Contact information of Jin Guowei

"Change is the only thing that does not change in this world."

Change is the only constant in this world. In the face of endless challenges, how can we support the business economy and sustainable development? Most would say that the solution is innovation. Businesses iterate in the course of innovation, and keep pace with the future.

In this new wave of innovation, everyone can play a part. Being at the helm of enterprise IT in Shanghai Machine Tool Works, Jin Guowei stays at the forefront of new developments. These include changes in technology and the industry, as well as cutting-edge hot spots, such as big data and AI.

"I like new things. I like constantly exploring new things." Jin takes this reporter on a tour of the established company with over sixty years of history. The old items in the iron sheet factory built by the Americans at the end of World War II bear witness to how this factory, which has accomplished many firsts for China's machine tool industry, will adapt to and meet the challenges brought by the changes as society gets on the fast track to informatization, and how will this factory breathe vibrancy and life into itself once again?

All aspirations start with passion

As a child, Jin had an immense interest in computing applications. When he was in university, he majored in computing applications and graduated in 1984. He joined the research and development section of Shanghai Machine Tool Works, which paved the way for his career in IT and management. Every now and then, he is overcome with emotion when he looks back on the road he has taken.

Shanghai Machine Tool Works, like other state-owned enterprises in the era of planned economy, had numerous societal functions. In addition to such responsibilities, the aging of the technology inherent in the company's main products, and the outdated corporate management model were among the factors that once posed difficulties for Shanghai Machine Tool Works after the switch to the market economy.

In the mid-1990s, Shanghai Machine Tool Works began contemplating means of informatization to raise enterprise productivity. As a result, the company equipped itself with the most advanced international hardware and software systems at the time. As the company had selected a relatively well-known system of a renowned professional company from overseas, it was hoped that the system would revitalize the management of the company. After some time, the system had not met expectations. Jin consolidated and analyzed the feedback from various parties and soon determined the crux of the issue—the system had not taken into consideration the basic attributes of China. Despite the fact that the advanced system was significantly efficient overseas, it was not suited to the context of China.

"Although the software for informatization can be replicated, there is no fixed model for management. The concept of informatized management cannot be imported wholesale; we cannot derive the benefits of overseas informatized management without cultural similarities." This experience caused Jin to take a more rational approach in his work going forward. "Be true to yourself and make rational judgments." Jin reevaluated his choices and faced difficulties head-on, strongly believing that challenges would only make him stronger. From his perspective, company should be revamped from management to products with the use of modern informatization technologies.

Integrating information islands for information sharing

"My decades of work experience show me that having confidence does not indicate the absence of challenges. Instead, confidence is about facing challenges and overcoming them." In 2005, Jin was appointed as the Chief Information Officer of Shanghai Machine Tool Works Ltd. When he reviewed and planned the informatization infrastructure of the company, he studied system suppliers at home and abroad, and shortlisted potential candidates. His list included the original overseas supplier of the informatization system to Shanghai Machine Tool Works, as well as competitors of the supplier with comparable capabilities. The candidates were required to provide case studies of best practices in the machine tools industry or solutions for discrete manufacturing.

Jin knew very well that the constant development of informatization applications, and the increasing demand for information exchange inside and outside the company would result in an urgent need to merge existing information, integrate information islands, and share information for data integration.

Sharing his views on the issue, Jin said that the machine tools industry is the most typical example of discrete manufacturing. The manufacture of a specialized machine tool involves thousands of parts, and the management of materials produced in-house or procured externally alone constitutes a rather large and complex system. As competition in the market heats up, delivery times have also become a factor for competition. Companies that have shorter lead times are more competitive and attractive to customers; therefore, shortening lead times is a key factor that has a direct impact on enterprise productivity.

