Visible Changes — A Documentary on the Improvement of Working Conditions in the Foundry车间

“Improving the working environment for our employees is tantamount to enhancing their compensation—and that, in turn, is the best benefit we can offer. With a clean, comfortable, and labor-saving work environment, we feel much more at ease and our enthusiasm for work has soared!” This is what the staff in our foundry workshop have been saying lately. The first impression most people have of a foundry workshop is one of dirt, disorder, and poor conditions—and that was certainly true of us in the past. But over the past two years, things have begun to change. The company has invested more than one million yuan in a series of improvements, covering dust extraction upgrades, reduction of physical strain, ergonomics, and floor cleanliness, among other areas. In particular, the automated rail system for the resin-bonded sand casting line has completely transformed our operations over the past nearly twenty years: manual ladling and pouring have been replaced by an automated pouring line, making the job far easier. As our workers put it, they now need only about 30% of the effort they used to expend. Thanks to these continuous internal improvements, the foundry is no longer synonymous with brute, heavy-handed labor; many physically demanding tasks can now be handled by machinery, thereby minimizing worker fatigue to the greatest extent possible. Our guiding principle in these improvements is this: most workstations should be manageable even for female colleagues, and every workstation should enable our workers to perform their duties right up until retirement. For example, the introduction of automatic hydraulic lifting platforms eliminates the need for workers to bend over; the use of automated floor-sweeping machines prevents secondary pollution during cleaning; enhancements to the dust-extraction piping system ensure there is no airborne dust contamination anywhere in the workshop; and upgrades to ventilation and lighting provide employees with a fresh, well-lit working environment. In 2014, we will continue to upgrade the foundry workshop with additional projects, including installation of fume extraction at the furnace opening, a fully automated cutting machine, a through-type shot-blasting machine with rail-guided conveyance, and equipment for cooling castings, among others. We will also begin exploring solutions for a rail-based automated pouring system. As these improvement initiatives are gradually completed, we aim to transform the workshop into a modern, state-of-the-art foundry production facility. Of course, such improvements in the work environment would not be possible without the valuable suggestions and input from all workshop employees, nor without the diligent implementation and enforcement by workshop management. We have never stopped striving for change, and we will continue to move forward, creating a safe, comfortable, and clean working environment that fosters greater employee satisfaction and a deep sense of belonging—making them feel as though the company is “home.” Together, we will compose a harmonious symphony of enterprise and workforce.

Usher in the Year of the Horse with Full Steam to Achieve High Yields

On February 5 (the sixth day of the first lunar month), the first working day after the holiday, the company entrance was filled with the sound of firecrackers early in the morning, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. At 8:30 a.m., the company’s leadership team arrived at the entrance to welcome employees back to work and extended New Year greetings to those returning to their posts. After the holiday, production at the company has been brisk yet well-organized, with employees quickly getting back into their regular work rhythm. Despite the ongoing rain and snow, production has not been affected. With AVALON Camshaft demand nearly doubling, the production department promptly adjusted its plans, and workshops held mobilization meetings to ensure output for each shift, thereby meeting customer needs. Both the casting and machining workshops have operated all equipment at full capacity, and all frontline employees are enthusiastically engaged in their work for the new year. The service departments supporting production have also stepped up, proactively providing high-quality services to the front line without hesitation. Everyone is working hard to capture market share and achieve higher output; February production and sales are expected to increase by more than 45% compared with the same period last year, marking a strong start to the Year of the Horse.

Foton Cummins Visits ASIMCO Camshaft

On November 11, 2013, a delegation of four from Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co., Ltd. (BFCEC)—Mr. Dai Songgao, Deputy General Manager; Mr. Guo Jianghua, Purchasing Manager; Mr. Kenny, Quality Manager; and Mr. Li Jinning, Purchasing Engineer—paid a visit to ASIMCO Camshaft Co., Ltd. Mr. Chen Aiguo, General Manager of ASIMCO Camshaft, led the company’s reception team in extending a warm welcome to the guests. During the meeting, Mr. Chen provided a detailed overview of ASIMCO Camshaft’s development over the past few years, as well as its future plans for expansion and capacity enhancement. In particular, he reviewed in depth the preparations for ISG capacity, which was the focus of this exchange, and elaborated on the respective strengths and prospects for development. On behalf of the company, Mr. Chen expressed sincere gratitude to BFCEC for its longstanding support of ASIMCO Camshaft. Subsequently, accompanied by Mr. Chen and other company representatives, the delegation visited ASIMCO Camshaft’s casting and machining workshops as well as the precision inspection laboratory. At the production site, the guests toured Foton Cummins’ dedicated production lines for ISF and ISG Camshafts, observed the production rhythm, and inquired about the operation of the production lines. They highly commended our company’s clean production environment, advanced testing equipment, and well-organized line layout. This visit by senior executives from Beijing Foton Cummins Engine Co., Ltd. will help further strengthen and expand the business cooperation between ASIMCO Camshaft and Foton Cummins.

