Zhejiang Donjoy, a mainland China supplier, offers the 40010 model, which comes in 1/2 to 6-inch versions made of 304 and 316 stainless steel.

Production remains traditional, although the use of automatic machinery helps cut down wastage.

Suppliers of pipe fittings in mainland China and Taiwan are upgrading manufacturing capability as part of cost-cutting measures they are implementing in light of increased spending for materials and labor.

The bulk of investment goes to automatic equipment, usually CNC machinery. In addition, companies in the mainland are enhancing management systems and reducing wastage.

Similarly, Taiwan-based makers are boosting efficiency in various aspects of operations, both domestically and in overseas factories.

Amid these upgrades, there has been no significant change in the actual manufacturing process. Production remains heavily OEM-oriented, and in the island, involves sand, lost wax or investment casting.

Suppliers, however, are modifying material options and procurement methods.

Some companies in the mainland, for example, are switching to high-performance plastic. The cost of HDPE 100 has been relatively stable for the past six months while that of brass has jumped more than 30 percent.

HDPE has high resistance to abrasion and UV rays, and is flexible enough so that pipe fittings constructed from the material do not rupture or leak. Products made of HDPE are suitable for use in water supply, road drainage and flood-control systems, sewers, and gas, soil and exhaust disposal.

In line with efforts to reduce wastage, there are companies in Taiwan that import a portion of materials from long-term partner suppliers. They often purchase their requirements by the bulk because this strategy allows them to negotiate for better rates.

One maker doing so is Hershey Valve Co. Ltd, which sources PVC and CPVC from BF Goodrich of the US in addition to domestic providers.

	These pipe fittings from Taiwan-based CSE. Chiang Sung comply with 3A, SMS, DIN, RJI, BS, CIP and IDF standards.

For many suppliers on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, CNC equipment is critical in boosting manufacturing efficiency.

Zhejiang Donjoy Valve Pipe-Fitting Co. Ltd, Ningbo JKLong Valves Mfg Co. Ltd and Taizhou Bada Valve Co. Ltd, all of the mainland, have fully automatic multifunction CNC machines.

Taiwan-based CSE. Chiang Sung Enterprise Co. Ltd carries out streamlined ISO 9001-certified production using semi and fully automatic, NC and CNC machinery.

The company has a factory each in the island and Thailand, where lower land prices and abundant labor have helped reduce manufacturing costs.

Hershey adopts automatic injection molding machinery and CNC lathes.

To keep reject rates low, Buffalo Valves Ind. Ltd follows ISO 9001 requirements during various stages of production, including automatic wax injection, dipping, stuccoing, grinding, metal pouring and sandblasting.

Ningbo JKLong is one of the few suppliers in the mainland that uses upgrades to reduce consumption in its factory by at least 20 percent. The company is adopting a method that purifies and recycles water, and has modified its electric circuit and gas systems to cut down on power.

	Priced at $0.38, this garden fitting from Taizhou Jinyuan of mainland China is made of brass. It comes in 1/2, 3/4 and 5/8-inch versions.

Suppliers are focusing on the high-end market to justify the upswing in prices.

Zhejiang Donjoy released recently models with 0.005 to 0.017 sulfur content in adherence to the US BPE standard.

The company is also set to offer application-specific designs for the biochemical, pharmaceutical and food-packaging industries in the US.

High-end pipe fittings account for 5 percent of exports at Zhejiang Donjoy. The supplier is projecting significant growth in the next 12 months as, currently, there are only a few makers in the mainland capable of producing BPE-compliant pipe fittings.

Taizhou Jinyuan Copper Product Co. Ltd is targeting the EU and US markets with its fast joints, which are suitable for DIY home and garden use.

Mainland manufacturers are adopting high-quality materials as part of their market shift.

Specializing in plastic pipe fittings, Sunliky Industry Ltd, has started using HDPE 100 for its products.

Guangdong Orient Resin Co. Ltd utilizes PE for transition fittings that connect plastic pipes with copper pieces. Models measure 1/2, 3/4, 1, 1.25, 1.5, 2, 2.5 or 3 inches, are nontoxic and suitable for water supply, drainage and gas pipelines.

In contrast, Ningbo JKLong and Taizhou Jinyuan prefer copper and brass because of the materials’ ability to withstand compression and high heat.

Taiwan suppliers are using a similar strategy as they target the high-end market.

YO Bronze Enterprise Co. Ltd adopts C3600 and C37700 brass rods for elbows, drop-ear elbows, nipples, hose adaptors and tank tees. The company also offers fittings made of C83600 and C84400 bronze with DIN50930-6 approval.