In this guide, we’ll give you a quick introduction to the Chinese contract manufacturing ecosystem and a list of some of the biggest and best contract manufacturers in China.

As well as that, we’ll also give you a few pointers for how to choose the right manufacturer for your company. Contract manufacturers all work according to different manufacturing models. Understanding how those models work can help you narrow your search to the manufacturers that will be the best fit.

• It’s important when you’re looking for a contract manufacturer to think methodically and to refine your choice.
• Take the time to study how ODM, OEM, CM and EMS companies all work, and decide which manufacturing model will work best for you.
• There will be many companies that can manufacture the products you need, but you will get the best results from a manufacturer that is closely aligned with the way your company works.
• The right manufacturing model will be a better match in terms of cost, production speed, production volumes and quality in the short term. In the long term, it will be likely to pursue other production orders.
• As well as finding the right manufacturer, you should also make an effort to evaluate the abilities of manufacturers that are likely to be a good match.

• Key Takeaways
• A Quick Guide to the Different Types of Contract Manufacturer
• ODM and OEM Contract Manufacturers
• CM and EMS Contract Manufacturers
• Which Type of Manufacturer Should You Use?
• Should You Use a Small or Large Contract Manufacturer?
• A List of the Top Contract Manufacturers in China
• The Top Contract Manufacturers and EMS Providers in China Organized By Production Capacity
• Further Resources

Before we give our list of top contract manufacturers, we’ll quickly explain what the different types of contract manufacturer are.

There are various types of contract manufacturer, and each type suits different production requirements better than others. Before you contact a specific company, you need to know which type of contract manufacturer you need. Knowing how each type handles production and the kind of contracts they work on will help to inform your decision about what manufacturer to choose.

If you’re already familiar with the terms ODM, OEM, contract manufacturer and electronics manufacturing service, skip ahead to the next section.

Fig. 1: Komaspec's Contract Manufacturing Facility

Original Design Manufacturers (ODMs)

An original design manufacturer is a manufacturer that specializes in a particular product type or category and owns the designs to the products it makes. If you hire an ODM, they will produce a product that they have produced before, and your company will sell it under its own brand name. You may be able to brand it or slightly alter the designs, but it will not be a unique product.

ODM products are also referred to as white label products. Hiring an ODM is the fastest and lowest cost way to get a product to market.

Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)

If you hire an original equipment manufacturer, you will be able to create a unique product. OEMs specialize in a particular product type or category, but when you hire an OEM, you will supply them with your own designs. They will then make a unique product from those designs.

Hiring an OEM allows you to create a unique product but is more expensive than hiring an ODM. It is, however, cheaper than other options for creating a unique product because the manufacturer regularly works in the production category.

Find out more about the difference between ODM and OEM contract manufacturers here.

Fig. 2: Assembly Lines at Komaspec

Contract Manufacturer (CM)

When a supplier is simply referred to as a ‘contract manufacturer’, this means they don’t specialize in a product type or category or have the designs for a product. A hiring company will approach a contract manufacturer with unique designs, and the manufacturer will design the entire production system from scratch.

Contract manufacturers are used in various situations, but one example is when a company wants to create a completely new and original product from scratch.

Contract manufacturers are categorized according to their size:

• Tier 1: The largest global companies capable of handling high-volume and complex production across several industries. Typically, these companies have tens, if not hundreds of thousands of employees, expertise across many industries, and capabilities for producing everything from consumer products to capital equipm These are the biggest fish in the pond, and include the most widely known companies such as Jabil, Flextronics, Foxconn, etc.
• Tier 2: These are still global companies, but more focused on specific sectors or categories, or with less geographic and industry diversity. Tier 2 companies can still have tens of thousands of employees, with extensive capacity and processes, but not quite the scale of a tier 1 and less all-around capabilities.
• Tier 3: These are contract manufacturers who are significantly more limited in scale and reach than a tier 2. Typically in the low thousands of employees, with multiple production sites, but not as geographically diverse (for example, production focused in a single region or a handful of sites). In general, tier 3 contract manufacturers are focusing on a specific niche (audio products, IOT, motors) or on providing flexible, cost-effective solutions for mid-scale production, specific components, or smaller scale customers.
• Tier 4: Tier 4 contract manufacturers generally have a small number of production sites, employees in the hundreds, limited in-house processes and are focusing on a small vertical, a specific product type or industry.

