The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 243 The Factory Director's Guarantee

Although domestic companies have caught up with the international first tier in the development of CNC machine tools, and have taken Amer by surprise with their price advantage, winning a large number of orders.

But Zhou Zhiqiang knew that if Aramco's machine tool companies lowered their prices to the same level as theirs, then countries that needed machine tools would probably all go to Aramco to buy them.

America has accumulated a wealth of technology, and after World War II, a large number of scientists went to that country, giving them unlimited room for development.

Even in the field of machine tools alone, Zhou Zhiqiang wouldn't dare say he could surpass Ame within ten years. It would take at least twenty years of gradual accumulation to surpass them.

Not to mention other research fields.

After discussing the administrative upgrade of the Second Machine Tool Plant with Secretary Li, Zhou Zhiqiang busied himself with the plant's technology research and development plan for next year.

The future development of CNC machine tools is nothing more than technological breakthroughs and the expansion of processing types. However, the former requires accumulation, especially in the field of CNC technology. Breakthroughs in these areas require breakthroughs in other fields such as semiconductors and photolithography.

As for semiconductor and photolithography processes, Zhou Zhiqiang will lead the R&D team after their CNC branch factory is developed. At that time, he also plans to recruit more people from the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry and universities.

Next year, the Second Machine Tool Plant will become a major factory at the provincial level, and also the number one export factory, so it will be very confident in poaching people.

Next year's CNC machine tool R&D plan can only focus on expanding the types of machining processes.

However, Zhou Zhiqiang felt that simply enriching the types of processing was not something he needed to do personally. He could delegate it to the technical department or have them contact professors and technical experts at the university.

After looking at the development plan he had written, Zhou Zhiqiang thought about it for a moment, then put it aside and began to plan it again.

Even if the processing types are further expanded, they are still single-function CNC machine tools.

Zhou Zhiqiang plans to make breakthroughs in the research and development of CNC machine tools for composite machining, starting with CNC machine tools that combine two machining types, then three, and finally gradually developing into CNC machine tools that combine multiple machining types.

This can also solve the problem of repeated clamping errors that may occur in multi-process processing, and one-time processing will greatly improve the finished product qualification rate.

After thinking it over, Zhou Zhiqiang slowly listed the research and development directions for composite machining CNC machine tools, as well as the technologies that needed to be broken through.

It's unclear whether current medium-scale integrated circuits can support coordinated control of multiple processes; experimental testing is needed.

The programming methods also need improvement.
Composite machining also requires multi-axis linkage. Even though Zhou Zhiqiang initially only planned to start the research and development with two machining processes, the breakthrough of this multi-functional spindle still made him feel somewhat troubled.
Technology can be developed, but whether it can be implemented requires testing and experimentation.

In the past two days, Zhou Zhiqiang has returned to his previous work routine, basically only planning next year's technology research and development in the office.

If there's a plan, go to the technical department and ask Section Chief Ding to help him find some information.

Aside from lunch and necessary workshop inspections, I rarely go out.

Tian Wenguo also came once to report to Zhou Zhiqiang on the current construction progress of the CNC branch.

The tables and chairs for the cafeteria have been delivered one after another, and in a few more days they will be ready for classes.

Now, Tian Wenguo, the branch factory manager, is planning to contact the labor bureau to have them notify the apprentices to come to the factory first and then begin training.

The personnel, finance, and logistics teams have been set up, and these three departments can theoretically start working tomorrow.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Zhiqiang approved Tian Wenguo's report and urged the apprentices in the semiconductor production technology positions to start working at the factory as soon as possible. He also contacted Factory 190 to ask them to send someone over.

We need to get into the teaching and training phase as soon as possible, so that we can start production positions after the New Year.

After reporting on the personnel training, Tian Wenguo continued, "Factory manager, the technician who made a mistake in the construction drawings has been removed."

I saw him wandering around our factory yesterday, but he was called back today. Moreover, that Engineer Li even brought us two notices of criticism.

One report is for that technician; he received a major demerit, was transferred from our branch factory's construction project supervision, and then sent back to his original unit. I estimate it will take him at least four or five years to get promoted again.

"The other document was for Li himself, which was also a notice of criticism and a deduction of three months' subsidies and bonuses. It was a call from Deputy Director Zhang of the Technical Department of the Fourth Ministry of Machinery Industry."

Zhou Zhiqiang nodded after hearing this and said to Tian Wenguo, "Okay, let's leave it at that. Otherwise, it would be a shame if nothing happened after they wasted half a month and so much money of ours."

From now on, we should respect the technical skills of the personnel they send, but the procedures must be strictly followed; everyone's signature is mandatory.

Tian Wenguo assured him, "Secretary, don't worry. I will oversee every step of the process from now on and make sure there won't be any more mistakes."

"Okay, then you can go back and get busy. If it's not important, you can call me to let me know, so you don't have to run back and forth."

