Rebirth of the Industrial Tycoon

Li Weidong came to Bangkok again and met President Song En of the Thai Agricultural Association.

"President Song'en, I heard that you are not satisfied with the current contract terms? You want to make changes." Li Weidong asked directly.

Song En smiled and nodded: "We do have a small request. Mr. Li should still remember that this batch of orders worth 5 billion baht originally belonged to Japan's Kubota Company, right? But due to some special changes, , the final order was transferred to your company.”

Of course Li Weidong knew what Song En said. Li Weidong was behind the farmers' protest.

Just listen to Song'en continue to say: "The reason why we chose to cooperate with Kubota at that time was because we wanted to build a railway connecting Bangkok and Chiang Mai. This railway can greatly promote the economic development of our country, and Kubota has Will help us promote the construction of this railway.

Although Kubota did not get the order in the end, they still made a lot of advance preparations for this railway. This includes a batch of trains that are intended to be used on this railway.

Now we need to transport these trains back to China. The original plan was that Kubota would be responsible for the transportation costs, but since Kubota has lost this order, they have no obligation to transport these trains to Thailand.

Since your company replaced Kubota and got the order of 5 billion baht, I hope that your company can also perform its duties on behalf of Kubota and transport this batch of trains back to our country, Thailand. "

"It turns out it's to make us pay the freight!" Li Weidong nodded in realization, and then thought about it, this Thai guy even bought the train, so why couldn't he pay the freight?

So Li Weidong said: "Although Japanese trains are very advanced, they are not cheap, right?"

"I don't know the specific value." Song En shook his head and continued: "These trains were provided to us free of charge by Japan. We are only responsible for transporting the trains back to China."

"Giving it to you for free?" Li Weidong was slightly startled and thought to himself that there is such a good thing. How can the Japanese be so kind and give away the Thai train for free without paying for it?

Seeing Li Weidong's questioning look, Song En explained: "The trains the Japanese gave us are not new, but ones that Japan has eliminated. The Kyushu Shinkansen in Japan in the past two years was exactly When it started operating, the replaced passenger trains were given to us.”

"Kyushu Shinkansen?" Li Weidong recalled carefully. The Kyushu Shinkansen newly opened a few years ago uses the latest 700 series electric multiple units.

After World War II, with the development of automobile technology, the carrying capacity of automobiles became larger and larger, and road transportation gradually became a major way of transporting goods.

In Europe, the area of ​​each country is not large. If you drive a truck, you can transport goods to all parts of the country in one day. In the United States, the gradual improvement of the highway system in the mountains has also allowed road transportation to flourish.

During that period, railway transportation was considered by the West to be a backward transportation method that would inevitably be eliminated.

However, the Japanese decided to resume railway transportation and build faster and higher-standard railways. This decision was not only controversial in Japan, but also ridiculed by European and American countries.

Finally, Japan took the opportunity to host the 1964 Olympic Games and successfully built the first Shinkansen, the Tokaishima Shinkansen connecting Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka.

This Shinkansen seems to be announcing the rise of Japan to the world.

What was used at that time was the original 0-series electric multiple unit. The operating speed was about 200 kilometers per hour, which was equivalent to the intercity EMUs we use now. However, the stability of the vehicles was far behind. At least mineral water Will wander.

After entering the 1980s, Japan developed the second-generation Shinkansen, the 200 series electric multiple units. The speed of this series can reach 240 kilometers per hour, which is similar to our current ordinary multiple units.

In terms of stability, the 200 series Shinkansen can already hold a cigarette case without falling over.

In the mid-1980s, Japan developed the third-generation Shinkansen, which is the 100 series electric multiple unit.

I have to say that the Japanese are a bit confused about the naming of Shinkansen. The original model was called 0 series, which is no problem. The second generation is simply called 200 series, which is acceptable, but the third generation is not called 250, nor is it called 300, instead it was called the 100 series. I really don’t know what the Japanese were thinking at that time. Obsessive-compulsive disorder would definitely not be able to bear it.

