After the Chinese New Year.

The Spring Festival of 1949 obviously had a different meaning for Lin Zhichao than last year, after all, the Lin family added two new populations, which seemed much warmer and more perfect.

Of course, Lin Zhichao still went to work on the third day of the Lunar New Year and devoted himself to work. Although his career is stable at the moment, it is clear that he needs to work harder to seize more opportunities.

Lin Zhichao and Tang Zhongyuan came to Keelung Street in Sham Shui Po together, and their joint 'Cheung Kong Garment Factory' rented two shops here to prepare for the development of the garment manufacturing industry.

Sham Shui Po is located in the northwest of the Kowloon Peninsula and has been developed since the 1920s due to the development of the Mong Kok area, and the Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan areas in the north have also been developed accordingly. Together with the investment of overseas Chinese at that time, the area became a major industrial area in Kowloon before the war, with textile, garment, hardware and enamel factories.

"Boss, Boss Tang." Zhou Zhaohui, the first employee of the Yangtze River Garment Factory, stepped forward to greet him.

Zhou Zhaohui was originally a sales talent of Cheung Kong Industrial, with experience in successfully selling zippers in Southeast Asia, and now he has been transferred to Changjiang Garment Factory by Lin Zhichao, naturally hoping that he can open up the situation of 'Changjiang Garment Factory'.

The beginning of the Yangtze River Garment Factory is similar to that of the Yangtze River Industrial, that is, it does not pursue a breakthrough and tests the water in the industry first. The Changjiang Garment Factory initially planned to hire about 100 workers to produce cheap shirts for sale in Southeast Asia and the local market.

"Hmm. In the future, my father-in-law will be the general manager of the Changjiang Garment Factory, and you will be the deputy general manager, and I will be a consultant. The initial goal of the Changjiang Garment Factory was simple: to survive. ”

Zhou Zhaohui immediately nodded seriously and said, "Okay, I understand." ”

What does it mean to survive?

The reason couldn't be simpler, that is, you can afford the wages of the workers, the rent of the bunks, and that's it.

So this target is really low!

Tang Zhongyuan knew that his son-in-law would never make such a simple request, otherwise he would not say that the two would cooperate; So he thought that his son-in-law might just be giving the Yangtze River Garment Factory a transitional stage.

"The task now is to recruit people and buy machines, and we will start production within one month as soon as possible." Tang Zhongyuan was very serious.

Because he knows that his son-in-law is not simple!

Lin Zhichao asked, "Where are you going to buy the machine?" ”

Tang Zhongyuan immediately said: "The Shanghai market can produce sewing machines, and the performance is not bad, since it is Mr. Save, of course there is no need to buy imported machines." ”

Lin Zhichao felt that this understanding was good, so he said: "Then you may have to work hard, a year later, the participating garment factories may all use the new electric clothing (sewing machine) imported by Eagle Sauce; Therefore, this batch of ordinary machines has to earn some money back from the machines. ”

Really!

Tang Zhongyuan and Zhou Zhaohui thought at the same time, and they knew that Lin Zhichao would not take a fancy to the workshop. After all, it is unreasonable to let a boss who can improve the zipper rice row machine and develop the slider press use a simple and backward machine.

At this time, Lin Zhichao is very confident, the vast majority of Hong Kong's garment factories are backward sewing machines, and in the second half of next year, when these bosses are trying to replace the best new electric car clothing, they found that Hong Kong has been blocked, and they can't import electric clothing (sewing machines) at all.

In this way, even the Southeast Asian market is dominated by the Japanese. It was not until after 1953 that Hong Kong garment factories were able to import new electric clothing, and it coincided with the mid-fifties when RB Textile was jointly restricted by Europe and the United States, so Hong Kong garments really developed.

Lin Zhichao, who knew this information, naturally had to make a plan in advance to stand out from the Xiangjiang Garment Factory.

Tang Zhongyuan immediately said: "In this way, it is a market with a lot of demand!" ”

Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "The market is developing step by step, so this year you can make small profits but quick turnover, and then pay attention to the quality of workers." Customers will accumulate more and more, and I will personally invest in a clothing brand, and I will also let Changjiang Garment Factory OEM in the future. ”

Tang Zhongyuan finally understood his son-in-law's thinking, first open a garment factory, and then make a clothing brand, so that the two are already a one-stop industrial chain.

For clothing brands, Tang Zhongyuan is not very interested, but a garment factory that accounts for 30% of the shares, and he feels that it is very promising. So, his fighting spirit ignited in his heart.

As everyone knows, Lin Zhichao is the opposite of him, he doesn't value the garment factory very much, but he values the clothing brand more, because the added value is higher and the profit is higher.

As for the shares of the garment factory, as long as Tang Zhongyuan agrees to marry his second daughter to him in the future, he will take out another 20% of the shares as a bride price. The two families are divided into the clothing industry, and he is a hands-off shopkeeper, as long as he supervises it.

After chatting for a while, Lin Zhichao left the Yangtze River Garment Factory.