Zhou Zhiqiang pointed to the phone and said, "The branch factory's phone should be set up now. Only a few integrated circuit workshops are not yet built, otherwise we could officially start production."

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A few days later, Deputy Factory Director Liu Wenzhou also returned.

As soon as he returned, he pulled Zhou Zhiqiang, Li Younian, and several other key leaders of the factory together in the conference room to talk about the Canton Fair.

The fire and the scene were truly spectacular.

The CNC machine tools were basically running non-stop during the exhibition, constantly processing and attracting a constant stream of onlookers.

Deputy Factory Director Liu was even featured in the newspapers; a few days ago, the Sijiu City Daily and the Minzhong Daily published photos of him explaining machine tools to foreigners.

It also used rather exaggerated titles and content to claim that domestic industrial development has not stagnated, but rather is like a dragon lying in the abyss, about to soar into the sky!
Zhou Zhiqiang felt a little embarrassed when he saw this content, but those writers still wrote it down.

However, the effect was remarkable. This content, coupled with foreign trade orders worth over 100 million US dollars, acted like a shot in the arm for everyone.

After finishing discussing the Canton Fair, Deputy Factory Director Liu said, still somewhat excited:

"We're really famous internationally now. There were quite a few foreigners this time, and they kept asking for our factory's name. They were probably reporters, and I guess it'll be reported overseas too."

Western countries are naturally interested in the affairs of China, a major communist power, and reporters always follow China whenever it holds a public invitation event.

Information that is usually hard to obtain will be asked more questions at this time.

Deputy Factory Director Sun said, "That's also because you, Deputy Factory Director Liu, are famous abroad."

Zhou Zhiqiang chimed in, "Deputy Factory Director Sun, if you want, you can go next time. Anyway, the Canton Fair is held twice a year, so everyone has a chance to come."

"Forget about it, I don't understand these things anyway."

Deputy Factory Director Sun shook his head and said that, but in his heart he still wanted to be interviewed and even appear in the newspaper.

"Go if you want to. If it really doesn't work, ask Section Chief Ding from the Technical Department for help."

Zhou Zhiqiang said with a smile, "I'm not used to long-distance bus rides. If they come to Beijing to interview me, I'll make a splash. But if they go to eastern Guangdong, forget it."

"If that's how you see it, Factory Director," Deputy Factory Director Sun said, tempted, "then let me lead the team next year. I also want to contribute to the factory."

Secretary Li pointed at Deputy Factory Director Sun and said with a smile, "Haha, then you'd better try to build up your relationship with Factory Director Zhou and get him to develop and manufacture more good machine tools."

If you were to manufacture a CNC machine tool that even foreigners don't have, you'd probably be bombarded with questions.

After Secretary Li finished speaking, everyone else in the meeting room laughed.

This isn't really a meeting; it's just a discussion about the achievements at the Canton Fair. Everyone already knows about those achievements from the newspapers, even the factory workers.

This is just a formal exchange of information about the Canton Fair results. "Since the main members of the factory's Party Committee are all here, let's take this opportunity to discuss something."

Zhou Zhiqiang began by saying, "I discussed this matter with Secretary Li a few days ago."

"Yes, I originally planned to say this at the year-end summary meeting, but since the main cadres of the factory's Party Committee are all here, let's just discuss it first."

Secretary Li felt a little helpless. He knew that Zhou Zhiqiang wanted to push for the finalization of employee housing allocation and year-end bonuses first.

However, he had already agreed, so he couldn't refuse and continued, "Our factory workers work very hard. It's been almost four years since 1959."

He has consistently maintained a work intensity of more than ten hours a day, which he has persevered through entirely through willpower and a fighting spirit. This level of work intensity is higher than that of many of our cadres, and I believe everyone would agree on that.

Upon hearing Secretary Li's words, everyone in the conference room straightened their backs, and their expressions became solemn.

The factory workers put in a lot of effort, and everyone present knew that, otherwise the factory wouldn't have been able to complete extra production tasks every year, accumulating a lot of disposable funds for the factory.

"Therefore, I feel that the year-end bonuses alone are insufficient to demonstrate the care our Second Machine Tool Plant gives to its workers, nor are they sufficient to demonstrate the superiority of the socialist system."
So, after discussing it with Factory Director Zhou, we decided to allocate half of this year's disposable budget to build new buildings, which would then be distributed to the factory workers.

"Building a house?"

Deputy Factory Director Sun looked somewhat surprised and casually said, "Secretary, it seems we can still add more people to the staff dormitory, and there shouldn't be many workers in the factory who need accommodation."

Housing allocation is also part of the logistics department. After the newly established Housing Management Department was reorganized, Deputy Factory Director Sun also took charge of the factory's employee dormitories, so he has some knowledge of this area.

"It's not about building staff dormitories, it's about building apartment buildings to distribute to them."

