NMFIRE: Where I Transformed

By Cheng Lin

I still remember the day when I entered NMFIRE’s workshop for the first time, holding a wrench and feeling lost and clueless. Seven years have passed since then, and I have grown so much as a person and a professional. I am proud to be a part of NMFIRE, where I manage the production and safety of our products.

NMFIRE provided me with opportunities, and it's where my transformation occurred.

When I first joined NMFIRE, I worked as a fitter. As time went on, I gradually realized that no matter how intelligent or talented someone is, if they don’t choose the right platform, they’ll never be able to fully showcase or utilize their wisdom and capability. In life's journey, choice is more important than effort, and perseverance is more crucial than ability.

I was always committed and enthusiastic about my work, and I enjoyed the challenging and orderly tasks that I had to do. In 2017, we got a project from Angola that involved making 8 containerized package systems with horizontal end-suction fire pumps. It was the first time that NMFIRE tried to make such systems, so it was a new and exciting opportunity for us. I was happy that the company trusted us with this important project, but I was also nervous because I had no experience with package systems. I remember once we had a problem with a leak in the pipes when we tested the units. I didn’t know what was wrong, because I had tightened all the screws properly. Later, I learned from some senior fitters that there was a special technique to screw the pipes in the final assembly. We worked hard to finish the project on time, even staying up late at night. In the end, we did it, and the client was very satisfied with our work.

In 2022, we completed the Oman project, producing four sets of diesel engine driven vertical shaft turbine centrifugal fire pump units in containerized packages. This project took place in scorching heat, and I was responsible for scheduling the workshop team's tasks. This project not only showcased the production capacity and skills of each workshop team, but also achieved the highest quarterly output since the company’s establishment for the months of July, August, and September. In June 2023, we delivered an order for the Kuwait KOC project, the world’s largest firefighting pump package project to date. The harsh environment and high salinity of the Middle East posed extremely high demands on processes and materials. We faced rigorous requirements for pipe welding, tight delivery schedules, and extended lead times for copper pipe materials... However, from technical design to material procurement, every department collaborated closely, with a desire to overcome the challenges. Additionally, the unwavering spirit to surmount difficulties that NMFIRE has cultivated over the years instilled tremendous confidence in production. Through the team's relentless efforts and tight collaboration, every aspect of the order, from material quality and processes to welding, internal coating, and assembly, met the client's extremely high standards.

Over the past eleven years, from NMFIRE’s humble beginnings to its significant growth, I've witnessed its evolution and have grown alongside it. NMFIRE's story is a tale of people, a story of teamwork. It's a story of growth amid adversity, of actively responding to change, of constant self-reflection, and of the boldness to tackle challenges. It’s in this company that I find a sense of accomplishment, honor, and belonging!