As time enters late April, Shatin New Town in Xiangjiang becomes lively.
Because two factories with tens of thousands of people built here were completed at the same time after more than three months!
Youth Toy Factory, Endeavor Printing Factory!
Both factories are wholly-owned subsidiaries of "Fantasy Comics". On the day of completion, "Fantasy Comics" editor-in-chief Kamikura Yasuo, deputy editor-in-chief Masaru Tomioka, and Zhong Zhichen were all present in costumes, and were accompanied by officials from the Hong Kong government.
This completion ceremony attracted countless reporters from Hong Kong.
However, the most common question asked by reporters at the scene was why Chu Huan, the real boss of "Fantasy Comics", did not appear?
You must know that during this period, although Chu Huan did not appear in front of the media as high-profile and frequently as last year, Chu Huan's companies still made big moves one after another.
For example, Chu Huan did not appear at the previous groundbreaking ceremony of the Tseung Kwan O studio, the groundbreaking ceremony of Huaye City, the press conference of "Fantasy Comics" establishing Toys "R" Us, and now the completion ceremony of the two factories.
After entering 1974, the only thing about Chu Huan that appeared in the Hong Kong media was the report about Chu Huan and Li Xiaolong a few days ago.
But those were just sneak shots, not an official debut.
"Our chairman is busy with his own work, so he didn't come over!"
Yasuo Kamikura could already speak Cantonese very well at this time.
Obviously, his answer was not acceptable to the reporters at the scene.
"It is rumored that Chu Huan is seriously ill and is currently receiving treatment in Europe. Is this true?"
A person who used to appear in front of everyone suddenly disappears, which naturally makes people suspicious.
However, reporters have always had a rich imagination, but today it was a little too rich, and they actually thought that Chu Huan was seriously ill.
"Some people also say that Chu Huan and his fiancée Cao Yunshang are traveling in Europe. Is this true?"
Some people knew that Cao Yunshang went to Europe, but they didn't know what Cao Yunshang went to do, so they guessed that Chu Huan and Cao Yunshang were traveling in Europe!
"No comment!"
Kamikura Yasuo replied with a dark face, "This is nothing!"
In the end, it was the reporter from "True News" who brought the matter back to the right track and asked about the affairs of the two factories.
First of all, their first concern is naturally about the factory employees.
Both factories claim to be factories with a workforce of 10,000 people, which can be regarded as super factories in Hong Kong.
Reporters are naturally curious whether the number of workers has reached the size it should be.
Kamikura Yasuo then replied seriously: "The number of employees in the Struggle Printing Factory has reached 1,000, while the number of workers in the Youth Toy Factory is now only 6,000!"
6,000 people?
This number puzzled reporters at the scene.
However, Yasuo Kamikura's answer later solved their doubts. Workers in printing factories have low technical content, so it is naturally easier to recruit, while workers in toy factories require a certain level of technical content, so recruitment is slower.
After answering questions from many reporters, Hong Kong government officials also expressed their gratitude to the two factories. It is precisely because these two factories have created 1,000 jobs at this time, which has greatly eased the current employment situation in Hong Kong.
pressure.
There was a stock market crash in March 1973 and a war in the Middle East in October.
This has caused severe damage to Hong Kong. A large number of companies have closed down and countless workers have taken to the streets.
What is most popular on the streets of Hong Kong now?
To shoulder this burden, most people are engaged in business!
Although considering the employment environment in Xiangjiang at this time, one job position cannot solve too many problems, but it is already good!
According to statistics from the Hong Kong Statistics Bureau, the company that solved the most employment problems at once this year is "Fantasy Comics"!
For this matter, before the completion of the two factories, MacLehose met with Chu Huan to express the Hong Kong government's gratitude.
After all, a job actually means that they have a family behind them, and the livelihood of nearly 80,000 people is guaranteed.
The entire city of Xiangjiang now only has more than 4 million people!
After the completion ceremony, Kamikura Yasuo first saw off the Hong Kong government officials, and then came to the office of the director of the Youth Toy Factory.
As for Chu Huan, whom the reporters asked about his whereabouts, he was actually in the office of the director of Youth Toy Factory at this time.
However, Chu Huan's expression was not very good at this time.
Because Chu Huan finally knew what Feng Muying of Li & Fung Toys was planning when he met with those toy manufacturers in Xiangjiang.
It was just speculation before, but now we have a conclusion!
That is, they joined forces to cut off the supply of raw materials to Youth Toy Factory!
