Reborn Industrial Tycoon

Chapter 360 You have to force me to do something bad (please subscribe)

There is a joyful atmosphere in the Qinghe City Loader Factory.

Fifty loaders are a big deal for the loader factory. After this business is completed, although it will not be very popular in the next few months, there will definitely be no need to worry about wages.

For the employees of the loader factory, they are very satisfied if they can receive business and be paid on time. This means that the factory has finally come back from the brink of death, and everyone has hope.

After all, the loader factory was restructured from a state-owned enterprise, and its employees were all former state-owned enterprise employees. Although a pension insurance system has been established, in the consciousness of state-owned enterprise employees, the company can take care of things for a lifetime.

If the company fails, then you will have no hope for the rest of your life. On the other hand, if the company survives, then you will be protected for the rest of your life.

Li Weidong takes a longer-term view. He knows that the order for fifty loaders is not even an appetizer. The subsequent road construction in the province and even the country will require tens of thousands of loaders.

In such a big market, of course, we should eat as much as we can.

In the production workshop, Li Weidong said while strolling: "The quality of production must be guaranteed, but the research and development of technology cannot stop! We have obtained so much information from Russia, we must digest it as soon as possible and transform it into our own technology

.

Once we fully master these Russian technologies, our engineering equipment will at least reach the international average level, and we may be able to export engineering machinery by then!"

Li Weidong said, looked at Zhang Tao, and then said: "Director Zhang, in the recent period, the loader factory has been left to you. The Puppy Electric Factory has to welcome the American inspection team, so I may not be able to leave.

I can't take care of both sides at the same time."

Zhang Tao smiled and nodded: "Chairman, just go about your business with peace of mind. I will personally monitor the production of these fifty loaders! There will definitely be no mistakes."

Zhang Tao is a very self-aware person. He was originally the top leader of the loader factory. After the reorganization of the loader factory, he became the second leader. Although he was demoted, he did not cause trouble. Instead, he was very content with his job.

Second in command.

This is mainly because Li Weidong is willing to delegate power to Zhang Tao.

Li Weidong still leaves all matters in the factory to Zhang Tao, except for major decisions and personnel appointments and dismissals. Some small financial expenses can be reimbursed with Zhang Tao's signature.

Zhang Tao has been the factory director for many years. Although his ability is not very good, he still has management experience. Li Weidong also needs Zhang Tao as the factory director to calm the situation and stabilize people's hearts, so he might as well give Zhang Tao some power.

As long as the power of personnel appointment and dismissal is still in Li Weidong's hands, Li Weidong is not worried about Zhang Tao causing any trouble.

As for the signature and reimbursement of small sums of money, these are matters that do not affect the overall situation. Even if Zhang Tao will get some benefits from it, it is within Li Weidong's acceptable range.

After all, if the water is clear, there will be no fish. Enterprises are not government agencies. Sometimes you want people to work for you, so you can't care too much about money.

Although a clear, definite and strict financial management system is the foundation of an enterprise, if the financial aspect is too tight and the facts are comprehensive, it will affect the normal development of the enterprise.

Zhang Tao is not the kind of leader with great ambitions, otherwise the loader factory would not have almost closed down.

For Zhang Tao, who is in his fifties, even though he is still full of lofty ideals and ambitions, he still has more than enough ambition and insufficient energy to make any more troubles.

Moreover, after the reorganization of the loader factory, Zhang Tao is still the director, he still has the status he deserves, and he can still get reimbursement with his signature. As long as he can get reimbursement with his signature, then words will work, which is very satisfying for Zhang Tao.

It is Zhang Tao's biggest dream not to be the leader, not to take on responsibilities, but to still have a little power in his hands, so that he can survive until retirement and arrange his children's work properly before retirement.

Zhang Tao, the former top leader, did not take the lead in the rebellion, so other cadres and employees just followed Li Weidong's lead.

After Li Weidong took over the loader factory, he first won over a wave of people by purchasing shares.

The employees of the loader factory have earned at least 3,000 yuan from the stock price difference. Naturally, no one will resist Li Weidong, the chairman.

No one has trouble with money, but those who can bring benefits to themselves must not provide it properly! The so-called food that comes without eating is most likely because the food is not good enough. Try changing it to abalone, ginseng, wing belly, etc.?

Immediately afterwards, Li Weidong brought technology and equipment from Russia, as well as engineers Lao Maozi. In an instant, the employees of the loader factory realized that this new chairman was not only rich, but also capable! He could actually get advanced equipment from foreign countries.

technology.

Although the Soviet Union has disintegrated, after being the Big Brother for so many years, its status in the eyes of ordinary people is still very deep-rooted. Russia is still the awesome Big Brother it used to be.

People who are capable can often establish their own prestige, and now that they have received the order for these fifty loaders, Li Weidong is convinced by everyone in the loader factory.

