Q: Please introduce yourself.
A: I'm Qifeng Wei, the Senior Engineer at Foresee Group. I proudly serve as a member of the Scientific and Technical Committee of the China Magnetic Materials Association and am also part of their expert group.
Q: What do you think are the challenges of the current magnetics market?
A: Magnetic materials bridge the gap between mechanical and electrical energy, and honestly, they're all around us. Since we stepped into the 21st century, the industry has been on a roller coaster of growth, especially here in China. We've proudly become the heavyweight in magnetic material production, and that's no small feat.
Yet, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. We're grappling with some real challenges. Imagine, on one hand, we have this explosion in production capacity, and on the other, there's this boundless optimism about the market's potential. But what does that lead to? Intense competition, almost like a tight, inward spiral, with everyone trying to outdo each other. Then you add in the global scene. The world economy isn't exactly booming, and there's this growing sentiment against globalization. It's hit our exports hard.
And don't even get me started on raw material costs. They're shooting up and are as unpredictable as the weather, making our costs skyrocket in ways we didn't anticipate. Plus, looking ahead, I'm a tad concerned. The likelihood of us unveiling newer, high-performance magnetic materials seems slim. That means reinventing or upgrading our current ones isn't going to be a walk in the park.
But here's the thing: challenges are what drive us. Companies need to keep their eyes wide open, really grasp what the market wants, and be on top of industry trends. We've got to innovate, control costs, and respond swiftly. And more than ever, it's about being the best, not just the biggest. Diving deeper into the value chain, maybe even expanding into devices, can open up new horizons. Most importantly, we need to stay hungry, always eyeing the next big thing in magnetic tech, so we can jump right in and lead the way.
Q: As you are leading the Foresee engineering team, what does team collaboration mean to you?
A: Team collaboration is the bedrock of enterprise growth. It's not just about technical expertise, but the synergy across planning, market outreach, product R&D, and cost control. For me, in my tech-centric role, it's about to keep up with the market and production to offer stellar tech services. We're always tuned in, be it through online forums or expert consultations, to track global trends in magnetic materials. If there's a new innovation, we assess it, ensuring Foresee stays ahead in the tech game. Moreover, our response to technical queries is always directional, providing actionable solutions or verifications. It's also pivotal for us to support the sales team, striving to earn our client's trust in our technical prowess. Moving forward, I'm focused on refining our team structure and processes, ensuring a diverse set of skills for quicker, more specialized responses.
Q: What attributes do you believe are important for an engineer?
A: Definitely continuous learning, especially mastering our fundamental theoretical knowledge. You see, the essence of things is interconnected; a solid theoretical foundation clears the path and doubles the results. It's like the saying, "With principles but no techniques, techniques can be sought. With techniques but no principles, it stops at techniques."
I also think it is important to stay passion with what you do. On top of that, I believe an individual's logical reasoning and critical thinking skills are crucial, determining their problem-solving capabilities and future trajectory.
Q: Can you share some of your interests outside of work?
A: I wouldn't say I have any particular hobbies in the usual sense. If anything, besides reading books relating to physics and magnetism, I am pretty interested in science books on natural sciences. I'm always curious about the scientific principles behind everyday phenomena, constantly wondering "why?".
Q: How do you balance your work and personal life?
A: Honestly, I've never really felt a significant imbalance. But if I had to pick something that helps me reset, I'd say traveling. Taking a trip and just clearing my mind feels incredibly refreshing.
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