China suppliers of access control and anti-intrusion products focus R&D on performance upgrades

HONG KONG, December 13, 2011 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- China suppliers of access control and anti-intrusion products are boosting investment in R&D to maintain competitiveness. Manufacturers are releasing more sophisticated models that offer greater performance as they fight rising costs.

This is according to Global Sources' (NASDAQ: GSOL) China Sourcing Report: Access Control & Anti-intrusion. The Report covers the major products of China's access control and anti-intrusion industry, namely biometric and nonbiometric access control systems, video doorphones, and intruder detectors and alarms.

The Report shows China suppliers gearing R&D in many product segments toward systems integration. In one example of convergence, the latest intruder alarms combine multiple detection methods and digital signal processing. Suppliers of RFID cards and tags have also achieved performance breakthroughs through integration of various applications. In addition, this category offers greater diversity with new designs such as key rings, discs and trinkets. Material, color and pattern options have been increased as well.

Manufacturers of fingerprint access control systems are combining fingerprint recognition, RFID and password verification. Some new models also feature face recognition technology. The latest video doorphones from China boast digital signal processors for more powerful functionality.

Publisher of the Report, Livia Yip, said: "China suppliers are confident that R&D emphasis is the most effective strategy for consistent sales. In fact, manufacturers are highly optimistic of a healthy market. In our survey, 94 percent of respondents anticipate revenue growth of at least 10 percent in coming months.

"Strong orders in recent months support this upbeat outlook. According to customs statistics, China's overseas shipments of smart cards reached $544.8 million and exports of burglar and fire alarm systems totaled $445 million in the eight months ending August 2011."

China suppliers increase prices to offset higher material, labor costs

China Sourcing Report: Access Control & Anti-intrusion also reveals that manufacturers are endeavoring to keep prices competitive despite intensifying cost pressure. Spending for PCBs has shot up eight percent since April 2011, and a further 10 percent rise is expected in the next several months as glass fiber and copper-clad laminate rates go up. Adding to this, many companies have increased salaries by 10 percent to retain skilled workers.

To offset higher outlay and to keep margins reasonable, 44 percent of suppliers said they are planning to push up product prices. Increases, however, are generally expected to be limited to 10 percent to preserve buyer satisfaction. Suppliers are confident they can minimize price increases by launching cost-cutting strategies. These include automating production lines and finding raw material and component providers that offer more affordable rates.

Other industry trends indicated by China Sourcing Report: Access Control & Anti-intrusion include:

• 75% of suppliers plan to boost capital expenditure to strengthen operations
• 53% of makers still see Europe and North America as key markets
• 47% of suppliers say price competition is their biggest concern
• Companies also regard the yuan's appreciation and stricter overseas standards as key challenges

Supplier profiles, price forecasts, and the latest access control & anti-intrusion products for export

The 71-page China Sourcing Report: Access Control & Anti-intrusion provides detailed profiles of 32 suppliers with verified manufacturing and export credentials, and contact details of an additional nine exporters. It also includes a Product Gallery featuring 72 of the most popular export models, with key specifications and full-color pictures.

The Report's surveys, price trends and supply forecasts aim to help buyers make better-informed purchasing decisions.

Specialized Global Sources websites, face-to-face events, trade magazines and research reports

China Sourcing Reports are part of Global Sources' sourcing and product information services. These include Global Sources Online (http://www.globalsources.com), China Sourcing Fairs (http://www.chinasourcingfair.com), Online Sourcing Fairs (http://www.onlinesourcingfair.com), Private Sourcing Events (http://www.PrivateSourcingEvents.com) and Global Sources monthly magazines (http://www.globalsources.com/SITE/MAGAZINES.HTM).

For more information about Global Sources' products and services that connect quality buyers with verified suppliers, please visit http://www.corporate.globalsources.com.

China Sourcing Report: Access Control & Anti-intrusion is available for purchase at http://www.chinasourcingreports.com/accesscontrolantiintrusion.

Free information about China suppliers of access control and anti-intrusion products can be found at http://www.globalsources.com/manufacturers/Access-Control-Security-System.html.

About Global Sources

Global Sources is a leading business-to-business media company and a primary facilitator of trade with Greater China.

The core business facilitates trade between Asia and the world using English-language media such as online marketplaces (http://www.globalsources.com), print and digital magazines, sourcing research reports, private sourcing events, trade shows, and online sourcing fairs.

Over 1 million international buyers, including 85 of the world's top 100 retailers, use these services to obtain product and company information to help them source more profitably from overseas supply markets. These services also provide suppliers with integrated marketing solutions to build corporate image, generate sales leads and win orders from buyers in more than 240 countries and territories.

Global Sources' other businesses provides Chinese-language media to companies selling to and within Greater China. These services include online web sites, print and digital magazines, seminars and trade shows. In mainland China, Global Sources has a network of more than 40 office locations and a community of over 3 million registered online users and magazine readers of its Chinese-language media.

Now in its fifth decade, Global Sources has been publicly listed on the NASDAQ since 2000.