Three-tiered strategy wins talents

Weifang Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone is using a three-tiered strategy to form what it calls a "closed loop" to guide its development path－talent, technology and industry. And the strategy is paying off, paving the way for the attraction of talented professionals and industry awards.

One such Weifang company that received plaudits is Shandong Tianrui Heavy Industry, whose chairman, Li Yongsheng, was recently elected one of only five foreign academicians at the Russian Academy of Engineering in 2020.

Li and Shandong Tianrui own 157 nationally authorized patents.

"The development of Tianrui Heavy Industry to this day is inseparable from the excellent business environment in Weifang and the high-tech zone," Li said.

The zone's three-tiered strategy aims to attract talent who will help bring about technological advances which, in turn, will develop local industries and incubate local professionals.

As a result of this strategy, companies located in the zone have been able to develop a presence at national and provincial-level scientific and technological events in recent years, as well as win awards.

One award-winner was auto transmission developer Shengrui Transmission, who won first prize at the National Science and Technology Progress Awards on Jan 9,2017. Electro-acoustic components manufacturer Goertek was awarded first prize at the Shandong Science and Technology Progress Award on April 4, 2019.

The high-tech zone's strategy has also led to increased project signings. In 2020, Shandong Tianrui signed cooperation intent agreements with nine guilds and 18 companies at an event for promoting application of the company's first magnetic suspension air blowers.

Li said projects come about because of products, and great products are made by talented professionals.

"The Weifang high-tech zone boasts an exceedingly good system for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship," Li said, adding the zone has founded specialized departments and offers policies that enable companies to better attract and train professionals.

Professionals are the "first resources" for corporate development and the "first impetus" for promoting innovation, Li said.

Shandong Tianrui, founded in 2008, originally had 17 employees and is now a leading company in the field of magnetic suspension, local media reported, adding that the company's growth is related to the high-tech zone's aim of developing advanced technologies to realize industrialization.

Nie Shaojun, director of the high-tech zone's scientific and technological bureau, said the bureau will continue to focus on companies' needs and demands and serve them in aspects such as recruitment and cooperation with universities and research institutions.

The high-tech zone has been recruiting talented professionals nationwide since 2018. Among them is Xie Chengping, who has a doctoral degree from a biological environment and energy engineering major at the South China Agricultural University in Guangzhou, capital of Guangdong province.

Xie took a temporary post as deputy director of a testing service center at the Weifang photoelectricity industrial zone. His employment made Zhang Jianhua, the industrial zone's vice-director, happy.

"Xie is an expert on new-generation information technology and environmental protection and we were badly in need of such a professional then," Zhang said.

At that time, the industrial zone's testing center, with an investment worth more than 70 million yuan ($10.84 million), earned a little more than 1 million yuan in 2017.

Lacking professional guidance was the biggest problem restricting the center's development, Zhang said, adding Xie had rich experience in the field of testing.

The center's testing service revenue rose to 10 million yuan in 2019, Zhang said.

Sun Zhanbiao, general manager of Shandong Sanhuali Machinery Technology, has run his company in the high-tech zone since August 2012.

The company specializes in manufacturing energy conservation and freeze-proofing equipment for pipes. Its vacuum freeze-proofing technology is leading internationally. Though it had settled in Weifang for several years, investment attraction authorities from many other cities attempted to lure it to their cities, according to media reports.

Sun said he refused the invitations because of the Weifang high-tech zone's excellent business environment.

The high-tech zone said it aims to develop new, advanced and precision industries.

A 3D bioprinting regenerative implantable medical device project held its groundbreaking ceremony in the high-tech zone recently.

Zhang Wencai, founder of NEO Modulus (Shandong) that runs the project, said after it comes into operation, the project will offer volume production of things including bionic biologic bones, covering head, neck and oral cavity.

Zhang said the project had considered being located in Shenzhen, Zhuhai and Suzhou, but he finally chose his hometown Weifang due to its favorable policies and efficient services.

songmengxing@chinadaily.com.cn