From Operator to Team Leader: A Decade of Quality and Commitment-Mingyang Duan

In the release paper production workshop, machines run smoothly – coating, drying, slitting, and inspection in one seamless flow. Smooth, glossy release paper rolls come off the line one after another, behind which stand the day‑after‑day focus and dedication of frontline employees. He rose from an operator to a team leader, leading his team to drive quality and passing on skills to others. Today, we meet Mingyang Duan and listen to his story of more than ten years alongside the coating station, quality, and his team.

Interviewer: Looking back ten years ago, what did "quality" mean to you then? How is it different now?

Mingyang Duan: Back then, I thought quality just meant "no defects, good enough is fine." But once I started working on the machine, I learned that release paper coating is all about stability, uniformity, and consistency – stable release force, even coating thickness, every roll to the same standard. Now I see quality not as "passing" but as reliability. From substrate feeding, adhesive mixing, coating, drying, to rewinding – the whole process must be controllable and traceable. Even small imperfections or fluctuations need to be caught and fixed early. After ten years, quality isn't just a requirement for us – it's a habit.

Interviewer: As a team leader, what are your main tasks in the workshop everyday? How do you ensure quality is embedded in every shift and every person?

Mingyang Duan: Every day I focus on three things: standards, inspections, and on-site monitoring. First, before startup, we must check the process sheet – mixing ratio, coating gap, oven temperature, tension parameters – nothing can be wrong. Second, equipment inspections must be thorough – roll cleaning, blade wear, adhesive line clear – no startup unless minor issues are fixed. Third, stay on the line – check surface condition, rewinding, data. If any abnormality is found, stop and adjust immediately – don't let problems pass to the next step.

Interviewer: Over these ten years, what has been the hardest part and what are you most proud of?

Mingyang Duan: The hardest part is taking responsibility. After becoming team leader, I can’t avoid problems. When trouble comes, I must solve it proactively. I not only have to do my own job well but also ensure the whole team makes no mistakes. I hold myself to the rule: problems never leave the shift, responsibility never gets passed on. What I’m most proud of? First, gaining more recognition and trust through my growth. Second, mentoring colleagues who can handle their posts, understand standards, and uphold quality. Now they can work independently. Seeing them go from green to skilled, steady and reliable - that makes the past ten years truly worthwhile.

Interviewer: When you mentor new employees and lead the team, what do you most want to pass on? And advice for newcomers?

Mingyang Duan: First, always follow standards—no relying on experience or gut feeling. Second, be rigorous with the product—no carelessness, no compromise. Third, understand the importance of our role—release paper is a "foundation component" for many products. When we protect quality, we protect our customers, our company, and our livelihood. When I train newcomers, I first emphasize safety, then their work attitude, and finally technical skills. My advice to new team members: don't be afraid of feeling lost at the start—everyone goes from not knowing to knowing. Learn more, ask more, do more. Master the daily details, perfect the repetitive tasks. Stick with it, and you'll go from green to skilled, becoming someone the team can count on.

One roll of release paper, full responsibility. Ten years like one day, passed down through every person. Mingyang Duan’s journey is ordinary yet determined. Every skill he has comes from persistence; every step of growth comes from effort. Here, we salute every front-line worker who stays rooted in the workshop, quietly holding the line.