Find out more about contract manufacturing in this article here.

Fig. 3: Assembly process at Komaspec

Electrical Manufacturing Services (EMS)

Electronics manufacturing service providers are a category of contract manufacturers that specialize in manufacturing electronic parts, components and products. Electronics manufacturing is a huge industry, and most consumer products and electronics are manufactured by companies in this category. EMS companies tend to operate on a significant scale and in multiple locations.

Typically, EMS companies tend to focus on PCB assembly and cable manufacturing as a core competency.

EMS companies can be hired to produce entire products or parts of products. Foxconn’s role providing the complete assembly of the iPhone, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBAs) manufacture, cable assembly production or motor manufacture are all examples of work done by EMS companies.

China is one of the leading markets for EMS companies due to its central role in the production of the world’s consumer electronics, phones, laptops and other electronic equipment. The completeness of the supply chain is one particular reason for China being a core base for large EMS companies.

• High levels of efficiency
• Flexibility
• Fast speed to market
• Fast-paced research and development
• Efficient control of supply chains and quality standards

The type of manufacturer you should use depends to a large extent on simply the kind of product you are looking to make how much you would like to invest. These are relatively simple considerations that will point towards a particular manufacturing model.  

Generally speaking: 

• ODMs and OEMs are best for companies looking for design and production help with standard or moderately customized products. ODMs offer the lowest costs, and OEMs are lower cost than CMs for standard or slightly customized products because they have existing tools and supply chains.
• CMs & EMSs are ideal for companies that have their own designs and are focused on innovation and creating unique products. They’re also a good choice for companies that need large-scale manufacturing or high-tech assembly. Otherwise, they’re good for companies that need a high level of control over their product design, specification and IP.

It is a decision that can be looked at in depth. The hiring company may wish to evaluate how they operate and consider how the choice of manufacturer will affect the business in a wider sense. It may be best to embark on a partnership that will suit future company ambitions well, for example.

Fig. 4: Design Review at Komaspec

As well as choosing the right kind of manufacturer, you also need to match the manufacturer’s output capacity to your requirements.  

• Smaller manufacturers are best for lower-volume, highly specialized products or projects with tight budgets.
• Larger manufacturers are best for high-volume production, complex supply chains, or products needing advanced technological capabilities.

Fig. 5: Assembly Manufacturing at Komaspec

Appliances

Fig. 6: Home Appliances

ODM and OEM suppliers specialize in particular product categories, and if you are searching for an ODM or an OEM, it’s best to compare manufacturers that operate in the relevant product category. The top companies usually dominate a particular niche within their category. To make comparing OEMs and ODMs easier, we’ve grouped our list according to the categories they work in.

Contract manufacturers and EMS providers, on the other hand, serve a broad market. Companies searching for a CM or an EMS provider should not search by category but should search by production capacity instead. To make searching for a CM or an EMS easier, we’ve grouped our list according to production capacity.

The Top ODMs and OEMs in China in Production Categories

These companies specialize in specific categories, with each dominating its niche:

Appliance manufacturers tend to be based in the Guangdong, Zhejiang and Jiangsu Provinces of China. The supply chains for these categories are focused in these areas, giving companies in this area a competitive advantage.

1. Midea

The Midea Group is a leading home appliance manufacturer in China. Midea is an OEM for many well-known brands, manufacturing lighting, water appliances, microwave ovens, small kitchen appliances, cooking appliances, refrigerators and more. The Midea Group employs 150,000 people either in China or overseas and has over 200 subsidiaries and 60 overseas branches.

2. Donglim / Xinbao

The Zhongshan Donglim Weili Electrical appliances company specializes in household appliances. It’s one of the world’s strongest manufacturers of small kitchen appliances (SKAs), though it also makes large appliances. Donglim serves as a private label for large brands like Smeg and Sunbeam. As well as manufacturing appliances, Donglim also develops and distributes them.

