# WATCH HOW:  China has taken over the elevator manufacturing industry

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDdj3QM9Sbc
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/SDdj3QM9Sbc
Generated: 2026-01-27T06:04:19.288+00:00

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## Quick Overview

China has rapidly dominated global elevator manufacturing, evidenced by its projected 3,314 skyscrapers by 2025, dwarfing the next highest country (US with 899), and controlling 66% of the new equipment market in 2020, showcasing massive urbanization and industrial expansion, particularly evident in manufacturing hubs like Foshan and Shenzhen.

**Key Points:**
- By 2025, China is projected to have 3,314 skyscrapers (150m+ tall), far exceeding the US's 899 and all other listed countries combined.
- In 2002, China installed only 25,000 elevators; by 2019, this number rose to 600,000 new elevator and escalator installations.
- In 2020, China accounted for 66% of the global new equipment market for elevators, equating to roughly two-thirds of the nearly 1 million units installed worldwide.
- Foshan, Guangdong, is the third-largest industrial region in Guangdong, leading in furniture production and housing the world's largest furniture distribution center.
- Shenzhen, a major manufacturing hub, produces 90% of the world's electronics and holds the country's highest rate of business owners.
- The company's factory utilizes advanced automation, including fully automated flexible production lines and fiber laser cutting machines.
- The manufacturing strategy relies heavily on localized supply chains, with over 90% of raw materials sourced locally or shipped immediately from nearby ports like Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

![Screenshot at 00:19: The presenter displays a chart titled 'Countries with the Most Skyscrapers 2025,' showing China leading with 3,314 buildings, illustrating the scale of China's construction boom driving elevator demand.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SDdj3QM9Sbc/00-00-19.jpg)

**Context:** The video, titled "Inside China Business," features Kevin Walmsley visiting industrial and manufacturing areas in Guangdong Province, China, specifically highlighting the rapid growth and dominance of the Chinese elevator manufacturing industry. The presentation contrasts the past development of cities like Shenzhen with their current massive urban landscapes and showcases the advanced production capabilities of a specific elevator manufacturer, Siglen Elevator, emphasizing localization and scale.

## Detailed Analysis

China's elevator manufacturing industry has experienced explosive growth, transforming from a minimal base 20 years prior to becoming a global leader. In 2002, China installed only 25,000 elevators, but by 2019, this figure reached 600,000 new installations. Projections for 2025 show China leading the world in skyscraper construction with 3,314 buildings over 150 meters, vastly outnumbering the US (899). This massive urbanization fuels demand for vertical transportation. In 2020, China captured 66% of the global new equipment market (approximately 660,000 units). The video tours a modern factory in Foshan, Guangdong, showcasing advanced automation, including fully automated flexible production lines and high-tech fiber laser cutting machines. A key competitive advantage highlighted is the extreme localization of supply chains; over 90% of raw materials for the facility come from local suppliers or are quickly processed after unloading at nearby major ports like Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The video also contrasts the former undeveloped landscape of Shenzhen in 1984 with its current high-tech metropolis status, where 90% of the world's electronics are made.

### Skyscraper & Elevator Market Dominance

- China projected for 3,314 skyscrapers by 2025, dwarfing all others
- New elevator installations grew from 25,000 in 2002 to 600,000 in 2019
- China controlled 66% of the 2020 global new equipment market (approx. 1 million units total)

### Guangdong Industrial Hubs

- Foshan is the third largest industrial region, leading in furniture manufacturing, home to the world's largest furniture distribution center
- Shenzhen produces 90% of the world's electronics and has the highest rate of business owners in China

### Factory Operations & Automation

- Showcases a Fully Automated Flexible Production Line and Fiber Laser Cutting Machine operations
- Factory utilizes digital monitoring dashboards for real-time oversight

### Supply Chain Advantage

- Over 90% of raw materials sourced locally or shipped immediately after port unloading from Guangzhou and Shenzhen
- Localized industrial hubs minimize supply chain delays

![Screenshot at 00:02: Kevin Walmsley introduces the segment from Foshan, Guangdong, overlooking an industrial area.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SDdj3QM9Sbc/00-00-02.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:19: Chart displaying 'Countries with the Most Skyscrapers 2025,' clearly showing China's predicted lead with 3,314 buildings.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SDdj3QM9Sbc/00-00-19.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:05: Bar chart illustrating the massive annual increase in new elevator and escalator installations in China between 2000 and 2021.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SDdj3QM9Sbc/00-01-05.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:18: Pie chart showing China dominated the 'New equipment market in 2020' with a 66% share of approximately 1 million units.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SDdj3QM9Sbc/00-01-18.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:26: Tour inside a high-tech control room showing a massive digital dashboard displaying operational statistics.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/SDdj3QM9Sbc/00-01-26.jpg)