Meet the Maker Ding Xiaozhong

At Milliken, the dedication and expertise of our associates form the foundation of our success. We’re spotlighting the resilient individuals behind our products, who carry forward a proud history of excellence and commitment in manufacturing. Today, we highlight Ding Xiaozhong, a dedicated Production Team Leader in our Flooring Division at the Zhangjiagang Plant in Shanghai, China, who plays a crucial role in ensuring the efficiency and quality of our production processes.

A Journey of Dedication

Ding Xiaozhong has been part of the Milliken team for 14 years. "One of my friends recommended Milliken when I was looking for a job," Ding recalls. His journey with Milliken has been marked by a continuous commitment to excellence and a deep understanding of production management.

Daily Operations and Teamwork

When Ding arrives at the plant each morning, he first checks the production progress from the previous shift, reviews the production plans, and prepares for the morning briefing. "When I arrive in the morning, I first check the production progress from the previous shift, review the production plans, and prepare for the morning briefing," he explains. This routine ensures that everyone is aligned and ready to tackle the day's tasks.

Ding values collaboration with his team. "My team and I work closely together to ensure we meet department standards, keep our equipment running efficiently, and hit our production targets on time," he says. This cooperative spirit is key to their success, allowing them to overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

The Process and Safety

Ding's role involves leading the morning briefing, setting the plans for each working station, checking safety standards, and solving any challenges that arise. "I stay safe by sharing the company's safety materials with everyone at every morning briefing, checking for any unsafe activities, conducting safety training with my colleagues, and also emphasizing safety above everything else," he states. This diligent focus on safety ensures that all team members can work effectively and securely.

Making a Difference

For Ding, being part of Milliken means having a positive impact on both the company and the end-users of their products. "It feels really great that I am making a difference for Milliken. One thing I found crucial to make a difference is to make sure we have great communication between everybody who takes a role within the production to make us a better team," he shares. This dedication to communication and teamwork underscores his commitment to excellence.

Why He Loves His Job

"What I love most about this job is understanding the challenges my colleagues face, finding solutions and making adjustments to overcome those challenges through effective communication with my team, and achieving production goals while ensuring the highest quality in everything we produce," he explains. This focus on problem-solving and quality assurance exemplifies his dedication to his role.

A Culture of Growth and Inclusion

Describing his experience at Milliken in one word, Ding chooses "主人翁精神," which translates to "sense of ownership." He explains, "Every day and every week, the production orders we receive are different. Thus, we need to check very thoroughly on all the production standard documents, organize them in files, and distribute them to all the workers."

This sense of ownership is a driving force behind Ding's meticulous approach to his work. By taking responsibility for every detail, he ensures that his team understands the production requirements clearly and can execute their tasks efficiently. "I feel like I am learning and growing every day," he says. He also emphasizes the company's inclusive culture, noting, "Milliken is a company that is very open-minded and inclusive."

Join Us in Recognizing These Remarkable Individuals

Ding Xiaozhong's dedication to his work and his team makes him a valuable asset to Milliken. His commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement exemplifies the values we hold dear. We’re spotlighting Ding and all our associates who make Milliken an exceptional place to work. Their dedication and expertise are the foundation of our continued success.

As we continue to innovate and solve problems, driven by curiosity and collaboration, we invite you to join us in recognizing the incredible people behind our products. At Milliken, our associates are our greatest asset, and their stories inspire us to keep pursuing a better tomorrow.

To read more associate stories, visit here.

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