The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

Lin Zhichao did not expect that Hu Xiaoqing actually refused to cooperate. Although he expressed it euphemistically - he was worried that Sony would cause trouble for him and it would be inconvenient to establish his own radio brand at this time, but Lin Zhichao understood that Hu Xiaoqing might be worried that Yangtze River Industries would annex him in the future. shares.

"Since others won't cooperate, let's do it ourselves! Radios, electric fans, and desk lamps will start with low-level appliances. In the future, we will also produce large appliances such as televisions." Lin Zhichao said to Wang Liang.

In the past life, Hong Kong's electronics industry reached an export value of tens of billions in the early 1980s; Hong Kong's electronic product exports are no longer limited to radios, electric fans, and foundry transistors, but also include color video game consoles, color televisions, and televisions. Spare parts and computer parts saw huge growth. At that time, the U.S. market was basically saturated with televisions, radios, record players, and electronic watches, but the demand for video recorders, large-screen projection TVs, and high-end record players was still huge. Therefore, Hong Kong's electronics industry successively introduced American and Japanese technology and equipment to Tai Po Industrial Estate, and built three factories, Xinghua, Aika, and Huake, to produce integrated circuits.

By 1989, the number of electronics manufacturers in Hong Kong reached 2,009, and the export value reached HK$55.818 billion, accounting for 25% of the export value of Hong Kong's industrial products. It also began to be no longer satisfied with the simple manufacturing of radios, tape recorders, electronic watches, calculators and other products, but also targeted microcomputers, personal computers, multi-layer circuit boards, computer peripherals, advanced communication equipment, audio and other products.

To say that Hong Kong cannot develop the electronics industry is just nonsense. At the peak of the previous life, Hong Kong’s GDP was 20% of that of the mainland, mainly due to its strong industry.

Hong Kong's industry is finally going to ruin because of the rise in housing prices and labor, the relocation of industries to the mainland, and no one doing "industrial upgrading".

Thinking of these, Lin Zhichao decided to revitalize Hong Kong's electronics industry. In recent years, he has worked hard to merge several industrial colleges into the 'Hong Kong Polytechnic', and then quickly upgraded it to the 'Hong Kong Polytechnic University' to lay the foundation for talents; when the time is right, he will continue to work in the New Territories Set up a 'high-tech industrial park' to leave the electronics industry for Hong Kong and upgrade the industry.

Wang Liang nodded and said, "Okay, I'll prepare the radio assembly line right away, it's not difficult for us."

Lin Zhichao said: "Well, let's make simple products first, then diversify and develop after accumulating experience, and finally challenge more difficult products. The electronics industry will eventually be one of the industries that will change mankind the most, and it will be an industry that can develop in the long term. .”

Wang Liang said: "Okay"

In his opinion, the boss is very far-sighted and planning in his work, and will directly tell everyone which industries are for short-term development and which industries are for long-term development, so that the group will have a consensus. For example, wigs and plastic flowers, the boss knows that there are still five or six years of good times; in this way, everyone can make timely adjustments, brake in time, reduce investment, etc.

Lin Zhichao finally said: "Let's call it 'Midea Electric'!"

He always chooses names that are 'stolen' from others to save time and have been tested by the market.

Wang Liang's eyes lit up and he said: "This name is easy to pronounce and very meaningful. It is a beautiful life and a beautiful experience."

A few words of flattery, of course, this name is indeed good.

It is another spring of the year.

The construction of the Global Tower at 77 Des Voeux Road Central officially started and a groundbreaking ceremony was held.

The building construction process in Hong Kong is different from that in later generations in the Mainland. Because the space is small and pedestrians must be ensured to pass through, only bamboo scaffolding systems can be used. These bamboos seem to be hanging on the wall, sticking tightly together, so workers have to work in a small space.

The construction of the Global Building is even more particular. Because the main body is a British-made steel structure and steel beams, and the exterior wall is a glass curtain wall imported from the United Kingdom, the construction is even more complicated.

Of course, no matter how complex the project is, it is not a problem.

