Using corporate foresight to understand future customers and their needs in middle and low end markets of the mechanical engineering industry in China

This foresight study assessed the Chinese manufacturing industry markets 10 years ahead. The PESTEV (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, Values) frame was used to give a multi-dimensional approach to the study. Interviews were intended to provide deep understanding of the potential Chinese customers. Workshops were arranged in order to deepen the understanding, to create cooperation between Finnish and Chinese actors and show the way forward. The study showed that the foresight approach where the corporate market analysis is carried out starting from the trend analysis is beneficial, and created results that are interesting for business and market creation. The technological highlights identified are in clean tech, moving machines, automation, robots and remote control.