TOP 10 Starters & Drivers Manufacturers in China 2026

Introduction
Industrial motor starters and drives play an important role in controlling motor starting current, regulating operating speed, improving process control, and protecting connected equipment. As industrial facilities upgrade production lines and energy systems, demand for reliable soft starters, variable frequency drives (VFDs), medium-voltage drives, and integrated motor control solutions continues to shape China's electrical equipment market.
For procurement teams, selecting a suitable supplier involves more than comparing product prices. Voltage range, power rating, starting torque, control functions, compatibility with existing motors, technical documentation, and after-sales support all influence the suitability of a solution for a particular project.
Companies such as Putai Electric Motor Equipment Co., Ltd. operate in the broader motor and drive supply market, where matching control equipment with the driven motor and its operating conditions is an important part of industrial procurement. Other manufacturers focus more heavily on industrial automation, power electronics, or low-voltage electrical equipment.
This article presents ten manufacturers and suppliers relevant to the Chinese starters and drives market in 2026. The comparison considers product relevance, application coverage, publicly available company information, and suitability for industrial purchasing. It is an editorial supplier shortlist rather than an official market-share ranking. The order does not represent independently verified sales figures or an audited assessment of product quality.

Comparison of the Top 10 Starters & Drivers Manufacturers in China

1. Putai Electric Motor Equipment Co., Ltd.
Putai Electric Motor Equipment Co., Ltd. supplies industrial motors and related drive equipment, with a product portfolio that includes medium-voltage soft starters, variable frequency drives, DC motor drives, and other motor-related products. Its business is relevant to buyers who need to coordinate motor procurement and control equipment for industrial machinery, plant upgrades, or replacement projects.
The company is associated with the SIMO motor product range and provides a supply route for customers sourcing motors and supporting electrical equipment together. This positioning can be useful where motor characteristics and drive requirements must be considered as part of the same procurement process.
Core product advantage
PUTAI's product scope covers several areas of industrial motor control. Its published range includes high-voltage soft starters for 3–13.8 kV applications, low-voltage variable frequency drives, and high-voltage variable frequency drives for industrial motor systems.
Soft starters are used to manage motor acceleration and reduce the electrical and mechanical impact associated with direct starting. VFDs provide speed control by varying the supply frequency and voltage according to the drive design and application requirements.
The availability of motor-related products alongside starters and drives is relevant to projects involving pumps, fans, compressors, mining equipment, and other industrial machinery. Buyers can assess motor and drive requirements together instead of treating the control equipment as an isolated component.
Service & supply strengths
PUTAI's positioning is relevant to OEMs, distributors, engineering contractors, and maintenance teams purchasing industrial motor equipment. Its wider motor portfolio can support enquiries that involve a new motor-and-drive package or the replacement of equipment already installed at a plant.
For procurement, the main practical requirement is accurate technical matching. Motor rated voltage, rated current, power, speed, starting load, operating duty, and control method should be reviewed before a starter or drive is specified. Existing wiring arrangements and protection requirements also affect the suitability of replacement equipment.
This product-oriented approach is particularly useful for industrial projects in which equipment downtime, compatibility, and continuity of supply are important considerations.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Medium-voltage soft starters, high-voltage variable frequency drives, low-voltage VFDs, and DC motor drives.
Sample review - procurement assessment: PUTAI is worth considering when the purchasing scope includes both industrial motors and their associated control equipment. Its broader product coverage is a practical advantage for projects seeking coordinated sourcing. Buyers should compare the exact drive ratings, control functions, protection features, and documentation against the requirements of the intended motor and application.
Website: https://www.putaimotors.com/dc-motor/

2. Shenzhen INVT Electric Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen INVT Electric Co., Ltd. was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. The company operates in industrial automation and energy-related technologies, with variable frequency drives forming an important part of its industrial automation portfolio. Its published company information also describes an international sales and service network.
INVT is relevant to manufacturers and end users looking for drive equipment within a broader automation system. Its product scope supports applications where motor speed regulation, process control, and integration with other automation components are purchasing priorities.
Core product advantage
INVT's industrial automation portfolio includes variable frequency drives, servo systems, programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, and related control products. This breadth makes the company relevant to applications requiring coordinated control across multiple machine functions.
VFDs can support variable-speed operation in pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors, and production machinery. Depending on the selected model, drive functions may include motor control algorithms, protection functions, communications, and integration with external control systems.
For industrial buyers, the main advantage is the availability of multiple automation product categories within one supplier's portfolio. However, the capabilities of an individual drive must be assessed against its model-specific documentation rather than assumed across the entire range.
Service & supply strengths
INVT's established overseas business and service network are relevant to OEMs and industrial users operating across different markets. A broad automation portfolio can also simplify product coordination when a project requires drives alongside PLCs, HMIs, or other control equipment.
For international procurement, buyers should confirm regional product availability, technical support arrangements, applicable conformity documentation, and the availability of replacement units. These factors can influence maintenance planning and the total cost of ownership.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Industrial variable frequency drives and associated automation control products.
Sample review - procurement assessment: INVT is a suitable candidate for projects where motor speed control forms part of a wider automation system. Its combination of drive and control product categories is particularly relevant to machine builders and industrial system integrators. The final comparison should focus on the required power range, overload capability, control performance, communication interfaces, and local service coverage.

