Chairman Cheng Zhijian of Wangkun Pipe Industry Visits Japan for Market Research: From Benchmarking Japan to Global Expa

In mid-November, Cheng Zhijian, CEO and Chairman of Hunan Wangkun Pipe Industry Co., Ltd., joined a domestic senior management training delegation for an in-depth study tour and market research in Japan. The itinerary focused on corporate management philosophy, lean production, and applications in the stainless steel water pipe industry, aiming to absorb international best practices, expand overseas operations, and achieve global strategic positioning.
Chairman Cheng and his delegation visited the Kyocera Museum founded by Kazuo Inamori, immersing themselves in its “Respect Heaven, Love People” management philosophy and the Amoeba Management model. They also toured the Toyota Group, systematically examining its evolution from textiles to automobiles, gaining profound insights into the core principles of “continuous improvement” and “elimination of waste” within the Toyota Production System (TPS) pioneered by Taiichi Ohno.

As a stainless steel water pipe manufacturer, the delegation specifically visited a renowned Japanese water supply facility to conduct on-site research into its overall system design, equipment configuration, and operational maintenance. Chairman Cheng Zhijian noted that Japan's water supply systems demonstrate high engineering maturity and long-term operational philosophy in structural robustness, rational layout, and the integrated design of water tanks, distributors, and various valve components—offering valuable insights for domestic peers.

From an industry perspective, he also noted that some facilities have been in use for many years. Upgrading them with more advanced stainless steel pipes and supporting systems could further optimize water quality safety, reduce leakage losses, and enhance energy efficiency.
Wangkun Pipe Industry has officially launched its international website (https://www.sssteel-pipes.com/), marking a substantive advancement in its globalization strategy. This Japan visit serves not only as a benchmarking exercise but also as a pivotal step for the company to evaluate its products and development path with an international perspective. Chairman Cheng Zhijian stated that Wangkun Pipe Industry will continue to enhance its product capabilities and system solutions, providing safer and more durable stainless steel water supply pipe products to the global market, thereby helping Chinese manufacturing gain broader recognition on the world stage.