The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 231 Unhealthy Practices in the Factory

"Oh, about the CNC machining plant?"

Deputy Leader Wu quickly remembered what had happened before, nodded, and said, "Comrade Zhiqiang, are you still thinking about this matter?"

"This concerns the development of the Second Machine Tool Plant, so we have to keep it in mind, leader."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he took out the plan report he had compiled and handed it to Deputy Leader Wu, saying, "These are some of my opinions and ideas, please take a look, leader."

After Zhou Zhiqiang handed over the plan report, Shen Changlin and Lin Tian, ​​who were standing nearby, felt that this matter had nothing to do with them, so they said, "Boss, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."

"Boss, me too. I haven't been back for over a year, and I still have some work to take care of."

After the two finished speaking, Deputy Leader Wu said something like, "Come find me if you need anything," and then watched them leave.

After Shen Changlin and Lin Tian left, the people remaining in the office were all related to the business of the Second Machine Tool Factory.

"Comrade Zhiqiang, there's a bit of resistance to this matter. The ministry certainly has no objection to the investment. Your Second Machine Tool Plant's performance is getting better year by year. This year's output value is over 220 million, and it will definitely be even higher next year."
The ministry's investment for next year was originally allocated to your Second Machine Tool Plant; but if you want to use it to invest in CNC machine tools, then Comrade Jianhui and I will have to speak to the deputy leader about it.”

Deputy Leader Wu said with a hint of helplessness, "Currently, semiconductor-related electronic components and equipment are prioritized for supply to the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry. No, it should be said that they are only supplied to the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry."

Other research institutes or universities would have to apply to the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry if they wanted to.

Just as heavy machinery factories were all under the jurisdiction of the First Ministry of Machine Building, the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building was specifically responsible for the electronics industry.

They want to establish a CNC branch factory, which means they are threatening the authority of the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building. Once they make that request, a fight is inevitable.

"However, there is some truth to your considerations."

After reviewing Zhou Zhiqiang's plan for the CNC branch factory, Deputy Leader Wu quickly developed some approval for it.

According to Zhou Zhiqiang's plan, within the next three years, that is, before 2016, they will develop and manufacture three to four different types of CNC machine tools.

Furthermore, breakthroughs must be made in precision and processing complexity to elevate the technology of CNC machine tools to a new level, and a significant step must be taken towards semi-automated production.

As for semi-automated production, Zhou Zhiqiang also gave a detailed explanation in his plan report.

In short, Zhou Zhiqiang's goal three years from now is to more than double the production efficiency of the Second Machine Tool Plant.

The CNC machine tools produced each year are prioritized to replace the factory's old and outdated machine tools, thereby increasing production efficiency.

If another CNC branch factory is added, the number of employees in the second machine tool factory will definitely exceed 10,000, or even reach around 12,000.

However, this number is already enough, and it is unlikely that it will be increased in the future; if the production target is to be raised, then Zhou Zhiqiang will try to find a breakthrough in production technology.

From semi-automated production to fully automated production lines, breakthroughs in technology and processes have led to increased production efficiency.

However, to achieve this, firstly, there needed to be a CNC branch factory belonging to the Second Machine Tool Plant, which was actually the 'Factory 190' under the Second Machine Tool Plant.

When Zhou Zhiqiang was busy with projects at Factory 190, he got to know many technical experts. Many of them had a common characteristic: they were either rich peasants or had overseas backgrounds.

If things turn sour in a few years, Zhou Zhiqiang can bring them to the CNC branch factory. This way, the CNC branch factory can be put into operation, and some people can be protected.

"Comrade Zhiqiang, when you go back, prepare a detailed plan, listing everything from construction planning to development direction."

After thinking for a while, Deputy Leader Wu still felt it would be better to let the Second Machine Tool Plant invest in and build its own CNC branch.

Within three to four years, Zhou Zhiqiang dared to say that he could double the production efficiency of the Second Machine Tool Plant, and wouldn't the output value also double?

The current annual output value is already 220 million RMB. Won't it be over 400 million RMB in three years?!
To put it simply, there isn't a single factory in China that can guarantee its annual output value will maintain a growth rate of over 15%.

Even when the government formulates economic development plans, it doesn't dare to set such high targets. In the past few years, such high targets were indeed set, but the consequences have been seen.

But Zhou Zhiqiang dared to use his technology to gain access to foreign markets, and the success of his first CNC machine tool has proven the feasibility of his idea.

All they need to do next is maintain their technological lead in CNC machine tools, and doubling their output value will be easy.

