The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 240 Good News
"Director Wang."

After Director Wang got out of the car, Zhou Zhiqiang greeted him, "What a coincidence, we got out one after the other."

"After receiving your call, Director Zhou, I immediately had the driver come over. Fortunately, the journey was smooth."

Factory Director Wang wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead, then followed Zhou Zhiqiang into the ministry building, asking as he went.

"Director Zhou, what's the situation at the Canton Fair? Did your Second Machine Tool Plant achieve good results again?"

If it weren't for this incident, Director Wang would never have guessed why Zhou Zhiqiang had called him.

"Yes, the achievements of CNC machine tools at this year's Canton Fair are truly dazzling, but the corresponding production is also a problem."

As Zhou Zhiqiang walked, he said, "That's why I asked Director Wang to come to the ministry with me so we can discuss this with the leaders."

"Such a dazzling achievement? Director Zhou, can you tell me how much it is?"

Hearing this, Director Wang felt like he was being tickled; he was eager to pry open Zhou Zhiqiang's mouth and get the answer.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang smiled and said, "We secured a total of 4,100 foreign trade orders at the Autumn Canton Fair."

"Four thousand one hundred units!?"

Factory Director Wang was taken aback upon hearing this, and even doubted whether he had misheard, asking, "Factory Director Zhou, four thousand one hundred CNC machine tools? All of them are CNC machine tools?"

"Yes, other machine tools are not exported at all. Although some countries do want to buy them, the production of high-precision coordinate boring machines and universal grinding machines has been reduced, and they are only supplied to domestic needs."

Zhou Zhiqiang, also with a broad smile, said, "So this time, all the export orders are for CNC machine tools, since the profit margin for CNC machine tools is higher."

Coordinate boring machines and universal grinding machines are not being produced, but all of them are supplied to relevant domestic departments, and production will be gradually reduced in the future.

Production will continue only if there is demand; otherwise, production will switch to other products.

The two chatted as they walked upstairs and soon arrived at Director Ren's office.

After knocking, Zhou Zhiqiang pushed the door open and came in. As soon as he entered, he saw the tea that Director Hei Ren had just brewed.

"Zhiqiang, and Comrade Zhijun, I just finished making tea and you've already arrived."

Director Ren had even prepared chairs for the two of them. After inviting them to sit down, he said, "It's because of the foreign trade orders from the Autumn Canton Fair, right? You really did a great job this year. Our First Ministry of Machine Building has truly made a name for itself in front of the whole country."

Industrial development has led to orders from other countries, and the intangible impact is truly extensive. Deputy Leader Wu was called to a meeting this afternoon.

China's domestic image has been gradually changed by these brilliant industrial developments, which have gradually altered the world's perception of China.

With this change, foreign exchange has become secondary in comparison.

Because there are only so many things that can be bought with foreign exchange, and now there is a Coordinating Committee that has imposed the strictest blockade on them, foreign exchange can only buy food, supplies and some raw materials.

The technology production lines they need most are almost impossible to buy.

Otherwise, we would have imported some chemical production lines long ago. In the past few years, when China was developing agricultural mechanization, how could we not know how much the chemical industry helps agriculture?

Zhou Zhiqiang casually asked, "Isn't Leader Sheng here?"

"Leader Sheng went to inspect the industrial zone in the south; he's not in Beijing."

After Director Ren finished answering, he continued, "Are you having any trouble, Comrade Zhiqiang? From your tone at the time, you didn't seem particularly happy."

Now I have some good news, but I don't know whether I should tell you or not.

"Of course I'm happy, after all, such good results will significantly boost our factory's finances next year. Director Ren, what good news is there?"

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he waved his hand and continued, "Tell me the good news later, Director Ren. I've made a prediction, and our factory's CNC machine tool production will be at its peak next year, reaching over three thousand units."

Although there are still a few months left in the year, the production capacity of all workshops in our factory has reached its limit, and we can only produce a maximum of 2,700 units.

"We'll try to improve next year, but a little over three thousand units is the limit."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, Director Ren's expression also became serious, and then he looked at Director Wang of the First Machine Tool Plant.

Factory Director Wang was taken aback by Director Ren's gaze, then quickly did some mental calculations, and gestured with his hand, saying, "Director Ren, let's try our best to increase production to around 700 units next year."

"How come it's so little? Your First Machine Tool Plant was only one year later than the Second Machine Tool Plant, and the investment was only six million less. How come it's not even a third of the Second Machine Tool Plant's investment?"

Director Ren immediately said, "When you get back, think of a way to ensure that the production quality is good, but the production capacity must be increased."

"The First Machine Tool Plant will come up with another plan. After Vice Leader Wu returns, I will discuss with the leadership the matter of investing in a precision workshop for your plant."

Factory Director Wang quickly said, "Factory Director, even if we invest in a precision workshop, it will be difficult to increase production."
"If you could get Factory 117 to supply more integrated circuit components to our factory, that would be fine."

Zhou Zhiqiang added, "Director Ren, that's pretty much what we mean too. However, we'll have a CNC branch factory next year, so we won't need any extras. Let's keep the allocation scale from last year."

