Cooperation background and strategic significance
Recently, Jinan Zunkai Materials Co., Ltd. and a well-known construction supply chain enterprise in Djibouti officially signed a cold coil/galvanized coil purchase agreement, marking the company to further consolidate the layout of the African market. This cooperation was led by Cathy, an elite in foreign trade business. The customer representative paid a special visit to Jinan headquarters to visit the production workshop and took a photo with the management team, demonstrating the confidence of both parties in long-term cooperation.
As a core enterprise in China's steel industry, Jinan Zunkai relies on decades of experience in steel production and foreign trade, actively responds to the "Belt and Road" initiative, and focuses on exploring emerging markets in Africa. The government of Djibouti, which borders the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and is the choke point between the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean, has made great efforts to build a regional logistics hub in recent years and introduced policies such as tax breaks and preferential tariffs on imported equipment, creating huge space for the demand for steel and other infrastructure materials. This cooperation not only verifies the competitiveness of the company's products in the African market, but also forms industrial synergy with 237 enterprises in the Djibouti International Free Trade Zone and contributes to China-Africa production capacity cooperation.
Analysis of highlights of the whole order process
Precise demand docking
After the customer initiated an inquiry through the company's Google official website, Cathy's team responded quickly and recommended DX51D+Z180 cold rolled galvanized coil with a zinc layer thickness of 180g/m² to ensure the corrosion resistance of the material for more than 20 years. Both parties confirmed technical parameters through video conference, covering key indicators such as thickness (0.5-1.2mm) and surface treatment (chromate passivation + oil coating).
Specialized trade services
Adopt CIF Djibouti port quotation model, integrate Marine insurance and customs clearance services, reduce customer logistics risks. The payment is settled through the LC90-day letter of credit underwritten by CItic Insurance, which not only ensures fund security but also alleviates the pressure of customers' cash flow. In the production stage, JIS G3302 standard is strictly followed, and the quality inspection report is uploaded to the company's ERP system for customers to check in real time.
Supply chain efficiency breakthrough
Relying on the supply experience of Jinan Metro project, the company has enabled an intelligent production scheduling system to reduce the stock preparation period to 15 days. The goods are packed in moisture-proof woven bags + reinforced iron frames, and shipped through Qingdao port FWHT. It is expected to arrive at Djibouti port in 30 days. Customers particularly appreciated the "production progress visualization Kanban" feature, saying that it "greatly enhances the transparency of cross-border collaboration".
Record of customer field visit
On February 28th, the Djibouti customer delegation visited Jinan headquarters and experienced the "industrial tourism" visit system with the characteristics of Zunkai:
Production strength verification: focus on the direct rolling technology of cold rolling production line (thickness accuracy ±0.02mm), automatic zinc thickness tester and other core processes
Quality control display: laboratory field demonstration of salt spray test, verification of products far beyond ASTM A653 standard
Corporate culture resonance: When visiting the employee skills training center, the customer representative said, "From 6S management to craftsman spirit training, it is highly compatible with the Japanese concept of lean production."
After the visit, the two sides signed the memorandum of strategic cooperation in the exhibition hall of the headquarters and took a group photo. Customer purchasing director's evaluation: "Zunkai's technology level and response speed fully match our stringent requirements for major infrastructure projects in the Horn of Africa".
Prospects for future cooperation
This order as a stepping stone, has led customers to additional 500 tons of galvanized coil intention inquiry. Jinan Zunkai plans to take advantage of the opportunity to promote three strategies:
Localization service: Cooperate with Djibouti product distribution center to establish steel pretreatment center and provide value-added services such as cutting and spraying
Product line extension: Develop high value-added product lines such as color coated plate, aluminum and zinc plating for the East African market
Digital upgrade: Launch a multi-language cross-border e-commerce platform to realize end-to-end digitalization of order tracking, technical consultation and online payment
