The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 168 Strongly Supports Expansion
"Investing so much"

After reading it, Zhou Zhiqiang clicked his tongue in amazement, and then handed the report on the expansion opinions of the Ministry of Machine Building for the Second Machine Tool Plant to Secretary Li.

After reading it, Secretary Li Younian looked surprised and immediately looked up to ask, "Leader, are the plans for next year going to be so big?"

A branch factory with 2,000 employees, 500 skilled workers, and an investment of 15 million in the main factory.

There is also the investment of technical personnel, as well as preferential policies.

That's quite a feat. If they take over and fully absorb all of their No. 2 Machine Tool Plant, they could almost directly surpass Liaoyang No. 1 Machine Tool Plant and become the number one in the country.

“Your factory can achieve results, and the ministry also needs you to improve production efficiency.”

Director Ren explained, "It was your factory's research and manufacturing capabilities, as well as the domestic demand for machine tools, that led to the Ministry's decision."

In other words, the country needs you to continue improving production efficiency. It's just that the branch factory situation was indeed unexpected. If Comrade Zhiqiang hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have considered merging smaller factories to establish a branch factory.

The previous director's idea was to rebuild a new factory, without ever considering the small factories in the surrounding counties of Beijing.

A few years ago, as the country developed heavy industry, the county also invested in building its own factory.

Although some progress has been made, the factories that have been built have almost no development plans of their own. They rely on the needs of the county or orders from large factories in the city to barely survive and develop.

There are also skilled workers. In the four factories in Changping, there is one level 6 worker, seven level 5 workers, and more than a dozen level 4 workers. The rest are level 2 and 3 workers.

These workers have some technical knowledge, and after undergoing process training, they can complete the assigned production tasks.

The report from the investigators sent down by the ministry indicated that there was significant value in rectifying and merging the factory.

Rather than letting these factories operate haphazardly, it would be better to integrate them into a branch factory of the Second Machine Tool Plant, assisting the Second Machine Tool Plant in completing its production tasks.

If the ministry transfers several hundred more skilled workers, they can play a significant role after a little training.

"The expansion of the main factory is expected to be completed within six months, and this time you will no longer be allowed to train apprentices. The ministry will transfer some workers from other factories so that your factory can immediately enter production once the equipment is in place."

Director Ren paused for a moment before continuing, "This expansion is not just for your factory; all the supporting factories that produce coordinate boring machines have expansion plans."

Deputy Leader Wu then said, "Comrades You Nian and Zhi Qiang, if you have any ideas, you can bring them up for discussion."

Zhou Zhiqiang and Li Younian exchanged a glance, and then Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I have no thoughts, leader, this has already exceeded my expectations."
Once the expansion is complete, I can only do my best to supervise production so as not to disappoint the department's high expectations.

Secretary Li Younian also spoke up: "Yes, leader, I will complete my tasks and work hard to cooperate with Comrade Zhiqiang so that the Second Machine Tool Plant can complete all the tasks assigned by the ministry."

Deputy Leader Wu chuckled, then pointed at Zhou Zhiqiang and said, "Comrade Zhiqiang, don't say such things. Tell me your thoughts. What are your production plans for next year?"
I know you have a lot of ideas in your head, but you just don't want to reveal them.

He now finds Zhou Zhiqiang somewhat complicated. He should be a vibrant young man, and he often displays confidence and vigor; for example, he dares to make a pledge, guaranteeing results within a certain number of days.

But sometimes he acts like a seasoned veteran, speaking with impeccable tact, always talking about organizing and cultivating talent, and always mentioning collective effort.

The contradiction truly embodies a contradictory personality in one person.

"I don't really have any ideas. I just want to continue developing machine tool technology. In the second half of next year, I plan to try developing CNC machine tools, but it's just an idea for now."

After a pause, Zhou Zhiqiang continued to say to the leader, "If successful, it will be a significant boost to our country's industrial development."

However, strong support from the ministry may be needed at that time, and not just the First Ministry of Machine Building, but possibly the Fourth Ministry as well.

"Good lad, you're asking for the support of two ministries right off the bat."

Deputy Leader Wu said with a smile, "If you can come up with a proposal that can convince me, then I'll help you get it approved by the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry."

"Then it's settled, sir. I estimate that the research and development and trial production of the universal grinding machine will be successful in a few days. We should be able to report some good news to the leaders before the end of the year."

Director Ren smiled and said, "Then you can really have a good New Year this year. If you can finish before the New Year, I will personally send you another New Year's gift."

Zhou Zhiqiang quickly agreed: "It's a deal, boss. I'll go to the workshop and keep an eye on things after I get back today."

"Expanding production is also a solution that the leaders came up with after seeing our achievements in heavy industry."

After sighing, Deputy Leader Wu turned to you and said, "I'll just say this to you here, but don't spread it around outside."

