Comparison Of Valve Industry Development At Home And Abroad

Wafer Ball Valve are indispensable fluid control devices in various sectors of the national economy, including the petroleum, chemical, power plant, long-distance pipelines, shipbuilding, nuclear industry, various cryogenic projects, aerospace, and offshore oil production. The development and needs of these industries have driven the growth of the valve industry. Over the past few years, while meeting new and demanding requirements across various sectors, close attention has been paid to valve structure, materials, and production processes to improve performance, reliability, and reduce costs. Valves are a product that encompasses a wide range of categories, complex varieties, and large quantities. Their quality and technological level directly impact the development of various sectors of the national economy. Therefore, strict internal quality control is required for valves. Some valves require international approval to gain market share. For example, some power engineering and nuclear power valves require ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) certification before they can be purchased. ASME currently uses five valve designations: N, NV, and NPT. Valves used in the petroleum industry must obtain the American Petroleum Institute (API) mark to gain market access.

Overseas Valve Industry Status:

With the rapid development of large-scale industrialization abroad, the valve industry has also experienced rapid growth. Before the 1950s, many countries had established independent valve professions and their own industry systems, with valve industry organizations or academic bodies specializing in valves. For example, valve industry associations existed in Europe, the United States, and the United Kingdom; Japan had the Valve Industry Association and Valve Research Institute; and Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union had valve design institutes. These valve industry and professional organizations have been instrumental in the development of these organizations. , all formed to improve production technology and enhance international competitiveness. The current structure of the valve industry in several major industrialized countries is as follows.

The number of employees in the valve industry (as of 1990) in the United States was 77,500, of which 70% were workers and 30% were technical and management personnel; in the United Kingdom, 80,000; in Germany, 52,500; in Japan, 3,500; in Italy, 15,000; and in France, 11,519.

The total number of valve manufacturing companies in the United States is 900, with the largest company employing 3,500; in Japan, 1,507, with the largest employing 900; and in Germany, 450, with the largest employing 3,300. ; France has 400, with the largest company employing 1,000 people. Thus, Japan has the largest number of valve manufacturing companies, while the United States has the largest number of employees. The number of employees in Japan's valve industry is only half that of the United States, while the total number of companies is nearly twice that of the United States. Compared to the United States, the majority of Japanese valve companies are small and medium-sized, with 250 larger companies. Since the 1980s, the number of employees in the valve industry has decreased slightly in various countries, with the largest decrease in France, from 21,000 in the 1980s to 11,519 by the end of the decade (1988).

Total valve output value (based on 1990) was 1. 7.4 billion US dollars; Germany DM 7.958 billion; Japan JPY 484.143 billion; France approximately FR 6.100 billion (1987); and the United Kingdom £601 million (1986).

International Valve Trade:

The international valve trade market has been very active and competitive in recent years. Germany and the United States are the strongest. Germany is the world's largest valve exporter. In 1985, Italy's valve trade surpassed that of the United States, ranking second. In 1987, the proportion of total valve imports and exports in developed industrial countries was as follows: Germany 22.2%; Italy 16.5%; the United States 10.9%; Japan 10.7%; France accounted for 9.7%. In 1985, the world's top eight valve import and export trade volume ranked as follows: Germany 2239.8 million Marks, Italy 2127.5 million Marks, the United States 1833.1 million Marks, France 1545.7 million Marks, and the United Kingdom 1376.7 million Marks.

Domestic Valve Situation:

Although there are many constraints on the development of valve products in my country, the future market prospects for my country's valve industry are very promising. This is mainly due to:

National policy support. As the national policy of accelerating the revitalization of the equipment manufacturing industry gradually advances, the development of general basic manufacturing will receive further support.

Valve Product Market Strong demand. The state-owned economy continues to develop steadily. Fixed asset investment is gradually expanding. In particular, the commencement of several century-long projects such as "West-to-East Gas Transmission", "West-to-East Power Transmission", and "South-to-North Water Diversion" require a large number of valve products; in addition, my country is facing the arrival of the industrialization era, and major valve users such as the petrochemical industry, power sector, metallurgical sector, chemical industry and urban construction will increase their demand for valve products. For example, during the "Eleventh Five-Year Plan" period, the power industry is expected to need valves for large and medium-sized coal-fired power generation units. The total demand for valves is 153,000 tons, with an average annual demand of 30,600 tons; the total demand for valves is RMB 3.96 billion, with an annual average demand of RMB 1.96 billion. The average demand is 792 million yuan.

With China's accession to the WTO, lowered international trade barriers, and developed countries adjusting their product mixes, China is gradually becoming the world's largest processing plant, creating greater room for growth in valve processing and manufacturing.

Therefore, pharmaceutical companies that can seize this opportunity, strengthen their R&D capabilities, and continuously improve the technological content and quality of their products will be able to take the lead in the vast market competition.

Companies with technological innovation capabilities have a long-term competitive advantage. They can transform traditional industries with high-tech, actively introduce, digest, and absorb advanced technologies and equipment from home and abroad, improve their equipment level, and accelerate equipment upgrades and technological advancements. Technological innovation will optimize and upgrade the valve industry and its products, increasing product added value. These valve companies will have a long-term competitive advantage.

Leading companies in the industry will experience rapid growth. These companies possess advantages not only in scale but also in technology and capital. As market demands for valve product quality gradually increase, these companies will gain growth opportunities in the fierce competition. For example, my country is currently vigorously developing its nuclear power industry, with the commencement of construction projects such as the West-East Gas Pipeline and the Shuyou Pipeline connecting Central Asia. This will create opportunities for leading Chinese intelligent valve companies such as Hongcheng Co., Ltd. and China National Nuclear Corporation (Suzhou), a leading nuclear power valve company, to grow and develop.