The technical and quality gap between domestic and international glass-lined product offerings

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This post was last edited by LZD420983 on 2021-8-25 at 15:27. I worked for a foreign-funded company for several years; later, due to personal career reasons, I left. I visited and inspected 6 or 7 domestic enamel (glass-lined) manufacturers, and I have a deep understanding of this product. Figures 1, 2, and 3 show renderings of products produced using different manufacturing processes, taken under the same shooting conditions and with the same equipment – and it’s clear to see the significant differences in terms of appearance. In my opinion, the existence of such differences is due to the following factors: 1. Concepts: A good product requires good design, quality materials, top-notch equipment, and excellent manufacturing processes, all of which demand significant investment. Many companies cut corners (for example, using as thin steel plates as possible to save money) and engage in fraud by passing off inferior products as good ones (intentionally hiding problems, assuming that customers are careless and uninformed). 2. Gap in technology itself: Abroad, it has a history of over 100 years, during which many failures have been experienced. Although it has a history of several decades in China, its experience remains limited. 3. Difference in raw materials: High-quality glazes are mostly imported from abroad; a certain foreign-owned company produces and uses such glazes exclusively, not selling them to others. Thus, by maintaining strict control over quality, it can sustain its competitive advantage. Research on raw materials is fundamental research, and few private enterprises in China are willing to invest effort in this area; the country tends to focus on making quick profits. Few people are interested in undertakings that require high investment, a long time frame, and uncertain outcomes, except for the research institutions led by **. 4. Gap in process level: This can actually be regarded as a technological gap. I met several executives from certain domestic companies at exhibitions. When talking about this industry, several of them dismissed foreign technologies, saying that companies like XXX were nothing special, but their own product quality was far from satisfactory. I say this not to praise others and dampen our own spirit. Sometimes, when I see them act like that, I think it’s a bit arrogant of them; they don’t make any effort to improve their products and just seek satisfaction through empty words. I have emphasized on many occasions that enamel products require great precision; it’s not enough to rely on empty promises – action is necessary rather than just talking. 5. Quality control: Enamel products are among those that demand the most attention to detail. One mistake, and no matter how well subsequent steps are carried out, the product will still be defective. There are too many details; each position requires a dedicated person to oversee it. When I went to check the equipment at some suppliers, I found that some small factories did not have lighting for inspecting the enamel surface, and one factory did not have a thickness gauge – let alone any means for controlling the enamel thickness. Here are a few typical examples of poor control for discussion (mentioned briefly to protect certain companies): 1) Poor quality of R corners; 2) No dedicated personnel for each position, with many workers handling multiple responsibilities; 3) Insufficient staff, compensated by temporary workers; 4) Lack of proper process control; 5) Slag from the firing process; 6) Significant variations in firing time and manufacturing processes....... 6. Differences in systems and national conditions: In the West, private ownership prevails, and most companies are family-owned, having existed for several generations – hence there is a need for comprehensive written records of all past failures. We also have many private enterprises, which often cease to exist after a lifespan of 3 to 5 years. Once these enterprises disappear, the stories associated with them are not preserved or passed on in their entirety; only fragmented pieces remain, making it difficult to establish a coherent system. Knowledge and skills fail to be transmitted and integrated. This is my personal opinion. There are too many to list them all; this article is meant as a source of encouragement. Contradictions are welcome