Viking Project Team Visits Cummins Headquarters

From August 12 to 19, 2013, a three-member ASIMCO Camshaft team, led by Technical Director Dai Hongxing, visited the CEP plant of Cummins Inc. in Columbus, Indiana, USA, to discuss the Viking project. The Cummins Viking project falls under the company’s Light-Duty Diesel (LDD) engine line. This engine model features eight cylinders arranged in two banks of four in a V configuration, with a displacement of 5.0 liters, making it a high-end V8 automotive engine. The project is a significant initiative for Cummins in the light-duty engine segment. During this visit, the ASIMCO Camshaft team held face-to-face discussions with Cummins representatives, including Rod C. Wilson, Director of Procurement for the LDD project, and Paul E. Gray, Procurement Manager, reviewing the project’s progress, exchanging updates on the current status, and discussing the next steps to prepare for mass production in 2014. In addition, the team toured the LDD engine assembly line at the CEP plant and explored opportunities for expanding other business areas. They also visited two other medium-duty engine plants—CMEP and RMEP—and engaged with the procurement departments there regarding camshaft-related business.

ASIMCO Camshaft Successfully Passes Cummins Joint Assessment

On October 24, 2013, a joint team led by Mr. He Qizhi, Procurement Director of Cummins’ IPO division, and comprising Mr. Cheng Xiangan, Procurement Director of Foton Cummins; Ms. Guo Jianghua, Procurement Manager; and Mr. Liu Yujun, Procurement SQIE Specialist, conducted an annual comprehensive supplier evaluation of our company. This evaluation marked the first time that our company, as one of Cummins’ 18 key suppliers, underwent a joint assessment under Cummins’ procurement system. To begin, Mr. Chen Aiguo, General Manager of Camshaft, extended a warm welcome to the visitors. He provided a detailed overview of the company’s overall performance in 2013, with particular emphasis on the progress of all Cummins projects and future plans. Subsequently, accompanied by company leaders, the Cummins delegation toured the casting and machining workshops. At Foton Cummins’ ISG dedicated production line, the guests closely examined each process step with great interest, commending ASIMCO Camshaft for its clean and well-organized machining environment, state-of-the-art and fully equipped inspection facilities, and rational layout of the dedicated production line. Finally, the Cummins delegation rated our company’s overall performance this year across Cummins’ IPO, Dongfeng Cummins, and Foton Cummins programs, acknowledging ASIMCO Camshaft’s strong achievements in Cummins business while also offering several suggestions for improvement. The comprehensive evaluation was successfully completed.

Sincere Hearts Forge Hope, Compassion Transmits Life — A Record of ASIMCO Camshaft Employees Raising Funds for an Employee’s Sick Child

As of the afternoon of September 18, the trade union of ASIMCO Camshaft (Yizheng) Co., Ltd. had received more than RMB 27,000 in charitable donations from all employees. Everyone generously contributed, demonstrating mutual assistance and love—a touching ode to the spirit of solidarity among “Camshaft people”! Fate is merciless: Xiao Yuxuan is suffering terribly from illness. Wu Yuxuan, a 12-year-old girl and a sixth-grader at Zhenzhou Primary School in Yizheng, has a father, Wu Chunyun, who works as an operator in the metal-processing workshop of ASIMCO Camshaft Yizheng Co., Ltd. In early 2013, Wu Chunyun noticed that his daughter had difficulty and weakness when using chopsticks to pick up food. In March, after undergoing an MRI at the Municipal People’s Hospital, doctors recommended seeking treatment at a higher-level hospital. She was subsequently taken to several hospitals in Yangzhou, Nanjing, and other cities, but no definitive diagnosis could be made. As fate would have it, misfortune struck unexpectedly: in July this year, disaster mercilessly befell little Yuxuan. During treatment at Huashan Hospital affiliated with Fudan University in Shanghai, she was diagnosed with malignant glioma. This devastating news dealt a heavy double blow—both psychological and financial—to the family. To pay for her treatment, the family has already spent over RMB 60,000; currently, Yuxuan’s condition continues to worsen, requiring surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. The exorbitant costs of subsequent treatment have become an unbearable burden for the entire Wu family. Boundless love: the torch of compassion passes through Camshaft… Illness is cruel, but humanity is kind. Upon learning of the Wu family’s plight, the company’s trade union immediately sprang into action, organizing a fundraising campaign for Yuxuan and issuing a call to all employees titled “True Love Endures, Life Is a Song.” This initiative garnered widespread attention across the company. To help the Wu family overcome their current difficulties, everyone in the company responded enthusiastically to the union’s donation appeal. Leaders at all levels took the lead in donating, and employees participated eagerly, contributing RMB 50, 100, 300… One donation after another, filled with heartfelt care, quickly poured into the union’s fund. Particularly heartwarming was the immediate participation of frontline workers, some of whom even emptied their pockets to make contributions. Every small act of kindness added up, and in just two days the union collected a total of RMB 27,065. As stated in the appeal, “At this moment, each of our acts of kindness will give Yuxuan the strength to fight against death; every donation we make is ‘fueling’ her life!” Indeed, every contribution reflects the concern of all employees for the Wu family and embodies the warmth and great love of the “Camshaft people.” When the union delivered the donations, brimming with compassion, to Wu Chunyun, he was deeply moved and expressed his gratitude through a letter of thanks. Wishing Yuxuan strength to overcome her illness and recover soon… We hope Yuxuan can bravely and steadfastly face each day, because so many people are quietly caring for and supporting her!

