The Fiery Era: Becoming an Industrial Giant

Chapter 282 Factory Welfare Investment, No Longer Daring to Jump

Production has been running at full capacity for the past two years. Two types of CNC machine tools have been developed within two years, which have basically taken over the factory's production tasks for the next five years.

Moreover, due to foreign trade orders, very few CNC machine tools are supplied to the domestic market.

Apart from some essential military factories and major engineering projects, as well as those supplied for replacement within the factory, other factories may not receive many CNC machine tools.

According to the high-level plan, good steel should be used where it is most needed, so CNC machine tools were not given a high priority by them.

"I do have new R&D plans for next year, a five-axis CNC machine tool, but it's not a short-term plan and I'm not in a hurry."

"For the five-axis CNC machine tool project, I plan to submit a deadline of twenty-five months to the ministry and the State Planning Commission. This will also ease the tight production schedule within the factory; otherwise, with one project after another, it's too much of a strain."

Zhou Zhiqiang spoke to several deputy factory directors, explaining the factory's next steps to them.

Although he could make decisions unilaterally, there was no need for that; explaining things clearly would have been just as effective in gaining support.

In such a short time, Zhou Zhiqiang wouldn't be so impatient.

Moreover, his considerations were not without merit. For the Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant at present, slowing down the manufacturing of new machine tools is indeed necessary at this stage.

"Without having to keep pushing ourselves to produce one new machine tool after another, our factory can invest in other things."

Zhou Zhiqiang paused for a moment, then continued, "However, this kind of thing is both feasible and impractical. I haven't made up my mind yet, so I'd like to hear your opinions."

The other three deputy factory directors also understood.

The factory will not produce new machine tools in the future; instead, it will focus on producing the CNC machine tools and composite CNC machine tools that were previously developed.

Their factory director, Mr. Zhou, felt that the factory's finances had a considerable surplus, and that it might be even greater next year.

If this money isn't invested or spent, it might end up being borrowed by superiors.

Moreover, their factory director, Zhou, might be a bit "idle." If he's not busy with R&D projects in the second half of the year, then he'll have to manage the factory's production and party and government policies.

However, these matters are neither particularly leisurely nor particularly busy; Zhou Zhiqiang only needs to delegate authority to the three deputy factory directors and then oversee the final signing off.

This can save a lot of time.

"Factory manager, I don't know much about technical matters, but if you think you can do it, then go ahead and do it."

After a pause, Deputy Factory Director Sun asked with a smile, "But will our factory really be able to save that much money by next year?"

"This year's production will definitely reach nine million, not even counting the production capacity lost due to the production of composite CNC machine tools. In fact, it will be more than that."

After looking around, Zhou Zhiqiang continued, "As for next year, it depends on how many foreign trade orders we can secure at this year's Canton Fair. I estimate it will be about the same as last year."

But who wants to go this year? Last year it was Deputy Factory Director Liu who went, but this year anyone can go.”

Deputy Factory Director Sun asked, "Factory Director, aren't you going?"

“No, I hate taking the train.” Zhou Zhiqiang shook his head and said, “I don’t want to leave Beijing until the train speed improves.”

He's seen plenty of beautiful landscapes; there's no need for him to wander around aimlessly now.

Deputy Factory Director Sun shook his head and said, "I won't go; I have a lot to do."

"Can I go, Director Zhou?"

Deputy Factory Director Hou suddenly spoke up and asked, "My work can be arranged; I should be able to free up some time then."

"Deputy Factory Director Hou, alright, then you can lead the team this year. But remember to learn about the technology of our factory's machine tools, just make sure there are no mistakes."

Zhou Zhiqiang thought for a moment and quickly agreed.

His initial wariness of Hou Yufeng had diminished considerably after he became a Party official.

To be honest, it's this Deputy Factory Director Hou who should be cautious now. He already had a hard time dealing with both the factory director and the party official.

Now he is facing Zhou Zhiqiang, who is a combination of factory director and party official.

If Zhou Zhiqiang wanted to get rid of Deputy Factory Director Hou, he would be miserable at the factory and would apply for a transfer within six months. Deputy Factory Director Hou was somewhat surprised to hear he was being asked to go, but quickly thanked him, saying, "Thank you, thank you so much, Factory Director. I'll definitely familiarize myself with the place beforehand."