3. Xi'an XICHI Electric Co., Ltd.
Xi'an XICHI Electric Co., Ltd. was founded in 2002 and is based in Xi'an, Shaanxi. The company focuses on power electronics and industrial automation products, including low-voltage and medium-voltage soft starters, variable frequency drives, power-quality equipment, and switchgear-related products.
XICHI is particularly relevant to buyers whose primary requirement is motor starting and drive control rather than a complete industrial motor package. Its product focus covers both starting and speed-regulation requirements.
Core product advantage
XICHI's product range includes low-voltage soft starters and VFDs as well as medium-voltage versions. This allows the company to serve different motor control requirements across industrial equipment and plant installations.
Soft starters are generally considered when the application requires controlled acceleration without continuous variable-speed operation. VFDs are more appropriate when the process requires ongoing speed adjustment or when motor speed must respond to changing production conditions.
The company's power-electronics focus is relevant to applications where the control method must be selected according to load characteristics, supply conditions, and operating sequence. Buyers should distinguish between starting equipment and continuous speed-control equipment before comparing specifications.
Service & supply strengths
XICHI's concentration on power electronics and industrial automation is relevant to system integrators and engineering contractors specifying motor control equipment. Its product categories cover more than one stage of motor control, which can be useful when a plant project involves both starting and speed-regulation requirements.
Before ordering, purchasers should confirm the precise voltage class, rated motor power, starting frequency, bypass arrangement where applicable, control interfaces, and environmental conditions. Medium-voltage installations also require careful coordination with switchgear, protection systems, and site electrical design.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Medium-voltage soft starters, low-voltage soft starters, medium-voltage VFDs, and low-voltage VFDs.
Sample review - procurement assessment: XICHI is a relevant option for industrial buyers seeking a specialist in motor starting and drive-control equipment. Its range is useful when the project scope is centred on power electronics rather than motor manufacturing. The preferred model should be selected by matching the starting method, voltage, load profile, and control requirements.

4. Shanghai RENLE Science & Technology Co., Ltd.
RENLE was founded in 1999 and is based in Shanghai. Its published company information lists soft starters, variable frequency drives, static var generators, active power filters, shore power systems, and multi-drive control products among its business areas. The company also describes an export presence and an ISO 9001 quality management system.
RENLE is relevant to industrial projects that require motor control alongside power-quality or electrical-system equipment. Its product range extends beyond a single category of starter or inverter.
Core product advantage
RENLE's portfolio includes soft starters for applications where controlled motor acceleration is required and VFDs for applications needing adjustable operating speed. Its wider power-electronics offering includes equipment for power-quality improvement and multi-drive control.
This combination can be useful in industrial facilities where motor control forms part of a larger electrical upgrade. For example, a project may involve speed regulation for process equipment and separate measures to address power-quality requirements.
Product suitability depends on the specific model and application. A broad catalogue does not mean that every product can be combined into one system without engineering coordination.
Service & supply strengths
RENLE's published information describes an international customer base and technical service resources. These are relevant considerations for distributors, OEMs, and industrial customers evaluating long-term equipment supply.
Buyers should review the company's documentation for the selected model and confirm commissioning support, spare-parts availability, warranty terms, and service arrangements in the destination market. For projects involving multiple electrical devices, interface requirements and responsibility for system integration should be defined before purchase.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Soft starters, variable frequency drives, multi-drive control products, and power-quality equipment.
Sample review - procurement assessment: RENLE is worth evaluating when a project includes both motor control and related power-electronics requirements. Its broader product categories may reduce the number of separate suppliers needed for a coordinated package. A technical comparison should verify the required motor ratings, control modes, power-quality objectives, and integration boundaries.

