Key Characteristics of Downstream Markets

Growth driven by the new energy sector: The energy storage, photovoltaic (PV), and new energy vehicle sectors account for over 70% of the industry's new orders, while growth in traditional home appliances and standard telecommunications equipment has slowed.
Divergent demand profiles: Competition in traditional sectors centers on price, whereas the new energy and computing power infrastructure sectors prioritize precision, ingress protection ratings, and delivery capabilities.
Transmission of pain points to the upstream: Large-scale downstream orders are compelling sheet metal manufacturers to adopt laser cutting, CNC bending, robotic welding, and automated palletizing (for both raw sheets and finished products), as well as to build digital workshops to reduce reliance on manual labor.

Future Outlook

Overall growth is projected to remain at 6–8% between 2026 and 2028; the energy storage and computing power cabinet segments are expected to grow at rates of 25–35%; conversely, competition in the general-purpose sheet metal market remains fierce, with profit margins continuing to shrink.