The gap between domestic and foreign enamel products
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This post was last edited by LZD420983 on 2021-4-26 at 12:32. I used to work in enamel-related tasks for several years at a well-known company, so I have some knowledge about the situation regarding enamel both domestically and internationally. Overall, there is a tendency for haste and impatience in the country. One day, I heard from a friend that a certain enamel factory in China does not provide any warranty on its products, and they can break at any time; the supplier said that there are too many variables related to enamel, and they cannot do anything about it. Its price is surprisingly low. The reasons for the low price, as understood preliminarily, are as follows: 1. The foreign enamel coating process involves cooling the material in during and after the coating process to fully relieve stress (it is necessary to gradually raise the temperature in the furnace, maintain it at that level, and then lower it), with the entire coating process taking several hours ； In China, in some cases, a cycle is completed in half an hour, and the furnace is started again while the equipment is still at high temperature. Glazing furnaces consume a great deal of electricity, which accounts for a large portion of the costs. Due to the difference in thermal expansion coefficients between the steel billet and the enamel, when it is cooled after being taken out of high-temperature conditions without gradual cooling, significant residual stresses arise between the two materials. These stresses can lead to the risk of the enamel cracking under the effects of temperature and pressure during subsequent lifting, transportation, installation, and use. 2. Domestic companies produce standard products, while foreign companies manufacture custom-made products. 3. Differences in manufacturing processes, management efforts, and labor costs. 4. Commercial competition, price wars, and a vicious cycle. I have also observed the situation of enamel coating in China up close: rough surfaces, poor quality at the pipe ends (the enamel surface on those ends is highly uneven), thick gaskets (due to the inadequate flatness of the pipe ends), and pinhole-like defects on the surface... Enamel coating is a delicate task, and China still has a long way to go in this area. One must avoid being impetuous and focus on doing business seriously. Business owners, please remember that this is an industrial activity! You can deceive people for a while, but not forever; in the end, the market will show the truth...
Winning bids at low prices harms both others and oneself; it damages the entire industry. I wouldn’t dare to eat meat that is sold at such low prices
Learn together*! :handshake:handshake Our industry professionals really need to do their work diligently; once the work is done well, business will come naturally
I agree with you; to revitalize the national industry, a pragmatic and dedicated attitude is necessary.
I work in the physical manufacturing industry, and I really can’t stand those who cut corners and engage in fraud. For physical products, things need to be handled with precision; we should learn from Japan’s rigor and the craftsmanship spirit of Japan and Germany. Apart from the equipment itself, our mindset represents a very crucial factor in the gap between us and them. In this regard, I am quite in favor of private ownership and family businesses, as their spirit can be passed down and their technologies can be accumulated over time. The problem is that many of our companies have a lifespan of only 4 or 5 years, which makes it difficult to ensure the continuation of such businesses from one generation to another
If you do the work properly, the price is 300; if you cut corners, it’s 30. There are also those who pretend to work hard and sell it for 30 when it’s actually worth 250. But what do you choose when you have these three options in front of you? And if the option priced at 250 comes with a rebate, which one would the purchasing department choose?
Winning bids at low prices is deadly; in such a social context, the spirit of craftsmanship holds no value.
I agree with you; it’s very harmful to users. Our company has been using over ten 20-cubic-meter enamel reactors, and our management chose those with lower prices due to cost considerations. Now, after a little over two years of use, the enamel coating on these reactors is severely worn in many areas, and there is significant chipping. Components such as the agitators and thermometer sleeves have broken after just a few months. We are now considering options for a complete repair, but the manufacturer said that the only solution is to send the reactors back to the factory for re-coating, which would cost over 1 million yuan. Our management is now struggling to find alternative repair methods