In just a few months, Li Weidong has established prestige in the loader factory.

…

Whirlpool's inspection team finally arrived in Qinghe.

Li Weidong's Puppy Electric Appliances was not the first stop for Whirlpool's inspection. Previously, Whirlpool's inspection team had been inspecting the Xuehua Refrigerator Factory in Beijing, and they came to Puppy Appliances just by the way.

At this time, Whirlpool began to plan to enter the Chinese market, and Whirlpool's first partner was Snowflake Group Company. Two years later, Whirlpool would establish a joint venture with Snowflake to produce refrigerators.

Snowflake Refrigerator Factory was formerly a medical equipment factory, which mainly produced medical refrigeration equipment. It once produced China's first refrigerator.

After the reform and opening up, Snowflake Company switched from medical use to civilian use, and introduced production technology and equipment from Philips Company in the Netherlands. Snowflake refrigerators also entered the most glorious era, with a national market share as high as 60%. At that time, I wanted to buy

To get a Snowflake refrigerator, you need to rely on connections to find someone you know.

Later, domestic refrigerator companies emerged, especially after Haier smashed the refrigerators, and began to pay attention to quality. However, the failure rate of Snowflake refrigerators was much higher than that of Haier, so Snowflake fell into a dilemma that lasted for several years.

The emergence of Whirlpool obviously became Snowflake's life-saving straw. However, at that time, the annual output of domestic refrigerators had reached millions of units. Coupled with the management and distribution methods of Americans, there was a serious acclimatization in China, which led to Snowflake.

It was difficult for refrigerators to gain a foothold in the market, and Whirlpool also lost out of the Chinese market.

The lack of understanding of the changes in the Chinese market is Whirlpool's biggest problem. Take Snowflake refrigerators as an example. At that time, domestic manufacturers had begun to produce fluorine-free refrigerators, but the joint venture factory between Whirlpool and Snowflake still produced fluorine-containing refrigerators. The market

It is natural not to accept it.

Americans have been number one in the world for too long. They instinctively feel that the economies of all countries in the world should operate in accordance with American economic rules and economic order. American management and distribution methods should be applied to

worldwide.

It is precisely because of this arrogance that Whirlpool failed in the Chinese market.

…

Li Weidong originally thought that the American inspection team would be surprised by the militarized management of the Puppy Electrical Appliance Factory. However, what Li Weidong did not expect was that the Americans were not interested in the operation of the electrical appliance factory.

What Americans are interested in is the price quoted for orange juice machines, and American negotiators have also focused their main energy on how to lower the price.

After talking for two days, Li Weidong finally understood that the Whirlpool inspection team was not interested in the Puppy Electric Factory at all. After all, their main task was to negotiate a joint venture with Snowflake Refrigerator, not to negotiate with Li Weidong.

work.

For Snowflake Refrigerator, once the joint venture is concluded, Whirlpool will invest at least 50 million U.S. dollars. For Li Weidong, even if Whirlpool orders 200,000 to 300,000 units, it will only cost 50 to 6 million U.S. dollars. Which is more important, which is less important?

It's clear at a glance.

In the end, Li Weidong gave an ODM OEM price of US$25 per orange juice machine. Puppy Electric produced orange juice machines for Whirlpool under the OEM label, and Whirlpool did not have to pay any patent fees.

Whirlpool will definitely make a lot of money from this deal. After all, if an orange juice machine is retailed in the US market, the price will definitely be more than 50 US dollars. This does not include the brand value of Whirlpool. If the Whirlpool brand is included, the product can still be sold.

are more expensive.

Next, he will wait for Whirlpool's head office to approve the price, and then Li Weidong will go to the United States to sign a contract with Whirlpool.

If it were at the Canton Fair, the foreign trade department would follow up on things like signing a contract, and the contract could be signed on the spot. But now that Li Weidong brought the business himself, he naturally had to travel all the way to the United States to sign the contract.

Already.

After the business talks were over, it was time for sightseeing as usual.

Foreigners have finally come to China, and they are big customers. Naturally, they should eat, drink, and have fun. If there are scenic spots, go visit them. If there are no scenic spots, then entertain them with good wine and food. You must let the foreigners drink.

My mother doesn't even know her.

In the large private room of the hotel, several foreigners quickly got drunk under Li Weidong's constant persuasion.

Li Weidong was not drunk. He took several foreigners to a newly opened karaoke room in Qinghe and asked for a private room. There were no videos of English songs in the karaoke room, so Li Weidong brought a few English videos with him.

, stuffed into the video recorder.

Soon, several foreigners took the microphone and started to let themselves go.

Li Weidong took this opportunity and began to inquire about the news.

Whirlpool's negotiator is named Michael Francis. He is of Jewish descent. He usually looks stern and unsmiling, but after drinking, he becomes a completely different person, and he doesn't keep his mouth shut at all.