Kamikura Yasuo and the others walked in and saw Chu Huan with a gloomy face, and they were also a little trepidatious.
Seeing their expressions, Chu Huan waved his hands and said, "This matter has nothing to do with you, it's just that I was a little careless before!"
Zhong Zhichen is the person who is most familiar with the factory. After all, this office belongs to him now!
"Chairman, I have already asked the matter clearly. It was these toy manufacturers in Xiangjiang who united to put pressure on the raw material manufacturers in Taiwan, and they did these things!"
Previously, when Chu Huan learned about the alliance between Li & Fung Toys and other toy manufacturers in Xiangjiang from Yutoubiao, he had already told Zhong Zhichen to contact the raw material suppliers in Taiwan in time.
But even if there is advance contact, the other party can still manipulate the delivery time, delivery quality, and delivery quantity. There are ways to prevent you from starting work according to the original plan!
Chu Huan was extremely angry and laughed, "Since they want to fight, let's fight. I will solve this matter. You can start production according to the current inventory first!"
Youth Toy Factory definitely has some inventory, but these inventories are definitely not able to meet the demand for "Fantasy Comics" peripheral toys to be launched in June!
Zhong Zhichen could only nod and said: "Understood!"
Chu Huan continued to ask: "Also, how is the construction of our toy flagship stores across Europe going?"
Previously, Zhong Zhichen suggested to Kamikura Yasuo to build his own toy flagship stores in major cities by leveraging the global influence of "Fantasy Comics" to open up global sales channels for "Fantasy Comics" peripherals.
To put it simply, it is to use sales volume to make those toy dealers understand the influence of "Fantasy Comics" peripherals. As long as you have this influence, it will be much easier to cooperate with those toy dealers or continue to open your own chain stores.
Since we want to build our own toy flagship stores in major cities around the world, this includes the relatively stable capitals of Southeast Asian countries, Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya in Japan, London in Europe and England, Paris in France, Rome in Italy and other developed countries.
Important cities in the country include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, etc. in North America.
Then this requires a lot of cash.
According to a joint analysis by the operation team of Jiaku Consulting Company and the management of "Fantasy Comics", this fund is as high as 300 million U.S. dollars!
This amount of money was naturally not available for "Fantasy Comics" at this time, so in the end Chu Huan decided to use the most important European market as a pilot and build his own flagship stores in cities in various developed countries in Europe.
But even so, this still requires an investment of 100 million US dollars!
Even with the profits of these few months, plus the 50 million Hong Kong dollars left after deducting the 130 million Hong Kong dollars invested by "Fantasy Comics" in Hong Kong, "Fantasy Comics" now has a total of 167 million Hong Kong dollars on its account!
There is still a long way to go before reaching 100 million US dollars!
In desperation, Chu Huan had no choice but to find Bank of East Asia, North American Express Bank, and Bangkok Bank of Thailand to use "Fantasy Comics" for a joint loan, lending a total of 400 million Hong Kong dollars!
North American Express Bank and Bangkok Bank of Thailand both have their own branches in Xiangjiang.
This is enough to cope with the construction of its own flagship store in Europe for "Fantasy Comics" peripheral toys.
Zhong Zhichen said excitedly: "We can definitely open when youth toys are on the market!"
Chu Huan nodded with satisfaction.
This is good news among bad news.
"How's the Rogerim animation going over there?" Chu Huan continued to ask.
"Transformers" animation is the most important promotional tool for youth toys, and Chu Huan must ensure that there are no problems in this regard.
Zhong Zhichen replied: "After the first revision, their cartoon has met your requirements, Chairman, and is now being urgently produced. In addition, the company has also sent the first episode of animation to major TV stations around the world, and is now in production."
Talk to them about the broadcast."
"Transformers" cartoons are free of charge and are given to you for free to broadcast. "Fantasy Comics" was already well-known around the world at this time, and the Transformers IP was also very popular. People from major TV stations still
Quite satisfactory.
The information previously sent by Zhong Zhichen shows that they are still very inclined to broadcast it.
After asking these important questions, Chu Huan stood up and prepared to leave. What he had to do now was to deal with the toy raw materials.
Xiangjiang is too small. Although the manufacturing industry is developed, the supply of raw materials requires raw materials from Taiwan and Southeast Asia.
By the 1980s, the disadvantage of Xiangjiang's small locality will be further highlighted. The most effective proof is that the manufacturing industry will begin to decline. By that time, most of Xiangjiang's factories will have moved to their hometown.
