The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 142 Office Strife? Go play with it! [Please Subscribe]

After announcing the personnel appointments, Director Ren left the Second Machine Tool Plant.

He came to support Zhou Zhiqiang, but he also discovered some problems.

Let Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang try to manage things first. If he can't handle it, they can consider adding another deputy factory director.

However, in the eyes of the then-director, Secretary Li Younian did indeed have some laxity in personnel management.

After seeing Director Ren off, Li Younian turned to Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "Deputy Factory Director Zhou, shall we go back and continue with the meeting?"
That was just a brief introduction; we haven't had a chance for you to say a few words and motivate everyone yet.

"Okay, let's go back first. I'd also like to chat with everyone, since we all have the same goal in the future."

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded in agreement. He was already very familiar with the Second Machine Tool Plant, as the information he had seen was the latest survey conducted by the ministry last year.

The previous factory manager didn't focus on technological innovation and was only thinking about expansion and resting on past achievements. However, the machine tools they produced before were also imitations of Russian machine tools.

The fact that an annual output value of tens of millions of yuan can be achieved is truly due to the shortage of machine tool equipment.

However, it's unacceptable to have no R&D ideas at all. The application for expansion was just to continue expanding the production of the original machine tools. The ministry didn't see any application for R&D.

Deputy Leader Wu noticed the changes brought about by the breakthroughs in research and development at Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory, so he directly halted the expansion of the Second Machine Tool Factory.

However, half of last year's investment of 4.5 million yuan has already been spent, with the expansion of three factories, the addition of a canteen, and the hiring of 200 apprentices.

Zhou Zhiqiang didn't care much about these things. If there were any research and development results in the future, he would choose to expand production. The previous factory director's expansion was a way of helping him prepare in advance.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang plans to focus on research and development and technological innovation from now on.

Before he came to the Second Machine Tool Plant, he applied to the ministry for fifteen technicians to support him, but it was six months late.

Last year's students have all been assigned jobs, but this year's students will have to wait until July when many schools graduate before they can be assigned jobs.

The group returned to the conference room.

Li Younian then began, "Comrades, next, Deputy Factory Director Zhou will speak to you about production matters this year."

After Secretary Li finished speaking, Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Comrades, although I'm new here, I already know quite a bit about the Second Machine Tool Plant."

There were 1,279 workers, including 21 grade eight workers, 39 grade seven workers, and 62 grade six workers.

"We mainly produce planers that are modeled after those from Russia, with an annual output of 1,231 units."

Zhou Zhiqiang recounted the factory's production scale and data from last year, as well as personnel information, with such precision that the cadres in the meeting room were all astonished.

They have so much data that even their own factory workers don't know so clearly, including how much stuff is in the warehouse.

Moreover, Zhou Zhiqiang not only talked about the factory's data, but also about the domestic and international machine tool markets and future directions of machine tool technology.

'You can't fool me!'

The thought crossed everyone's mind: they saw that Zhou Zhiqiang, the deputy factory director, was very young, but they did not expect him to know so much about factory management and the development of machine tools.

He understood things ten times better than they did; their little schemes were useless against this deputy factory director.

They have a clear understanding of how much raw material is left in the warehouse and how much is spent. If they still think they can fool this person like they would a young person, they will only end up suffering the consequences.

Zhou Zhiqiang is not just a technical expert; he also has knowledge of the market, production, and other aspects.

“Last year, all machine tool factories were investing and expanding, but our Second Machine Tool Factory was the only one that was stopped. You may feel wronged or even resentful, but do you know why?”

Zhou Zhiqiang paused here, and only continued after everyone's curious and questioning gazes turned to him.

"Because the Second Machine Tool Plant is the only one among so many machine tool plants that has not developed new machine tool technologies."

Last year's four million investment at the Second Machine Tool Plant was intended to expand the production of existing planers and grinders, with absolutely no research and development plans whatsoever.

"In this way, the output value will likely increase by 80% in the next few years, but what about after that? What will the second machine tool manufacturer do when other machine tool manufacturers develop machine tools with better functions and higher precision?"
"In the end, it will only be gradually phased out and then merged into other factories."

"Even if they suddenly realize this in the future and decide to develop new machine tools, it will be too late. By then, their technological accumulation will have far surpassed that of other factories."

