The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 211 Who will take over after Zhou Zhiqiang leaves?

"What's the matter that's so urgent that you two came to see me together?"

Sheng Jianhui put down his pen and looked up at Wu Jianhong and Ren Licheng, who had walked into the office together.

Deputy Leader Wu gently placed the document he had brought back from the Second Machine Tool Plant on Sheng Jianhui's desk, along with several samples of precision-machined parts.

"Comrade Jianhui, take a look at this first. We just brought it back from the Second Machine Tool Plant."

Leader Sheng picked up the top document, which recorded the processing efficiency and production data of CNC machine tools, and began to carefully review it.

As the understanding deepened, amazement gradually appeared on Leader Sheng's face, especially when he saw the cone-shaped components required for special military production tasks.

The production efficiency and 100% pass rate made Sheng Jianhui tap his fingers on the report.

"Good, good! Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang is indeed excellent. The increase in production efficiency is amazing... forty times! It's quite a surprise!"

What's the current situation? How many of these machine tools can their factory reliably produce per month?

"The biggest bottleneck now is not in assembly, but in the supply of core components."

Wu Jianhong explained: "As mentioned in the report, the key lies in the CNC system, which is the semiconductor components and integrated circuits produced by Factory 190."

Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang solved the design and manufacturing problems, but expanding production capacity requires time and resources.

Ren Licheng chimed in at the opportune moment: "Yes, leader, we went to check it out on-site. As long as Comrade Zhiqiang's side is given enough machine tool production tasks, they can get organized."

But Factory 190 is under a lot of pressure. They not only have to supply our CNC systems, but the Computer Research Institute of the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building is also pressing us hard, which is related to providing services for major projects in the Northwest.”

Upon hearing this, Leader Sheng's expression immediately turned serious. The code name for the Northwest project didn't need to be revealed, but all three people present knew it perfectly well.

After all, many of the mechanical equipment were supplied by the Ministry of Machinery Industry, and there were also senior technicians who coordinated them.

Computers are a key focus directly managed by the central government, and are related to major national defense projects. Ensuring that the supporting supplies from Factory 190 are not delayed in the slightest is indeed a problem.

After pondering for a moment, Leader Sheng asked again, "What is the current monthly production capacity of semiconductor components at Factory 190?"

What percentage does the CNC system account for? Could we allocate a larger share to the Second Machine Tool Plant while ensuring the success of the computer project?

"That can't be confirmed. I'm afraid you'll have to take the people from the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry to the China Ocean Academy and let the leaders make a decision."

Wu Jianhong shook his head helplessly: "However, Comrade Zhiqiang has been in Factory 190 for quite a while, and he has made a rough estimate."

"Factory 190's existing core production capacity, after meeting the needs of the computer project, can reliably allocate enough each month to manufacture approximately fifteen to twenty new CNC machine tools."

"This means that the Second Machine Tool Plant, together with the First Machine Tool Plant, can only produce a maximum of twenty CNC machine tools per month, and that will have to wait until they free up some of their production capacity. Right now, both plants have quotas to meet."

Even so, this is still far from our internal expectations, so Comrade Licheng has an idea to share with you. However, let Comrade Licheng explain the specifics.”

After Deputy Leader Wu finished speaking, Leader Sheng turned his gaze to Ren Licheng and said, "Comrade Licheng, tell me your thoughts."

"My idea is to increase investment in the Second Machine Tool Plant, adding 1.5 percent of the ministry's fiscal budget to the existing planned investment."

After a pause, Director Ren continued to say to the two leaders, "This money will mainly be used for recruiting more workers, expanding supporting factories, and investing in machinery and equipment."

Although the investment won't show immediate results, once the second machine tool plant is fully operational next year and the investment in expansion is converted into production capacity, we'll need more CNC machine tools.

"First, we'll have the Second Machine Tool Plant recruit 1,500 more people for short-term training. If the training continues until next year, they should be able to produce CNC machine tool parts and assemble machine tools."

"Secondly, we need to make a special procurement of a batch of key equipment. If this key equipment is a blockade product, then we need to consider the deputy leader's method: using CNC machine tools to break the blockade?"

Upon hearing this, Leader Sheng nodded and then shook his head, indicating that there was some hope, but the specifics would require negotiations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, much of the machinery they needed was Soviet-made, but relations between them and the Soviet Union were currently so tense.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that they went from being 'brothers' to 'enemies' in a single moment. Could the Russian bear really agree to exchange mechanical equipment just by relying on CNC machine tools?
Leader Sheng felt the chances were slim, but he also had faith in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' capabilities, so he couldn't guarantee the outcome.

"The third is to jointly invest with the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry to support the semiconductor manufacturing process equipment needed for the targeted increase in production at Factory 190."

Even if they only increase their production efficiency by one-fifth, the output of CNC machine tools would increase significantly.

After Director Ren finished speaking, he stopped and said nothing more. He had said everything he wanted to say. These were the points he had thought of on his way back. They could still be revised, but he felt that the general direction should be towards this.

The production efficiency of CNC machine tools is far superior to that of manual labor, so they will definitely increase production.

Since their production schedule is already full this year, they should start preparing for next year early.

After Ren Licheng finished speaking, the office fell silent.

"Increase by 1.5%"

Sheng Jianhui repeated the number to himself, his brows furrowing slightly.

As the head of the ministry, he understood better than anyone what this figure meant in a ministry where the national budget was tight and every department was facing severe financial constraints.

That was a huge investment of thirty to forty million yuan.

"Comrade Licheng, the investment you mentioned is quite substantial. It's equivalent to taking away a large portion of our department's reserve funds."

After pausing for a moment, Leader Sheng looked at Ren Licheng and continued, "Moreover, the Second Machine Tool Plant has been expanding continuously in the past two years, and has already consumed a lot of resources from the ministry. Although its performance is outstanding and dazzling, it has also become the focus of attention."

Would significantly increasing investment at this point attract unnecessary criticism? We must be clearly aware of the saying, "The bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow."

He was referring to a meeting held at the ministry before the Lunar New Year, where there were some subtle criticisms of Zhou Zhiqiang, such as "centralized power within the factory."

However, he pulled her onto his back at that time, which was considered a way of letting it go.

"However, you are right. The production of CNC machine tools must be prepared in advance. In principle, I agree to invest wholeheartedly in the Second Machine Tool Plant, but the principle is not with me now, but with China Ocean Research Institute."

Leader Sheng continued, "This matter needs to be reported, especially since it involves two ministries. Factory 190 will not accept our opinions without orders from the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building."

"Comrade Licheng, go back and prepare a detailed report. Ask the Planning Department to cooperate with you. List everything in detail, from investment to the three-step plan, and the specific breakdowns."

"No, tomorrow, how about the day after tomorrow? I'll give you three days. Show it to me the day after tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Director Ren immediately agreed, saying, "I understand, sir. I will definitely give it to you the day after tomorrow."

After Director Ren left, Deputy Leader Wu and Leader Sheng exchanged a few words before heading back to work.

However, before leaving, Deputy Leader Wu suddenly remembered something and said, "By the way, Comrade Zhiqiang is about to go to the heavy machine tool project."

"If he leaves, and the investment expansion of the Second Machine Tool Plant is approved, who will take charge?"

"What about the rest?"

Leader Sheng asked, "I remember a deputy factory director was transferred over there, wasn't he?"

Deputy Leader Wu said, "Comrade Liu Wenzhou is indeed very good at production management, but he has no experience in leading factory expansion and technical training reforms."

Besides, the expansion is definitely for the future production of CNC machine tools, and who in the second machine tool factory knows more about CNC machine tools than Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang…

(End of this chapter)