"It's nothing, no need to thank me. We're all from the same factory. This year at the Canton Fair, Deputy Factory Director Hou will be leading the team."

Zhou Zhiqiang then continued, "Getting back to the main point, you haven't shared your opinions yet? What do you think of what I said?"

"I support."

Liu Wenzhou said, "As long as it doesn't delay planned production, we can make other investments within the factory. Other factories have done a lot of that, so there's no reason why our factory can't."

Moreover, I trust Director Zhou's research and development.

If Zhou Zhiqiang dares to guarantee the technical aspects, then they have no doubts. This is an invincible reputation built up by one achievement after another, and there is absolutely no need to doubt it.

After Liu Wenzhou, Deputy Factory Director Hou was the second to speak, saying, "I have no objection either. I agree that reasonable investment and expansion within the factory is also beneficial to the factory's development."

Deputy Factory Director Sun glanced at Hou Yufeng and then said, "I have no objection. I'll do whatever you say, Factory Director."

The old Party Secretary Li Younian didn't chime in. He was already retired, and his involvement in the housing allocation was considered a case of "retiring but not retiring," merely contributing his remaining energy to the factory. No one would hold him accountable for it.

However, it's best for him to avoid getting involved in such major investments.

"Alright, then let's consider this a small meeting of the factory's Party Committee. I'll have Yaoguo organize it and then send it to you and the others for signature."

The four of them already represent five votes for the factory's Party Committee; the remaining two votes are completely unimportant.

However, we should still show respect and send it over for them to record and sign.

Zhou Zhiqiang stroked his chin thoughtfully and said, "Making cars or semiconductor radios are both fine. We can invest in one or two workshops, and we don't need to transfer many skilled workers."

I led the team to solve the relevant technical problems, and the products produced were also part of our factory's employee benefits.

"Let's build cars. I have acquaintances in Northeast China. Let's inquire about auto parts first. If things go smoothly, we can start investing."

Zhou Zhiqiang planned to first ask how many auto parts they could allocate to their factory. As for the two more important core components, the car engine and transmission, he planned to study them himself.
However, they need to plan ahead. Building a car is dozens of times more difficult than building a radio, but if they succeed, their factory will be famous for a long time.

'A special vehicle for the machine tool factory!'

Zhou Zhiqiang occasionally longs for a moment of glory, provided he doesn't have to take a train to Guangzhou for several days.

"Distinguished leaders and fellow workers, this is an urgent announcement. Following a decision by higher authorities, Comrade Zhou Zhiqiang has been appointed as a Party official at Jiuzhou Machine Tool Plant, while continuing to serve concurrently as plant director."

"Dear leaders and fellow workers, we are now broadcasting an urgent notice."

This important announcement was repeated three times in the group chat.

The workers were somewhat confused but impressed when they heard this, but they also knew that Director Zhou seemed to have become even more powerful. He used to be the factory director, and now he was both the factory director and the party secretary.

As for some deputy-level cadres who did not attend the appointment notification meeting in the conference room, they were astonished when they heard the broadcast.

The Party Secretary is also the factory director; their factory director is getting more and more capable.

In the factory director's office.

Zhou Zhiqiang's speech was also interrupted by this broadcast.

However, he had said almost everything he wanted to say, so he waved his hand and said, "That's all for today. I'll organize it later and have Yaoguo send it to you all separately."

The three people, including Deputy Factory Director Sun, replied in unison, "Understood, Factory Director. We will sign the meeting minutes later."

Although these are supplementary meeting minutes, they are not fabricated to deceive them, especially since they need to see them anyway.

After they finished speaking, Sun Yifei, Liu Wenzhou, and Hou Yufeng said their goodbyes and left one by one.

Deputy Factory Director Hou was incredibly honest throughout the entire process, agreeing with everything Zhou Zhiqiang said without uttering a single question.

Judging from his expression, Zhou Zhiqiang felt that he wasn't outwardly convinced but inwardly resentful; he probably felt completely apprehensive after seeing him become the Party Secretary and concurrently the Factory Director.

(End of this chapter)