"Li, you are so lucky. If it were in the past, Whirlpool would definitely not hand over its products to other manufacturers for OEM." Francis said.

This was a topic that Li Weidong was interested in, so Li Weidong asked: "Michael, why do you say that? As far as I know, you have invested in dozens of factories around the world, right?"

"Investment is investment, and OEM is OEM. Besides, Whirlpool's overseas investments will never produce the latest styles." Francis said and burped.

Li Weidong nodded silently. This is in line with Whirlpool's urinary properties. It is like cooperating with Snowflake Refrigerator. The product is still a fluoride-added refrigerator. It comes from American technology but is one generation behind domestic brands. How could it be possible?

market!

…

Half a month later, Li Weidong received a notice to go to Whirlpool headquarters to sign a contract.

Whirlpool Corporation is headquartered in Benton Harbor, Michigan.

As the world's top large company, Whirlpool's headquarters does not look very grand, but has an American suburban style.

After entering Whirlpool Company, Li Weidong was first taken to an exhibition hall to see the history of Whirlpool.

In the exhibition hall, there are photos and exhibits that record every key moment in the development of Whirlpool Corporation.

"A century-old enterprise is different. It even has a dedicated exhibition hall, which is like a museum! When I start my business, I will also have an exhibition hall like this!" Li Weidong thought to himself.

Li Weidong was walking around the exhibition hall. This was the first time he saw what a washing machine looked like in the early 20th century. It was just a square basin with a motor underneath. The motor was still exposed and looked very crude.

In addition, there are also products produced by Whirlpool Company in various time periods, such as first-generation refrigerators, air conditioners, automatic dehydrators, etc.

In addition, Li Weidong also saw anti-aircraft machine guns, small fighter wings, aircraft propellers, mortars and other weapons in the exhibition hall.

During World War II, Whirlpool once transformed into a military industrial enterprise to provide weapons for the U.S. military. Later, when the Apollo moon landing was held, Whirlpool also participated in the research of the Apollo 11 spacecraft.

There are few companies in the world with such a profound foundation, so Whirlpool does have the capital to be proud of.

After visiting Whirlpool's exhibition hall, Li Weidong was taken to the lounge and drank coffee for more than an hour before Li Weidong met a Whirlpool executive named Smith, who was responsible for signing the contract this time.

Li Weidong and Francis had already negotiated the details of the contract before, and the lawyer had confirmed the content of the contract. Both parties only needed to sign the contract.

After signing, Smith politely extended his right hand to Li Weidong: "Mr. Li, I wish us a happy cooperation!"

"It's a pleasure to cooperate." Li Weidong shook hands with Smith and then said, "Mr. Smith, I would like to delay you for another ten minutes to discuss other business with you."

Smith hesitated for a moment, looked at his watch, and then fixed his head: "Mr. Li, please sit down."

After the two sat down again, Li Weidong said straight to the point: "Mr. Smith, the production cost of our Chinese OEM is very low. I wonder if Whirlpool is interested in transferring the production of other home appliances to China?"

Smith did not answer directly, but asked: "Mr. Li, what other home appliances are you referring to specifically?"

"For example, microwave ovens!" Li Weidong continued: "My factory has the ability to produce microwave ovens. When Mr. Francis came to visit, he also saw my microwave oven production line.

If Whirlpool is willing to hand over the microwave oven to me, and I will manufacture the microwave oven for Whirlpool, then Whirlpool's cost will inevitably be greatly reduced, and Whirlpool's microwave oven will be more competitive!"

Smith just nodded but said nothing, as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

Li Weidong went on to say, "I have done market research on microwave ovens. For every microwave oven produced in the United States, the simple assembly cost is as high as 50 US dollars. If Whirlpool is willing to hand over the production line to me, I will pay for each microwave oven."

We only charge an OEM fee of US$15!”

A strange look flashed in Smith's eyes, and it was obvious that the figure of $15 made him a little excited.

After Smith pondered for a few seconds, he said, "Mr. Li, your suggestion is very tempting, but we at Whirlpool have no plans to move our production lines out of the United States.

Although the manufacturing cost in the United States is higher, as an American company, the American market is our foundation, so we still insist on being made in the United States, which is also our company's philosophy."

Li Weidong then persuaded: "Mr. Smith, it is precisely because the US market is the foundation of Whirlpool that I strongly suggest that Whirlpool transfer the microwave oven production line to China and let me do the OEM!"

"Mr. Li, if you have any suggestions, I am all ears." Smith said.

"Who is Whirlpool's biggest competitor in the U.S. market? There is no doubt that it is Japanese home appliance brands such as Panasonic and Xizhi." Li Weidong asked and answered his own question.

Smith said nothing, acquiescing to Li Weidong's statement.