Poly Construction itself is a C-class building license holder with architectural elites and rich experience; at the same time, the ‘Global Tower’ also hired a British construction company as a consultant to ensure the smooth completion of this ‘innovative’ building.

Since the materials were all imported from the UK, the materials were brought back from the UK in batches while the construction was being carried out. It just so happened that the second-hand broken ships purchased by Global Shipping came into play.

For the groundbreaking ceremony of the Global Building, Lin Zhichao did not invite friends from the real estate and banking circles. Like the Poly Building (Pedal Street), he only invited a few relatives and friends.

low key!

These commercial buildings will not be listed assets in the future, so they should keep a low profile.

Although it will not be hidden from the media in the future, it will not be so conspicuous.

Yamashita Tatsuro, who came to attend the groundbreaking ceremony, said: "Mr. Lin, how much investment is needed for such a building?"

Tatsuro Yamashita is the president of Yamaguchi Steamship. He was invited by Lin Zhichao to come to Hong Kong for vacation and attended the groundbreaking ceremony. The two have been working together for almost ten years, and there is absolutely no problem saying that Tatsuro Yamashita is Lin Zhichao's "honored guest".

So every time he was invited to Hong Kong for vacation, Lin Zhichao would accompany him for at least one day - playing golf, eating, and other vacation expenses would be borne by Global Shipping Lines.

Not to mention Tatsuro Yamashita as a big customer, he was just an ordinary customer who sometimes came to Hong Kong from Japan to charter ships. Lin Zhichao also tried his best to spend time with him for a drink.

Being in the shipping business involves more entertainment than being in the real estate business, and of course the network of contacts is also much larger.

Lin Zhichao said: "Even the land should be around US$5 million!"

Yamashita Tatsuro laughed "haha": "It's very cheap! One of your large oil tankers is more than this price!"

Lin Zhichao responded: "It is true, but I like to diversify my investment, so I also have a certain amount of capital in real estate."

Yamashita Tatsuro said at this time: "Mr. Lin is very shrewd in business, and he will definitely not make mistakes." Then he changed the subject: "It is precisely because Mr. Lin is so shrewd that we signed a three-year high-priced contract that year. !"

Lin Zhichao said seriously: "It's just a coincidence. After all, it was normal to sign a long-term contract at that time, so don't mind it, President Yamashita. After all, our fleet has completed its tasks very well over the years, and you have praised it more than once .”

In fact, Japan's three large shipping companies almost all lease second-hand ships, so the price is the standard of "a second-hand ship can pay back its capital in less than a year"; compared with new ships, they have already spent a lot less money.

Even according to the "one-way short-term rental" model, the price is probably about the same.

It's not a disadvantage, after all, this matter is unpredictable. In fact, Tatsuro Yamashita doesn't really mind that, but he must have other purposes.

As expected, Yamashita Tatsuro said: "Okay! Let's not mention that. After all, no one knows how the future will develop. But in the second half of this year, those cargo ships will all expire one after another. How does Mr. Lin plan to cooperate?"

After saying that, he looked at Lin Zhichao seriously, subconsciously speaking.

Lin Zhichao said decisively: "Renew the lease for three years, and the rent will be 30% off the current short-term lease rate. President Yamashita also knows that the shipping situation is destined to not be good this year. Our main purpose is to ask for business care, and the price is easy to negotiate!"

Yamashita Tatsuro suddenly said happily: "Mr. Lin is very refreshing!"

In his opinion, although those cargo ships are second-hand ships, the key to good global shipping management is that they are very cheap.

In late March, Lin Zhichao came to the United States to attend a shipping summit.

At the banquet, Niu Deng from Exxon Oil came to Lin Zhichao and said: "Mr. Lin, we have decided to rent your 100,000-ton oil tanker. You have to take care of the price!"

Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "No problem, we will discuss it in detail later!"

The cooperation between the two parties was very pleasant. Niuden was also a very cheerful American. He not only leased Global Shipping ships, but also introduced business for Global Shipping. Because in Niuden's view, Global Shipping's ships have an advantage in price, and the quality of management and crew is very good.

Anyway, the first time is the most difficult to do business with Americans. If you can't gain their trust, there won't be a second time; but if you can gain the trust of Americans, there will be too many benefits. People are knocked out.

