Many developments have led to the decline of hardware locks
August 29 02:32:14, 2025
In recent years, the lock industry has undergone significant changes, with hardware locks gradually losing their dominance in the market. Today, mid-to-high-end lock products have become the main focus for consumers, yet domestic brands still lag behind in this segment. According to Luo Baihui, a senior researcher at Jinmo Security Network, there is still substantial potential for growth in China’s hardware lock market. In the coming years, local companies should focus on strengthening brand awareness, improving product quality, and advancing production technology to enhance the competitiveness of their offerings.
With the rapid development of China's hardware market, the lock industry has seen a positive shift. The total market size now exceeds 70 billion yuan, with Zhejiang, Guangdong, Shanghai, and Shandong being key regions for lock manufacturers. The market has evolved into a more specialized one, characterized by industrial clusters. These clusters consist of numerous lock-making enterprises that collectively produce large volumes. The cluster-based lock market shows strong growth, high sales, and a rising export rate, along with increased import activity. This trend indicates a growing international presence for China's high-end lock industry.
Currently, the national annual sales of locks reach up to 2.2 billion units, with a demand for fingerprint locks reaching 5 million per year. These are widely used in corporate finance, military stations, and office environments. Meanwhile, the consumer market is also expanding. Whether it's traditional mechanical locks or modern electronic and access control systems, the entire Chinese lock industry is experiencing unstoppable growth.
The rise in both production and consumption of locks in China is undeniable. The domestic lock industry generates over 400 billion yuan in annual sales, with a production capacity exceeding 2 billion sets. Annual exports surpass 10 billion yuan, and the market is expected to grow by more than 20% annually in the future. With such a strong upward trend, the future of the lock market looks promising. The variety and richness of the market highlight the necessity for continued development. Creating labor-intensive, high-threshold, and high-end industries is essential for China’s lock industry moving forward.
Improving product quality standards, adopting a market-oriented approach, adjusting product structures, and investing in technological innovation are crucial steps. Researching new materials and processes, as well as building influential brands, will ensure long-term growth in the lock market.
Thanks to favorable domestic and international economic conditions, along with the rapid development of real estate and related industries, China has driven the growth of its lock industry. Today, the sector has developed a comprehensive industrial system that spans machinery, electronics, and biotechnology. With thousands of options and diverse applications, the lock industry is now multi-disciplinary and highly integrated.
Luo Baihui notes that China’s lock manufacturing technology and equipment levels have significantly improved in recent years, approaching global standards. This advancement lays the foundation for the industry to compete internationally and accelerate its integration into global markets.
As the market opens up and the industry grows globally, high-end products will become a focal point of international competition. Locks that combine security, aesthetics, and design will dominate the future. The development of smart electronic locks is entering a fast lane, with market surveys indicating that high-tech products like biometric and electronic locks will reach 40 billion yuan in value, with over 50 million units sold annually.
Future competition will revolve around brand strength, product quality, and distribution channels. More importantly, the competition will no longer be limited to domestic players. International giants are increasingly entering the Chinese market, acquiring local companies at an accelerated pace. For example, ASSA ABLOY acquired Baodean and Guli, while Stanley and Kabah Group acquired Tung Lung and Taishan Huamei, respectively. This reflects the growing rivalry between international and domestic brands.
Building strong, self-owned brands can drive positive development. Quality improvements and high-end research driven by independent innovation will help gain consumer trust and capture a share of the high-value market. As the industry moves toward higher-end segments, it is shifting from traditional workshop-style manufacturing to brand-driven design. Brand-name products are increasingly favored by the middle class.
However, the narrow thinking of domestic companies limits the extension of the industry chain, making systematic and serialized development difficult. The lack of brand awareness prevents the formation of strong, well-known brands. Most companies remain in a supporting role, acting as laborers rather than innovators in the market.
Compared to Western countries, China’s lock industry is still at the lower end, with an immature industry chain. The presence of many small and micro enterprises creates intense competition but also leads to serious homogenization, hindering industry progress. There are few well-known brand names in China, and although the trend is positive, the level of competition remains low. Until quantitative changes lead to qualitative leaps, the industry still lacks genuine innovation to drive such transformation.
During the Eleventh Five-Year Plan period, the average annual export growth of the lock industry reached 31%, twice the growth rate of the overall hardware industry. This trend is expected to continue through the Twelfth Five-Year Period. From the import perspective, the increasing demand for foreign high-end brands reflects the weakness of domestic brands and their inability to penetrate the high-end market.
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