Since the 1970s, the U.S. market has been flooded with various products made in Japan. In the field of home appliances, Japanese brands are not inferior to American brands. This has also caused the U.S. home appliance market to take a big bite out of Japanese home appliance companies.

.

The biggest competitors facing American home appliance companies today are Japan's five major home appliance brands.

Li Weidong continued, "According to my investigation, the assembly cost of each microwave oven produced by Japanese companies is about 30 US dollars. Including shipping costs, it is more than ten dollars cheaper than microwave ovens produced in the United States.

Therefore, in the retail market, the price of Japanese microwave ovens is more than ten dollars cheaper than that of American microwave ovens. Consumers like to buy cheaper products, which is why Japanese microwave ovens can continue to encroach on the American market.

If Whirlpool hands over the microwave oven to me for OEM, my OEM fee is only US$15, which means that each microwave oven is US$15 cheaper than the Japanese microwave oven.

The reason why American consumers choose Japanese brands is because Japanese brands are cheaper. If American brands are the same price as Japanese brands, or even cheaper, I think American consumers will definitely choose American brands!

By then, Japanese products will be driven out of the U.S. market, and there will only be American products in the U.S. market. Isn't this a good thing for Whirlpool?"

Li Weidong's logic immediately moved Smith. Being able to drive Japanese products out of the U.S. market is indeed a great temptation for Whirlpool.

Throughout the 1980s to the mid-1990s, Japanese products were the biggest rival of American manufacturing. At that time, American manufacturing was politically correct to target Japanese products.

The home appliance industry is the field with the largest number of Japanese products. Japanese products such as air conditioners and refrigerators are on par with American products. However, for emerging products such as Walkmans and game consoles, Japanese products are even better.

What's more, for the daily consumer goods industry, the importance of seizing more market share is self-evident.

Therefore, when Li Weidong brought up the topic of competing for the market with Japanese products, Smith was immediately moved.

Just listen to Smith say: "Mr. Li, your suggestion is very constructive. Well, at the next company management meeting, I will introduce your suggestion to other executives, and we will give you a

Answered!"

…

What Li Weidong really likes is not the orange juice machine order, but Whirlpool's microwave oven production line.

After Xizhi Electric refused to move its production line to China, Li Weidong decided to look for OEMs in European and American countries.

The manufacturing cost in European and American countries is definitely high. Take microwave ovens as an example. The assembly cost of a microwave oven is 30 to 50 US dollars, and Li Weidong offers an OEM fee of 10 to 15 US dollars, which is enough to convince European and American manufacturers to move their production lines to China.

.

The labor cost in China is so low that for Li Weidong, even the OEM fee of US$10 per microwave oven is still a huge profit!

Once the manufacturing costs of microwave ovens from European and American manufacturers drop, the selling prices will also drop, and they will seize the market for Japanese microwave ovens.

The assembly cost of Japanese microwave ovens is about US$30. Facing cheaper European and American brands, if you want to survive, the only way is to find Li Weidong for OEM. This way, in terms of cost, you can be on the same starting line as European and American countries.

At that time, Li Weidong can naturally take over the microwave oven production line of Japanese microwave ovens.

…

Li Weidong felt that his plan was perfect, and the OEM price of US$15 would definitely make Whirlpool excited. Now he was just waiting for good news from Smith.

Li Weidong waited for five full days before news finally came from Smith.

"Mr. Li, I regret to inform you that your suggestion was rejected by our executive meeting." Smith said.

"Mr. Smith, can you tell me the reason? Is it because the OEM price I gave cannot satisfy you?" Li Weidong asked.

Smith shook his head: "It's not a matter of price. Most of our company's management are relatively conservative and prefer American manufacturing."

Li Weidong sighed helplessly: "I understand."

For a century-old company like Whirlpool, the decision-making team will definitely not be very young. If there are fewer young people, there will be a lack of momentum and the decision-making will tend to be conservative.

To put it simply, they are all kings of preservation, and there is no king of development.

The conservatism of Whirlpool's decision-making team can also be seen from its strategy towards the Chinese market.

Japanese home appliances had entered the Chinese market as early as the 1980s, while Whirlpool had to wait until the mid-1990s to arrive belatedly, and it also brought technology that was a generation behind the times.

But any manager who is slightly more radical will not adopt this strategy in an emerging market.

There is no doubt that Whirlpool is still superstitious about American manufacturing, and its thinking is still stuck in the era when American manufacturing was invincible.

After walking out of the Whirlpool building, Li Weidong subconsciously looked at the huge Whirlpool logo on the lawn in front of the building.

Then Li Weidong murmured to himself: "Isn't the 15 US dollars for the OEM fee good? Hey, I originally wanted to be a good person, but I have to force me to do something bad!"

More than 6,000 words, two chapters in one. Thank you for your subscription. At the beginning of the month, please give me a guaranteed monthly pass. Thank you for passing the test!