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Workaholic takes to job and life challenges with enthusiasm
By Lu Xiaofeng and Dai Yiyun |
October 26, 2009, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WHEN Patrick Cudmore, a South African native, moved to England to be region CEO of Mann+Hummel in 1999, he was already 47 years old.
"I prefer new things and love to take risks. Though I'm not in the golden age of life, I grab every chance and give it a try," he said.
In 2007, Cudmore set out again, this time to be managing director of Mann+Hummel China.
Established in Germany in 1941, the company is a major supplier of filtration products for the automobile parts industry.
But with 3,200 patents, its business scope now covers many industries such as mechanical engineering and it has 12,400 employees in 41 countries and regions around the world.
Having investigated China for only one week in 2005, Cudmore made up his mind to accept his company's posting.
"This country is full of vigor and there are big areas for development. My life will turn a new page," he said.
Soon after he arrived in China, Cudmore set out investigating industrial areas in Shanghai to find the best place for a new factory. He finally chose Jiading District to build the company's largest auto parts production base in Asia.
"China has already become the second largest auto production country," he said.
"One of the reasons we chose Jiading District to build the factory is that the auto production industry here is well-developed, and the management team at the Jiading Industrial Zone is dedicated and professional, which I respect.
"The other reason is that it is close to our old factory in Baoshan District so the new factory is convenient for our employees."
In order to retain the Baoshan staff, Cudmore has organized shuttle buses and gave housing subsidies to those willing to work in Jiading.
So far, the company has more than 400 staff in Shanghai and needs 100 more workers when the new factory is completed.
"We want to recruit new employees in the field of research and development, production and sales, etc.
"We especially welcome Jiading locals, such as graduates from Tongji University in Jiading and those from vocational institutions here," he said.
Although Cudmore has only been in China for a short period, he said he loved the country, especially Shanghai.
He enjoys Chinese cuisine. The only problem is that although his wife is now in China, he is separated from his four children.
These days, no matter how busy he is, he takes time to learn Chinese in the hope of communicating fluently with his local employees.
He values the communication and attends every tennis and badminton competition in the company.
"They enjoy the feeling of beating me," he said with a smile.
From the employees' view, Cudmore, who works over 10 hours a day, is definitely a workaholic.
"Working makes my life meaningful," he said, "but sometimes I feel overloaded."
So he takes a day off every week to play golf, or cycle around the city with friends.
However, he admits that he knows very little about Jiading, "Apart from the new factory in the new industrial zone, I seldom go anywhere else."
At the beginning of the year, Cudmore saw in the Shanghai Daily a notice for a "Zhu Bingheng Art Exhibition" at Lu Yanshao Art Institute in Jiading.
He went to the show along the area's ancient streets. "It is a quiet place, making one carefree and feel relaxed."
Zhu Bingheng, a Jiading native artist, is good at bull-drawing. Cudmore hopes to have some of Zhu's art works to be displayed at the company in Jiading.
"The new factory used to be a piece of farmland. We need the spirit of the bull to work hard to create a better future," he said.
"I prefer new things and love to take risks. Though I'm not in the golden age of life, I grab every chance and give it a try," he said.
In 2007, Cudmore set out again, this time to be managing director of Mann+Hummel China.
Established in Germany in 1941, the company is a major supplier of filtration products for the automobile parts industry.
But with 3,200 patents, its business scope now covers many industries such as mechanical engineering and it has 12,400 employees in 41 countries and regions around the world.
Having investigated China for only one week in 2005, Cudmore made up his mind to accept his company's posting.
"This country is full of vigor and there are big areas for development. My life will turn a new page," he said.
Soon after he arrived in China, Cudmore set out investigating industrial areas in Shanghai to find the best place for a new factory. He finally chose Jiading District to build the company's largest auto parts production base in Asia.
"China has already become the second largest auto production country," he said.
"One of the reasons we chose Jiading District to build the factory is that the auto production industry here is well-developed, and the management team at the Jiading Industrial Zone is dedicated and professional, which I respect.
"The other reason is that it is close to our old factory in Baoshan District so the new factory is convenient for our employees."
In order to retain the Baoshan staff, Cudmore has organized shuttle buses and gave housing subsidies to those willing to work in Jiading.
So far, the company has more than 400 staff in Shanghai and needs 100 more workers when the new factory is completed.
"We want to recruit new employees in the field of research and development, production and sales, etc.
"We especially welcome Jiading locals, such as graduates from Tongji University in Jiading and those from vocational institutions here," he said.
Although Cudmore has only been in China for a short period, he said he loved the country, especially Shanghai.
He enjoys Chinese cuisine. The only problem is that although his wife is now in China, he is separated from his four children.
These days, no matter how busy he is, he takes time to learn Chinese in the hope of communicating fluently with his local employees.
He values the communication and attends every tennis and badminton competition in the company.
"They enjoy the feeling of beating me," he said with a smile.
From the employees' view, Cudmore, who works over 10 hours a day, is definitely a workaholic.
"Working makes my life meaningful," he said, "but sometimes I feel overloaded."
So he takes a day off every week to play golf, or cycle around the city with friends.
However, he admits that he knows very little about Jiading, "Apart from the new factory in the new industrial zone, I seldom go anywhere else."
At the beginning of the year, Cudmore saw in the Shanghai Daily a notice for a "Zhu Bingheng Art Exhibition" at Lu Yanshao Art Institute in Jiading.
He went to the show along the area's ancient streets. "It is a quiet place, making one carefree and feel relaxed."
Zhu Bingheng, a Jiading native artist, is good at bull-drawing. Cudmore hopes to have some of Zhu's art works to be displayed at the company in Jiading.
"The new factory used to be a piece of farmland. We need the spirit of the bull to work hard to create a better future," he said.
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