China's steel structure industry is experiencing sustained and rapid growth; production volume rose from 8.5 million tons in 2002 to 22.94 million tons in 2009, representing a compound annual growth rate of 15.24%. Estimates indicate that production reached 26 million tons in 2010 and approximately 29 million tons in 2011. The industry is currently in a period of rapid expansion.
Overall market concentration in my country's steel structure industry remains low. The number of enterprises categorized by annual production volume is as follows: 4,000–5,000 enterprises producing under 10,000 tons; 100 producing 10,000–50,000 tons; 20 producing 50,000–300,000 tons; and 6–8 producing over 300,000 tons. There are 51 enterprises holding the "Special Grade" manufacturing qualification for steel structures and 82 holding the "Class A" specialized design qualification for light steel structures; however, even fewer enterprises possess both of these qualifications alongside the "Class I" professional contracting qualification. As the industry continues to develop, mergers and acquisitions are expected to become the norm.
