The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 241 Administrative Upgrade
"Director Ren, you're not going to give me a reward, are you?"

Upon hearing Zhou Zhiqiang's words, Director Ren immediately smiled and asked, "What else do you need? Just ask for it directly. Would the ministry treat you unfairly?"

"Well, it's not that I'm lacking anything. Didn't you say you had good news? I can't guess what the good news is."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Just tell me directly."

"Okay, I won't hide it from you anymore. Deputy Leader Wu inquired with the China Ocean Institute about the administrative upgrade of the Second Machine Tool Plant."

After careful consideration, the China Ocean Design Institute (CODI) is very inclined to agree, but has not yet given a concrete answer, only saying that they will discuss it further.

Director Ren paused for a moment before continuing, "However, the achievements of your machine tool factory at this year's Canton Fair are a plus."

I've already received copies of the detailed export order list. The quantity of machine tools purchased from Southeast Asia isn't a major issue; the largest buyers are our brother countries in Europe and West Asia.

"Your machine tool factory is part of the brand that our country projects to the world, and the ministry is planning to rename your machine tool factory."

This news really surprised Zhou Zhiqiang. The administrative upgrade meant that the overall level of the Second Machine Tool Plant would be raised by one level.
There aren't many factories in China at the provincial level or above; at most, there are only about six or seven.

Having just gone through those three years of investment contraction, many factories were not up to standard in any aspect.

The requirements for factories at the provincial-level are very high. Not only are the factory director and party officials at the provincial-level, but their production plans are also directly incorporated into the national directive planning system.

Generally, a high-level authority is one that controls the energy resources of a province or the resource extraction of several surrounding areas, or supplies materials and energy to many places.

Because the state needs to directly command personnel and production, a lower level won't work; otherwise, everything will depend on the province.

The Second Machine Tool Plant is now at the deputy provincial level. Except for production planning, which is directly under the ministry, other matters such as personnel recruitment must be coordinated with the city government.

In the past, Dafeng Factory listened to the Municipal Bureau of Industry in everything it did.

"Your factory's current production plan is already completely in line with the central government's directives; the administrative upgrade of your factory is still for the purpose of talent allocation, resource investment, and capacity expansion."

Director Ren said, "In the past, your performance was good but your rank was not high enough. Whether it was investment or personnel allocation for your factory, Deputy Leader Wu and I were somewhat passive."

"We've been too accommodating to you, and other departments and factories have given us feedback; but the Second Machine Tool Plant is now practically a flagship project for the ministry, and also a flagship project for the outside world."

"It's because your factory is developing so well, Comrade Zhiqiang. I never expected that you would be able to develop the Second Machine Tool Factory so well after you went there."

After Director Ren sat down on the sofa, he gestured for Zhou Zhiqiang to sit down and chat as well. Then he said with a smile, "Now it's just the two of us, so don't be so modest and cautious. The Second Machine Tool Factory has been able to develop so quickly in just a few years. It wouldn't have been able to develop so quickly without a leader."

"I don't object to the workers' diligence and hard work; without the collective strength, development would not have been possible."

However, diligence and hard work must be guided by the right direction; they complement each other. At the Second Machine Tool Plant, you are a leader in this field.

Zhou Zhiqiang stopped making excuses, sat down and said with a smile, "I know which direction to develop in, and I also believe in the old saying, 'To forge iron, one must be strong oneself.'"

"If our products weren't of such high quality, we wouldn't have sold so many at the Canton Fair."

Director Ren nodded and said, "Yes, Zhiqiang, let me tell you something. Now, Deputy Leader Wu wants to use your factory as a calling card for the outside world."

Just like Aramco's planes are Boeing and its cars are General Motors, mentioning these industrial products brings to mind certain "business cards." Deputy Leader Wu wants to make your factory a national symbol for the world as well.

After listening, Zhou Zhiqiang said with some surprise, "Vice Leader Wu has quite ambitious ideas, but I feel it should be feasible!"

As long as they maintain technological leadership, they truly are the face of machine tools.

When you think of machine tools, the first thing that comes to mind is China's machine tools.

The factory's name is somewhat unsuitable as a business card. Secondly, the name of the machine tool factory is for easy differentiation in China, but foreign countries may not think the same way.

"Your factory probably doesn't have any major investment plans next year. The ministry is going to develop the Southwest industrial region and there are several important projects planned."
However, if the ministry has investment plans the year after next, your factory will definitely be given priority.

After listening to Director Ren's words, Zhou Zhiqiang nodded and said, "It seems that our factory still needs to produce some results."

