Veteran Forging Worker Master Zhang Retires with Honor, Passing Down 30 Years of Craftsmanship

At Shandong Qingliang Mould Technology Co., Ltd., Master Zhang, who dedicated 30 years to the forging industry, officially retired last week. Colleagues in the workshop paused their work to send him warm wishes. As he personally handed over the forging hammer that had accompanied him for over 20 years to his apprentice, the scene was filled with reluctance and respect.

Master Zhang’s entire life has been closely tied to forging. From being an apprentice in his teens to retiring with gray hair, countless forgings have been shaped by his hands. His craftsmanship is renowned in the factory—even the most difficult-to-form forgings are flawlessly crafted under his guidance. Once, a batch of special-shaped forgings for export stumped several experienced workers. Master Zhang stayed up two consecutive nights, adjusting the hammering force and angle bit by bit, and finally delivered a perfect product.

In the half month before his retirement, Master Zhang barely took a break. He walked through the workshop with his apprentice every day, passing on decades of experience without reservation. From the precise heating temperature required for different steel grades to the machining allowance needed for forging in different seasons, he taught all the "practical know-how" not found in textbooks. He often said: "There are no shortcuts in forging—it requires dedication and hard work."

Although Master Zhang has retired, his exquisite craftsmanship and rigorous dedication to his craft remain in Qingliang’s workshop, shining brightly as they are passed down through generations.