Cable Assemblies End Market Overview

Cable assembly products are applied to a diverse range of market sectors, including but not limited to communication equipment, data center, industrial and medical equipment.

Global cable assembly market

In 2016, global market size of cable assembly was approximately US$156.9 billion, with the CAGR of 5.4% during 2012 to 2016. The main growth force came from the market of communication equipment and data center segment, industrial and medical equipment segment, mobile phone segment, etc. Global cable assembly market expects a consistent growth during 2017 to 2021.

According to the CRI report, the market size of industrial and medical equipment segment reached US$94.7 billion in 2016, accounting for 60.4% of the global cable assembly market. Major applications of industrial and medical equipment market include automobiles, household appliances, industrial equipment and medical equipment, etc. During the period from 2012 to 2016, automobile and household appliance market in emerging economies like China and India experienced rapid growth and drove the demand for industrial cable assembly. The development of auto technologies such as the increasing use of built in services and cameras also promotes the demand for cable assembly in a single vehicle. The potential of global household appliance and medical equipment market remains positive, and the global market size of industrial and medical cables segment is expected to have a moderate growth during 2016 to 2021. In 2016, market size of communication equipment and data center segment as the second largest market reached US$18.4 billion, accounting for 11.7% of the global cable assembly market. During 2012 to 2016, e-commerce, online video and mobile apps developed fast as global 3G and 4G network extended and internet subscribers grew largely, which promoted the demand for communication equipment and data center as well as cable assembly. The CAGR of communication equipment and data center segment reached 10.7% during 2012 to 2016, which took the first place in the sub-industries of cable assembly. With the rise of 5G mobile communication network and 4K videos, and increasing demand in data analysis, global market of cables for communication equipment and data center segment will speed up significantly. In 2016, market size of computer and consumer electronics segment as the third largest market reached US$18.2 billion, accounting for 11.6% of the global cable assembly market. The growth rate of production volume of computer and consumer electronics declined quickly during the period from 2012 to 2016. Therefore, the CAGR of market size of computer and consumer electronics segment was only 1.4% during 2012 to 2016, which was the lowest in the sub-industries globally. In 2016, market size of mobile phone segment as the fourth largest market reached US$11.0 billion, accounting for 7.0% of the global cable assembly market. The major growth force of cables for mobile phone segment was the fast development of global smart phone market during 2012 to 2016. Constant development of global smart phone market and the emergence of USB Type-C to replace other older USB connectors will promote the market of cables for mobile phone segment during 2017 to 2021.

China cable assembly market

In 2016, market size of cable assembly was approximately RMB402.9 billion in China, with the CAGR of 8.5% from 2012 to 2016. The main growth force came from the market of communication equipment and data center segment, industrial and medical equipment segment, mobile phone segment, etc. China cable assembly market expects a consistent growth during the period from 2017 to 2021.

According to the CRI Report, industrial and medical equipment segment takes the major place in the China cable assembly market in 2016. The market size of industrial and medical equipment segment reached RMB255.0 billion, accounting for 63.3% of the China’s cable assembly market. Major applications of global industrial and medical equipment market is consistent with China’s market structure, including automobiles, household appliances, industrial equipment and medical equipment, etc. Demand for industrial cables was driven by the constant development of China’s manufacturing industry during 2012 to 2016. During 2012 to 2016, the production volume of automobiles grew from 19.3 million units to 28.1 million units in China, with the CAGR of 9.9%. The production volumes of televisions and air conditioners were also growing in the same period. The market size of industrial and medical equipment segment is forecast to grow continuously during 2017 to 2021 with the growth of automobiles, home appliances and medical equipment. In 2016, computer and consumer electronics segment represented the second largest market, reached RMB57.2 billion, accounting for 14.2% of China cable assembly market. The depression of global computer and consumer electronics market influenced the demand for cables for computer and consumer electronics in China. Therefore, the CAGR of market size of computer and consumer electronics segment was only 4.5% during 2012 to 2016, which was the lowest in the sub-industries in China. In 2016, market size of mobile phone segment, the third largest market, reached RMB40.7 billion, accounting for 10.1% of China’s cable assembly market. During 2012 to 2016, the fast growth of smart phone market in China promoted the growth of cables for mobile phones. Constant development of China’s smart phone market and prevalence of USB Type-C will promote the market of cables for mobile phones during 2017 to 2021. In 2016, market size of communication equipment and data center segment reached RMB28.6 billion, accounting for 7.1% of China’s cable assembly market. During 2012 to 2016, mobile communication networks, e-commerce, online video and mobile apps developed fast, which promoted the demand for communication equipment and data center as well as cable assembly. The CAGR of communication equipment and data center segment reached 13.7% during 2012 to 2016, which took the first place in the sub-industries of cable assembly in China. With the construction of 5G mobile communication network, 4K videos and mobile apps, and increasing demand in data center due to more application of cloud computing, internet games and big data analysis, China’s market of communication equipment and data center segment will maintain its growth from 2017 to 2021.