Foreign Steel Enterprises' Technological Innovation Strategy

The selection of a company's development strategy must be based on an analysis of the company's technological capabilities. The development of technological innovation and the promotion of innovation in development are the road to successful corporate development. With their strong technological innovation capability, foreign advanced steel companies can not only develop products that meet the needs of users at present and in the near future, but also guide new users through the development of new products, new equipment and new processes, and continue to lead the use of new steel products. The future demand of the steel market leads the technological development direction of the steel industry. The technological innovation direction of these outstanding companies is forward-looking and can ensure that the company’s own technological level is always in a leading position in the world.

In the research and development of new products, excellent companies pay more attention to the research and development of niche products ("Niche" is the English transliteration of "Niche", which means "the basis for gaining profits." Niche products refer to many products Unique interests are different from other products, but also can be recognized by consumers.) Maintain the uniqueness of products and establish differentiated competitive advantages. Outstanding iron and steel companies pay special attention to developing a close R&D consortium with research and development institutes, institutions of higher learning, and excellent peers and other advanced R&D resources, and actively develop cooperative R&D with downstream steel industries such as automobiles, home appliances, shipbuilding, and construction. It is oriented to tap potential markets for new products. In addition, excellent steel companies also combine basic research, application development, and engineering construction. While maintaining their own products with high added value, they also transfer technology and equipment through group-affiliated engineering companies to gain higher profits. All of these benefits from the development of a technology innovation strategy that matches the company's development strategy.

Innovating strategy with development strategy The core of the development strategy of foreign advanced iron and steel enterprises is to maintain and enhance profitability and ensure the superior position in the global steel industry, while its technological innovation plays a solid supporting role in the process of enterprise development. All foreign steel companies are based on the company's development strategy and formulate a clear strategy for technological innovation.

For example, Nippon Steel's technology R&D strategy highlights the strengthening of its technology's cutting-edge position, maintaining its technological and manufacturing advantages, and possessing globally leading and distinctive technological capabilities. The goal of JFE Steel is to develop original and leading products and occupy the global high-end market. The steel product market has the highest level of technology to enhance corporate value; South Korea Posco Group is to build the world's best production, sales and R&D system, focusing on forward-looking process technology and low-cost high value-added product technology research and development to ensure Pohang Achieve "technical leadership" and "cost competitiveness"; ArcelorMittal's technological innovation aims to provide products that create value for customers, expand global markets, and reduce costs by developing new industrial processes and optimizing current industrial processes. , To improve product quality and enhance core competitiveness; ThyssenKrupp has consolidated its global leadership in materials and manufacturing processes, established close links with the downstream steel industry, and developed products that satisfy customers.

Build R&D System According to Development Strategy In order to ensure the smooth implementation of the company's development strategy, foreign advanced steel companies have established a R&D system that meets their own development needs.

The core department of Nippon Steel R&D is the Technology Development Division, which is both the highest department of Nippon Steel R&D and the comprehensive management department of Nippon Steel R&D. It consists of three organizations: Technology Development Planning Department (responsible for Nippon Steel R&D strategy and R&D. Planning development and related work for daily R&D management), Integrated Technology Center (Core R&D), and Technical Research Divisions of Ironmaking Institutes (online R&D and technical services for production sites and users), among which Nippon Steel Research The Institute of Advanced Technology under its charge is responsible for the R&D of the universal basic technology of the entire Nippon Steel Corporation.

The JFE Group's technology R&D strategy and research work are performed by the Group President as the Technical Development Committee. The JFE Technology Research Corporation, the JFE Steel Research Institute (belonging to JFE Steel Corporation), and the JFE Engineering Technology Institute are responsible for implementation. JFE Group relies on its technological superiority to consolidate the market for high-end products while also developing, manufacturing and exporting equipment technologies to enhance its profitability. JFE Holding Group’s independent research company, JFE Technology Co., Ltd., which is in parallel with JFE Steel, assumes common basic technologies in steel and engineering and new high-growth technology research and development tasks. The JFE Steel Research Institute is located in the East Japan Steel Works, the West Japan Steel Works, and the Chido Plant in the center. However, thanks to the integrated management model, various research departments and production departments can closely cooperate to ensure the smooth development of product and process technology.