Zhou Zhiqiang and Li Younian both nodded, indicating that they would absolutely not disclose this information, before Deputy Leader Wu continued.
"Diplomacy is not easy. We face many blockades in diplomacy, which is very detrimental to development. So we have come up with many ways to break through these barriers, such as providing support, assistance, and foreign trade."

"Mr. Zhou previously noticed that the Russians, with their formidable industrial strength, value our country's machine tools quite a bit, so they considered using the export of machine tool industry to break through diplomatic barriers."
However, this is just a project at the moment, and there are still many things to consider. But expanding production is a must; ideally, we should double production efficiency within two years.

Their industrial base is also newly established and still very weak.

But it depends on who you're comparing it to. If you're comparing it to Russia or the US, then their industrial strength is nowhere near that of Russia.

It can't even compare to other Western countries, or even to a small country like ours.

However, compared to countries in Africa or Southeast Asia, China is considered an industrial powerhouse, given its existing industrial foundation.

Later, the Russians provided assistance with hundreds of engineering projects, and after seven or eight years of development, the defense industry and other heavy industries have achieved considerable progress.

With China's current industrial strength, providing aid to these weaker countries is certainly not a problem.

Foreign powers impose strict blockades on them, so they have to find alternative ways to break through this diplomatic blockade.

Industrial export aid is only one part of it.

"This year, and even next year, the ministry has not fully recovered, so the projects that invest in expanding production can only choose factories that can resuming production safely, and your Second Machine Tool Plant is one of them."

Comrade Zhiqiang, Comrade Younian, you two need to step up your efforts!

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang and Li Younian quickly replied, "Don't worry, leaders, we will definitely develop the factory."

"Alright, that's all for today. Now you can discuss it with Comrade Licheng."

After finishing his speech, Deputy Leader Wu got up to leave.

Next, Zhou Zhiqiang and Li Younian discussed the specifics of the expansion with Director Ren and Deputy Director Liu.

According to the First Ministry of Machine Building's expectations for the Second Machine Tool Plant, by the end of next year, the Second Machine Tool Plant should have 4,500 skilled technicians at its main plant.

The branch factory has 2,500 skilled workers.

Meanwhile, the monthly production of machine tools should reach at least 330 units by the end of next year. There is no specific requirement for output value, because the machine tools produced by the Second Machine Tool Plant are all machine tools needed for key national projects or factories.

It's for internal use, so it's difficult to calculate its actual value.

However, the Second Machine Tool Plant may also participate in the Canton Fair in the autumn next year, because it will complete its first round of planned production by the end of next year. The Ministry of Machine Building cannot guarantee whether there will be more demand for machine tools in the future. If the domestic demand for machine tools decreases, the Ministry will consider having the Second Machine Tool Plant take its machine tools to participate in the Canton Fair.

There is currently no concept of technological blockade against foreign countries in China, because all kinds of exchanges take place, and they have the most exchanges with countries in the same camp.

If heavy industrial products could break through some of the blockade, that would certainly be something the leaders would want to see.

Furthermore, Director Ren revealed that if the Second Machine Tool Plant continues to develop, the ministry will continue to support its expansion and even upgrade its status.

There are probably no more than fifteen factories nationwide that are at the level of a provincial or ministerial-level department. If their Second Machine Tool Plant could be upgraded, it would truly become one of the nation's key factories.

Only factories with exceptionally large influence and of great importance to the development of domestic industry can reach this level.

Moreover, the separation between government and business is currently blurred. If Secretary Li Younian is promoted and transferred to another city, he will definitely become the mayor.

After Director Ren asked Zhou Zhiqiang if he had any other needs, Zhou Zhiqiang said he didn't want anything else, only talent.

We should prioritize hiring technical personnel, preferably university graduates, and give them more opportunities to work in the factory. It would be even better if we could bring in some who have worked in research institutes.

But as soon as Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Director Ren couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. He then asked Zhou Zhiqiang if he should become a researcher instead.

It would be easier to get him to the Second Machine Tool Plant than to get him from the research institute; that place is basically one where you can only get in and not out, it's hard to get in and even harder to get out.

Finally, Zhou Zhiqiang compromised and asked for a deputy factory director in charge of production management, preferably someone who could help him share some of the workload.

If Zhou Zhiqiang's involvement in production management could be reduced, his progress in developing CNC machine tools might be faster.

However, after hearing the request, Director Ren clicked his tongue and did not immediately agree, only saying that he would try his best to coordinate.

One college student is harder to train than ten skilled workers, and many college students from Beijing are transferred out of the city every year.

They couldn't possibly transfer college students from other places, and now the higher-ups were requiring those with knowledge to help impoverished areas as much as possible, so Director Ren didn't dare to make any guarantees about this matter.