Zhou Zhiqiang's words revealed the reason why the leadership was dissatisfied with the Second Machine Tool Plant.

"Next, I will talk to the factory's managers individually or in batches, mainly to make some adjustments in terms of production and technological innovation."

Specific measures may be introduced, and we will discuss them with Secretary Li and Deputy Factory Director Sun before implementing them in the factory.

That's all I wanted to say for now.

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he turned to Secretary Li and Deputy Factory Director Sun and asked, "Secretary Li, Deputy Factory Director Sun, do you have anything to say?"

Secretary Li shook his head and said, "I have nothing to say. What you said, Deputy Factory Director Zhou, is very important. You can make the production arrangements first."

Deputy Factory Director Sun suddenly spoke up: "Secretary Li, Deputy Factory Director Zhou, our factory's planned materials for this year are less than expected. I will also ask the logistics department to coordinate the unplanned materials as soon as possible."
However, the factory may gradually reduce overtime work going forward.

Overtime work always requires meals, but the factory's planned supplies are limited. Even the subsidized lunch may be reduced in quantity, let alone the subsidized dinner for overtime work.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately replied, "Overtime work tonight is temporarily canceled. Judging from this year's production targets, we can complete them without working overtime tonight."

Deputy Factory Director Sun said with a look of surprise, "In that case, the factory's output and profits may be even lower than last year."

"I already have ideas and plans, don't worry, Deputy Factory Director Sun."

Zhou Zhiqiang said confidently and firmly, "The workshop director and the head of the technical department will come to my office later. After we finish talking, we will make specific arrangements for the factory's production."

When Zhou Zhiqiang learned last year that he was going to work at the Second Machine Tool Plant, he already had ideas for technological research and development.

Machine tools that are in high demand in the military industry!

The goals for the next two years are twofold: high-precision coordinate boring machines and high-precision grinding machines, suitable for the manufacturing needs of missiles, aviation, and top-tier defense and military industries.

This will be a necessity in the next few years, and even a necessity among necessities; moreover, in addition to the military industry, these two types of machine tools can also be used for many high-precision sealing components.

At least the combine harvesters from Dafeng Agricultural Machinery Equipment Factory could use them. It can be said that if they were developed, machine tools would be requested from the Second Machine Tool Factory in various regions.

Moreover, they will soon break ties with Russia, and when faced with suppression from two superpowers, developing the military industry will be a necessity.

"Secretary Li, Deputy Factory Director Sun, if there's nothing else, shall we adjourn this meeting?"

Zhou Zhiqiang turned to ask the other two leaders, although there were also some cadres of considerable rank.

Organizations like labor unions and women's federations exist, but they only concern themselves with specific events. Production matters are completely irrelevant to them, and they generally remain silent during meetings.

But if it involves anything related to them, even Secretary Li has to avoid it.

After hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Secretary Li said, "If there's nothing else, you can act as Director Liu here for today. Take Deputy Factory Director Zhou to his office. If he needs anything, your factory office should arrange it as soon as possible."

After Secretary Li finished speaking, Liu Aihua from the factory office immediately stood up and said, "I understand, Secretary Zhou, Deputy Factory Director Zhou, let me take you to your office."

Zhou Zhiqiang stood up and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you, Director Liu."

------

"Deputy Factory Director Zhou, this is where you usually work, and it used to be the factory director's office. Do you think there's anything else we need to add?"

Director Liu led Zhou Zhiqiang to an office on the fourth floor and said with a somewhat ingratiating smile, "Factory Manager, would you like me to get a couple of potted plants for the office? They'll be more pleasing to the eye."

"No need for flowers, just prepare two more bookshelves for me, I'll need them later."

After looking around, Zhou Zhiqiang pointed to the only half-bookshelf in the office and said, "Put it over there. I like to read, and a bookshelf is more useful than flowers."

"Okay, no problem, I'll go on duty in a bit."

Director Liu smiled and praised, "Factory Director, you are truly well-read; no wonder you can lead us."

Zhou Zhiqiang smiled upon hearing this. So this was the kind of person the factory office director was. Well, that's fine too; he's easy to get along with.

Director Liu then asked, "Factory Director, in principle, you and the Party Secretary could each be assigned a secretary to run errands. Do you want me to recommend one for you?"

These days, secretaries are not a standard requirement for all cadres. In some low-effort departments, even deputy directors-general are not allowed to have secretaries.

