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HISTORY China Array Signs First Contract with China State Shipbuilding Corporation In 1980, Russell Johnson, founder of China Array (formerly, Spectra International, Inc.) signed the company's first contract with the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), the third largest company in China and the only corporation with cabinet status in the Chinese government. The contract, to manufacture stainless steel food processing equipment, marked the beginning of 16 years of continuous trading between China Array and CSSC. Business grew as the companies worked together to meet US FDA quality standards and delivery schedules based on market demand rather than government quotas. Over the years, China Array gradually gravitated away from large State Owned Enterprises (SOE) moving through stages to TVE's, a uniquely Chinese form of ownership, to privately owned companies, and finally to setting up its own Wholly Owned Foreign Enterprise (WOFE): the equivalent of a foreign subsidiary. China Array has dealt with virtually every form of business enterprise China has to offer. But, the company's original involvement with the pioneering men and women of those State Owned Enterprises who had the task of first opening up to the West was a special experience. Creating contracts that accommodated both the Chinese and US legal systems and then implementing them to manufacture goods to meet unfamiliar US requirements took a leap of faith, a lot of good will, and a keen sense of humor. The graciousness and courtliness of our hosts in those early days and the elaborate banquets, with an etiquette now rarely found today, did much to overcome the technical, legal, and financial obstacles that arose. Business moves forward, but I will always have respect and affection for the China State Shipbuilding Corporation of that era. (Click for articles .)
Li Qinren takes over CSSC's Business
with China Array
China
Array Contract Manufactures Plastic Components
Stainless Steel Production Shifted to Private Factory In 1996, due to lending restrictions imposed by the Chinese government on state owned corporations, CSSC factories were unable to fulfill some of their contractual obligations. In response to this situation, Mr. Johnson and Mr. Li, who had taken early retirement and now worked directly for China Array, put together a team of former CSSC employees and assisted them in setting up and equipping a private factory, which assumed manufacturing a portion of China Array's production needs. Known as a Township Village Enterprise (TVE), the employees and the township of Yangjan, China own the factory. Mr. Li acts as an independent overseer for China Array. As the private factory successfully met quality and delivery benchmarks, more of China Array's production was consigned to it and continues to be produced there. Management eventually bought out the Township's interest and the factory is now privately owned.
China Array Celebrates 25th Anniversary of Manufacturing in China In 2005, China Array marked its 25th anniversary of manufacturing in China by bringing together the company's China management team for a delightful banquet filled with congratulatory toasts. To all our customers and vendors, we, at China Array, would like to extend a special thank you for sticking by us during the growing pains of learning and expanding our business in China, and seeing us through to our current success. We see a bright future ahead and hope that we can continue to expand our cooperation with you. Here's to the next 25 years: "Campai"!
In 2006, China Array moved into a new 15,000 square foot molding facility designed specifically for injection molding High Performance Thermoplastics. Located in the Zhuangkou Industrial Park in Wuhan, China (Peugeot, Citroen and Volkswagen have major manufacturing operations in Zhuangkou as well), the facility is excellently located near major transportation hubs and sub suppliers. China Array is pleased to continue its close affiliation with Wuhan and the Great Yangtze River Valley
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