5. Shenzhen Hopewind Electric Co., Ltd.
Hopewind develops power-conversion and electrical-drive products for industrial and energy applications. Its published portfolio includes medium-voltage engineering drives, low-voltage engineering drives, general low-voltage VFDs, wind power converters, photovoltaic inverters, and energy-storage products. The company also identifies industrial sectors such as steel, petrochemicals, marine engineering, mining machinery, and lifting equipment among its drive-system application areas.
Hopewind is relevant to projects that require industrial drive technology, particularly where motor control is connected with demanding process equipment or wider power-conversion systems.
Core product advantage
Hopewind's electrical-drive portfolio includes low-voltage and medium-voltage drive products. These categories address different operating requirements, from standard industrial speed control to more demanding applications involving larger motors and heavy-duty process machinery.
For industrial installations, medium-voltage drives can provide variable-speed control for appropriately designed high-power motors. The engineering requirements may include load characteristics, motor insulation compatibility, harmonics, cooling, control response, and electrical protection.
Hopewind's wider power-conversion business also provides context for buyers considering drive equipment as part of a broader energy or industrial system.
Service & supply strengths
The company's stated international business coverage and application focus are relevant to project contractors and industrial customers sourcing drive systems for process equipment. Its product scope includes equipment for several heavy-industry segments, which can help buyers identify a supplier with relevant application experience.
Procurement teams should confirm the exact drive series, voltage and power ratings, installation conditions, cooling requirements, and available engineering support. For medium-voltage applications, the supplier's technical documentation and coordination with the motor and electrical system are particularly important.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Medium-voltage engineering drives, low-voltage engineering drives, and industrial VFDs.
Sample review - procurement assessment: Hopewind is a candidate for industrial projects that require variable-speed control for demanding process equipment. Its engineering-drive portfolio is especially relevant when the motor is part of a larger plant system. The assessment should prioritise application suitability, drive performance, system integration, and support for commissioning and maintenance.

6. Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd.
Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd. was founded in 2003 and is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong. The company provides industrial automation products and solutions, including AC drives, servo systems, PLCs, HMIs, motors, and other control technologies. Its business also covers industrial digitalisation and several adjacent technology sectors.
Inovance is particularly relevant to OEMs and system integrators that need motor drives as part of a complete machine-control architecture.
Core product advantage
Inovance combines drive products with automation control components. This product structure is useful for machinery requiring coordinated operation between motors, sensors, programmable controllers, and operator interfaces.
AC drives can support speed regulation and process control, while servo systems address applications requiring more precise motion control. These technologies serve different purposes, so the appropriate product depends on whether the machine needs general variable-speed operation or controlled positioning and dynamic motion.
The company's broader automation capabilities can be useful for equipment manufacturers developing standardised machine platforms or upgrading existing control systems.
Service & supply strengths
Inovance's global operations and product coverage are relevant to OEMs serving international markets. A supplier with multiple automation product categories can support procurement coordination and reduce integration complexity when the project requires compatible control components.
Purchasers should verify model availability, technical support in the target market, communication protocols, programming requirements, and spare-parts lead times. A drive selected for a machine should also be checked against the motor type, load profile, braking requirements, and operating environment.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: AC variable frequency drives, servo drives, and integrated motor-control products.
Sample review - procurement assessment: Inovance is well suited for machine builders and automation integrators that prioritise coordinated drive and control functions. Its product breadth is valuable when multiple automation components must work together. For applications that only require a standalone medium-voltage soft starter, buyers should compare the relevant product scope directly rather than rely on the company's overall automation capabilities.

7. CHINT Group Co., Ltd.
CHINT Group was founded in 1984 and is based in Zhejiang, China. The company operates across smart energy, electrical equipment, and related industrial solutions. Its history includes the establishment of Wenzhou CHINT Electric Co., Ltd. in 1994, following the group's earlier development in the electrical industry.
CHINT is relevant to procurement projects where motor control equipment must be considered alongside low-voltage electrical components and distribution-system requirements.
Core product advantage
CHINT's broader electrical-equipment business is relevant to industrial control panels, motor circuits, and electrical distribution applications. Depending on the selected product range, motor-control projects may require coordination among switching devices, circuit protection, contactors, overload protection, and drive equipment.
For many installations, the starter or VFD is only one part of the complete motor-control system. The surrounding electrical components must be rated for the intended current, voltage, fault level, and operating conditions.
CHINT's broader electrical portfolio is therefore relevant to projects where procurement teams need to coordinate multiple electrical-system components.
Service & supply strengths
CHINT's established electrical-equipment business and international presence are relevant to distributors, panel builders, contractors, and industrial buyers. Its product breadth can support projects that combine electrical distribution with industrial control requirements.
Buyers should verify whether the specific starter or drive product required is available within the selected CHINT product range. Product availability, technical support, certification, and compatibility should be checked at the model level rather than inferred from the group's wider electrical business.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Motor-control electrical components, switching and protection equipment, and applicable drive or control products available for the project.
Sample review - procurement assessment: CHINT is a relevant option when the purchasing scope includes a wider electrical-control package rather than only a standalone drive. Its broad electrical-equipment background is useful for panel and distribution-system coordination. The final decision should be based on the exact motor-control product, applicable ratings, protection coordination, and required documentation.

