyu Tool Corporation
Ingersoll Rand, Inc (Gardner Denver)
Jiangsu Guoqiang Tools Co., Ltd
Koki Holdings Co., Ltd
Makita Corporation
NINGBO YONGFEITE ELECTRICAL& SCIENCE CO., LTD
Positecgroup.com
Robert Bosch Group (Robert Bosch Tool Corporation)
Ronix Tools
SHANGHAI KEN TOOLS CO., LTD
Stanley Black & Decker Inc
Techtronic Industries Co. Ltd.
Zhejiang HangboPowertools Co., Ltd
Zhejiang SALI Abrasive Technology Co., Ltd
ZHENGYANG TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.