US citizens thrive in Chinese-owned firms

In the last couple of years, more US citizens have found themselves employed at Chinese-owned companies.

According to Rhodium Group, which tracks Chinese investment in the United States, in 2016 Chinese investors spent $46 billion on foreign direct investment (FDI) in the US, a threefold increase from the $15 billion in 2015. Chinese-owned firms now support more than 140,000 jobs across the United States, nine times as many as in 2009.

A good example of the rising Chinese investment in the US can be found in Springfield, Massachusetts, where China Railway Rolling Stock Corp (CRRC) is building a $95 million manufacturing facility to make subway cars for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and to support future North American operations.

The plant is scheduled to open next year after CRRC was awarded a contract for $566 million in 2014 by the MBTA.

Mark Smith, general manger of CRRC in Massachusetts, said the plant will have an immediate effect on the local economy.

“By bringing in more employees, we will see an increase in (the) economy, particularly in (the) local area, also for (the) greater metropolitan area and Springfield. (These) jobs (an estimated 150) are (going to) definitely help the local area. We are also purchasing services (and) supplies from all of our neighbors and friends. So I think we are going to have very large impact on community,” he told China Daily earlier this year.

CRRC sent 33 employees from the Springfield plant to receive training at the company’s facilities in Changchun, Jilin province, in May. Tammie Vancini, 52, an electrical assembler who was born and raised in Springfield, was one of them.

“I think this is an excellent opportunity to expand and bring in the (railcar) industry. We need manufacturing back in the US and it’s exciting that CRRC has chosen Springfield to do that,” she said.

“I want Changchun to broaden my horizon. I want to be part of an innovative company that is expanding here in US. I have never worked within a Chinese company. I am looking forward to diversity. The culture is coming together,” said Vancini.

Fuyao Glass America Inc, a unit of the largest auto-glass company in China bought an abandoned General Motors plant in the Dayton, Ohio, suburb of Moraine in 2014 and invested $600 million. It’s the largest Chinese investment in Ohio’s history and eighth-largest direct foreign investment in the US over the last decade.

The Fuyao plant employs nearly 1,500 local workers, some of whom had been unemployed for a lengthy time or underemployed due to the financial crisis.

John Withiow, a supervisor at the plant, worked in auto manufacturing for 15 years and was unemployed for almost two years when he was hired.

When Fuyao came to Dayton, he was one of the first employees to enter the plant. He started on the floor as an associate and worked his way up to production supervisor of lamination. “I expect to retire from here,” he said.