Niuden asked again: "You make so much money, do you have any plans to build a ship?"

Lin Zhichao's bet on "eight large oil tankers" was widely spread in the industry and brought huge influence to Lin Zhichao.

"Yes, we plan to build eight 100,000-ton oil tankers in Japan this year. When they are launched, Exxon Oil Company can sign a three-year long-term contract if necessary."

Niu Deng suddenly became more enthusiastic. If Lin Zhichao was the kind of ship owner who was 'satisfied with the status quo', he might have a bad impression. But now that Lin Zhichao dares to build ships when shipping is at a low point, it shows that he has great vision.

And looking at this, Niuden knew that Lin Zhichao would soon surpass Onassis's fleet. After all, building eight 100,000-ton oil tankers at once is already at the level of the 'World's Ship King'.

"No problem, you can come and discuss cooperation at any time!"

While the two were chatting, an American came to them and said to Lin Zhichao: "Mr. Lin, let's chat together?"

Lin Zhichao then smiled and said: "Of course, Mr. McClain!"

The person who came was none other than Malcolm McLean, the 'Father of Containers' and the founder of 'Sea-Land Combined Transport'. The two of them had naturally crossed paths; Lin Zhichao had published "On the Future of Container Shipping" in 1954, and Malcom Colm McLean demonstrated it in real practice in 1956.

However, because Lin Zhichao is from Hong Kong and only talks on paper, he did not pay attention to it.

Malcolm McLean held the red wine glass, gestured, and said, "Mr. Lin, are you still optimistic about container shipping?"

Lin Zhichao responded with a red wine glass and said: "Of course, the container will be the greatest invention of this century. Its advantages are low freight costs, complete cargo protection, and convenient sea and land transportation. I know that sea and land combined transportation is because the dock union in New York is very strong. , the rebound is huge, and container shipping has just emerged and is still in the exploratory stage, so your company has not made any money. Is that right?”

The New York dock workers' union naturally has to consider the dock workers, and container transportation reduces labor costs for loading and unloading, so it would be strange not to make a fuss.

Malcolm McLean immediately felt that he had found a soulmate, and the more we chatted, the more enthusiastic he became. He said, "What do you think, Mr. Lin, how can we develop container transportation?"

Lin Zhichao thought for a while and said: "Container transportation between ports in the United States will annoy labor unions. But if the world's shipping industry can see its advantages through overseas container transportation, then the resistance from dock workers will no longer be sea and land." The intermodal transport industry can bear it. Or, if there is demand for container shipping capacity at the national level, then there will be no resistance. Of course, these are all waiting for opportunities. Mr. Malcolm Maclean, if there is financial difficulty, I don’t mind investing in land and sea. intermodal."

It's not bad to take the opportunity to invest in shares!

Malcolm McLean said: "There are no financial difficulties in sea-land transport, but it is difficult to make any money from container shipping! Mr. Lin is doing shipping in Hong Kong, are there any opportunities there?"

Lin Zhichao shook his head and said: "There are huge interests involved here. Although I am optimistic about the container terminal, it is difficult for the Hong Kong government to agree to give me a development opportunity without external interference."

He is telling the truth. If Lin Zhichao proposes to the Hong Kong government to develop a container terminal, he will inevitably come under pressure from Jardine and Swire, because they are the biggest beneficiaries of traditional terminals. In addition, the future of world container transportation is unclear, and the Hong Kong government will not agree to it.

In other words, the Hong Kong government will not consider it until the development of containers is clear; before that, it will not give the green light to Lin Zhichao.

Malcolm McLean said: "That is a pity. Hong Kong is a transit point for the Asian shipping industry. If there is a container terminal, this model will surely become popular in the world."

Lin Zhichao said: "Compared with Hong Kong, Europe is more acceptable. Rotterdam in the Netherlands is the most suitable opportunity. Mr. McLean can give it a try. Container transportation can shorten the cargo transportation time from the United States to Europe, and there may be good opportunities by then. Ad Performance."

McClain immediately said: "Indeed, thank you Mr. Lin for this suggestion!"