The decision can only be left to Deputy Leader Wu.

------

On the way back, Secretary Li Younian couldn't help but sigh to Zhou Zhiqiang: "Comrade Zhiqiang, it seems that you will have a lot of responsibilities on your shoulders next year."

No, it should be said that our entire factory's records committee has to work hard too!

The thought of suddenly having to add so many employees made him, the secretary in charge of organization, discipline and ideological work, secretly groan inwardly, knowing his workload would inevitably increase significantly.

Next year, the main factory is expected to have more than 4,000 employees, and the branch factory will add more than 2,000 employees. Together, the total number of employees is about to exceed 7,000.

Secretary Li couldn't help but exclaim, "How long has this public-private partnership been in place? Our factory already has over seven thousand employees."

With this scale, it would definitely rank among the top factories nationwide.

"The pressure is indeed considerable."

Zhou Zhiqiang truthfully said, "Hearing the targets for next year and the year after, I felt a little apprehensive, but there was nothing I could do."
To be honest, I'd much rather stay in a technical role doing research and development.

Of course, Zhou Zhiqiang was also aware that his current position as deputy factory director actually provided him with great convenience in carrying out his technical research and development work.

Without this position, we would have to submit reports and applications at every level to do any project. How could the factory's technical strength and equipment resources be mobilized so quickly with just a command?
"Once the new deputy factory director arrives, you'll be able to lighten your load a bit and relax a bit."

Secretary Li comforted him, but then thought to himself that things wouldn't be settled so quickly. Zhou Zhiqiang would have to persevere for at least another six months before the new helper arrived.

Zhou Zhiqiang is currently the deputy factory director, responsible for production management. The newly appointed deputy factory director will also be in charge of production.

If two people are at the same level and disagree, whose opinion should be followed?

We can't very well ask our superiors to make another special trip to the factory to reiterate that we should take Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang's opinion as the primary one, can we?
That would be neither in accordance with organizational procedures nor serious enough, and would seem like a form of pedantry.

Although Li Younian wasn't particularly skilled in specific production management, he was very knowledgeable about organizational principles and the rules for cadre arrangements.

Back at the factory, Li Younian and Zhou Zhiqiang immediately began discussing the matter at the entrance.

Both felt that there was no need to announce the merger of the branch factories, the surge in personnel, and the selection of the new deputy factory director to the entire factory in advance, so as not to cause unnecessary speculation and unrest, which would make the whole factory feel uneasy and affect the stability before the end of the year.

The timing will be perfect to announce this news at a factory-wide cadre meeting after the New Year.

The announcement at that time was like a shot in the arm, which boosted the morale of all the factory workers and encouraged everyone to work hard in the new year.

Zhou Zhiqiang fully agreed with the arrangement. After the matter was finalized, the two returned to their respective posts to continue handling their daily work.

Before the Lunar New Year, the regular production tasks were basically completed successfully, even exceeding the planned targets at the beginning of the year by a considerable margin, which can be considered as submitting an excellent report card ahead of schedule.

This is thanks to the factory's extremely thoughtful consideration of all aspects, including logistical support and cultural and recreational activities, which almost completely eliminates the workers' worries, allowing them to devote themselves to production without distraction.

However, when it came time to select outstanding individuals and model workers at the end of the year, the leaders of various workshops and departments were faced with a dilemma.

There are so many outstanding workers; the reported data shows that everyone's performance is in the top tier.

The skill levels were also similar, and all the candidates were senior skilled workers, making it really difficult to choose.

After the matter was reported to Zhou Zhiqiang, he quickly came up with an idea.

The factory can establish its own "Collective Model Worker" award.

The original limited number of participants was expanded to thirty, and the factory allocated additional funds to purchase prizes, awarding each of the thirty selected collective model workers a thermos.

This thermos was a real item back then. For an ordinary working-class family, it was more or less a decent piece of household property. It wasn't cheap, but it was very practical.

Zhou Zhiqiang is never stingy with his workers, and this year's rewards are double those of last year.

Even if food and pork supplies are insufficient, the factory will still purchase many practical industrial products and distribute them to the workers.

In the last few days before the end of the year holiday and the paychecks, the only thing Zhou Zhiqiang personally took charge of was the trial production of the universal grinding machine.

After completing this year's production tasks, Zhou Zhiqiang immediately transferred a group of skilled workers from various workshops to devote all his efforts to the final assembly and debugging of the universal grinding machine.

Zhou Zhiqiang also frequently went to the workshop to keep an eye on things, otherwise, if anything went wrong, his promise made before the new year would be ruined.

Just three days before the Chinese New Year holiday, Ding Zhixue from the technical department knocked on Zhou Zhiqiang's office door with an excited expression and said, "Factory Director! Our universal grinding machine has been manufactured."

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(End of this chapter)