Day 10

I got to sleep in today.  Our first company visit was to Yung Shin Group.  They are the largest pharmaceutical manufacture in Taiwan.  The general manager of the plant only spoke Chinese so he had an interpreter the whole time.  He explained that the manufacturing site, we were visiting, uses the SAP and ERP system.  We toured the plant and were able to see the automated warehouse.  As we walk past each of the stations, we could see all the quality control measures they have in place.  Quality control and sterilization is very high throughout the plant.  The production is basically free of human interaction.  We were able to see a self-guided robot pick up and drop off a package of pills.  We were able to take pictures during the whole tour.

Next, we went to lunch at McDonalds since we were out in the rural area.  Then we took a short ride to Giant Bicycles.  We were taught about the company and learned a lot about their corporate culture.  I was not aware that about 90% of Trek bikes are actually manufactured by Giant, but the two companies have completely different R&D.  We were given a tour of their manufacturing operation and were able to see how just in time really works.  Each worker had to perform about 3 to 7 tasks before the piece could move on to the next part of assembly.  There are so many small details that go into making one bike.  I was a little surprised to learn that they use the same paint that car manufactures use, but it makes sense.  At the entrance they had 6 different bikes on display.  I was able to pick up a $7,000 carbon fiber women’s aerodynamic bike. 

Then we went to the rest stop to kill time before going to a new night market.  This rest stop was nothing like our rest areas in the states.  It was 3 stories tall.  They had at least 15 different restaurants and a small mall to shop at as well as fun actives to do and see.  I tried a sample of caramel squid which was nothing like it sounded like; it was actually spicy fried squid.  Then we headed to the night market and wandered around.  This night market had more high fashion clothing and still the same strange foods.  I tired an almost whole shrimp on a stick.  It was different to eat the shell but not that bad.  I would say it tasted fishier then I am used to.