In the end, Xiangjiang was reduced to a city with castles in the air during the period when Chu Huan was reborn.
Although the manufacturing industry does not seem to want to make money from real estate, finance, or even the Internet later, it is the foundation of a region and a country!
When there is a serious crisis in the manufacturing industry in this region and this country, this region and this country will be really in danger!
Returning to Jiahu Building, Chu Huan met Qiao John, the head of the operations team of Jiaku Consulting Company!
That's right, the leader of the operation team of Jiaku Consulting Company is a ghost guy, a North American, and he is already forty-one years old!
He used to be the manager of the investment department of North American Express Bank in Hong Kong, but was later hired by Chu Huan at a high price.
Also coming with Qiao John was Jiang Zishan, the leader of the second operation team, 38 years old.
Jiang Zishan is not an unknown person. He was the deputy general manager of Yongan Department Store in Xiangjiang before. However, because he was not from the Guo family of Yongan, he was severely punished within the company. Later, Jiang Zishan even proposed the current department store market in Xiangjiang.
Although it is still the world of Xianshi and Yongan, the retail industry in the outside world has long been dominated by supermarkets. Not to mention the outside world, there are supermarkets like Wellcome and Parknshop in Xiangjiang now.
As Xiangjiang's economic development gets better and better, outside department stores will definitely enter Xiangjiang in the future, so Jiang Zishan believes that Yong'an Department Store should prepare for this matter now.
As a result, this incident not only failed to win the approval of the Guo family, but was also kicked out of the Guo family!
After the investigation team of Jiaku Consulting Company learned about this incident, it immediately reported it to Chu Huan. After Chu Huan learned the reason why Jiang Zishan was kicked out of Yongan Department Store, he decided to recruit Jiang Zishan to Jiaku Consulting Company!
There is no other reason. In the future Xiangjiang department store market, the Japanese department store market will indeed become the most important enemy of the Chinese department store market.
In fact, we didn’t even have to wait a few more years. In the 1970s, Japanese department stores had already entered the market in Hong Kong!
Daimaru Department Store opened in Causeway Bay, becoming the first Japanese-owned department store to enter Hong Kong. Its Chinese-owned major shareholder is the Zhang Zhushan family, who lived and ate together with the Chu family.
In the mid-1970s, Japanese department stores such as Matsukaya, Isetan, Tokyu, Jusco, and Mitsukoshi came to Hong Kong to open large stores.
Further squeezing the market share of Chinese-owned department stores!
That Jiang Zishan can have this view now shows that he is a very far-sighted person.
Jiaku Consulting Company needs people with vision and ideas.
After the two of them came in, Chu Huan didn't talk nonsense and just preached directly.
"Both of you, it's similar to what we suspected before. The other party is indeed jointly putting pressure on raw material suppliers in Taiwan, which has caused problems in the supply of raw materials to our company!"
Before that, Chu Huan had already discussed this matter with the two of them.
John Qiao did not show any worried expression and said with a smile: "Chairman, I can leave for Thailand now to discuss with the local raw material suppliers!"
how to say!
Prior to this, most of the raw material suppliers in Xiangjiang toy manufacturing industry came from Taiwan, but this does not mean that the raw materials required for toy manufacturing must be from Taiwan.
It’s just that everyone has this habitual thought at the beginning.
It is believed that by suppressing Taiwan's raw material suppliers, Chu Huan can be suppressed from obtaining raw materials.
But in fact, Taiwan’s raw material supplier is only the largest supplier in Hong Kong, but it is not the only one!
Taiwan's raw material suppliers have become the largest suppliers in Hong Kong's toy industry, naturally not only because of their output, but also due to a series of things such as transportation, payment transactions, quality assurance, etc.
If we do not use raw material suppliers in Taiwan, the transportation cost alone will be higher than elsewhere.
Of course, there is also the method of payment transaction, which currency is more suitable for transaction, and if the quality is not up to standard, it will also involve issues such as returns, exchanges, refunds, etc.
This all requires increased costs!
Therefore, these toy manufacturers in Xiangjiang are confident in uniting to boycott Chu Huan!
After all, an increase in costs means a decrease in profits, which is a real loss!
Chu Huan naturally understands this truth, so Chu Huan does not want to change suppliers unless necessary.
But now, since the toy manufacturer in Xiangjiang has taken this matter to this step, Chu Huan can only choose a raw material supplier in Thailand.