Various challenges will arise in the course of innovation, but overcoming such challenges creates value and enables personal growth. Overseas suppliers of systems do not usually delve into the details of enterprise management, and even if a supplier were able to address the intricacies of manufacturing processes, it would not modify or adjust its own software or develop a customized one just to meet the special requirements of different forms of enterprise management. As such, when Jin set out to revamp the informatization system for enterprise management, he had a strategy in mind: By cooperating with a suitable supplier, and building an information management system tailored to Shanghai Machine Tool Works and embodying features of Chinese management, the company would become a representative of the national industry with its modern enterprise management on par with major international brands, setting a strong foundation for Shanghai Machine Tool Works development in the new century.

Enterprises have to keep up with trends, and constantly learn and review new technology to stay ahead in the race in changing times. On Jin's desk, this reporter spot a proposal on Enterprise Data Products and Solutions—a request for business cooperation from China Telecom. "Once I'm at it, I try to do it well even if it means having to take things to the next level," said Jin. He firmly believes that informatization can improve the development of China's machine tools industry, and that Shanghai Machine Tool Works will be at the forefront of the high-tech domain.

Creating a fast track for IT

Although China started developing computing applications and studying computing applications in industrial domains relatively later, this should not be a reason to fall behind in the race. Jin established cooperation with relevant research institutes in China and overseas in the form of industry-academia-research integration, and organized joint research on Extreme Manufacturing together with his peers. Each of them used his or her knowledge and nimble hands to build unique machine tools with independent intellectual property, to meet the urgent requirements for the development of the national economy. For example, the precision micro CNC nanogrinding machine, the largest CNC cylindrical grinding machine in China...

Research in grinding machines involves many aspects. With his years of work experience and perceptive insights into developments in international markets, Jin is qualified to speak on the issue of informatization infrastructure. By beginning with the fundamentals and getting started by nurturing talent, results have already been achieved, giving Jin confidence for the future. This is not simply blind optimism but an accurate grasp of how IT speeds up development for the world that we live in.

Well-versed in the near-magical power that informatization and digitization have on societal progress, Jin hopes to maintain the leading position of the grinding machines of Shanghai Machine Tool Works in the Chinese market. One critical aspect of this is making products more intelligent, an issue that Jin, who has been tasked with overseeing enterprise information infrastructure, has to tackle.

Thoughts on the development of the manufacturing industry in Shanghai

Since 2008, Jin has been nominated for three consecutive terms as a member of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee. He actively participates in various activities organized by the CPPCC Shanghai Committee and drafts proposals every year. His focus is on his area of specialization and related areas, such as Shanghai equipment manufacturing industries, intelligent manufacturing, as well as the reform and development of state-owned assets and enterprises. He has provided valuable recommendations, with his proposals being adopted and highly regarded by relevant parties. He has spoken several times at the CPPCC, and in January spoke on the topic of "Developing with intelligent manufacturing to facilitate the transformation of the real economy," earning the acknowledgment of Li Qiang, Secretary of Shanghai Municipal Party Committee.

Being in the manufacturing industry and a member of the CPPCC Shanghai Committee, Jin seeks to do his job well with responsibility and drive as usual, and make greater contributions in his political endeavors.

Always staying true to his initial aspirations in the long journey ahead

Jin emphasized throughout the interview that in the era of change "lifelong learning is becoming the new normal in this digital world."

As the company is rapidly developing, there is a great need to bring in talent. Jin highlighted that he views intelligence and effort as the two most important factors when recruiting. Technology changes constantly, so only those who have the smarts and willingness to learn and put in effort will be able to keep up with the new technology.

Besides, corporate culture, as an essential part of the company, should highlight "integrity, teamwork and drive". He believes that a person should have integrity, cooperate with his or her team members and possess drive in his or her work.

Jin ended off with some words for the newcomers, referencing Stephen Hawking, "We need to take this beyond a theoretical discussion of how things should be, and take action, to make sure they have the opportunity to get on board. We stand on the threshold of a brave new world. It is an exciting, if precarious place to be, and you are the pioneers. I wish you well."

In Jin's eyes, anything can be shaped as long as we keep learning and follow the industry closely. Regardless of what the future holds, there is always something to look forward to.