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Guangdong fortifies position as main hub for printer consumables

Guangdong fortifies position as main hub for printer consumables

Write: Westwood [2011-05-20]

Leveraging a comprehensive supply chain for electronic devices, Guangdong province remains the leading sourcing hub for printer consumables in mainland China. Home to three of the country s four economic zones, it gathers various raw material providers and has a sales network for finished products. Heavy trade influx from Hong Kong and Taiwan has created a bandwagon effect, drawing in investment from foreign enterprises.

Several known distributors of printer consumable parts and components have set up logistics and distribution centers there, including Hong Kong-based Static Control Components. Local makers promoting their own brands such as Print-Rite, Zhuhai Ninestar and Zhuhai Gree Magneto-Electric Co. Ltd are likewise based in the area.

Guangdong currently plays host to about 300 suppliers in the line, representing more than 70 percent of the country s total. To maintain position, it is directing efforts toward improving the major sourcing center Zhuhai, which has approximately 150 manufacturers and another 120 enterprises providing support services. The city s denizens hold over 1,000 patents, according to the Zhuhai Printer Consumable Industry Association or ZPCIA.

The provincial government has set up a production and research base in Zhuhai. The latter cooperates with the State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals in developing weather-resistant dye-based ink, for which four patents have been applied. In addition, it works with Dalian University of Technology to create chemical carbon and special pigment ink.

The city likewise maintains the International Patent Database of ZPCIA, which was approved by the China Computer Industry Association, and the State and Provincial Intellectual Property Offices in 2008. Two years after, the National Quality Inspection Center of Consumable Materials also passed acceptance check. It is the only state-level body for such products in the country. One phase consists of a laboratory equipped with test devices valued at $2.2 million. The other is a 16,000sqm inspection base in Nanping Technology Park with an allocation of about $7.4 million.

Construction is still in progress, but manufacturers are already optimistic this will reduce verification costs dramatically. At present, suppliers send their products overseas for the checks, and the fee for each unit is at least $30,000. When the center starts operating, they project charges will drop 15 to 20 times.

Zhuhai is also directing efforts toward the promotion of printer consumables. The RemaxAsia Expo has been held there four times beginning 2007, and has become the largest professional trade fair for the line worldwide. The city likewise hosted the Global Remanufacturing Industry General Assembly last year, which is the first joint meeting among majorglobal industry associations.

The other production hubs in Guangdong are Shenzhen, Dongguan, Foshan, Guangzhou and Zhongshan.