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.

The Science and Technology Association of ASIMCO Camshaft (Yizheng) Co., Ltd. Was Established

In June, the gentle breeze of Yangcheng carries the warmth and excitement of the season. Despite the lingering, mellow weather, ASIMCO Camshaft’s spirit of innovation and progress has remained undiminished and unfaltering. On June 24, 2013, the Science and Technology Association of ASIMCO Camshaft (Yizheng) Co., Ltd. was established. This is a major initiative for our company to further deepen and advance our scientific and technological work, and it has also created an important platform for our extensive team of science and technology professionals to conduct academic discussions and technical exchanges, serving as a true home for camshaft technology experts. The association will act as a vital link and bridge between the Yizheng City Association for Science and Technology and our enterprise and its science and technology personnel, enabling us to promptly convey important policies on economic and social development from higher authorities while also promptly reflecting the suggestions, opinions, and demands of each science and technology professional. Technological innovation has become the primary driving force behind economic development and a key factor in enhancing a company’s overall competitiveness. Our vast community of science and technology professionals are not only the promoters of technological progress and the mainstay of independent innovation, but also the pioneers of advanced productive forces. By doing a good job with our company’s Science and Technology Association, we will undoubtedly foster the growth and improvement of our talent pool, promote technological advancement within the company, and thereby drive the company’s overall development.

ASIMCO Camshaft Successfully Completes First-Half Technical Renovation Investment

Seizing opportunities and leveraging momentum—ASIMCO’s Camshaft division has consistently struck a harmonious duet of building momentum and pursuing self-development. Thanks to the concerted efforts of all, the company successfully completed its technological upgrade investment for the first half of the year. The company’s annual plan allocates RMB 13.1 million for technological upgrades, with RMB 7.15 million already committed in the first half of the year. However, only RMB 4.26 million was actually contracted, resulting in a shortfall of RMB 2.89 million for these projects alone. As General Manager Chen Aiguo often says, “Anyone can spend money on wine; the real skill lies in being able to buy wine even when you have no money.” The VIKING production line requires an ADCOLE Camshaft Comprehensive Tester for online inspection, which costs about RMB 5 million (excluding tax). The company currently owns an ADCOLE 1310 dedicated tester originally used for the General LE5 project. If this equipment is to be repurposed for the VIKING line, it will need a comprehensive overhaul and upgrade, with ADCOLE quoting RMB 1.5 million—and there’s no guarantee the upgrade will succeed. After careful evaluation, the team decided against simply handing over such a large sum of money to others and opted instead to undertake the renovation themselves. After nearly six months of relentless effort and countless trials, the equipment was finally upgraded at the end of May and now fully meets the inspection requirements for VIKING products, at a total cost of just over RMB 20,000. There are many similar cases: for example, in the past two years the company has independently designed and built multiple specialized production machines, including cutting machines, punching machines, cleaning machines, and oiling machines, saving millions in costs. In the second half of the year and beyond, the company plans to shift its investment in camshaft grinding machines toward acquiring used German and Japanese equipment that has been phased out by domestic firms, leveraging the company’s strong capabilities to refurbish and upgrade these machines and thereby enhance return on investment. Recently, the company spent RMB 1.2 million to acquire a used camshaft grinder that would otherwise cost around RMB 7 million.

FAW Xichai Leaders Visit ASIMCO Camshaft

On May 31, 2013, a delegation of five from FAW Xichai, including Deputy Plant Manager Xu Haigen and Head of the Procurement Department Xu Baiping, paid a visit to ASIMCO Camshaft. Wu Yingxue, Chairman of the Chinese side, and General Manager Chen Aiguo of ASIMCO Camshaft (Yizheng) Co., Ltd. hosted the delegation. General Manager Chen Aiguo first extended a warm welcome to the guests from FAW Xichai and briefed them on the company’s development history and future plans. Subsequently, accompanied by General Manager Chen, the guests toured the casting and machining production sites of the Camshaft Company. During their visit to the 6DL Camshaft dedicated production line, the FAW Xichai leaders expressed full appreciation for the company’s achievements. They also commended ASIMCO Camshaft for having high-quality global customers such as Cummins and Fiat, as well as for producing high-end products, and stated their willingness to strengthen cooperation with ASIMCO Camshaft. This visit by FAW Xichai’s senior management will help ASIMCO Camshaft maintain a good cooperative relationship with FAW Xichai on existing projects, while also facilitating the expansion of cooperation into higher-level areas for both parties.

The gradually warming early summer, bustling production, and enthusiastic employees — A Documentary on ASIMCO Camshaft Production

Since April, order demand from global customers such as CUMMINS and IVECO has increased substantially, placing the company’s production under considerable pressure. Coupled with multiple new-product development projects, this has made on-time delivery more challenging. In response to this “happy problem,” the company’s production and support departments have risen to the occasion and embraced the challenge. The production department has optimized production layout, adjusted shift schedules, implemented meticulous allocation of personnel and resources, and boosted production efficiency to ensure timely deliveries. Workshop employees have not only extended their daily working hours by two hours but have also given up their Saturday and Sunday rest days, fully committing themselves to the current intensive production drive. As soon as we entered the workshop, we were deeply inspired by the bustling production scene. To guarantee on-time delivery, all employees have prioritized the overall goal, overcome personal difficulties, completed production tasks according to schedule, and finished each day’s work on time, thereby meeting customer needs. Master Chen Daoxiang has been a long-standing, high-performing employee in the metalworking workshop, consistently delivering high-quality output. The C9 line where he works is the most physically demanding and longest-working production line in the workshop, with shifts lasting up to 10 hours per day. Recently, with home renovations at his residence, Master Chen has sometimes felt both physically and mentally exhausted. Even under such circumstances, he has never missed a single shift, nor has he ever shied away from taking on urgent overtime when needed. Similar dedicated employees can be found in the casting and metalworking workshops, as well as in second-line service departments such as engineering, quality control, equipment maintenance, and procurement. They overcome challenges like caring for sick family members, having no one to look after their children, or even dealing with their own health issues, all while putting the bigger picture first—thinking about production, thinking about the company, and above all, thinking about the customers. They work diligently and quietly, often unnoticed. Although these are ordinary positions and involve seemingly small tasks, this spirit of dedication—putting the greater good before personal interests—truly moves everyone around them. It is precisely because of such an outstanding workforce that all aspects of the company’s operations can proceed smoothly and in an orderly manner. On the company’s continued journey ahead, there may be greater challenges and more obstacles, but as long as all managers and employees stand united, we will surely overcome any difficulties and contribute to the continued success of Camshaft Company!