For Massachusetts, a 'holiday gift' of Chinese-made rail cars
Two newly rolled-out rail cars, the first pair of the 404 next-generation rail vehicles being built by the U.S. factory of Chinese rail car manufacturer CRRC will be delivered to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), a division of Pollack's Department, for further tests before entering into service in the coming months.
Globalization vs. localization
The cooperation with Springfield City is part of the CRRC's globalization drive. For the Chinese company, "globalization" sometimes has similar implications with "localization," when it comes to doing business in a foreign country of a different culture.
CRRC MA President Jia Bo told Xinhua that his company has managed to get along well with local labor unions in Springfield despite some difficulties.
CRRC MA President Jia Bo speaks to reporters after a celebration ceremony at the factory of CRRC in Springfield, Massachusetts, the United States, on Dec. 18, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]
"We have hired local public relations experts. We have tremendous cooperation with the union. We have signed employment contracts with them and have carried out public services for local communities," he said. "They have been truly helpful in our production and operation."
Jia added that with the expected increase of capacity in the future, the company is likely to employ more local workers.
But for the Chinese enterprise, its globalization strategy has brought more partners worldwide into its localization project in the United States.
"We may have projects in Los Angeles in 2020, and Philadelphia also that year. We have hired over 200 employees in the U.S., but that does not mean it's all about the U.S.," Jia said. "The car shells were made in China, while the main pieces of equipment were made in the U.S. Meanwhile, companies from other nations investing here are also getting involved. Our traction system was produced in the United States by Japan's Mitsubishi."
"It is fair to say that our assembly factory assembles components as part of a global supply chain," he noted.
"This is a good example of China-U.S. win-win cooperation and will benefit plenty of livelihoods," said Huang Ping, Chinese consul general in New York. "We would like to see more successful businesses like CRRC MA and more win-win results."
"This is really a partnership...There are people in both countries who benefit not just from the work but also from the product," Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said.
