Manufacturers in battle to grow exports

The average lifespan of a manufacturer in China is about 11 years, while only 7.9 percent of firms get past 20 years, according to a survey.

In its latest annual examination of small and medium-sized manufacturing companies, Global Market Group - an organization which awards standards in quality to Chinese manufacturers - interviewed 1,000 firms in the Pearl River and Yangtze River delta regions.

More than 30 percent of respondents said they had been in existence for 11 to 15 years, the largest portion, and 17.9 percent said they started their businesses less than five years ago.

"The majority of privately owned manufacturing companies in China were launched after the country's reform and opening-up in 1978, which is relatively short compared to other countries," said Wei Tao, Global Market's marketing director.

Over the past year, 36.8 percent of companies reported the major pressure they faced was rapidly decreasing overseas demand.

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