What remains to be seen now is who can afford this loss better.
By doing this, Chu Huan increased costs and reduced profits!
The toy manufacturers in Xiangjiang definitely lost the customer of Youth Toy... However, when the Youth Toy Factory was ready to be built, they had already lost money, so their losses were actually minimal.
Li & Fung Toys also lost the customer of Youth Toys, but they could have become a partner of Youth Toys, so their losses are not small.
And who has the biggest loss?
In fact, it is the raw material suppliers in Taiwan, because they have truly lost the youth toys customer.
So this time it is a game between Chu Huan and other toy manufacturers in Hong Kong, Li & Fung Group, and it is also a game between Chu Huan and the raw material suppliers in Taiwan!
Whichever family cannot bear such losses first will be the first to surrender.
The result of surrender is that from now on, you will lose the right to speak in the case of cooperation between both parties!
Jiang Zishan said helplessly: "I don't know what the raw material suppliers in Taiwan are thinking. Don't they know that in this cooperation with the toy manufacturers in Hong Kong, they will actually suffer the greatest losses?
?”
John Qiao sat there contentedly, waving his hands and preaching: "No, no, no, their losses are big because we know that we have contacted the raw material suppliers in Thailand and also solved the shipping problem, but Taiwan Island
Raw material suppliers don't know this.
In their view, we will definitely not accept the economic losses caused by changing suppliers, so in the end, we will definitely give in to them. As long as we give in to them, then in terms of pricing, they will have
gain a certain voice, which will bring them more wealth.
So they are not stupid at all, they just lack intelligence collection!"
The biggest cost of switching suppliers is actually the transportation cost, but why is Chu Huan the son-in-law of Cao Shipwang of Xiangjiang?
In addition, Cao Shipwang also has a batch of oil purchased from Chu Huan at a low price. Comparing the two, Chu Huan will use Thai raw materials instead, which will not cost much more.
Chu Huan nodded and said: "Since the matter is now a foregone conclusion, John, please go to Thailand!"
John Qiao was able to become the manager of the investment department of North American Express Bank in Hong Kong before, so his network of relationships is naturally deep. In fact, this supplier in Thailand was also contacted by John John!
John Qiao nodded and said: "No problem, I will fly to Thailand tomorrow!"
After discussing the details, the two left Chu Huan's office and Xu Yi walked in.
"Boss, Qin Tianheng from Tianhua Toys is here and wants to meet you, boss!"
Chu Huan was slightly stunned and asked with a smile: "Why is he here?"
Xu Yi shook his head and said: "The other party didn't say it, but I guess I came here for the raw materials of youth toys!"
Chu Huan nodded and said: "Invite him in!"
After a while, Qin Tianheng walked in under the leadership of Xu Yi.
"Master Qin, why do you have time to come to my place today!" Chu Huan sat there and asked with a smile.
Qin Tianheng looked at Chu Huan's expression, which was a bit complicated, and asked with some confusion: "I really don't understand. At this time, Director Chu, you can still laugh!"
Obviously Qin Tianheng also knew about the affairs between youth toys and raw material suppliers.
Chu Huan asked: "So, Young Master Qin is here to see a joke?"
Qin Tianheng shook his head and said: "I did have such thoughts before coming here, but I know you better than those people. Although I don't know what you can do about this matter, I understand that those people are definitely not your opponents.
?”
Chu Huan asked with some interest: "Why are you so sure?"
Qin Tianheng said: "If they are really capable, they won't be oppressed by our Qin family all the time!"
There are many toy manufacturers in Xiangjiang, including Cai Zhiming, who is known as the toy king in later generations, and Chen Dahe, who is known as the father of the Ninja Turtles. Today, they are no match for the Qin family.
So when Qin Tianheng said these words in front of Chu Huan, he was very confident.
Chu Huan asked: "Then why did Mr. Qin come to my place this time?"
Qin Tianheng smiled and said: "Of course I am taking sides. I used to face you, Mr. Huan, but I chose the wrong team. As a result, our Qin family's Tianhua toys almost changed hands. Since we are not your opponents, we naturally hope to be yours."
comrade in arms!
In fact, we are comrades in arms now!"
Among all the toy manufacturers in Hong Kong, the only one that has obtained the manufacturing rights for "Fantasy Comics" peripherals is Tianhua Toys!
At this moment, Chu Huan looked at Qin Tianheng and felt like he was getting to know him again. This was not the same person as the Qin Tianheng in his impression!