Xiao Rizi's CNC machine tools initially had a market share of only about five percent in the international machine tool market, but a few years later it grew to more than twenty percent.

The machine tool's performance is not much different from Amer's machine tools, but the price is much lower, so it can snatch a large piece of meat from Amer's bowl.

Amei's CNC machine tools were indeed ridiculously expensive, with the cheaper ones costing forty to fifty thousand US dollars and the more expensive ones approaching one hundred thousand US dollars each, roughly equivalent to twenty luxury sports cars today.

However, these CNC machine tools are used in advanced defense factories such as aerospace, and ordinary factories would not buy such high-performance CNC machine tools.

"Okay, boss. You'll see a detailed, rigorously reviewed proposal report by next week."

After a pause, Zhou Zhiqiang continued with a smile, "I've even thought of a location for the branch factory. It's an open space about six kilometers southeast of our factory, near the ruins of the city wall."

"It's good to have the CNC branch factory there; it's not far from the main factory, which makes management and transportation convenient, and it's no different from the main factory's workshop."

Director Ren suddenly asked, "Comrade Zhiqiang, if we invest in establishing a CNC branch factory, who will be the leader of the branch factory?"

"It seems like the factory manager doesn't have anyone else suitable besides me."

Zhou Zhiqiang stated bluntly, "I'm not recommending myself. I need to provide comprehensive guidance and planning for the CNC branch's technology and processes. I don't trust anyone else to do this except for myself."

When it comes to semiconductor technology, besides myself, only the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry can find suitable people, but they probably won't send anyone to help.

“You can’t be the factory director. No one in China can hold two factory director positions at the same time. You can’t give up the Second Machine Tool Plant.”

After Director Ren finished speaking, he turned to Deputy Leader Wu and said, "Leader, it seems that Comrade Zhiqiang can only serve as the branch factory's party official in his capacity as factory director."

Deputy Leader Wu nodded at first, then suddenly realized something, pointed at Director Ren and said, "You guys are talking as if this matter is definitely going to happen."

I don't know what the deputy leader is thinking. I can only promise to try my best to persuade Comrade Jianhui, and then the two of us will go together to persuade the deputy leader.

Building a branch factory is nothing, but if the branch factory is built by taking things from the authority of the Fourth Ministry of Machine Building, then we need to have a good talk with them.

"Then I'll submit my plan report next week and wait for your good news, boss."

Zhou Zhiqiang chuckled and said that apart from this matter, the factory had nothing else to say.

There were no changes to the production schedule. He would go back later and walk around the factory to resolve all the minor issues and problems.

Then we can start preparing for the research and development and manufacturing of new CNC machine tools, as well as the reporting of plans for the CNC branch plant.

After chatting with several leaders for a while, it was almost noon, and Zhou Zhiqiang got up to say goodbye and leave.

Before leaving, Zhou Zhiqiang remembered something and turned to Deputy Leader Wu, saying, "Leader, don't bother sending cigarettes and tea anymore. That's enough. Sending any more would be too much."

After saying that, Zhou Zhiqiang closed the door and left.

After hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Director Ren turned to Deputy Leader Wu with some emotion and said, "Leader, Comrade Zhiqiang really takes good care of you. He just said he didn't want your special supplies."

"Don't listen to this kid's nonsense. Licheng, Nianjun, you two do the math yourselves. How many months have I been sending him?" Deputy Leader Wu quickly realized what was going on and gestured with both hands, saying, "Fifteen months have already been spent. I shouldn't have been sending him any more."

He fooled you all with just one sentence!

Ren Licheng and Liu Nianjun thought about it again and realized that this was indeed the case; more than fifteen months had passed since the CNC machine tool was developed.

Zhou Zhiqiang has been in Liaoyang for almost fourteen months.

Ren Licheng laughed and said, "I really didn't notice that. But Comrade Zhiqiang's mouth is quite good at persuading people. Boss, if you and Boss Sheng are rejected by the deputy leader, why not send Comrade Zhiqiang to give it a try? Maybe he can do it."

--------

After returning to the factory.

Zhou Zhiqiang arrived just in time for lunch, so he grabbed his lunchbox and headed to the cafeteria.

Many people on the street were pleasantly surprised to see Zhou Zhiqiang.

Since Zhou Zhiqiang suddenly went on a business trip and disappeared from the factory, they haven't seen this factory director for a long time.

So when everyone saw Zhou Zhiqiang, they greeted him happily, "Director Zhou, you're back?"

"Yes, I just got back yesterday."

"Factory manager, you're back? Will you be working at the factory from now on?"