He had foresight and had long anticipated that the Second Machine Tool Plant would reach its production capacity limit in the next two years. It was also agreed in advance that any excess of three thousand units would be allocated to the First Machine Tool Plant.

“We can’t let a good thing turn into a bad thing, otherwise the Ministry of Foreign Trade and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would block our door,” Director Ren said thoughtfully. “I’ll ask the leaders to let you two attend the Ministry’s investment planning meeting this year.”

Are we a good match?

Zhou Zhiqiang was taken aback upon hearing this, then quickly said, "Forget it, Director Ren, don't let the athletes sit on the referee's bench. I'll wait for your good news."

If other factories or departments knew that the factory manager of the invested factory had attended an investment meeting, they would definitely feel resentful.

And there's no need for that. They'll definitely have something to eat anyway. Just wait patiently for news.

"Yes, Director Ren, I won't get involved. Besides, our First Machine Tool Plant is just helping the Second Machine Tool Plant with production."

Factory Director Wang?
Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang glanced sideways at Director Wang. This old fellow wanted to back down as soon as he heard about trouble, and he even pushed him to the front.

Factory Director Wang noticed Zhou Zhiqiang's gaze and quickly made an apologetic gesture.

"Three thousand units and seven hundred units. That's still a long way off, and the delivery might be as early as November next year, so the timeframe is still short."

Director Ren frowned, thinking that he had initially thought Zhou Zhiqiang and Wang Zhijun had come to ask for benefits, but before they could even ask for any benefits, they had already brought bad news.

"Zhiqiang, the ministry will allocate more recruitment slots to you."

"Director Ren, the new apprentices are useless. How about this: you suggest that Vice Leader Wu discuss with the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry about transferring one hundred semiconductor component production technicians to our CNC branch."

After a pause, Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "We will transfer another two hundred intermediate-level workers from Liaoyang and Jinmen Machine Tool Factory. This way, I can guarantee that production will increase by about five to seven percent."

"Moreover, Director Ren, to be honest, I've been thinking of giving the workers a break for a while. Not that I'm giving them a break to rest, but that I'm letting them return to their normal working hours."

Zhou Zhiqiang couldn't help but sigh and said, "They've been working overtime like this for several years now. If they didn't get a day off every week, I'm really afraid the workers would break out from exhaustion one day."

If it weren't for the fact that they could rest one day a week, Zhou Zhiqiang wouldn't dare to make the workers work so hard, with their weekly work hours approaching ninety hours.

Zhou Zhiqiang now provides the workers with something good every year, either by paying them extra wages, giving them industrial product bonuses, or by using a portion of the factory's surplus funds to build dormitories for them.

Otherwise, all their hard work and struggle would only earn them a fixed wage, making the factory the exploitative entity.

Zhou Zhiqiang is now planning to implement the policy that the factory is the workers' home. This year, he will not only build dormitory buildings, but also allocate houses for them.

Within twenty years, we will strive to provide an apartment for every employee in the factory.

"Hang in there a little longer. These past few years have been crucial for development. Other factories in our department can take a break, but your factory absolutely cannot."

Director Ren offered words of comfort: "I will try my best to persuade Deputy Leader Wu and Leader Sheng to give your factory more disposable funds next year. When your factory provides welfare to the workers in the future, it will be with the support of the Ministry."

The Second Machine Tool Plant is now extremely important to the Ministry of Machine Building, not only as a major contributor to foreign exchange earnings, but also as a crucial force in driving the development of the machine tool industry.

Machine tools are the mother machines of industry. If machine tools cannot be developed, then many fields will not be able to develop and become widespread.

"Just your words, Director Ren, are enough. The factory has a considerable surplus this year, and I was just thinking of giving the workers some benefits."

Zhou Zhiqiang immediately changed the subject, saying, "But Director Ren, about the foreign trade orders..."

"Director Wang."

Upon hearing this, Director Ren looked at Factory Director Wang with a serious expression and said to him, "The Ministry will discuss how to resolve the issues at your First Machine Tool Factory, but you also need to give me a written pledge."

Next year, we must complete the task of 1,100 units.

"Director Ren, these are 1,100 units."

"If you really can't meet the target, the ministry can consider reducing the number of units by one hundred, but one thousand is the bottom line, and you must exceed that number."

Seeing that Director Wang still wanted to say something, Director Ren quickly waved his hand and said, "If you can't even do this much, then just send me a report saying that you, Wang Zhijun, failed to complete the task."

"Director Ren, are you trying to provoke me?"

Factory Director Wang was put on the spot by these words, and then gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, the First Machine Tool Factory will take on the task of one thousand units, but our factory will ask the Ministry for help. Director Ren, you must agree."

Director Ren immediately said, "Go back and submit a plan to me. Tell me what you need, and I'll take it to discuss with the leaders."

Factory Director Wang nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll head back now."

"Go back and discuss this thoroughly with the other cadres to come up with a reliable plan; this is a tough battle, and we must win it."

After Director Ren finished speaking, he got up and saw Director Wang off.

But when she turned around, she saw that Zhou Zhiqiang was also preparing to leave, so she stopped him and said, "Zhiqiang, where are you going? We haven't finished talking yet. Besides, I just said I had some good news to tell you. Aren't you going to listen?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang asked, "What good news?"

(End of this chapter)