Zhang Jianwei pivotal to Bombardier's success in China, Yang Feiyue reports.

For fully 14 years, Zhang Jianwei has helped improve China's transport system by bringing Bombardier's experience and service to the market.

"Though a Canada-headquartered manufacturer of both aircraft and trains with cutting-edge technology, we view China as a strategic partner," said Zhang, president of Bombardier China. "We will help Chinese companies go global."

China's rail transport has made great strides in recent years. It now has 100,000 kilometers of rail in operation including 10,000 kilometers of very high-speed lines, 50 percent of the world total.

Born in 1957 in Shandong province, Zhang graduated from Tianjin University in 1982 with an engineering degree in internal combustion engines, then he received a MBA and PhD from the University of Montreal. After graduation he started his career as a project manager at Bombardier. Through hard work, he was promoted to vice-president of the company in 1998, then sent to Beijing to develop Bombardier's China business in 1999.

He said he "took great pains to win over customers in the local market" and help Bombardier make inroads in China. In the past decade, the company has established four joint ventures and seven wholly foreign-owned enterprises from scratch with more than 4,000 employees and nearly 20 large orders every year. Due to Zhang's efforts and flair for business, Bombardier won hundreds of projects including very high-speed EMU trains, metro vehicles, trams, heavy-haul freight locomotives, propulsion equipment and systems, signalling for both urban mass transit and VHS train lines as well as automated driverless airport vehicle systems.

The performance resulted in Zhang becoming president of Bombardier China.

"Proven products, advanced technology, respect and a commitment to customers are keys to success," said Zhang.

The company now cooperates in many projects in the country's aviation industries.

Upgrading technology

Zhang gives a priority to business development and product innovation while expanding into the market.

Bombardier's latest technology has long attracted the attention of Chinese customers, partly due to rail vehicles made of energy-efficient and recyclable materials.

The company's cooperation in China transcends simple technology transfer, said the president.

"We're seeking long-term, sustainable and comprehensive cooperation with China to help develop advanced products and services to better satisfy local needs," he said.

"In fact, each technology has to be modified to meet local requirements."

The company has worked within China to improve existing technologies and develop new approaches to cope with new challenges and fierce competition.

Its joint ventures play a vital role in adjusting transferred technology to fit China's market.

There was no ready technology for the high-altitude railway, but Bombardier's joint venture BST in Qingdao developed a new technology by making changes to meet specifications from the former Ministry of Railways and challenges in the natural conditions.

Forging ahead

With Chinese clients now more demanding in products and services, a huge business opportunity has been presented to Bombardier, Zhang said.

But turning opportunity into orders calls for hard work, especially when other competitors are also eyeing the huge Chinese market.

Zhang strives to reduce costs while ensuring competitive technology and services. Bombardier has long paid close attention to China's rail development.

It started tracking the high-altitude railway project in 1999 and ended up signing the contract for it in 2005. Zhang introduced Bombardier's Airport People Mover system to the China market after his mandate in the country in 1999. And in 2005, Bombardier won the bid of the APM for Beijing Capital International Airport Terminal 3.

"We believe our efforts and consistent commitment will stand the test of time and win customer trust and market credit," said Zhang.

It has won the trust of the Chinese government and customers. In 2005, the former Ministry of Railways signed a strategic agreement with Bombardier.

Local talents

Despite the company's success in China, Zhang knew from the beginning that Bombardier wouldn't continue to thrive without a strong local team. So he started looking for excellent local talent in 2009.

"The competition among companies boils down to competition among talent - and local talents help enhance team cohesion," said Zhang. Beside a few senior engineers and executives from overseas and its headquarters, the rest of employees of the Chinese branch are local hires.

Zhang said he values stability and loyalty, and gives equal attention to company's business and employees' career development. Under his leadership, his team has been a great driving force powering Bombardier's development. In the future, Zhang said Bombardier will enhance cooperation with Chinese customers and help Bombardier play an even more important role in China's rail and aviation industries.

Contact the writer at yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn

Zhang Jianwei (from third left ) was conferred the honor of a Distinguished Alumnus of HEC Montreal. Photos Provided to China Daily

Bombardier's ZEFIRO-C series.

(China Daily 01/19/2014 page6)