On February 16th, Lunar New Year's Eve, a day traditionally reserved for family reunions, the production facility of Ultra Clean (Wuxi) Co., Ltd., located in the Wuxi Airport Economic Development Zone, remained a hub of intense activity. Inside the packaging and testing workshop, machines operated smoothly as workers, clad in neat uniforms, diligently attended to their tasks.
"Last year, the company's business grew by 20% year-over-year. Production continues to increase, with orders scheduled through the end of the first quarter, during which we anticipate a 25% rise in output compared to the same period last year," stated Lang Shoulong, Factory Manager of the Packaging and Testing Plant at Ultra Clean (Wuxi), with confidence. To fulfill client requirements during the Spring Festival holiday, the company has decided to continue operations without interruption starting from New Year's Eve. Certain production lines have adopted a two-shift system to ensure non-stop manufacturing and timely delivery of products to customers. It is estimated that over 1,000 employee shifts will be voluntarily worked during the holiday period.
Ultra Clean is a foreign-invested semiconductor company that has been established in the Wuxi Airport Economic Development Zone for over 20 years. It employs more than 1,300 people, with over 60% of its workforce originating from other parts of China. To ensure that employees working during the holiday experience a warm and festive atmosphere, the company has implemented a special incentive plan. This includes enhanced benefits, a lavish New Year's Eve dinner, and a return-to-work bonus, all designed to make staff feel appreciated and at home. To guarantee safety and stable operations, the company conducted comprehensive inspections of the production workshops, equipment, and fire safety facilities beforehand. Management personnel are scheduled for daily shifts throughout the holiday to oversee operations and meticulously address any potential issues.
Wu Xuelian, a cheerful and outgoing worker from Yibin, Sichuan Province, who works on the welding line in the packaging and testing workshop, shared her experience. "The company shows great care for staff working over the Spring Festival with many thoughtful measures. Even while on the workshop floor, you can feel the strong festive spirit. Besides overtime pay, we receive a 200-yuan red envelope each day. The cafeteria's New Year's Eve dinner was specially prepared with delicious food, and the meal standard was raised to 50 yuan. Meal standards for the rest of the holiday have also been increased by 60%," she said with a smile.
"Working during the Spring Festival indicates the company's strong growth momentum, which is good news for us employees as it means more job security and stable income. We chose to stay and work overtime to support the company's development, and our families fully understand. There's a strong sense of teamwork among colleagues; everyone is highly motivated to ensure we meet our production targets on time," commented employee Wang Yu while busy with his work. The 26-year-old, from Changchun, Jilin Province, has been with the company for two years. He expressed that he has gained valuable experience and now considers Wuxi his "second hometown." Although he cannot reunite with his family for the holiday, he appreciates the company's consideration, which includes arranging compensatory leave so he can visit his hometown after the holiday period.
Around 11 a.m. on New Year's Eve, it was time for the employees' meal break. Differing from ordinary days, the company cafeteria had arranged a special, sumptuous New Year's Eve feast. Upon approaching the cafeteria, the rich aroma of food was immediately noticeable. Inside, the hall was brightly lit and adorned with large festive couplets and blessings on the walls. Staff members were presented with small, golden, auspicious horse pendants as they arrived for the meal, creating a strong celebratory ambiance. The serving counters displayed an array of appealing dishes such as braised abalone with pork ribs, lemon-shredded chicken, sautéed fresh scallops, and dry-fried lotus root slices, complemented by a full selection of fruits and beverages. Employee Wei Ping from Xuzhou, enjoying her meal and chatting happily with colleagues, remarked, "The New Year's Eve dinner prepared by the company was exceptionally tasty, with a well-balanced variety of fish, meat, seafood, and vegetables. The small New Year gifts for each employee made us feel particularly warm. It's a joy to gather and celebrate together like this."