In fact, Lin Zhichao does not intend to force the container terminal and will compete with Jardine and Swire in advance. Anyway, in the future, he will definitely be the owner of the largest container terminal in Hong Kong, because Wharf and Hutchison Whampoa are all in his pocket.

Therefore, there is no need to be aggressive too early, as that will arouse the vigilance of the British.

The words of our ancestors are correct - build high walls, accumulate more grain, and become king slowly.

After this interaction, Lin Zhichao and MacLean became friends, and the two planned to have a private dinner tomorrow.

After his trip to New York, Lin Zhichao returned to Los Angeles.

Every time he comes to New York now, he is invited by many friends, and he has finally built up an overseas network of relationships. These interpersonal networks all come from the shipping industry, otherwise others would really not care about you as a Hong Kong real estate developer and industrialist.

Audrey Toy Company, Lin Zhichao and Audrey Hepburn were sitting in the chairman's office chatting.

Audrey Hepburn is the chairman and founder, so she naturally has a separate office. On the contrary, Richie's team is working part-time after all. How dare you disrespect this boss? What's more, when talking about Barbie, Audrey Hepburn will also be called 'The Mother of Barbie'.

"Dear, the stocks we invested in last year have risen by 40%. It's really crazy! Including the stocks invested in the UK, our capital in the stock market has reached nine million US dollars." Audrey Hepburn blinked her big eyes, excited Said.

Last year, U.S. stocks really rose sharply. Since March, the Dow Jones Index has risen by more than 30% in one year. This is something that Lin Zhichao did not expect.

Lin Zhichao said: "It's not bad! Didn't you get a dividend of more than 2 million US dollars last year? You can continue to buy IBM shares later, and then invest in Coca-Cola."

Although he doesn't understand American stocks in this era, he has experience anyway. According to his analysis:

First, the rapid economic development of the United States in the 1960s was not expected to change until the 'post-Suez crisis' in 1967;

Secondly, semiconductor and aviation stocks in the United States were popular in the 1960s, and IBM, in particular, must have performed well;

In the end, Lin Zhichao believes that stocks should be cleared before 1962, because the Cuban missile crisis occurred in this year, and there will be no growth throughout the year.

For these reasons, Lin Zhichao is invincible even if he does not understand the US stocks of this era.

Audrey Hepburn gradually became more interested in making money, and said, "Do you want to invest all of it?"

Throughout the year, Audrey Toy Company's profits reached a new high, reaching nearly 5 million U.S. dollars, so 3 million U.S. dollars were used for dividends. Audrey Hepburn got her and Lin Zhichao's share, totaling 2.7 million U.S. dollars, and the remaining 10% distributed to management.

Even employees received generous year-end bonuses.

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "If you don't want to spend that money, you can consider investing it and let the money make money. If you need to spend money, you can talk to me and I will give you another one!"

Audrey Hepburn immediately shook her head and said: "I don't want your money anymore. I still have hundreds of thousands of dollars in hand, which is enough for expenses. Moreover, I can sell some stocks at any time. I will never be short of money."

Ever since Lin Zhichao asked her to make a fortune from sugar futures, Audrey Hepburn had no doubts about Lin Zhichao's financial skills. Therefore, I have always been keen on stock investment.

"Remember my words, don't try to speculate in stocks by yourself! Although I am also instructing you to speculate in stocks, I am not actually speculating in stocks. It is a long-term investment made by analyzing the growth prospects of the economy and enterprises. It has little to do with stock speculation. .”

Audrey Hepburn said with a smile: "If you don't tell me, I won't speculate in stocks myself! You know me, I don't want to spend too much energy on making money, I prefer to spend time with my children." After speaking, she showed the brilliance of motherhood .

Lin Zhichao was very satisfied with this woman's style. In fact, European and American women were not open-minded in this era. It was probably in the 1960s and 1970s that European and American women burst into sexual violence.

On the contrary, whether it is Audrey Hepburn or Monroe, who they had a romantic relationship with last time, others are very loyal to their marriage and cannot cheat within the marriage. Monroe also liked children, but she had a miscarriage!