3. Galanz

Galanz is an electronic home appliance manufacturer based in Guangdong. The company focuses on microwave ovens (it manufactures roughly 35% of the world’s supply), air conditioners, washing machines, toasters, refrigerators and other small appliances. Galanz employs over 50,000 people and operates overseas as well as in China.

4. TCL

TCL Technology is a major player in consumer electronics and home appliances. The company manufactures AC Units, laundry machines and home electronics (such as stereos) and other small electrical appliances. It also manufactures cell phones, MIFI devices and other mobile electronic devices. The company is the world’s second largest producer of television sets.

5. Supor

Supor, based in Zhejiang, is majority owned by the French appliance group SEB and specializes in kitchen appliances. The company makes products such as microwaves, kettles, blenders and toasters. Supor sells products under its own name and also supplies to brands such as Tefal, Krups and Moulinex. It’s particularly strong in high-end, small kitchen appliances.

6. Borine

The Ningo Borine Electrical Appliance Company specializes in consumer appliances such as blenders, juice extractors, contact grills, cookers, salad makers, bread makers and hand mixers. The company is smaller than the other ODM and OEM companies mentioned so far, with 2000 workers and a line of 40 products.

Consumer Electronics

Fig. 7: Consumer Electronics

1. Xiaomi

Xiaomi, from Beijing, is best known for selling mobile phones and tablet devices. As well as being a brand in its own right, Xiaomi is known for its OEM services in consumer electronics. The company manufactures electronic devices, home appliances, automobiles and household hardware for a range of brands. Xiaomi is the second biggest manufacturer of mobile phones in the world.

2. DJI (SZ DJI Technology Company)

DJI is based in Shenzhen and is a global leader in consumer electronics. As well as consumer electronics, the company also designs and manufactures drones, camera systems, gimbal stabilizers, propulsion systems, enterprise software, aerial agriculture equipment and flight control systems.

3. Haier

The Haier Group is a well-known consumer electronics manufacturer based in China. The company is famous for making household appliances but also manufactures electronic devices such as mobile phones, computers and televisions. Haier is a multinational company based in Qingdao, Shandong. Seven brands operate under Haier, and they are Haier, Casarte, Leader, GE Appliances, Fisher and Paykel, Aqua and Candy.

IoT (Internet of Things)

Fig. 8: Internet of Things

1. Tuya Smart

Tuya Smart is a leading manufacturer of IoT and smart home devices. From Hangzhou, the company also specializes in AI technology.

Find out about Tuya here.

2. Vson

From Shenzhen, Vson specializes in IoT hardware solutions. The company is an ODM and OEM manufacturer for many well-known brands. Products the company makes include writing tablets, air quality detectors, computer mouses and Bluetooth devices.

3. MOKOSmart

MOKOSmart manufactures products such as Bluetooth beacons, tracking devices, temperature and humidity sensors and smart plugs. The company’s devices are used in a range of industries, including healthcare, facility management and transport. The company, which is from Shenzhen, is heavily research focused with 70 research engineers being part of the company’s 350 staff.  

Children’s Toys

1. Alpha Group

The Alpha Group is a Chinese multinational conglomerate based in Guangdong. The company is a major toy manufacturer. As well as making toys, the company also makes comic books and is involved in mass media, entertainment and animation.

Find out more about the Alpha Group here.

2. Wintime Industrial

Wintime Industrial, from Zhejiang, manufactures plastic toys and games. Established in 1996, the company has over 15 years of experience and manufactures hundreds of products. As well as being a major toy manufacturer, the company also manufactures thermos flasks, mugs and other products.

3. Dongguan Woodfield Baby Products

Approved by Disney, Universal, Target, Tesco and Walmart, the Dongguan Woodfield Baby Products Company specializes in manufacturing toys. Toys the company makes include soft toys, rattles, educational toys, play gyms, security blankets, ball pits and baby boosters. The company’s factory in Dongguan City employs 900 staff and produces up to 150,000 items every month.