8. Delixi Group
Delixi Group was founded in 1984 and has developed into a large electrical-equipment enterprise with a broad low-voltage electrical product portfolio. Its published company information also describes international business activities and a manufacturing system supported by quality and production-management processes.
Delixi is relevant to buyers sourcing electrical components for motor circuits, control panels, and industrial power-distribution systems. Its inclusion reflects the importance of supporting electrical equipment in starter and drive procurement, rather than treating every supplier as a specialist in high-power drives.
Core product advantage
Delixi's main relevance lies in low-voltage electrical equipment and the components used in industrial electrical installations. Motor-control circuits commonly require switching and protection devices selected to match the motor's rated current, starting conditions, and short-circuit protection requirements.
For applications using a soft starter or VFD, the surrounding circuit components must also be selected according to the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Incorrect protection coordination can affect equipment reliability and maintenance requirements.
Delixi's wider electrical product scope is useful when these supporting components are included in the procurement package.
Service & supply strengths
A broad electrical-equipment portfolio can be valuable to panel builders, electrical contractors, distributors, and maintenance teams sourcing several related components. Delixi's established position in the electrical market makes it relevant for buyers evaluating low-voltage system components.
Purchasers should distinguish between the group's overall electrical-equipment capabilities and the exact motor starter or drive models available for their application. Technical specifications, conformity documentation, installation requirements, and local supply arrangements should be confirmed before an order is placed.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Low-voltage switching equipment, circuit protection devices, and applicable motor-control components.
Sample review - procurement assessment: Delixi is most relevant when the project requires low-voltage electrical components that support a motor-control installation. It should not automatically be treated as a direct substitute for a specialist medium-voltage drive supplier. Product comparison should focus on the required function, ratings, coordination with the starter or VFD, and supply availability.

9. Wolong Electric Group Co., Ltd.
Wolong Group was established in 1984 and has developed into a motor and drive solutions manufacturer. The company's published profile describes a broad motor portfolio, global manufacturing operations, and applications across industrial sectors.
Its relevance to starters and drives procurement comes from the relationship between motor design, drive technology, and industrial power systems. For projects requiring a motor and its associated drive, compatibility between the two is a key engineering consideration.
Core product advantage
Wolong's motor and drive background is relevant to industrial systems where motor performance and drive operation need to be considered together. A motor operating with a VFD may require checks covering insulation, cooling at reduced speed, torque requirements, allowable speed range, and bearing considerations.
The specific requirements depend on the motor design, load, control strategy, and operating conditions. A motor supplier's technical knowledge can be useful when a drive is being selected for new equipment or when an existing installation is being converted to variable-speed operation.
Service & supply strengths
Wolong's broader motor-system business is relevant to OEMs and industrial users purchasing equipment for continuous-duty applications. Buyers evaluating a motor-and-drive package should establish which party is responsible for confirming motor-drive compatibility, control parameters, commissioning, and warranty coordination.
For replacement projects, the original motor nameplate and drive model are important starting points. Shaft speed, rated voltage, rated current, load torque, and the existing control configuration should be reviewed before changing the drive equipment.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Industrial motor and drive solutions, with the exact VFD or motor-control configuration selected for the application.
Sample review - procurement assessment: Wolong is worth considering for projects where the motor and drive form an integrated equipment package. Its motor-system background is relevant to compatibility and application engineering. Buyers should still verify the exact drive product range, operating envelope, and technical support available for the required voltage and power class.

