China is one of the largest small appliance manufacturers and Cixi in Ningbo is the leading small appliance production area in China. When looking for a supplier for the production of small appliances in China, it is worth considering Cixi manufacturers and attending trade shows that focus on small appliances in that region.
Where are small household appliances made in China?
China is the largest manufacturer in the world. The country is divided into production bases with groups of factories and individual industries wholesalers. Ningbo, and specifically Cixi in Ningbo, is one such manufacturing base. Cixi is known for the production of small appliances.
Cixi is a county city located in eastern China in Ningbo Prefecture (Zhejiang Province). It has access to Hangzhou Bay and is located in the middle of the “financial triangle” (Shanghai-Hangzhou-Ningbo). The area has been named Cixi since the Tang Dynasty (738 AD).
Cixi – small home appliance production area in China
Cixi is ranked sixth in the ranking of the most competitive economies at the county level in China (2021). It is also one of the three most important areas to produce home appliances in China. Other important small appliance production areas are Shunde in Foshan and Hefei.
Up to 40% of the products exported from Cixi (Ningbo) are small household appliances, mainly for the European and American markets. Across Ningbo, there are thousands of home appliance manufacturers and companies supporting the industry.
Many devices fall into the category of small appliances, such as:
coffee makers, milk frothers
vacuum cleaners, cleaning robots
irons, steamers
juicers
food processors, mixers, blenders
epilators, electric brushes, curlers
air conditioners, air humidifiers
Electric heaters.
In most cases, manufacturers specialize in producing a certain type of small appliance, such as kitchen or bathroom appliances. Cixi has many small appliance factories, so you won’t be disappointed with the variety of products.
There are a couple of wholesalers in Cixi. One such place is Shangdu Wholesale Center (商 都). The stores that sell small appliances in Shangdu are located on the ground floor and on the second floor. Many wholesalers are also located in Fuhai and Xinpu districts.
Small appliance factories in China
If you plan to visit multiple factories, we recommend that you schedule appointments in advance. Schedule two visits per day maximum, as the distances in China are enormous. If you prepare well for negotiations with Chinese partners, you will increase your chances of getting the best deals.
If you are unable to travel to China, feel free to contact us. We will perform a factory inspection on your behalf with photographic documentation. Even if you have met a business partner in person, we recommend that you check out the potential contractor. It is also worth doing a quality check when products are ready to ship to ensure quality and order fulfillment.
When placing a production order with a Chinese factory, you can choose OEM, ODM or OBM:
OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) – Importing another company’s products, but with your brand
ODM (Original Design Manufacturer): importing products based on your specifications under your brand
OBM (Original Brand Manufacturer) – Import of other brand products.
Small Appliances Fair in Cixi (Ningbo)
CHAE is an abbreviation for China Cixi Home Appliances Expo, an annual fair for home appliances organized in Ningbo. There are more than 500 exhibitors and 25 thousand participants.
The scope of the fair includes water appliances, kitchen and bathroom appliances, small and smart appliances and appliances. Examples of small appliances featured at CHAE include:
Electric heaters
irons
hair dryers
air humidifiers
humidity regulators
blenders
juicers
mixers
massagers
electrical exercise equipment and accessories
coffee machines
electric kettles
water heaters
and many others.
Location: Ningbo International Convention and Exhibition Center, Ningbo, China
Small home appliance production area in China. A guide
How to get to Cixi?
By plane
You can easily reach Cixi from Ningbo Lishe International Airport, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, Shanghai Hongqiao Airport, or Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The journey takes about an hour and a half to two hours by road from all airports.
By bus or car to Cixi
You can get to Cixi by bus or car from:
Hangzhou (an hour and a half)
Shanghai (an hour and a half)
Ningbo (one hour from downtown).
There are many bus terminals in Cixi: Intercity, East, West, South and North. Before traveling, check which bus terminal is suitable for your trip.
If you are interested in other production regions besides the small home appliance production area in China, please see our posts on this topic.