6. DENSO (Tianjin) Thermal Products Co., Ltd. Established
1. DENSO (Tianjin) Thermal Products Co., Ltd. established
DENSO (China) Investment (hereinafter, "DICH") had planned with its partners to establish a large-scale air conditioner production company with integrated production and assembly in TEDA as early as 2003. Tianjin City's land policy regulations at the time and other factors led to the decision to implement this plan in two phases. The first step was to establish an assembly-oriented factory, Tianjin Fawer DENSO Air-Conditioner Co., Ltd. (TFDA), and the second step was to establish a company for the locally concentrated production of air conditioner parts. However, the introduction of a series of policies, including the standardization of the industrial land market, made purchasing land much more difficult. DICH did not give up, however, and after repeated negotiations with governmental departments, it finally gained their understanding and support for the construction of a plant that would contribute to the development of the Tianjin area. In February 2005, DENSO (Tianjin) Thermal Products Co., Ltd. (hereinafter, "DMTT") was officially established, and its foundation ceremony was held in May that year. The factory was completed in February 2006, and the long-planned local production of air conditioner parts began, with the first successful delivery on August 5.
DMTT was DENSO's first production company to be established in China since its Japanese headquarters had announced the group's global policy, and represented the first time for an affiliate in the China region to begin to match DENSO's global group standards in terms of size. This successful establishment marked an important milestone. In January 2019, DENSO (Tianjin) Thermal Products Co., Ltd. (DMTT) merged with Tianjin DENSO Air-Conditioner Co., Ltd. (TDA). In 2021, DMTT's newly opened South Plant (currently an electric plant) conducted its Phase 1 expansion project, followed by its Phase 2 expansion in 2022.
2. 10th anniversary of DENSO (Tianjin) Thermal Products Co., Ltd.
On July 1, 2016, DMTT celebrated its 10th anniversary. At 2:00 p.m., more than 30 VIPs, including Tianjin Xiqing District senior officials such as Deputy District Mayor Liu, DENSO executives, various DENSO company presidents, and former DMTT officials, arrived wearing name cards specially made for the occasion and accompanied by escorts in matching attire, to celebrate DMTT's 10th anniversary and enjoy the spectacular ceremony together. Before the start of the ceremony, Xiqing District senior officials, President Fukuami, and DENSO executives met in the VIP room to discuss future developments and expectations.
At 2:20 p.m., the ceremony officially began. First, President Fukuami gave an address from the stage, thanking all the guests for their attendance. This was followed by speeches from Deputy District Mayor Liu and senior DENSO officials, who reflected on the company's development so far, touched on its current situation, and painted a bright outlook for its future. Some veteran employees then made a pledge, and everyone in the room was inspired by their spirited words. Next, there was a lively tree-planting ceremony. The sound of gongs and drums echoed in the sky as the guests were led by a lion dance to the company garden, where they planted trees to commemorate the 10th anniversary. Although the weather was blazing hot, it did not spoil the enthusiasm and joy of the participants. After the tree-planting ceremony, employees lined up to see off the Xiqing District officials. Following this, the DENSO executives, company presidents, and former DMTT officials were divided into groups for site visits of DMTT.
At 6:00 p.m., there was a magnificent 10th anniversary banquet at Jinlihua Hotel. The banquet began with a spectacular ceremony, in which the executives all drank together to celebrate the "10th anniversary of DMTT" and signal the beginning of an even more glorious decade to come. Two of DMTT's presidents then delivered remarks, recounting the many events that have brought DMTT step by step to where it is today. There were hard times in the early days of the company, but there have also been happier times more recently. Later in the program, the production section's performance of their own dance, "Brothers and Sisters, Forward!" showcased their amazing corporate culture and raised the excitement of the banquet to a new high. Next, some family members of employees who have been with the company for 10 years played the koto, impressing upon everyone present that the next generation is growing up. There was also a performance of "bian lian," a form of traditional Chinese opera from Sichuan. At the end of the banquet, everyone joined in a rendition of "Friends," bringing the wonderful celebrations to an end.
3. DENSO (Tianjin) Thermal Products Co., Ltd.
Living in the Plant to Ensure Production and Supply during Covid-19 pandemic May 28, 2022: Covid infections recurred As in January that year, Tianjin's Xiqing District saw another surge in Covid-19 infections.
Local authorities took the hasty decision to close the entire area due to the outbreak, and employees who had come to work to do company-wide inventory and contractors who had visited to carry out various works were unable to return home. Amidst all the uncertainty in people’s lives, DMTT decided early on to provide overnight accommodation so that we could fulfill our responsibility to supply customers, and the entire company started to make preparations. Despite having no past experience, and with Japanese expatriates unable to get to work, the remaining local managers began to take swift and bold action on site, urgently and proactively considering and preparing countermeasure plans. We conducted a comprehensive review of the entire area, including examining production activities with limited human resources and materials, maintaining communications with employees at home to add personnel, securing materials from suppliers also locked down, securing food and clothing for employees staying in the company, and establishing an internal quarantine system.
In these circumstances, local managers took the lead in maintaining employee motivation by providing the most comfortable sleeping environment possible, ensuring a varied diet, arranging after-work entertainment, holding birthday parties, and so on. In this way, these managers supported the employees and suppliers who worked hard to continue production while caring about their families left at home. This gave more employees the courage to come to the company one after another and spend their nights at the company.
The lockdown lasted for ten days until June 6, and we were able to secure supply to our customers by having a total of 600 people live on site and continue production.
In recognition of their efforts during the lockdown, we gave awards to the suppliers and everyone else who contributed. The entire company pulled together to continue these courageous production activities, and we all celebrated when the restrictions were lifted.
The efforts made during this period inspired a sense of unity throughout DMTT and led to the creation of a stronger corporate culture.
4. DENSO (Tianjin) Thermal Products Co., Ltd. 18th Anniversary Family Day
On September 10, 2023, a family event, previously abandoned due to the spread of Covid-19, was held to commemorate the end of the pandemic as well as the 18th anniversary of the foundation of the company. Under the theme of "18 and Counting: the Future is Bright," both the company and its employees have grown up over the past 18 years, and will keep growing for a brighter future.
The usual "company" was decorated with bright, cheerful flags and wrapping with a common theme, and the opening ceremony started with all employees wearing matching T-shirts, and 500 family members invited too.
The show was a great success despite the occasional rain, with an 18-year employee and a new employee acting as emcees, and some children of employees positioned at the front of the auditorium. Performances included entertainment by 18-year employees, dancing by little children, and dancing by expatriates.
After the show, employees were able to take their families around the plant and show them where they spend their working time. Young children were invited to the Education Center and green space where employees entertained them in various play areas, and guests were also offered a tour of employees’ work space in the office.
After all the fun and tours, guests were invited to an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch, including an outdoor BBQ. Unfortunately, it rained at this time, but the employees and expatriates served plenty of yakiniku (grilled meat).
At the end, a prize draw was held for all the families, and so while the children had a great time, many employees went home with a souvenir.
This marked the end of the Family Day, which employees had been looking forward to. After all the difficulties over the years, they were able to celebrate DMTT's 18th anniversary together with their families.
Nearly all of the employees and their families commented favorably in the post-event survey, making it a very meaningful time for them all.