世界のCNC加工と金型射出成形カスタマイズサービスの動向：なぜ中国メーカーが欧米企業の第一選択肢となっているのでしょうか？

Appleが中国のサプライヤーを選ぶ理由とは？

In April 2025, Apple CEO Tim Cook said in an interview: "The core reason why Apple insists on manufacturing in China is not cheap labor, but China's irreplaceable 'skill density'." This view not only reveals the underlying logic of Apple's supply chain, but also reflects China's global competitiveness in the field of precision manufacturing. This article will deeply analyze how China has become the preferred partner for CNC processing and mold injection services for European and American companies by relying on its technical talent reserves, supply chain efficiency and innovation ecology.

1. The core competitiveness of China's manufacturing: the transition from "cheap" to "skill density"

1.1 “Skill Density” in Cook’s Eyes

Cook has repeatedly stressed that the core advantage of China's manufacturing industry lies in its large-scale and systematic talent pool. For example, the number of mold engineers in a certain province in China can "fill several football fields", while the United States "can't even gather enough engineers for a meeting." This gap stems from：

Education system support: China's vocational education system focuses on training technical workers, covering high-skilled fields such as CNC programming and mold design.

Industry chain collaboration: From raw materials (such as aluminum alloys and engineering plastics) to precision processing, China has formed a "one-hour industrial circle" to achieve rapid response and cost optimization.

1.2 The “micrometer-level” threshold for precision manufacturing

Apple products require mold precision up to micron level (such as the surface fit of iPhone shell), which relies on the following technological breakthroughs：

Popularization of 5-axis CNC machining: China's leading factories have widely used 5-axis linkage machine tools, which can process complex curved parts with an accuracy of ±0.01mm.

Injection molding process innovation: For example, the glass panel produced by Lens Technology for Apple Vision Pro uses high-precision hot bending technology, with a yield rate of over 99%.

世界のCNC加工と金型射出成形カスタマイズサービスの動向：なぜ中国メーカーが欧米企業の第一選択肢となっているのでしょうか？ 1

世界のCNC加工と金型射出成形カスタマイズサービスの動向：なぜ中国メーカーが欧米企業の第一選択肢となっているのでしょうか？ 2

2. Four major driving forces for European and American companies to choose Chinese suppliers

2.1 The ultimate balance between cost and efficiency

Dimensioj

Comprehensive cost

Delivery cycle

Technical adaptability

Chinese Manufacturers

Labor + equipment depreciation costs are 30%-50% lower

Average 2-4 weeks (relying on clustered supply chain)

Support flexible production from prototype to mass production

European and American local suppliers

High labor cost, suitable for small batch customization

Prefer standardized large-volume orders

Complex parts take 6-8 weeks

Case：

A German car brand transferred its aluminum alloy wheel CNC processing orders to China, reducing costs by 40% and shortening delivery time to 3 weeks.

A US medical company commissioned a Chinese manufacturer to produce disposable endoscope housings by injection molding, which passed ISO 13485 certification and had a defect rate of less than 0.1%.

2.2 Green Manufacturing and Compliance

Carbon neutrality goal: China's leading suppliers (such as BYD and Luxshare Precision) have pledged to achieve carbon neutrality for Apple orders by 2030, using environmentally friendly materials such as recycled aluminum and bio-based plastics.

Process optimization: Through AI-driven tool path planning, material waste in CNC processing is reduced, and the waste recovery rate exceeds 90%.

世界のCNC加工と金型射出成形カスタマイズサービスの動向：なぜ中国メーカーが欧米企業の第一選択肢となっているのでしょうか？ 3

3. The hidden advantages of China’s supply chain: Taking Apple as an example

3.1 Upgrading from “assembly” to “core technology”

Cook clarified: "The iPhone is not only 'assembled in China', its core components (such as glass cover and metal structural parts) rely on the precision processing capabilities of Chinese manufacturers." For example：

Lens Technology: Provides super-ceramic glass panels for iPhone, with 4 times higher drop resistance, relying on nano-level CNC polishing technology.

Everwin Precision: Uses 100% recycled aluminum to manufacture MacBook shells, taking into account lightweight and environmental protection requirements.

3.2 Intelligentization and Digital Empowerment

Industrial 4.0 factory: For example, BYD's "Using iPad to Produce iPad" project uses automated optical inspection (AOI) equipment to achieve real-time defect identification.

Cross-border collaboration: Chinese manufacturers provide online quotation systems and production progress tracking platforms, and European and American customers can remotely monitor order status.

4. Cooperation Guide for European and American Enterprises: How to Select High-Quality Chinese Suppliers?

4.1 Key Evaluation Indicators

Certifications: ISO 9001 (quality management), IATF 16949 (automotive), ISO 13485 (medical).

Equipment list: factories equipped with high-end machine tools such as DMG MORI and MAZAK are preferred.

Intellectual property protection: Sign an NDA agreement and select compliant suppliers that have served Apple, Tesla and other companies.

4.2 Risk Avoidance Strategies

Phased cooperation: Start with small batch trial production (e.g. 500 pieces) to verify quality stability, and then expand to large-scale orders.

Third-party quality inspection: CMM test report and material composition analysis certificate are required.

5. Future Trends: Challenges and Opportunities of Made in China

Challenges: low-cost competition in Southeast Asia, and the "nearshore outsourcing" policy in Europe and the United States (such as the US "CHIP Act").

Opportunities：

High-end technology: China's 5-axis CNC machine tool localization rate is expected to reach 29.2% in 2029, breaking the monopoly of Germany and Japan.

Globalization of services: China-Europe Express and RCEP agreements reduce cross-border logistics costs, and door-to-door time is compressed to 15 days.

Conclusion：

Cook's affirmation of Made in China confirms the core logic of "technological density" replacing "low cost" in the reconstruction of the global industrial chain. For European and American companies, choosing Chinese CNC processing and mold injection molding service providers is not only a cost consideration, but also a strategic investment in precision manufacturing capabilities and supply chain resilience.

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