Tier 1 Contract Manufacturers

1. Foxconn / Honhai Precision (Shenzhen)

Foxconn is the world’s largest EMS provider, specializing in consumer electronics, telecommunications and the automotive sector. The company specializes in manufacturing 3C products such as computers, communications devices and consumer electronics. Foxconn is famous for manufacturing iPhones for Apple.

2. Sanmina (US Owned)

Sanmina is a major electronics manufacturing services company. It is US owned, with facilities in China. The company is the world’s leading contract manufacturer of electronic products, producing transaction automation products, related software, printed circuit boards and electronic system devices.

3. Flex (Shenzhen & Zhuhai)

Flex is a global leader in electronics manufacturing with significant operations in China. It is the third largest global electronics manufacturing services company in the world.

Find out more about Flex here.

4. Plexus (US)

Plexus is a globally leading EMS provider with a strong manufacturing presence in China. The company completes large scale productions of complex products.

Find out more here.

5. BYD (Shenzhen)

BYD is a top manufacturer, especially in electronics and automotive products. The company is a publicly listed multinational conglomerate. The company is the world’s largest producer of plug-in electric vehicles. It also manufactures rechargeable batteries, forklifts, solar panels and semi-conductors.

6. Jabil (US)

Jabil is another major EMS provider. The company is headquartered in the US but has a large presence in China. Jabil focuses on designing, engineering, and manufacturing electronic circuit board assemblies. As well as providing manufacturing services, the company also provides supply chain management services to OEMs.

Tier 2 Contract Manufacturers

Fig. 9: Sample Products by Komaspec

Pegatron (Suzhou)

Pegatron is a Taiwanese company that focuses on electronics and computing products. The company mainly develops computing, communications and consumer electronics, but it also designs components and accessories as well. Products include, desktop computers, handheld devices and games consoles.

Wingtech (Taiwan)

Wingtech is a semiconductor and communications product integration company that specializes in mobile phones and smart devices. The company also carries out semiconductor chip design, wafer manufacturing and optical imaging. Wingtech has production facilities in China.

Goertek (Weifang)

Goertek is an acoustic components company known for manufacturing audio products, wearables, and virtual reality hardware. As well as manufacturing products, Goertek also carries out research and development and sells components for use in third party products.

Kaifa (Shenzhen)

Kaifa is an EMS provider that specializes in electronic product manufacturing and assembly. The company operates 10 research and development and manufacturing centers in China and in other countries. Some of the products the company manufactures are smart meters and semiconductor memory modules.  

Tier 3 & Below - Low-Volume, Specialist Contract Manufacturers

Komaspec specializes in precision manufacturing for sheet metal, plastics and electro-mechanical products. The company also provides turnkey product assembly services. As a contract manufacturer, Komaspec provides the full range of services. This includes design for manufacturability support, prototyping and pilot productions, quality reports and all support needed for a ramp-up to mass production.

Find out more about Komaspec here.

Fig. 10: Komaspec's Sheet Metal Manufacturing Facility

APS Technologies

APS Technologies provides comprehensive contract manufacturing services with a focus on small to medium-volume production. The company specializes in high-quality electronic products, including printed circuit boards (PCBs), assemblies, and electronic components. APS Technologies is known for its flexibility and ability to offer customized solutions for a wide range of industries.

Maxway Tech

Maxway Tech is a prominent manufacturer specializing in electronic manufacturing services (EMS). The company excels in the production of printed circuit boards (PCBs) and offers tailored manufacturing solutions for small to medium-scale projects. Maxway Tech is known for its high-quality standards, making it a preferred partner for businesses seeking reliable electronics manufacturing.

Asteelflash (Shenzhen)

Asteelflash offers specialized EMS services, with a focus on smaller production runs. The company is French owned and specializes in printed circuit boards and also design and aftermarket services.  

Chervon (Nanjing)

Chevron is known for power tools and outdoor equipment manufacturing. The company designs and manufactures a wide range of tools, including handheld power tools and bench tools.

Find out more about Chervon here.

Rigao Electronics (Shenzhen)

Rigao specializes in electronic manufacturing for small to medium-sized projects. Products include high quality printed circuit boards.

• Finding a Contract Manufacturer: A Step-by-Step Guide
• How to Find a Contract Manufacturer?