The 300 series Shinkansen in the early 1990s reached an operating speed of 270 kilometers per hour. The subsequent 400 series and 500 series have improved in performance. During this period, Japan also developed the E2 series and E3 series, among which the E2-1000 EMU is the CRH2 electric EMU prototype of the Harmony.

Entering the 21st century, the Shinkansen 700 series was officially put into use. This will also be the main model used in Japan in the future. By 2022, Japan's Shinkansen will still use this series.

After the 700 series, the research and development of the Shinkansen also slowed down. This is like Japan's national strength, which has entered the lost thirty years and can only rely on resting on its laurels and remembering the glorious past.

When the 700 series was first put into operation, it was replaced by the 100 series trains. Thinking of this, Li Weidong immediately asked: "Mr. Song'en, is what Japan gave you the Shinkansen 100 series trains they just eliminated?"

"How is this possible! How could the Japanese give us the Shinkansen train! Even if it is an obsolete Shinkansen train, they will not give it to us."

Song En shook his head with disdain, and then said: "Japan has adjusted the Shinkansen and increased the transport capacity, so the passenger transport on ordinary lines has been reduced accordingly, and a batch of 183 series trains have been eliminated and given to us. ”

"The 183 series is Japan's main diesel model! If it is relatively new, it can still be used for decades!" Li Weidong said.

"The Japanese told us that the vehicles are 90% new. If they are carefully renovated, they can still be used for another fifty years." Song En replied.

"Renovation?" Li Weidong instantly guessed the Japanese's intention.

The Japanese often donate second-hand machinery and equipment to Southeast Asian countries, including second-hand trains.

Japan's railway system is very developed. At least before the emergence of the China Renaissance, Japan's railway system could be regarded as the best in the world.

Therefore, the second-hand trains that Japan has eliminated and sent to Southeast Asian countries are still high-end goods and are much more advanced than the old trains in Southeast Asia.

But the Japanese trains are not given away for free. Although the trains are free of charge, subsequent renovation and maintenance fees are all chargeable, and they are still charged according to Japanese standards.

For example, in terms of train parts, original Japanese parts must be used. Not only do they have to be imported from Japan, even the repairmen must be Japanese technicians. The round trip expenses plus working hours and travel expenses are definitely a lot of money. .

Even if the trains cost no money, the Japanese can make money back through subsequent maintenance and repairs, even more than simply selling cars.

Until 2000, Japan's per capita GDP exceeded that of the United States, so Japan's labor costs were higher than those of the United States at that time.

Based on Japan's labor costs, if the obsolete trains are scrapped in Japan, the money from selling the scrap metal may not be enough to cover the labor costs of recycling.

It is definitely more cost-effective for Japan to directly send second-hand trains to Southeast Asian countries and then earn subsequent maintenance fees.

Li Weidong once made second-hand machinery and equipment, so he naturally knew the ropes inside.

So Li Weidong asked, "President Song'en, the cost of renovating the train shouldn't be cheap, right?"

Song En nodded: "Although the Japanese renovation quotation is very high, it is still within an acceptable range. However, based on past experience, the final cost may be three to five times the quotation! After all, the technology of the train is mastered In the hands of the Japanese, they can easily find excuses to increase prices.”

"If the maintenance cost is too high, it is better to just buy a new one!" Li Weidong said with a smile.

"We have done actuarial calculations and found that if the maintenance cost is five times the actual quoted price, it will really cost about the same as buying a new train." Song En replied.

The Thais have also done business with the Japanese for many years. On weekdays, they are often tricked by the Japanese, but they are often tricked by the Japanese. Naturally, they know what kind of medicine the Japanese sell in their gourds.

Even Li Weidong, a person who resells second-hand machinery and equipment, knows how the Japanese make money by selling second-hand machinery. How could Thai people who have been cheated many times not understand it?

For example, this time the Japanese gave away the train for free. The real renovation price must be far higher than the original quotation of the Japanese.

This is also a habit of the Japanese when doing business with backward countries. They give a relatively normal price first, and then find excuses to increase the price.

