Efficiency
Having gained her bachelor’s degree in electrical technology at Northwestern Polytechnical University in Xi'an (China), and started her career in Nanjing, Zhihong Jin was enticed to join Smiths Interconnect in 2006 by our reputation for efficiency.
Today, as Process Engineering Manager, it’s her responsibility to ensure we employ the latest practices and equipment in the effective running of our Suzhou manufacturing operations - from coordinating schedules and materials, or maintaining output and quality standards, to employee training and safety.
She averages four meetings a day across the site and particularly enjoys tackling machining and tooling issues, saying, ‘There’s something so rewarding about fixing a physical problem.’
Pioneering
But Zhihong also loves more conceptual challenges. She tracks technological advances, competitor activity and market trends and seeks creative ways to ensure Smiths Interconnect stays ahead.
This saw her work on the ground-breaking DaVinci 56 Test Socket: a reliable, accurate and cost-efficient tool for testing 0.8mm, high-performance IC chips. This product team was recognised with the 2021 Smiths Interconnect Technology Excellence Award and selected as a Group Award finalist.
She is constantly evolving her own skills, too. Having gained her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt qualification at the Smiths Excellence System (SES) Academy in 2021, she has successfully led a Continuous Improvement project to reduce wastage in our spring probe production process.
Smiling
Despite her personal achievements, she says it’s important to always nurture the ‘collective spirit’. She explains: ‘We’re all part of a team with a common goal and perform better when we trust and support each other.’
She takes time to acknowledge colleagues’ achievements, however small, adding: ‘A smile is the most powerful tool we have and we should use it often.’
