Domestic computerized embroidery machine technology has caught up with the international advanced level.

China's computerized embroidery machine industry has already embarked on a 16-year journey of remarkable growth. From an initial four or five manufacturers, the industry has expanded to hundreds of companies today. Meanwhile, annual production has surged dramatically—from just over 200 machines at the start to more than 30,000 units now. And the range of machine types has evolved from basic flat embroidery machines to include every conceivable specialty embroidery technique imaginable. The pace of this development is nothing short of astonishing.

Over the past three years, major and minor textile machinery and sewing equipment exhibitions across China—whether in Beijing, Shanghai, or provinces like Fujian, Zhejiang, and Guangdong—have increasingly become vibrant showcases where embroidery machines from both domestic and international brands compete for attention. This rapid growth and growing appeal have propelled computerized embroidery machines from being a niche product on the fringes of China’s sewing equipment market straight onto the industry’s central stage. From the China Sewing Machinery Association down to smaller newspapers, magazines, and advertising platforms, embroidery machines and their related products have firmly taken center stage as a key focus within the broader sewing equipment sector.

However, when we look at the current state of China's computerized embroidery machine industry, it’s clear that the situation is a mixed bag—both promising and concerning. First, let’s talk about the positives: the industry has blossomed into a vibrant landscape where numerous players are vying for market share, driving significant industrialization. As a result, production costs have plummeted, making machines more affordable than ever before. Consumers now enjoy a wider range of choices, while many manufacturers have introduced flexible financing options, such as installment plans or even "use first, pay later" schemes. These strategies have dramatically lowered the barrier to entry, fueling rapid growth and propelling the entire sector forward. On the flip side, though, the development of China’s computerized embroidery machine industry has been uneven—and frankly, somewhat chaotic. It’s characterized by disorganized, even reckless expansion, leading to an overall overcapacity in production. Unfortunately, this surplus consists primarily of low-quality, low-cost machines. Driven by fierce price competition and aggressive promotional offers like installment payments, manufacturers’ profit margins have steadily eroded. In response, producers have cut costs by slashing prices on components, while component makers, desperate to maintain their own profitability, have compromised on material quality and manufacturing standards during production. The end result? Machines of increasingly inferior quality, often delivering poor embroidery outcomes and failing prematurely. This decline in product reliability has left users frustrated, with issues ranging from subpar embroidery results to frequent breakdowns and inadequate after-sales service. Such problems, in turn, have weakened the industry’s competitiveness, creating a vicious cycle where manufacturers struggle to secure work—and even when they do, they still face mounting challenges. In summary, while China’s computerized embroidery machine industry has grown rapidly, it has done so amid intense internal competition and unsustainable practices. As a consequence, the sector hasn’t yet posed a meaningful threat to imported machines, which continue to dominate the market. Each year, imports—typically numbering around 2,000 to 3,000 units—remain robust, generating far greater profits than domestic manufacturers, whose output exceeds 30,000 machines annually. Moreover, users equipped with imported machines consistently outperform those relying on domestically produced equipment in terms of performance and competitiveness. These realities underscore just how deeply entrenched the imbalance remains in the industry today.

Faced with the rapid proliferation of domestically produced embroidery machines—springing up like mushrooms after rain—the market response has been mixed: on one hand, these machines have significantly reduced equipment costs for customers, enabling businesses to scale up production. On the other hand, with so many domestic options available, choosing the right, value-for-money embroidery machine has become a major challenge for customers. Indeed, domestic embroidery machines boast excellent cost-performance advantages, challenging the long-standing dominance of imported models in the market. However, due to China’s relatively weak mechanical processing technology and uneven quality among component suppliers, many local manufacturers are still stuck in the rudimentary, imitation-based stages of production—ranging from product development and manufacturing processes to quality control, workforce expertise, and after-sales service. Whether it comes to precision engineering or the stability of electronic controls, we must acknowledge that there remains a noticeable gap between domestic and imported embroidery machines. This is an issue that all industry players involved in sewing machinery manufacturing cannot afford to ignore—and one that demands serious reflection and action. Over the past decade, China’s embroidery machine industry has witnessed the emergence of no fewer than 150 brands, with annual production skyrocketing from just a few thousand units to over 40,000 today. Yet when it comes to industrial products, what truly matters isn’t sheer quantity—it’s the quality of the products themselves and the strength of their established brands.

The vicious competition between quantity and price inevitably leads to self-destruction, disrupting the market—and ultimately, it’s the manufacturing companies themselves that end up suffering the most. In the end, only those enterprises that have already embraced modern business management practices and brand-building strategies will truly thrive. While these companies still have a long way to go through phases of growth, maturity, and strategic accumulation, this journey is precisely the path that domestic embroidery machine manufacturers must take moving forward. But is there a domestically produced embroidery machine that not only carries the legacy of its imported counterparts but also leverages the strengths of today’s domestic machines—offering cutting-edge performance to cater to the high-end market? Could such a product meet the needs of customers who currently rely on or are considering purchasing imported machines? For our embroidery machine industry, this isn’t just a historic opportunity—it’s also a clear call from both the times and consumer demands. We have every reason to believe we’re fully equipped—with both the capability and unwavering confidence—to analyze the current state of the domestic market and deeply understand what customers truly want. Together, we can swiftly develop an embroidery machine that delivers unparalleled value for money while maintaining top-notch quality and exceptional after-sales service, leaving imported models far behind in both performance and reliability.

In contrast, today's domestic embroidery machine manufacturers—thanks to a wave of early pioneers who have already completed their initial capital accumulation—are now transitioning from the rudimentary manufacturing phase to a more sophisticated, second-phase entrepreneurial stage. Many of these companies are actively acquiring land, constructing state-of-the-art factory facilities, and investing in cutting-edge machining centers and advanced machinery, both domestically and internationally. Some have even spared no expense in recruiting top-tier engineering talent from Germany and Japan, collaborating with them to co-develop and design innovative new products. Crucially, China’s component manufacturing sector has shifted dramatically—from small, family-run workshops toward larger, modernized enterprises. Notably, several large state-owned mechanical engineering firms have entered the realm of component production, providing embroidery machine makers with a robust manufacturing infrastructure and critical resources. This transformation has laid the groundwork for elevating the overall quality and competitiveness of China’s domestic embroidery machine industry. As a result, it’s clear that China’s embroidery machine manufacturing capabilities—and its production scale—are poised for rapid, exponential growth, rapidly closing the gap with leading international brands. Ultimately, much like what happened in China’s home appliance industry, where domestic giants such as Changhong, TCL, Konka, Haier, and Little Swan have long since overtaken foreign competitors in market share, while maintaining strong advantages in both product quality and pricing. In fact, one could confidently predict that the current trajectory of China’s appliance industry will soon mirror the bright, prosperous future awaiting the embroidery machine sector.