Originally, it was okay for this garment factory to be called Oriental Garment Factory, but Lin Zhichao remembered that there was a Yangtze River garment factory in Hong Kong in his previous life, so in order to prevent others from getting wet, he should register it.

At the same time, Lin Zhichao also registered 'Changjiang Industry' and 'Changjiang Real Estate', in short, not to give others a chance to be confused.

Lin Zhichao came to Cheung Kong and asked Wang Liang on the side: "How long has our salesman been dispatched?" ”

In order to open up the zipper market in Europe and the United States, Cheung Kong printed a number of product brochures and produced a large number of samples; Importantly, a number of salesmen were sent to Europe and the United States to sell at a huge expense.

These salesmen are not simple, knowing English is the basic skill, the important thing is highly educated talents, and there are even international students (from the mainland). They weren't originally there to apply for salesmen, but for managerial-level positions.

However, Lin Zhichao did everyone's ideological work, saying that he needed to make some achievements in the position of salesman first, and then consider returning to the management position.

The reason couldn't be simpler, that is, the boss is a salesman, so he is more optimistic about talents with sales strength.

"It's been 20 days, and there should be businessmen coming to Hong Kong for field trips!" Wang Liang said seriously.

For the field visit of merchants, Lin Zhichao is full of confidence, Changjiang Industry has no weakness, the machine is the best in the world, the materials are also imported, and the management is also world-class.

If there is a weakness, it is that the speed of factory construction cannot keep up with the speed of Changjiang Industrial's expansion.

Fortunately, the second industrial building in Tsuen Wan will be put into use in June, shortened to nine months, and the factory area will be tripled to 120,000 square feet at one time.

This is followed by a factory in Singapore, which will be completed in October, with a total plant area of 80,000 square feet.

Just as the two were talking about the progress of sales in Europe and the United States, a clerk happily ran in.

"The boss, Manager Wang, a guest who claims to be a European zipper wholesaler, has gone outside the factory."

Lin Zhichao immediately stood up, and Wang Liang followed.

"Okay, let's go meet you!"

Don't you be happy! There are also five automatic zipper machines and one automatic slider stamping machine, which are ready to be shipped, and the production capacity of Cheung Kong will be increased by more than three percent again.

Now, its own orders are less than six or seven percent of its production capacity, and a large number of European and American orders are urgently needed.

This time, if the order for 16 rice rowing machines is full, Cheung Kong will set up several offices overseas, and Lin Zhichao cannot entrust everything to wholesalers. After all, he needs to know the competitors in the market and the feedback from customers about his products.

Outside Cheung Kong's factory.

Pete, a zipper wholesaler from Europe, recently received a pitch for half the price of aluminum and copper zippers made in Europe, which was something to him was ecstatic.

Therefore, he rushed from Europe to Hong Kong as soon as possible, intending to conduct a field trip.

In fact, he didn't even believe that there was such a factory in Hong Kong, but he couldn't miss the opportunity and make more money for himself.

"The factory is still expanding, and it seems that business is relatively good!" Pete's first feeling when he was out there was.

However, looking at the one-story factory, Pete is a little worried about whether the current production capacity can keep up.

"This distinguished guest from Europe, I am the boss Lin here, I don't know what you call it?" Lin Zhichao greeted him with a smile.

So young!

Pete looked at Lin Zhichao, who was in his twenties, could it be a family business?

"Hello, Mr. Lin, my name is Pete, and I am a British wholesaler, mainly engaged in the wholesale business of cloth and zippers."

"Yes, Mr. Pete. I don't know if you want to have a cup of tea, or visit my factory first! ”

Pete immediately said: "Of course, I will inspect the factory first, after all, this is the purpose of my visit from afar." ”

"This way, please!"

Lin Zhichao is the least worried about foreign businessmen's inspection of Cheung Kong Industrial, and he feels that his factory must be able to give customers a sense of differentiation. At first, they will think that the factories in Hong Kong are dirty and messy, and how well they work, but after they have finished the inspection, they will feel that Cheung Kong is very advanced and has excellent management.

Sure enough, when he walked into the factory, Pete's eyes lit up.

Although it was planned to be more crowded, everything was very well organized.

"This is the world's first automatic slider press, which was jointly developed by our factory and Bourne Machinery in Germany." Lin Zhichao 'pasted gold' on his face.

Sure enough, Pete said in disbelief: "You also have the strength to develop machinery?" ”

Lin Zhichao said: "I believe that many machines are developed because of the ideas and creativity in the factory, and then the engineers develop them based on these. Therefore, whether it is an improved rice row machine or an automatic slider stamping machine, our factory is involved, and it is very important. ”

Pete immediately said, "I believe it! Because if it weren't for you, these two advances wouldn't have come so soon. ”

Next, Pete was very satisfied with the strength of Cheung Kong and couldn't wait to cooperate. Moreover, Pete's demand is very high, about 50,000 meters per month, and more than 600,000 meters in a year.

After the delivery of the machine in March, Cheung Kong's annual production capacity is also more than 5 million meters, so there is no need to worry.

