Braving the Scorching Heat to Achieve High Output and Boost Morale — A Record of the Vibrant ASIMCO Camshaft Team

In July, the Jiangnan region is bathed in scorching sun, with temperatures consistently above 35°C that can sometimes feel suffocating. Yet even during this hot and humid season—the traditional off-season for the automotive industry—ASIMCO Camshaft (Yizheng) Co., Ltd. has defied the trend, delivering results that have satisfied all employees. For the first time in its history, monthly output value exceeded RMB 10 million, and raw camshaft production hit a new monthly record of 38,002 units, capitalizing on the business opportunities brought about by the surge in orders driven by China VI emission standards. This is because our core products all meet the China VI emission requirements, while CUMMINS and FIAT’s global platform products comply with Euro VI standards. We had anticipated that the implementation of China VI emissions might lead to a sudden spike in product demand, but we never expected it to erupt precisely during the industry’s traditional low season. To meet customer needs, our production system has been working tirelessly without being urged on, determined to push monthly output value past RMB 10 million and set a new company record.
Every July marks the Jiangnan region’s characteristic plum-rain season—high temperatures and high humidity—and it is also a critical period for testing whether our company’s equipment can operate reliably. Since a significant portion of our equipment is secondhand machinery sourced from Nordic countries, the humidity levels in those regions differ substantially from what we experience during this time of year. In July, the moisture-laden air penetrates every nook and cranny of the equipment, particularly the CNC systems, leaving virtually no area untouched. Although we have implemented several upgrades over the years, such as installing heat exchangers, which have markedly reduced the failure rate, July remains the peak season for equipment breakdowns. Despite the need to maintain high production levels during this month, the equipment department remains extremely vigilant: they revisit the equipment FMEA, proactively develop preventive measures, and keep repair teams on standby at all times. As a result, even under the challenging weather conditions typical of July, normal production has been hardly affected, with the failure rate for this period approaching the levels seen in months with lower failure rates.
On our company’s internal COPQ trend chart, the annual pattern invariably takes the form of a parabola, with the peak occurring in July—when the histogram bars for that month soar to their highest point. High temperature and high humidity make July a disastrous month for chilled ductile iron shafts. Although through year-after-year problem-solving efforts, the scrap rate due to sand and gas porosity in extreme batches has been reduced from a historical peak of 57% to 27% last year, and even in normal batches it remains around 20%. Based on an analysis of past FMEAs for this month, combined with insights gained from annual improvement initiatives, the Technical Quality Department has formulated this year’s countermeasures. Fortunately, although a very small number of batches temporarily saw the scrap rate for sand and gas porosity climb as high as 15%, prompt corrective actions were swiftly implemented to stem the adverse trend. As a result, the overall scrap rate in July this year was only slightly higher than in typical months, making it the best July performance since the plant was founded in terms of COPQ. Stable quality is the fundamental guarantee for achieving high production output.
We conducted a proactive analysis of potential failure modes in both management and operational processes. In light of the FIFA World Cup in Brazil scheduled for late June and early July, we also developed corresponding contingency plans. Many of our young employees are soccer fans—myself included—and staying up late to watch matches is bound to lead to physical exhaustion and could even trigger safety incidents. In response to these practical realities, the workshop held a meeting. Rather than outright prohibiting match-watching, we urged everyone to exercise moderation and ensure that their viewing does not interfere with work. Employees who feel drowsy from watching games may request temporary breaks, thereby preventing production safety incidents caused by fatigue. Thanks to thoughtful communication that appealed to both reason and emotion, no incidents occurred in which fan-related match-watching adversely affected production or workplace safety.
With robust guarantees in place for safety, quality, equipment reliability, and employee morale, and thanks to the operators’ unwavering commitment to working diligently, meticulously, and with a strong sense of responsibility despite the extreme heat, the company’s production has consistently operated smoothly and efficiently. Output is balanced across each day and each shift, with everything running seamlessly—culminating in the gratifying achievement of monthly output exceeding RMB 10 million.
Of course, with the company pressing ahead on all fronts, the logistics department has refused to be outdone: they are doing everything within their power to support frontline workers—delivering production materials and auxiliary supplies directly to workstations whenever possible, brewing Fruit Juice Drink daily to help employees cool down, and equipping each workshop with a double-door refrigerator to make ice cubes and keep employees’ evening meal boxes fresh. What’s more, air conditioning in the break rooms is kept running around the clock… Meanwhile, managers at all levels are sweating alongside the operators on the front lines, together composing a rousing anthem of high morale!
Overwhelmed with excitement, I can’t contain my emotions. I’d like to express my gratitude to the outstanding ASIMCO Camshaft team and to every single employee for their dedicated contributions. As we continue to achieve one remarkable milestone after another, what we gain goes far beyond increased income and improved living standards; on this stage, we experience a profound sense of personal fulfillment and the elevation of our life’s value. Years from now, when we look back, we’ll see that our hard work has left an indelible mark on ASIMCO Camshaft’s glorious journey of development!
This article is hereby written to record the fact that ASIMCO Camshaft (Yizheng) Co., Ltd. achieved a monthly output value of over RMB 10 million.

General Manager Chen Aiguo, August 1, 2014