As the manufacturing industry enters a critical stage of transformation and upgrading, the ability to improve both quality and efficiency has become central to achieving high-quality growth. At Vich, we are leading this change by building a supply chain network that emphasizes minimalist factories, flexible production lines, digital intelligence, and multi-site collaboration. This innovative approach allows us to seamlessly integrate quality control with production efficiency.
In this feature, we sit down with Zhengshun Li, Director of Vich’s Supply Chain Center, to explore how we maintain full-process quality control from raw materials to final products, and how we’re embracing innovation in the era of smart manufacturing.
Li joined Vich in 2021 as Director of Manufacturing, where he focused on production management and optimization. In October 2024, he took on the role of Supply Chain Director, expanding his scope to oversee the coordination of the entire supply chain system.
Q: Vich has now been operating in the new headquarters for some time. Could you tell us about the design concept behind the main workshop?
Li:
The workshop was designed with our business goals and market needs in mind. Our core objective is to build a production system that embodies simplicity, flexibility, digitalization, and coordinated operations across multiple sites.
We optimized the layout to support a wide variety of small-batch orders and fast delivery timelines. For example, the first floor of Factory Building 2 houses six wire mesh cable tray lines. Each line is designed based on product specifications to ensure both efficiency and flexibility. There’s also a dedicated safety fence line and a precision sheet metal line to meet different production needs.
The second floor is used for storage and packaging of cable trays, while the third floor handles the storage and packaging of safety fence products. To boost intelligent material handling, we’ve installed an automated parts warehouse and an AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) pallet system on the upper floors, improving efficiency and accuracy in warehousing and logistics.
Q: What do you think has been the most successful technical upgrade in the workshop in recent years?
Li:
I’d say our most significant improvement was enhancing the overall manufacturing capability for customized safety fences. As demand for custom products continues to grow, we faced the challenge of how to produce and deliver large volumes of customized fences quickly and efficiently.
Our solution was a comprehensive technical upgrade involving three elements: production line automation, flexible tooling systems, and digital integration.
– First, we optimized the production line by introducing automation to boost output and efficiency.
– Second, we developed a series of adjustable fixtures that can quickly adapt to various specifications, significantly reducing changeover time.
– Lastly, we fully integrated our information systems, allowing us to manage orders and production in real time, which greatly improved scheduling accuracy.
Q: How does Vich strike a balance between standardized production and highly customized client requests? Do you have a responsive system in place?
Li:
Yes, we do. Our approach is to analyze and categorize each customization request to identify shared features. These common elements are then modularized and incorporated into our standardized production processes.
For the unique elements, we respond with flexible process adjustments and tailored equipment configurations. We’ve also established a rapid response system. When a custom order comes in, a dedicated project team is assigned to assess production feasibility and coordinate with R&D, production, and quality control. This ensures that customized needs are met without compromising our efficiency or product standards.
Q: Are there any Vich product manufacturing standards that exceed national benchmarks?
Li:
Absolutely. In certain areas—such as precision requirements for critical parts and durability testing—we’ve developed internal standards that go beyond national regulations.
While these higher standards can increase the complexity of equipment upgrades, staff training, and production costs, they also significantly strengthen our product competitiveness and brand image.
Q: How does Vich ensure zero defects from raw materials to finished products? How do the R&D, production, and quality control teams work together to guarantee reliability?
Li:
We’ve built a comprehensive quality assurance system that covers every step of the process.
– For raw materials, we carefully select suppliers and run strict quality checks on every batch we receive.
– During the R&D stage, we conduct thorough market research and needs analysis, followed by simulation tests and prototype validations to ensure our designs are reliable.
– In production, we follow standardized procedures using advanced equipment, and we monitor every step in real time.
– Our quality control team conducts final inspections—either full checks or sample-based inspections—before any product leaves the factory.
Through tight collaboration and communication between R&D, production, and quality assurance, we’ve created a closed-loop quality control system that ensures reliability at every stage.
Q: How do you train workers who are skilled in both traditional craftsmanship and digital technologies?
Li:
That’s become one of our key talent development goals. We’ve established a structured training system to cultivate hybrid-skilled workers.
New hires are paired with experienced mentors in a one-on-one apprenticeship to learn traditional techniques hands-on. We also host regular internal training sessions and invite industry experts to deepen theoretical knowledge.
To build digital skills, we partner with professional institutions to offer courses on equipment operation, data analysis, and automation. We also encourage self-learning by offering resources and incentives such as study funds and skills competitions. This mix of theory and practice has helped us build a team of versatile, well-rounded workers who support our continued growth.
Q: If you had to describe the production culture at Vich in three words, what would they be? How are these values reflected in daily operations?
Li:
I would say Innovation, Collaboration, and Lean.
– Innovation is seen in our ongoing improvements to processes and technology. We actively encourage employees to share new ideas to boost efficiency and product quality.
– Collaboration is reflected in how our departments work closely together and communicate effectively to meet shared goals.
– Lean means we continuously optimize workflows, reduce waste, and improve resource utilization for maximum efficiency.
These values are reinforced through innovation workshops, team-building events, and lean production training—turning concepts into action across the organization.
Q: As AI becomes more prevalent, how does your team plan to integrate it into production?
Li:
AI has great potential across many areas.
– In production planning and scheduling, we’re exploring how AI can analyze order and resource data to optimize plans and enable real-time adjustments.
– In quality inspection, AI-powered vision systems can detect surface defects and dimensional issues more quickly and accurately.
– For equipment management, AI can help us monitor machine performance in real time, predict failures, and perform preventive maintenance—reducing downtime.
Beyond production, we also see AI playing a role in supply chain management and product development. We’ll continue to explore these opportunities to drive smart manufacturing forward.
“At Vich, we see quality as the lifeblood of our business—woven into not just our products, but every link of our supply chain.”
This unwavering commitment to quality is what keeps us ahead in today’s competitive market.