The research and development system of Pohang Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. has a large scale and forms the Technical Management Committee, Technical Strategy Committee, Pohang University of Technology, Pohang Industrial Technology Research Institute, Pohang Technology Research Institute, Global R&D Center, Overseas Research Institutions and Cooperative R&D Institutions. In the Pan-Pang field, the cooperative system of production, research, and research cooperated with the development of the steel industry and the research and development of the entire process of iron and steel technology from basics to product production and practical application. Among them, Pohang Industrial Technology Research Institute is engaged in the research and development of the next generation of steel production technology, the development of new high-efficiency projects, and the practical application of green environmental protection technologies.

It can be seen that the technological innovation strategies of foreign advanced iron and steel companies are mostly formulated by technical committees composed of the highest decision makers and industry experts, and set up corresponding central R&D institutions and branches according to their own circumstances, emphasizing the improvement of the research and development efficiency of new products and new technologies. Technology research and development is transformed into engineering technology, and on-site continuous improvement. In the formulation and implementation of technological innovation strategy, the overall strategy for enterprise development is reflected, and the active role of the R&D department in the operation and production is fully exerted. R&D is closely integrated with production and operation, and the core competitiveness of the enterprise is enhanced.

The market demand for research and development oriented foreign advanced steel companies recognized early on that the company must transform from production scale to quality and efficiency, and it must focus on the market, be user-oriented, change from steel producers to steel service providers, and provide users with steel products. Applied solution.

Arcelor Mittal's "All-User-oriented" R & D service concept, "Pyramid" R & D service strategy, and R & D tentacles and market distance are examples of steel companies transforming their development approach around the market and user-oriented. . In adjusting the R&D institutions of reorganization companies, Anmi Group did not simply merge the various R&D institutions, but instead retained its independent R&D center on the basis of restructuring. At present, it has set up 15 research centers in the world. The work of the R&D centers will be closer to the user market while generating synergy effects, helping the Anmi Group to provide users with valuable materials and solutions worldwide.

At present, the early intervention (EVI) R&D model that advanced foreign steel companies strongly advocate is to provide users with high-performance materials and personalized services under the premise of fully understanding users' material performance requirements. Through the EVI R&D project, enterprises and downstream manufacturers have established inseparable partnerships, which in turn will enable companies to occupy the commanding heights of the market in their future product marketing.

Strengthen internal and external collaboration to promote technological innovation As the difficulty of technological innovation continues to increase and the scope involved continues to expand, foreign advanced iron and steel companies improve their capabilities and efficiency in technological innovation by strengthening the collaboration of their own systems, and second, through open innovation. In the form of the use of industry capabilities and the power of society to promote the continuous development of technological innovation.

For example, NDE's (RDE) consistent technology development system organically combines research and development work with engineering technology, effectively guarantees cooperation among various departments, and emphasizes the convergence of R&D work and engineering technology and R&D results. The actual utility. JFE Steel Corporation establishes the planning department, strategic affairs unit and technical committee system on the level of production, research and marketing departments. The product planning department formulates the technology development strategy for each product based on the company's development strategy and formulates priority development projects. They can effectively improve R&D efficiency by strengthening the research and development of common technologies and building common technology platforms and product platforms for the development of new technologies and new products.

In harmonizing and optimizing the internal resources of the Group, the project team of ArcelorMittal Group uses its personnel strengths, advanced software development support and scientific management methods to integrate all scattered research points and industrial sites of ArcelorMittal. Point-of-sale resources provide decision support for Ansel Mittal, achieving rapid cycle advancement and providing the best solution at the lowest cost.