ASIMCO Camshaft Foundry’s Resin Sand Automatic Pouring Line Officially Enters Trial Production

On July 17, 2013, ASIMCO’s Camshaft Foundry officially commenced trial production on its resin-bonded sand automatic pouring line. Through meticulous design, evaluation, and manufacturing by the company’s TPM Promotion Office (responsible for scheme design), as well as the Technology, Equipment, and EHS departments, we undertook a cost-effective investment in upgrading to an automated production line tailored for resin-bonded sand products. This marked a complete departure from the 20-year-old manual practice of lifting ladles for pouring, achieving full automation of processes such as casting, shakeout, and sand removal. At 2:00 p.m., all shift employees began preparations, and at 3:15 p.m. the first ladle of molten iron was officially poured. Employees at each post performed their respective duties, working busily yet with less strain than before, their simple joy evident on their faces. Following the start of mass production and with continuous minor improvements made during operation, the project not only met but partially exceeded the original design targets: worker workload was reduced by more than 50%, labor efficiency improved (resulting in a reduction of three workers), the incidence of pouring defects—such as improperly closed molds, which previously required workers to lie on the ground to align and tighten bolts, a very strenuous task—was significantly lowered, and the yield of defect-free parts increased. At ASIMCO Camshaft Company, there are countless large and small improvement initiatives like this one. Everyone is actively thinking and taking action, reaping abundant results everywhere. The TPM improvement philosophy has taken deep root, while also vividly demonstrating the company’s commitment to being people-oriented and creating a safe, healthy working environment for its employees.

Patriotic Education—Visit to the Martyrdom Site of Revolutionary Martyrs at Yuhuatai

On the eve of July 1, the Party branch of ASIMCO Camshaft organized its members to visit Yuhuatai Revolutionary Martyrs’ Memorial Site—a sacred place commemorating the New Democratic Revolution and a model base for patriotic education—to pay their respects to the revolutionary martyrs and reaffirm their oath of joining the Party. Yuhuatai was once the execution ground where the reactionary regime massacred Communists and revolutionary patriots; it is said that more than 100,000 Communist Party members and revolutionary masses were buried here. From a distance, one can clearly see the eight gilded characters “Yuhuatai Martyrs’ Monument,” inscribed in Deng Xiaoping’s own handwriting. The party members stood solemnly before the monument, paying their respects to the revolutionary martyrs. In front of the group sculpture of the martyrs, everyone was deeply moved and filled with countless thoughts. The revolutionary martyrs sacrificed their precious lives for national independence and dignity; they cast aside all family and personal concerns, stepped forward without hesitation, laid down their heads and shed their blood, willingly giving up their youth and even their lives. As Communist Party members, we must carry forward the fine traditions of our revolutionary predecessors, firmly keep in mind the principle of “loving our posts, dedicating ourselves to our work, and serving society,” set an exemplary example in our daily work, and make our due contribution to the development of ASIMCO Camshaft. Through this activity, the party members not only received profound education in revolutionary traditions and promoted the spirit of patriotism by being immersed in the historical site, but also strengthened communication and exchange among themselves, broadened their horizons, expanded their thinking, and thus better facilitated their future work. In recent years, the Party branch of ASIMCO Camshaft has adhered to a practical approach, taking the establishment of an advanced grassroots Party branch and striving to be outstanding Communist Party members as its main tasks, with in-depth study and practice of the Scientific Outlook on Development as its central theme. It has pursued reform and innovation with a focus on achieving tangible results, and coordinated the overall development of Party organization building. In the course of strengthening Party organization building, all party members have led by example and strictly observed discipline and laws. The company’s Party branch has played a leading role in various aspects of the enterprise’s work through measures such as setting up model posts for party members and publicly displaying party members’ identities. For comrades who are politically motivated to make progress, the branch has formulated training plans and established a system of liaison between the Party and the masses. Since its establishment, the Party branch has admitted five new Communist Party members, injecting vitality into the company’s development. In the “Creating Excellence and Striving for Superiority” campaign organized by the Yizheng Municipal Committee of the CPC, the Party branch was recognized as an advanced grassroots Party organization for two consecutive years and was commended by the Yizheng Municipal Committee.