"right"

"Factory manager, are there any incentive programs for our factory this year? Your suggestion last year was really helpful."

"Let's think about it at the end of the year. It's not even Mid-Autumn Festival yet, what's the rush? Can you compare to those veteran workers and get a model worker award?"

Everyone who met Zhou Zhiqiang could exchange a few words with him, and Zhou Zhiqiang would casually reply.

Putting aside his position as factory director, he was also a worker in the factory, and he usually had a good relationship with the workers, often offering them cigarettes and chatting with them.

When they arrived at the cafeteria, a long line had already formed, and Zhou Zhiqiang joined the line.

However, the factory canteen should have been expanded. A canteen was added when we increased staff a few times, and now the queues are getting longer and longer.

Zhou Zhiqiang arrived very early, but he lined up right outside the cafeteria. He was probably the last one to get his food and eat before it was time to start work in the afternoon.

Having another canteen would at least alleviate the pressure on the other canteens, allowing workers more time to rest at noon.

"Hey!"

While Zhou Zhiqiang was in line, he suddenly saw someone cutting in line with a lunchbox, so he shouted to stop them, "Go line up! What are you doing? Everyone else is in line, why are you in such a hurry?"

After hearing the shout, the person who cut in line turned around and glanced at Zhou Zhiqiang, then pointed at him.

That seemed to be a warning to him, telling Zhou Zhiqiang to mind his own business!
"Heh, save me a seat."

Zhou Zhiqiang asked the workers behind him to watch his spot, then walked over to the person who had cut in line, pulled him aside, and asked, "Which department in the factory's transportation team are you from? Are you on a mission today?"

"you"

"Factory manager? You're back?"

Just as the person who cut in line was about to say something, a worker behind him in line saw Zhou Zhiqiang and said something with some joy.

'Factory manager!?'

Upon hearing this, the driver who had cut in line was startled and immediately realized he had made a mistake. The person he had just pointed at was the factory manager.
"I'm asking you, are you on a mission today?"

"No, no tasks, factory manager, no tasks today."

Zhou Zhiqiang interrupted him, saying, "If you drivers have a mission, then you can go first when it's time to get food. The other comrades are definitely aware of that."

But what were you thinking, cutting in line for food today when you weren't on duty? Everyone else was queuing, why weren't you? Or is this just a habit you've developed from cutting in line before?

The driver who cut in line quickly shook his head and explained, "Factory manager, no, I... I didn't do that before."

However, before the driver who cut in line could finish explaining, a worker in the queue nearby interrupted, "Factory manager, he used to cut in line all the time."

"Yes, this isn't the first or second time. It's also the transport team. Even when they don't have any tasks, they'll cut in line for food, just to be the first to eat."

The driver who cut in line felt increasingly uneasy as he listened to the conversations around him, but under Zhou Zhiqiang's stern gaze, he dared not shout at the people around him.

"You, go to the back of the line now and don't disrupt the lunch order."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he returned to the group without mentioning the man's previous act of cutting in line.

However, the driver who cut in line knew that this matter was not over yet, since he had just pointed at the factory manager, almost shouting at him to mind his own business.

After being kicked out of the food queue by Zhou Zhiqiang, the driver who cut in line did not rejoin the queue but went to find the transport team leader.

After dealing with this matter, Zhou Zhiqiang returned to the team to continue getting his meals.

After getting my food, I found an empty table in the cafeteria, sat down, and started eating.

"Brother Zhiqiang."

"Zhiqiang".

Before Zhou Zhiqiang could even take a few bites, two people appeared beside him.

Zhou Zhiqiang looked up and saw Zhao Tiandong and Wu Xiaojun. He greeted them and said, "Sit down and eat with us. Was the cured meat I brought you yesterday alright?"

After sitting down, Zhao Tiandong said with a smile, "I cut a small piece yesterday, and my son ate it with great relish."

"Brother Zhiqiang, you're not going on any more business trips this time you're back?"

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "I'm not going out for now. The next task is to reform the factory. But I haven't been back for a year, and I feel that there haven't been any major changes in the factory, but there are a lot of small things going on."

It seems like quite a few people have come to the factory this year? What's it like working here?

"I feel that way. It really does seem so, Brother Zhiqiang. There are more and more people in our workshop who are ranked by seniority. Does this count?"

After Zhao Tiandong finished speaking, Wu Xiaojun chimed in, "Some people are so annoying. Tiandong and I were qualified to be nominated for model worker last year, but some people tried to undermine us, so in the end, Tiandong and I both said we wouldn't participate in the selection."

(End of this chapter)