China’s PCB Equipment Sector: Shaping Global Supply Chains
China’s PCB equipment factories are changing global supply chains, driven by rising needs for advanced production methods. Key reasons include changes in rigid-flex PCB tech, big demands for Substrate. Like PCB (SLP) and roll-to-roll (R2R) production, and constant efforts to cut costs.
Importantly, new tools like automatic laser drilling machines (making 50μm holes) and vacuum laminators (with less than 1% air gaps) have made a big difference. These tools help factories meet tough standards for 5G base stations (working with 28GHz signals) and car PCBs (standing 150°C heat).
Also, the industry’s impact is clear: Chinese companies have improved production speed by 30–40%. And orders from global telecom and EV firms have grown 150% in a year. A 2025 report says China now has 42% of the global high-end PCB equipment market, up from 29% in 2022.
Group Up’s Market Success: IPO Plan and Tech Advantages
Recently, Group Up got approval for its IPO from the OTC group and may go public in September. Moreover, its PCB process equipment—made for smart factory upgrades—has helped it earn 68% more in 2025. Specifically, the first is HDI technology for 5G phone motherboards, which supports 10-layer board structures. The second is R2R vacuum laminators for flexible PCBs, which enable 24/7 continuous operation. The third is special dryers for ultra-thin substrates, which control thickness within ±2μm.
Furthermore, car-related demand is also rising: orders for thick PCBs (10+ layers) for EV power parts have tripled, with big clients like BYD and Tesla. Looking ahead, after the IPO, Group Up will spend $50 million on a new R&D center, focusing on 6G PCB tools and AI quality control. This fits global trends, as 5G and cars are expected to make up 73% of PCB equipment demand by 2027.