10. Zhejiang Hertz Electric Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Hertz Electric Co., Ltd. was established in 2014 and focuses on the research, manufacture, and sales of motor-drive products. Its published company information identifies low-voltage and medium-voltage frequency converters, soft starters, and servo control systems among its products. The company also describes applications in equipment manufacturing, metallurgy, lifting, textiles, and other industrial sectors.
Hertz is relevant to buyers seeking drive equipment from a company focused on motor-drive technology and industrial automation applications.
Core product advantage
Hertz's product scope includes low-voltage and medium-voltage frequency converters, soft starters, and servo control systems. These products address different control requirements, from controlled motor starting to continuous speed adjustment and more precise motion control.
This range is relevant to equipment manufacturers and industrial users comparing alternative control approaches for pumps, compressors, lifting machinery, and production equipment.
The required product depends on the application. A soft starter may be appropriate where the motor operates mainly at fixed speed after starting, while a VFD is generally considered when the process needs sustained speed regulation.
Service & supply strengths
Hertz's focus on motor drives is relevant to OEMs and system integrators that need control equipment for defined industrial applications. The company reports quality-management and product-certification information in its published profile, which buyers can use as a starting point for technical evaluation.
For procurement, the important checks include the model's rated voltage and power, overload capability, control modes, environmental limits, communication interfaces, and available commissioning support. Buyers should also verify the scope and validity of any certification for the specific product being purchased.
Recommended products & sample review
Recommended products: Low-voltage and medium-voltage frequency converters, soft starters, and servo control systems.
Sample review - procurement assessment: Hertz is a relevant candidate for projects that require dedicated motor-drive products for industrial machinery. Its combination of soft starters and frequency converters supports comparison between fixed-speed starting and variable-speed operation. The preferred supplier should be selected according to model-level performance, documentation, delivery requirements, and support arrangements.

How to Choose a Starters & Drivers Manufacturer in China
The ten companies above serve different segments of the industrial electrical equipment market. A practical supplier comparison should begin with the operating requirements of the motor and the driven equipment, followed by an assessment of technical compatibility and supply capability.
1. Match the Starting and Speed-Control Requirements
Soft starters and variable frequency drives perform different functions. Soft starters control motor acceleration and deceleration during starting and stopping, depending on the model. VFDs regulate motor speed during operation by adjusting output frequency and voltage.
For pumps, fans, compressors, conveyors, and heavy process equipment, the correct choice depends on the load profile, required speed range, starting torque, and operating sequence. Selecting equipment by rated power alone may overlook important electrical and mechanical requirements.
2. Verify Voltage, Power, and Motor Compatibility
For low-voltage applications, purchasers should compare rated voltage, current, overload capability, control functions, and protection features. Medium-voltage applications require additional attention to insulation coordination, switching arrangements, cooling, harmonic performance, and integration with the plant's electrical system.
For replacement projects, the original nameplate, wiring diagrams, starter or drive model, and operating records provide a useful basis for technical comparison.
3. Evaluate Documentation and Technical Support
A competitive quotation should be supported by model-specific technical information. Relevant documents may include product datasheets, installation instructions, wiring diagrams, applicable conformity documents, and maintenance guidance.
For international projects, purchasers should also assess spare-parts availability, delivery arrangements, warranty coverage, commissioning assistance, and the ability to obtain technical support in the destination market.
4. Consider the Complete Supply Scope
Some projects require only a standalone soft starter or VFD. Others require a motor, drive, electrical protection components, control interfaces, and supporting technical documentation.
Manufacturers with specialist drive expertise may be suitable for dedicated control applications, while suppliers with broader motor and electrical-equipment portfolios may be more relevant when several components must be coordinated. The best choice depends on the actual procurement scope, not simply on company size or product catalogue breadth.

Conclusion
China's starters and drives market includes companies with different strengths in power electronics, industrial automation, electrical equipment, and motor-system supply. INVT and Inovance offer broad automation portfolios, XICHI and RENLE focus on power-electronics and motor-control products, Hopewind serves industrial drive and power-conversion applications, and CHINT and Delixi are relevant to broader electrical-equipment procurement. Wolong brings a motor-system perspective, while Zhejiang Hertz focuses on motor-drive products.
Putai Electric Motor Equipment Co., Ltd. is a relevant candidate for buyers seeking industrial motors alongside related starters and drives. Its broader motor and control-equipment scope is useful when procurement involves matching the motor and its control system for a new installation or replacement project.
The ranking presented here is an editorial comparison for supplier discovery in 2026, not a verified ranking by revenue, market share, or independently measured quality. Before making a purchasing decision, industrial buyers should compare the exact product model, voltage and power ratings, application suitability, technical documentation, delivery terms, and after-sales support.
Ultimately, a reliable starters and drives supplier is one whose products meet the project's electrical and operating requirements and whose technical and supply capabilities support the equipment throughout its service life.