For many centuries, people in Anshun have viewed the city's rich stone resources as the driving force of the local economy.

Stones have long been used in the city to build houses, make furniture and many different kinds of handicraft items.

And today, as the city in Southwest China's Guizhou devises plans to develop its stone industry into a local economic pillar, the business community has begun to tap the huge potential of the abundant natural resource. According to local statistics, Anshun's stone reserve with industrial value stands at roughly 36.7 billion cubic meters, including yellow, gray and black-grained marble, all of which are well-known in the international marketplace.

Anshun's stone products are currently sold to numerous regions and countries including the United States, the Middle East, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Africa. One leading local enterprise that has attracted significant international attention is Chenchun Stone Industry Co Ltd.

The company was established in the Anshun Stone Industry Park in 2012, and with total investment of nearly 1.5 billion yuan ($225 million), it will become fully operational next month.

According to company executives, Chenchun expects to produce 1 billion yuan worth of products this year. "We have secured so many orders thanks to the high quality of the local stones that we've had to arrange additional work shifts to meet the demand," said Tang Shuhua, purchasing manager at Chenchun.

He said the company's most popular product among international buyers is its black-grained marble slab. Tang noted that Chenchun now has Anshun's largest single stone processing plant, with a capacity to produce 4 million square meters of slabs per year.

"About 85 percent of our raw materials are from local mines, which means that we make substantial savings on both time and transportation costs," added Wu Hongwen, administrative manager at Chenchun.

Tang described the Guizhou International Stone Exposition, which will be held in Anshun from Aug 26 to 29, as a great opportunity for the company to learn, expand its network and secure more orders.

"We will also have the opportunity to contact leading domestic and foreign equipment and technology providers," Tang said.

Anshun Stone Industry Park's location means that it can be easily reached via nearby highways and railways, and this is another draw for local enterprises such as Chenchun, Tang added.

"Transportation is the major cost consideration for a stone processing company," he explained.

The labor-intensive nature of the region's stone processing sector means that it has long played a crucial role in terms of offering employment to local people. Chenchun now employs about 600 people, more than 80 percent of whom are locals.

Chen Dajun, 35, who is head of the production division at Chenchun, is a local resident.

"I have worked at Chenchun since it was founded. My monthly salary of more than 8,000 yuan is perfectly satisfactory, as are the food and lodgings provided by the company," Chen said, adding that he is able to visit his family at weekends because his home is nearby.

Local companies also attach great importance to the workplace health and safety of their employees.

According to Tang, Chenchun has invested about 30 million yuan in dust removal and the treatment of water used for dust removal.

"Our marble mining operation is also well planned. We ensure that the land is left in a usable condition after we have completed our mining operations. It can then be used for real estate development or as farmland after it has been filled in," Wu said.

Stone processing companies are also using the latest technology to upgrade their production and expand their sales network.

For instance, Tianyun Fashion, another major local player, is using big data to improve its product design and expand its sales network.

Local companies are hopeful that the upcoming stone expo will provide them with valuable new business opportunities.

"We will cooperate with Wulishi Co Ltd, a leading stone processing company from Fujian, to arrange a joint show at the expo," said Tang of Chenchun.

To facilitate trade for local companies, Anshun has established the Southwest Stone Products Trading Center. The comprehensive facility for trade, exhibition and culture will cover more than 360 hectares.

According to Yang Peishu, project manager of the center, the project will be the largest stone products trading facility in the world upon completion.

With an investment of about 1 billion yuan, the project's first phase is expected to become operational in 2017. Yang said the first phase can accommodate about 200 companies.

Zhou Jikun, Party chief of Anshun, said the center will give a strong boost to the local stone industry by bringing in more investment and technology to tap into and develop the abundant local resources.

Contact the writers through lijiaxu@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 08/24/2016 page15)