However, if business is busy and a secretary is needed to help run errands, then a secretary is a standard requirement.

The director of a ministry-affiliated factory like the Second Machine Tool Plant was a very busy person, and according to rules and conventions, he would be assigned a secretary.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang said to Director Liu, "Pick one for me, but not too weak. I often have to work overtime, and if you're not physically strong, you won't be able to help me much."

We should discuss this with them beforehand, and tell them not to force them if they can't handle it.

His responsibilities are much greater now than before. Previously, he was the head of the technical department, only responsible for the factory's technological innovations.

Now he is a deputy factory director with the power of a factory director, and he is also responsible for the efficiency of all the factory workers and the future of the factory.

Overtime is unavoidable, and it can even last for half a year or a whole year.

Director Liu immediately said, "Don't worry, factory manager, I promise to tell them in advance."

After we select a secretary for you, we will also arrange a driver for you. Our factory has two cars; previously, the Party Secretary used one, and the factory director and Deputy Director Sun used the other.

“Deputy Factory Director Sun, Director Liu, tell me about this Deputy Factory Director Sun.”

Zhou Zhiqiang thought of Sun Yifei, the deputy factory director. He had only seen Sun Yifei's information, but he felt that something was off about this person during the meeting.

"Factory manager, it's not really my word either."

Director Liu then said in a low voice, "However, Deputy Factory Director Sun used to like to meddle in production matters. He also had a good relationship with the workshop directors of Workshop 2 and Workshop 3."

"Hehe, okay, I got it."

After hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang understood and then said to Director Liu, "Go ahead and get busy. Have the head of the technical department come to my office in half an hour."

"Okay, director."

After Director Liu finished speaking, he left the office. What he said was based on his daily observations and speculations, and there was no concrete evidence, so he dared not make any definitive statements.

Compared to Deputy Factory Director Sun, Zhou Zhiqiang, who had leaders from the ministry come to support him, had a better chance of becoming the factory director. Naturally, Director Liu had to listen to the future factory director.

After Director Liu left, Zhou Zhiqiang took out his briefcase and took out the blueprints inside.

This is his improved idea for high-precision coordinate boring and grinding machines, which incorporates optical devices and other technologies to give the current boring machines more precise positioning accuracy.
The grinding machine has also undergone some technical modifications. According to his vision, the error can theoretically be reduced to less than 0.02 microns.

However, this is in theory; whether it can actually be produced is another matter entirely.

Zhou Zhiqiang's main task now is to develop these two machine tools and mass-produce them.

Once these two machine tools are developed, all the backstabbing and sabotage will be nothing but evil spirits.

The sun is still shining, the brightest stars in the country are still shining, and this is still Beijing.

He was handpicked by Deputy Leader Wu and knew Chen Junfeng, the leader of the Light Industry Department. If Zhou Zhiqiang were to engage in these "office struggles" with Deputy Factory Director Sun, he would be a child.

His mission is to achieve technological breakthroughs and develop and manufacture machine tools that are more needed by China's heavy industry.

If Deputy Factory Director Sun dares to cause trouble, Zhou Zhiqiang will kick him aside and let him go play his power struggle in the county or township.

Not long after, there was a knock on the door.

"come in."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Ding Zhixue from the technical department pushed open the door and came in.

Upon seeing this excessively young deputy factory director, Ding Zhixue quickly stepped forward and said, "Director, you wanted to see me?"

“Yes, come on, Section Chief Ding, let’s sit down and talk.”

Zhou Zhiqiang picked up a few machine tool blueprints, then gestured for Ding Zhixue to sit on the sofa, and handed him the blueprints, saying...

"I have read your information. You are a key contributor to the imitation of the Russian planer and have a great understanding of machine tool technology."
I also have a technical background and some knowledge of machine tools, so our factory's next task is to achieve new technological breakthroughs in machine tool manufacturing.”

As Zhou Zhiqiang spoke, he pointed to the blueprints on the table and said to Ding Zhixue...
"Our factory's next goal is these two machine tools. I've marked the technical improvements and some ideas for the machine tools on the drawings. Take a look."

We must manufacture one as a result within the next six months.

After hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's confident words, Ding Zhixue adjusted his glasses somewhat uncertainly, then picked up the blueprints and said, "Factory Manager, may I take a look first?"

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(End of this chapter)