Secretary Li emphasized, "Once the buildings constructed this time are allocated to the workers, they will be permanently allocated to them."

"Permanent housing allocation?"

Not only Director Sun, but also the other cadres in the meeting room were surprised when they heard about this.

This is no small matter. Since the implementation of the public rental housing system, there has been no housing allocation for a long time.

Their Second Machine Tool Plant did not have any residential housing, so there was no housing management department before. The new housing management department was established after the staff dormitories were built.

Housing is extremely scarce in Beijing now, and there are basically no more housing allocations or even property transfers. However, if a factory were to allocate housing, no one would care.

The factory paid for and built the facilities itself, and the money was distributed to the workers, just like giving out bicycles and sewing machines. The factory's own disposable finances were originally under its own control.

"Providing housing isn't a bad idea. It's like providing bicycles and sewing machines; it's a benefit for the workers, and the workers on the production line really do work hard."

Deputy Factory Director Sun readily agreed, realizing that since Secretary Li and Factory Director Zhou had already agreed, asking the others now was simply to save face.

If they don't give them face, these two can just announce the approval directly. As the factory director and the party secretary, they can fully represent the factory's party committee.

Deputy Factory Director Sun then asked, "But Factory Director Zhou, how are the housing allocation standards calculated? Is it only for front-line production workers, or does it include management personnel as well?"

"We'll use a unified standard. Regardless of whether you're married or not, everyone will be allocated space according to the standard for a family of three, which is ten square meters per person."

Factory managers can also be allocated housing, but each allocation cannot exceed 10% of the factory's total housing stock.

Back in the 1950s, there was a housing allocation policy for a period of time, but at that time it was only allocated to employees, and the units were between eight and twelve square meters.

If they get married, the number of workers' family members is only half that of the workers, which is about Siping.

After thinking for a moment, Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "We will examine them based on two criteria: seniority and achievements, and family circumstances. Deputy Factory Director Sun, you and the logistics department should come up with a set of criteria."

The labor union is collecting the workers' opinions. You should consider these opinions and come up with a housing allocation standard that satisfies the majority of the residents.

"This is not the first time. Think about what our factory was like a few years ago, and what it is like now. We will allocate housing more and more often in the future."

"I can guarantee this: if I don't perform well and don't get housing while I'm still working in this factory, then I, as the factory manager, will be held responsible."

So don't be stingy when allocating rooms now; everyone will get one eventually.

When Zhou Zhiqiang spoke at the end, his tone was very confident.

The housing allocated now is all construction cost, which is not expensive at all; the construction cost per square meter may be only thirty or fifty yuan, and the average person's 30 square meters would only be 1,500 yuan, which is only three years' salary for an ordinary first-class worker.

If a large state-owned factory like theirs can't even offer this much benefit, then they shouldn't be making their workers work more than ten hours a day.

Deputy Factory Director Sun was the first to speak: "Alright, I support the factory director and the party secretary's proposal. Allocating housing is a good idea."

"I agree."

"I agree."

Deputy Factory Director Liu and the Chairman of the Trade Union also chimed in.

Subsequently, Deputy Factory Director Hou also expressed his agreement. It's unlikely that anyone would openly oppose this; at most, they might raise some unreasonable questions.

"Alright, since everyone agrees, let's announce it. It'll be good news for the workers before the New Year."

Zhou Zhiqiang said, "Deputy Factory Director Sun, please get this done as soon as possible. If there's no space near the factory, it's fine to go somewhere further away."

"The factory can buy a few buses and run a dedicated route within the factory."

There really isn't much open space around, otherwise the CNC branch wouldn't have moved to a district twelve miles away.

The factory workers' housing is estimated to be built further away. Zhou Zhiqiang also wants to build a second machine tool factory residential area, which will be used as a family compound.

Deputy Factory Director Sun immediately agreed and promised to implement the construction plan before the end of the year and strive to complete the building before the start of summer.

These days, apartment buildings are at most five or six stories high. Any higher and climbing the stairs would be too strenuous. They're easy to build, and can be completed in just a few months.

"Master Liu, has the labor union contacted you?"

"What are you looking for me for?"

"It's alright. The union contacted me a few days ago to inquire about housing. Perhaps you're not in a tight financial situation, Mr. Liu."

I heard that the factory is going to allocate apartments, and those facing housing shortages might get one.

The news of housing allocation spread quickly throughout the factory. It wasn't a secret project, and the union had even asked the workers for their opinions recently.

The news spread like wildfire, and people would sometimes whisper about the housing allocation while working.

This is far more shocking than distributing bicycles at the year-end staff meeting; houses are worth far more than bicycles.

The workshop director gave a few instructions, but finding no improvement, he realized that this would hinder production efficiency, so he reported the situation directly.

Finally, the report reached Deputy Factory Director Sun, who then had the factory office issue a public notice to confirm the authenticity of the housing allocation to all factory personnel.

(End of this chapter)