"It's okay, I already have a plan. Maybe the second half of next year; the first half might not be enough."

"But Director Ren, surely we'll be assigned more technical personnel next year? They're even planning to upgrade our factory's administration."

Upon hearing this, Director Ren waved his hand and said, "It's definitely more than last year, but I still need to negotiate the exact number."
However, after your factory's administrative upgrade, the most important thing is to ensure the implementation of supporting industries. Currently, three of your factory's supporting industrial plants are still located in Henan Province, which is inconvenient to relocate.

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "If the overall relocation is difficult, let's expand investment and build a branch factory first, so that both sides can benefit."

Director Ren immediately said, "You make it sound so simple. Where will the money come from? We have to save every penny." Director Ren and Zhou Zhiqiang talked quite a bit about this administrative upgrade alone.

The discussion focused on several aspects of the factory's development. Although there will be no investment in expansion next year, according to Director Ren, once their factory's administrative level is upgraded next year, there may be a significant investment the year after.

Whether the supporting factories in Henan Province are relocated or built around the old city, they will all be located in the surrounding counties and districts, which will also drive the economic development of the surrounding counties and districts.

Furthermore, in order to boost production, several supporting factories will be established, which may bring the number of employees in the Second Machine Tool Plant to over 15,000 within just two years.

The country's economic development has recovered this year. Let's see how it develops next year. If the economic development continues to improve steadily next year, then we can slow down a bit the year after.

Zhou Zhiqiang also calculated the year; the year after next, 1964, would still be in time.

After the investment and expansion, the factory developed even better, and within two or three years, he was able to get everyone in the factory to listen to him.

In fact, as long as the workers, workshop foremen, and factory managers are united, the factory will not fall into chaos.

In fact, the workshop director can be ignored. As long as the workers listen to Zhou Zhiqiang, Zhou Zhiqiang can ensure that production proceeds steadily.

The security department guarded the gate, and he, the factory director, took on the role of chairman of the committee. Then, the gate was closed and production began.

Zhou Zhiqiang's plan was excellent, and he has already achieved a great deal. Which worker in the factory doesn't respect him? His prestige among the workers has surpassed that of the labor union.

Although the union often takes care of the factory workers, in terms of prestige and credibility among the workers, it may not be as good as Zhou Zhiqiang.

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After chatting for a long time, Zhou Zhiqiang said when he saw that it was almost time to go back, "Director Ren, I'll head back now."

"Okay, today's conversation has really given me a lot of ideas for your factory's development plan. I'm going to revise it."

Director Ren said with a smile that Zhou Zhiqiang had indeed given him a lot of useful advice, which could even be applied to other factories.

Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang may not have put all his brainpower into technical research and development; he is quite good at administrative management. He would definitely be a good fit for the position of factory director.

In Ren Licheng's view, Zhou Zhiqiang is fully qualified to oversee major engineering projects in a region.

"By the way, Director Ren, should I mention the administrative upgrade to Secretary Li?"

"Comrade Younian!"

After hearing this, Director Ren pondered. He had a so-so impression of Li Younian. This comrade was really like an eel, slippery as can be. When faced with a problem, he was like a donkey, only moving forward after being whipped.

However, he is indeed a reliable candidate. If asked to suggest replacing him, Director Ren couldn't find anyone more suitable than Li Younian at the moment.

Most importantly, Li Younian never interfered with Zhou Zhiqiang's development initiatives in the factory.

If it were any other party official, and they disapproved of Zhou Zhiqiang's arrangements for the factory, it could have directly brought the Second Machine Tool Plant's development to a standstill.

Director Ren finally decided, "Go ahead and tell me, but only the two of you should know. Just be prepared. Don't tell anyone until you get a clear answer from the Ministry regarding the China Ocean Institute."

"Okay, then I'm leaving."

After Zhou Zhiqiang finished speaking, he left Director Ren's office.

Deputy Leader Wu had not returned yet, so Zhou Zhiqiang went downstairs to find the driver.

I told the driver to go straight back to the Second Machine Tool Factory, and then sat in the car to process what had happened that day.

Compared to planned production arrangements, the administrative upgrade was something Zhou Zhiqiang cared about more.

If they were promoted further, their factory would be equivalent to the level of an ordinary city.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang values ​​the support from the ministry and the China Ocean Research Institute for their factory.

That's a lot of support! With this level of support, Zhou Zhiqiang dares to say that within five years, the Second Machine Tool Plant will catch up with the development of several of Aramco's machine tool companies.

After returning to the factory, Zhou Zhiqiang went directly to the secretary's office.

(End of this chapter)