For example, when buying a set of equipment, the original quotation was 10 million for installation. After the equipment was purchased, Japanese technicians started to find faults when they came to install it. For example, your place is too cold in winter, too hot in summer, and too dry in spring. Autumn is too dry, so this equipment cannot be used.

If you want to use it, you can first solve the problems of too cold in winter, too hot in summer, too dry in spring and too dry in autumn. If you can't solve it, then just spend money and let Japanese engineers improve the equipment.

Anyway, the technology is in the hands of the Japanese. If you buy something, if you want to use it normally, you must rely on the technical services provided by Japan, and you will have to pay more. This is clearly bullying the buyer who has no technology.

Li Weidong thought for a while and then said: "President Song'en, since you already know that the train Japan gave you is to make money from you, why do you still accept it? And you still have to spend money to transport the train back. "

"Our Agricultural Association is an official organization after all. We have to consider the friendly relationship with Japan. We cannot directly refuse the gift from Japan." Song En replied helplessly.

"Understandable!" Li Weidong nodded.

In the past few decades, Japan has always been Thailand's largest investor. Even if Japan's investment led to the outbreak of the Asian financial crisis, Thailand still did not dare to offend Japan, the father of the fund, so the train sent by the Japanese, even if it was clearly Knowing it was a trap, Thailand could only accept it with tears.

But things sent from Japan do not come with free shipping. Thais have to spend their own money to transport them, which is quite depressing.

If the goods were better than before, then it would be fine to spend money to transport them back. However, these trains are clearly money-losing goods, and they will have to pay maintenance fees before they can be used. Naturally, Thai people are not willing to pay this money.

This is like a door-to-door waste collector. If the goods are profitable, then the waste collector will definitely be happy to come to the door. If the items are heavy and worthless, and there is no elevator on a high floor, not only will they not be able to sell them, but the seller will also have to pay a transportation fee. .

The Thais couldn't refuse the Japanese, and they didn't want to be taken advantage of by paying the freight, so they found Li Weidong and planned to pass the freight to Fukang Agricultural Machinery.

This additional shipping fee was not included in the original contract. From a purely commercial contract perspective, Li Weidong could certainly refuse.

But from a business perspective, Li Weidong really can't save the freight.

If Li Weidong does not agree to bear the freight, let alone the possibility of future cooperation, even the current order will be in trouble. The order of 5 billion baht has only been completed for more than 2 billion, and Li Weidong still has to earn the remaining 2 billion baht.

So Li Weidong asked: "Mr. Song'en, how much is the freight for this batch of trains?"

"The shipping fee from Japan to Thailand is about 50 million baht." Song En answered.

"That's equivalent to 10 million yuan!" Li Weidong nodded silently, which was within the acceptable range.

I previously took over a business of 5 billion baht from the Agricultural Association, and the 50 million baht it paid out was only 1%, which was even less than the rebate that was being given.

But at this time, Li Weidong had other plans.

Li Weidong asked: "Mr. Song'en, I can bear the freight. But after these second-hand trains are shipped to Thailand, do you know that you have to pay the Japanese to repair them?"

Song En shook his head: "The maintenance fee is too expensive, we can't afford it!"

"So what does your country plan to do with these second-hand trains?" Li Weidong then asked.

Song En spread his hands and said, "Just find an open space to put it first. You can't sell it for scrap metal!"

"I think since your country doesn't need it, you can actually sell scrap metal." Li Weidong said with a smile.

"Even if you sell scrap metal, someone must be willing to accept it!" Song En shook his head: "If it can be sold as scrap metal, then the Japanese will sell it as scrap metal themselves, and they can still make a little profit, so how can they give it away? Give me!"

"Japan's labor costs are high, and waste recycling is not cost-effective and may even lead to losses. But other countries are different, such as China. Our labor costs are very low, and our waste recycling industry is very developed." Li Weidong said.

"You mean to sell these trains to you as scrap metal?" Song En asked.