Cooperation between foreign advanced steel companies has also started very early. For example, Nippon Steel has adopted a technology alliance strategy globally, established a strategic strategic alliance with other steel companies, and strengthened its leading position in the field of automotive panels. Again, ThyssenKrupp signed extensive cooperation agreements with Japanese NKK and Kawasaki Steel (the two companies merged into the JFE Group in September 2002), and not only jointly developed the requirements directly applicable to global automakers. Automotive materials, but also to form a global supply network system, through the collaboration to continuously enhance their respective competitiveness, including the cooperation of mutual exchange of advanced technology and joint development of innovative high-strength steel and other projects. At the same time, at the end of 2004, ThyssenKrupp signed a patent exchange agreement with JFE, which means that ThyssenKrupp has been authorized by JFE to manufacture JFE's NANO steel products, and JFE can also produce Thyssen. Krupp's multiphase steel.

Typical foreign iron and steel enterprises also pay attention to the full use of social resources, and the forms of cooperation between enterprises, governments, and social organizations are increasingly diversified. Foreign cooperation and innovation platforms represented by the International Steel Association, the European Technology Platform, and the Japan Iron and Steel Alliance have done a lot of R&D work in optimizing steel production in the era of low-carbon economy. At the same time, enterprises cooperate with institutions of higher learning and research institutes to innovate; cooperation and innovation with governments and social institutions; cooperation and innovation in the industry chain (including upstream and downstream, and peers); and cooperative innovation within companies have been incorporated into enterprises. Technology innovation system. For example, ArcelorMittal has led the research and development of ULCOS projects in Europe. It not only attracted 48 elite iron and steel companies, but also widely absorbed research institutions from society.

Focusing on sustainable development of technological innovation Emphasizes the management of intellectual property and promotes cost transformation. The commercialization and industrialization of new technologies is the fundamental goal of technological innovation. The independent intellectual property rights formed through technological innovation have become an important resource for a company. Therefore, typical foreign iron and steel enterprises attach great importance to intellectual property strategy.

Nippon Steel will use its own technology based on advanced technology as its intellectual property and implement its intellectual property strategy. Nippon Steel has made its own advantages, namely "manufacturing strength", "manufacturing basis" and "technical advancement", an indispensable intellectual property strategy for overseas expansion. The number of patent applications filed by Nippon Steel in foreign countries has multiplied to ensure that Japan has a stronger intellectual property advantage in the "triode" of Asia, the Americas, and the Pacific Ocean.

The primary task of the JFE Intellectual Property Department is to promote “the most advanced technology in the world” in the form of intellectual property rights, and secondly to use intellectual property rights as a business resource. At the same time, it focuses on the creation of intellectual property and the strategic and effective use of it, and identifies the unique and leading product technologies as intellectual property rights, thus forming the group's intangible assets.

The RIST Technology Transfer Center at the POSCO Technology Research Institute acts as an intermediary bridge between researchers and companies. Technology transfer includes: intellectual property rights, that is, franchise patents, know-how, semiconductor circuit design, computer programs, etc.; equipment installation, design, and application safeguard measures; and commercial production of proprietary technologies. The operation of the technology transfer center not only promoted the rapid transfer of innovation results from the Institute of Industrial Science and Technology from the researcher to the producer, but also resulted in the timely and effective conversion of R&D results into productivity and economic benefits, which in turn stimulated the creativity and cohesion of R&D personnel.

Implement talent strategy and support technological innovation. Foreign typical iron and steel enterprises fully recognize that to ensure that enterprises have a technologically superior position in the world steel production field, they must have a large number of high-level technical talents.

The establishment and successful development of Pohang University of Technology are inseparable from the funding and support of South Korea’s Pohang Steel. Pohang Iron and Steel Company has given Pohang University sufficient funding support to provide a guarantee for the introduction and stabilization of a high-level faculty and attract and train outstanding research talents. Pohang University of Science and Technology has rapidly developed into a major science and technology university in Asia and maintains close cooperation with Pohang Iron and Steel and Pohang Industrial Research Institute. In addition to technical development, Pohang University of Technology also annually to Pohang Steel. Delivery of excellent technicians.

The ThyssenKrupp Group is known for its unique training of enterprise reserve personnel and perfect labor safety and occupational health training. In terms of personnel training methods, it attaches great importance to close cooperation with universities and maintains close cooperation with more than 80 universities around the world. The purpose is to use the research results of universities to promote the development of universities that are more suitable for the needs of enterprises and to attract outstanding students.