A few days later, a zipper wholesaler of Eagle Sauce made a transatlantic phone call, informing Cheung Kong that he was going to visit and telling him the Pan Am flight number.

Lin Zhichao knew that the Eagle Sauce people were anxious, but they were more refreshing, so he planned to drive to meet them in person. He deliberately asked people to make a sign to show the importance of Cheung Kong Industrial.

After all, if the zipper product can break into the eagle sauce, it is simply a victory in a major battle. Although Smith is an Eagle Sauce man, in fact, his wholesale zippers are used for the needs of garrisons in Asia.

This day, the day the flight arrives.

Lin Zhichao deliberately drove the newly purchased Ford 1949 car to Kowloon through a car ferry. After all, in Kowloon, he is a second-hand car, and he can't be graded.

At Kai Tak Airport, Xue Junshan held a wooden sign that read 'Welcome Mr. Powell to Hong Kong' in English, which suddenly became the most beautiful scenery of Kai Tak Airport.

Lin Zhichao ignored the strange eyes of others, he even met acquaintances, although he was ridiculed, he also gained admiration.

When a foreigner walked towards them alone, Lin Zhichao greeted them as soon as possible.

"Are you Mr. Powell?"

"Yes, then you must be Mr. Lin from Cheung Kong Industrial?"

Lin Zhichao hurriedly stretched out his right hand and said, "Yes, welcome Mr. Powell to Hong Kong." ”

Powell then smiled and said, "Your welcome is very sincere, thank you very much for arranging this!" ”

To be honest, in Lin Zhichao's view, the chances of cooperation among businessmen who can come to Hong Kong for inspection are very high. This time, several salesmen sent out returned to Hong Kong one after another, but there were only a few waves of visitors, so it was necessary to catch every wave of customers.

In this way, this year, Cheung Kong's machines will not have a chance to be idle, and the orders will be full.

Lin Zhichao then said: "We have arranged the best hotel in Hong Kong, so should we stay in the hotel and rest first, or visit the factory first?" ”

Powell said without thinking: "Of course, it's a factory tour!" ”

Sure enough, it's an impatient Eagle Sauce man!

Fortunately, Cheung Kong is ready to be tested!

Then, in the brand-new Ford 1949 car, everyone drove towards Tsuen Wan.

On the way, Lin Zhichao and Powell chatted very speculatively, and Lin Zhichao shared some of the process of starting his own business, which attracted bursts of praise from Powell.

That's a person's business card!

Before visiting the factory, a kind of credibility has already been gained.

After arriving at Cheung Kong Industrial, it was another visit.

"Mr. Lin, I already knew some Cheung Kong before I left, from the brochure. Knowing that you have a large factory and the most advanced equipment, after today's field trip, I didn't expect that your factory has developed very large (counting the two factories under construction), so modern, and the production management is also very good. I don't want to compliment you, but your factory does have unlimited prospects and is more competitive than zipper factories in Europe and the United States. ”

Lin Zhichao didn't expect to get such praise, and immediately said modestly: "The zipper industry is only in its early stages, and there is still a lot of potential for development in the future, so I have been working hard to improve." Thank you for your praise to our factory, I can assure you of our product quality and delivery time. ”

Powell said cheerfully: "Okay, I want to sign a contract with you today." I've read your quotations and now I think it's good and cheap, and I don't need to talk about it any more. And my annual demand is more than 800,000 meters, and I just need you to supply from March. ”

In this era, the material of the zipper is probably only aluminum alloy and copper, and the plastic material has not yet been born.

However, zippers are also divided into models, varieties, functions, etc., and the varieties of Cheung Kong are not complete, because many need to build another machine.

However, Powell was able to come, apparently because Cheung Kong met his needs.

At this time, Lin Zhichao was not in a hurry, and said: "Listen to your transatlantic call, you still need to go to Japan to inspect the zipper, it just so happens that I am fluent in Japanese, and I am willing to accompany you to investigate." ”

This young man is not simple, Powell sighed in his heart, he speaks English fluently, and he can also speak Japanese.

Powell smiled and said, "No need to go now!" And as far as I know, Japan's zipper machine is made by our eagle sauce, and it is still a little worse than your machine in terms of performance. In addition, your price advantage must be cheaper than Japan, so there is no need to investigate. It's just that I'm very curious about your Chinese temple, so I want to play in Hong Kong for two days and then come back to Eagle Sauce! ”

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "Then I'll accompany you!" ”

Not to mention two days, even a week, he has to take time out, after all, being able to sell zipper products to Eagle Sauce is the best proof of strength.

In this way, the zipper promotion in Europe and the United States probably won an order of 2.3 million meters, which quickly pulled the orders of Changjiang Industrial to the extent of fullness.

In fact, it does not rely on sales, but on quality and price, just like the plastic flowers in Hong Kong in the previous life, it has a price advantage, and then it is comparable to Europe and the United States in terms of quality, and naturally soon occupies 80% of the global market.

Although Cheung Kong's zipper products cannot be so exaggerated, Lin Zhichao believes that within two years, Cheung Kong should be able to rank among the top five zipper manufacturers in the world.

(End of chapter)