"Our bid is definitely higher than that of scrap iron! We can quote according to the scrap price just now!" Li Weidong continued: "Mr. Song'en, if you sell these trains to me, you will not only save 50 million baht in freight, but also You can still make more money!”

Song En thought for a while and asked, "Why do you want to buy these second-hand trains?"

"To save money!" Li Weidong showed a sincere expression, and then said: "The freight between China and Japan is much lower than the freight between Thailand and Japan. If I buy this batch of trains directly, and then transport them to In China, the cost of scrap recycling is much less than 50 million baht. In this way, I can save a lot of money.”

The distance for transporting goods from Japan to China is several times shorter than that of transporting goods to Thailand, so the freight is naturally much cheaper.

In addition to the distance gap, there are more shipping flights between China and Japan, which also significantly reduces freight costs.

The trade categories between China and Japan are highly complementary. The industrial products produced by both sides are exactly what the other side needs. Therefore, the trade exchanges between the two sides are not only frequent, but there is no need to worry about vacancies when shipping ships back and forth, and the freight is naturally reduced. .

However, the industrial products produced in Thailand are not what Japan needs. Ship owners must either ship empty ships or go to a third place to collect goods. This one-sided supply and demand relationship will actually increase freight costs.

This is like taking a taxi to a remote place. The taxi driver will consider that he will not be able to pick up customers on the return trip, so he will have to ask for more money before leaving the taxi. The same is true for shipping costs, because you need to return an empty ship, so you need to pay more.

Song En thought about it carefully and agreed with Li Weidong's statement of "saving money", but he still shook his head.

"That's not right. These second-hand trains were given to me by Japan after all. If we sell them for money, we will not give the Japanese face, and it will damage the friendship between our country and Japan." Song En said said.

Think about it, if someone gives you a gift and you sell it for money, and sell it as scrap, this is disrespectful to the person who gave the gift.

If there is no respect between people, at best, we will no longer interact with each other and pretend we don’t know the person. But the disrespect between countries has become a diplomatic issue.

What's more, Japan has always been Thailand's largest financial sponsor.

Li Weidong could tell that Song En still wanted to sell these second-hand trains. It was estimated that Song En could also find a way to make a profit from selling the cars. It's just that Song En is really worried that it will be difficult for the Japanese to explain.

So Li Weidong said: "President Song'en, how about this? I'll pay for the front of the train to be transported to Thailand for you, and how about selling the carriage to us as scrap?"

Things like trains all rely on the front belt. It doesn't matter whether the carriage behind is pulling people or cargo. You take the engine and if you want to use it in the future, you can repair it a little and then add a carriage to it. This can also explain something to the Japanese.

As for the carriages, I brought them back to China for scrap recycling. The number of carriages must be several times the number of carriages, and the shipping costs for the two are similar. This way I can also save a lot of shipping costs! "

"Only selling carriages?" Song En frowned and thought for a moment, then said, "If it's just carriages, there shouldn't be any problem. But at this price..."

"President Song'en, please rest assured, the price guarantees your satisfaction!" Li Weidong replied with a smile.

There is almost no need to consider overloading in terms of weight in ocean transportation, but you need to pay attention to the issue of cargo volume. Under normal circumstances, overloading in ocean shipping is caused by too many containers, not that the container is too heavy.

From this point of view, the cost of transporting a locomotive is about the same as transporting a car, because both are about the same size.

Perhaps the price of transport carriages is more expensive, because some carriages are larger than the front of the car, and there are many glass windows in the carriages, which are easy to break, so you have to be careful when transporting them.

One locomotive must be equipped with eight or nine carriages, so if only the locomotive is transported, the freight will be only one-tenth of the original. The freight cost of 50 million baht will instantly become 5 million.

Of the 45 million baht saved, even if Li Weidong used half of it to buy the remaining carriages, he would still be able to save 20 million baht.

What's more, after the carriage is transported back, it can be dismantled and sold for scrap metal!

The Japanese train carriages are not made of ordinary metal, but must be alloys, which are more expensive than scrap iron. Maybe Li Weidong can make a small fortune by doing this again and again.