From the Readers

Zero injuries most vital

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-04 07:58

Having visited many workshops in numerous Chinese and overseas enterprises, I was recently quite impressed by the motto of "100 percent safe - zero injuries" offered by a world-renowned entrepreneur.

Speaking at a "Family Day" gathering at Kennametal (China) Co Ltd in Tianjin, Carlos M. Cardoso, CEO of US-based Kennametal Inc, said: "The safety of each employee is the No 1 concern of the company" and "the safety goal for Kennametal is 100 percent safe - zero injuries." As one of the participants in the gala, I was quite moved.

Though I agree with the differences between Chinese and overseas entrepreneurial philosophies, even if it's not quite normal, I must say for most of us Chinese entrepreneurial staff, we have to learn from good managerial motto from around the world.

Most of the time, I have been bombarded with narcissistic calls to make a profits and expand staff while visiting Chinese businesses, so the call from the Kennametal chief is strikingly new to me. He declared: "I believe that nothing is more important or basic than creating and maintaining a completely safe work environment, and none of us should settle for anything less."

I firmly believe that the Chinese employees (and their family members) at Kennametal (China) Co Ltd will also be moved by the clear message of "zero injuries".

As their enthusiasm is aroused, a good entrepreneurial environment will be created accordingly. That's why Kennametal Inc is a world leader in its industry.

John Chang, president for Asia Pacific of Kennametal Inc, affirmed that the products at Kennametal (China) Co Ltd in Tianjian are among the best plants in the world.

Dale Cui, general manager of Kennametal (China) Co Ltd, noted that his factory has been stressing the idea of safety ever since Kennametal started its mining and construction tools business in China in the early 1990s, and the new urge from Cardoso will now be a guiding light in their daily operations.

Sunny Ma, via e-mail from Tianjin

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(China Daily 05/04/2010 page9)