"Young Master Qin, have you ever seen a palm technique that falls from the sky?"
Qin Tianheng was confused by Chu Huan's sudden words and didn't understand what Chu Huan meant.
"Dr. Chu, what do you mean?"
Chu Huan laughed and said: "It's nothing, just say it casually."
It seems that the other party was not taken over by some reborn person, but it is correct to think about it. Basically, there can only be one reborn person in a universe plane. This is basically an iron rule!
Qin Tianheng waved his hand and said: "Director Chu, let's talk about business!"
Chu Huan said with a smile: "I wonder how Mr. Qin plans to stand in line?"
Qin Tianheng said: "It's simple. Our Tianhua Toys pays for raw materials. No matter how many raw materials are needed for Huan Shao's youth toys, our Tianhua Toys can provide them without any increase in price."
Chu Huan praised: "What Mr. Qin did was a big deal. I wonder if it was your intention or Mr. Qin's intention?"
Qin Tianheng said with some pride: "I proposed it, and my grandfather agreed!"
Chu Huan asked: "Young Master Qin, do you know what your childhood is? My childhood is the same for everyone?"
Qin Tianheng was born with a black line on his forehead.
Chu Huan laughed again and said: "I'm just kidding, I'm just kidding, I really admire your growth, Mr. Qin!"
Qin Tianheng smiled bitterly and said: "I have been beaten so many times by you, Director Chu. If I don't grow up, then I will really be a waste!"
Chu Huan said: "Then tell me about your conditions, Mr. Qin. I believe that your Tianhua Toys risked offending the entire Xiangjiang toy manufacturer to help us, and you will definitely not help us in vain, right?"
Qin Tianheng did not hide anything, saying: "In addition to the exclusive authorization for "Transformers", there are also exclusive production rights for several other comic peripherals!"
Before, Qin Shihong took Qin Tianheng to find Chu Huan and proposed to cooperate with Chu Huan. In the end, Chu Huan agreed to Qin Shihong in order to have an extra layer of insurance.
However, after subsequent discussions, "Fantasy Comics" finally agreed to authorize Tianhua Toys to be the exclusive manufacturer of "Transformers" peripherals in addition to youth toys.
The rest of the surrounding areas did not agree, and now Qin Tianheng came here just for this matter.
"At the same time, our Qin family also hopes to get a promise from Director Chu!"
Chu Huan asked noncommittally: "What promise?"
Qin Tianheng said: "If I encounter any problems when taking over Tianhua Toys in the future, I hope Director Chu can help!"
Chu Huan smiled, "Young master Qin, I'm afraid you added this matter yourself, right?"
Qin Tianheng's expression remained unchanged as he said, "I hope Director Chu can agree!"
Chu Huan did not agree to Qin Tianheng immediately, nor did he tell Qin Tianheng that he had actually contacted the raw material manufacturer in Thailand.
Chu Huan is seriously considering Qin Tianheng’s suggestion!
Although I have contacted the raw material supplier in Thailand, if I have help from Tianhua Toys, I can get rid of those annoying people faster.
And you can also get low-priced raw materials, which is indeed a good business.
As for authorizing Tianhua Toys to produce peripheral toys for other comics of "Fantasy Comics", it is actually a good choice. First of all, although Youth Toys is a factory with ten thousand people, compared to the future scale of Youth Toys, it is definitely not enough.
At that time, Chu Huan will face two decisions. The first is whether to expand the youth toy factory, and the second is when to build a factory in his hometown.
However, this will take more time. In addition, if I have another Tianhua Toy partner, I will have an extra guarantee. Just like this time, if I had not asked John Qiao to contact the raw material manufacturer in Thailand before, it would be more difficult.
trouble.
At the same time, this is consistent with Chu Huan’s previous idea of forming a business alliance!
"No problem, I can agree to both of these conditions!"
Qin Tianheng immediately smiled after receiving Chu Huan's consent. This was the first thing he took the lead on, and he had already achieved success.
Even in Qin Tianheng's view, obtaining the peripheral production rights for other comics in "Fantasy Comics" is not as important as the latter guarantee.
Although his grandfather has decided to let him take over Tianhua Toys, the process has not been smooth sailing.
After all, there is a second uncle who is watching eagerly!
After all, he was his grandfather's son, and while chatting with Qin Shihong, Qin Tianheng also understood what Qin Shihong meant. Qin Shihong hoped that his second uncle would stay in the company to help him.