THE AMERICAN HEARST CORPORATION, ALSO KNOWN AS HEXCEL, WAS FOUNDED IN 1946.

In China, Hearst's popularity is very low.

Except for a small number of professionals, ordinary people basically count one by one, and all of them have never heard of this company.

After all, people don't look like Coca-Cola, nor like McDonald's, and the things they produce are directly facing the majority of consumers.

But the strength of the people is definitely not to be underestimated.

It is a leading advanced composites company that develops, manufactures, and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials, including carbon fibers, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fiber-reinforced materials, matrix materials, honeycombs, adhesives, and more.

These materials are primarily used in the commercial aerospace, aerospace, defense, and industrial markets.

End-use applications include commercial and military aircraft, space launch vehicles and satellites, wind turbine blades, automotive, and industrial applications such as entertainment products.

It may be quite abstract to say this, but you will feel it if you give a few examples.

Hatch's carbon fiber material was first used in 1953 for the first composite bomber and fighter jet.

Since then, Hatch has continued to develop civilian materials on the basis of its military business, and Hearst carbon fiber composites have been used in major Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

In addition, Hearst has also participated in many important space exploration programs of the United States, such as the Apollo moon landing and the construction of the Columbia Space Shuttle.

Airbus A380, Hatch is the main supplier.

Boeing's 787, 747 and other aircraft, Hatch is also a major supplier.

As for the various military aircraft and rockets in the United States, almost all the carbon fiber materials on them are supplied by Hatch.

The strength of such a company should not be underestimated.

For this opponent, Nanshan Carbon Fiber must pay attention to its movements at any time.

"Mr. Cao, Hatch officially announced that it has successfully developed IM10 carbon fiber this time, and simultaneously realized industrial production, adding IM8, IM9 and IM10 three models of high-end carbon fiber for users to choose from."

"Based on their published parameters, IM10 material can be considered the latest breakthrough in medium-modulus carbon fiber, providing the highest tensile strength while maintaining a balance of all other properties, such as shear strength, allowing the customer's designers to achieve a high margin of safety in critical applications of strength and stiffness."

"These performances of the IM10 can fully meet the needs of the main structure, engine blades, helicopter blades, rockets, high-performance vehicles, etc. of the next generation of commercial aircraft."

"This material is basically the same level as the T1100 we have now, but it is a little more powerful than us in terms of balanced performance."

"After all, they have a lot of experience with all kinds of military materials and know how to maintain a better balance."

Zeng Jianying personally reported to Cao Yang about He's situation.

Dongying's Toray and Hearst in the United States are Nanshan Carbon Fiber's biggest competitors in the world.

Although Nanshan Carbon Fiber took the lead in T1100 twice, the related technology has always been hidden, without large-scale external publicity, and there is no export to the outside world.

Therefore, everyone still thinks that T800 is an internationally advanced material, and now Hearst has broken through the parameters of T800 and successfully developed and mass-produced IM10 carbon fiber, which is definitely a blockbuster news for the entire carbon fiber industry.

"Hearst still has a relatively deep heritage, and it actually achieved mass production of IM10 earlier than Tolido."

"But we don't have to worry, even if the performance of the IM10 is more advanced than our T1100, it is not much more advanced, and everyone still belongs to the same level."

"The next step is to focus on carbon fiber composite materials, which is the most practical development direction."

Cao Yang is not surprised that Hearst was able to make an IM10.

They represent the highest level of the carbon fiber industry in the United States, and carbon fiber materials have been used in various aircraft for decades.

Although the information about Nanshan Carbon Fiber's development of T1100 has not been widely publicized, Hearst must have heard the news more or less.

In this case, on the one hand, it proves that the carbon fiber of the T1100 level can be developed.

On the other hand, it also exerted a lot of pressure on Hearst invisibly.

So it's not so strange to be able to break through the IM10's carbon fiber technology in a relatively short period of time.

Hearst's main market is the United States' aerospace and other military applications, even if Hatch has no technological breakthroughs, there is no Nanshan carbon fiber in this market.

What's more, Nanshan Carbon Fiber's T1100 has not been approved for export.

"That's right, there are still a lot of directions to work on in the research and development of carbon fiber composite materials."

"How to fully exert the power of our T1100 and T800 carbon fibers mainly depends on composite technology."

"However, do we need to speed up the development of T1200 carbon fiber at the same time, so that we can stay ahead of the technology?"

Zeng Jianying must be unwilling to be snatched away from the world's No. 1 position in carbon fiber technology by Hearst in the United States.

Nanshan Carbon Fiber was the first manufacturer to develop the T1100 material, and it was mass-produced more than a year earlier than Hearst in the United States.

After the successful mass production of T1100 material, the research and development of T1200 material has begun in Nanshan Carbon Fiber.

Historically, Toray will only successfully develop T1200 carbon fiber in 2023.

It shows that between T1100 and T1200, there is still a large technical threshold that needs to be broken.

According to the original plan, Nanshan Carbon Fiber will complete the commercial production of T1200 around 2015.

There is still plenty of time left for Nanshan Carbon Fiber.

But now Zeng Jianying feels that this plan needs to be revised.

Nanshan Carbon Fiber needs to maintain its position as the number one in the world.

Even if there is no way to publicize the world first, at least the core personnel within the company must firmly believe that they are the real world first.

This is a very important thing.

In this regard, Cao Yang will naturally not stop it, and will even help at critical moments, so that Nanshan Carbon Fiber can successfully produce T1200 ultra-high-performance carbon fiber.

At that time, no matter where it is used, it can play a very huge role.

"You can arrange this specific work."

"The research work on carbon fiber composites and the new T1200 carbon fiber can be carried out simultaneously."

"We now make enough money to sell carbon fiber every year to support these high-intensity R&D."

"Even the honeycomb splints used in aerospace can be studied in depth."

"That would further reduce weight and reduce noise at the same time."

Cao Yang's answer made Zeng Jianying full of confidence.

Nanshan Carbon Fiber is already a large-scale high-tech enterprise, with an annual turnover of more than 10 billion yuan, and it is still increasing.

There is a high probability that it can exceed 20 billion yuan this year.

The most important thing is that they have high profit margins.

Therefore, even if we continue to maintain high R&D investment and new factories, we can still maintain a very good income.

This is something that many domestic enterprises cannot do.

……

Hearst action in the United States not only attracted the attention of Nanshan Carbon Fiber, but also Dongying Toray Company, the former leader of the carbon fiber world, reacted even more strongly at this time.

"President, Hearst officially announced the mass production of IM10 carbon fiber, and the performance of this material is basically equivalent to the performance of the T1100 we set."

"We got some news before, and it is likely that Nanshan carbon fiber in Huaxia has also made a breakthrough in T1100 carbon fiber, at least in the laboratory state, it must have been produced, and even small-scale mass production."

"As a result, there are already two companies in the world that are ahead of us in carbon fiber technology."

As Toray's sales director, Taro Kondo was in a very anxious mood at this time.

The company's position in the industry has declined, and the direct response is that the sales of products will become more difficult, and the pressure on the sales department will increase.

This is certainly not the situation he wants to see.

"Isn't Nanshan carbon fiber in Huaxia already sanctioned by the United States and not allowed to sell carbon fiber materials to the outside world?"

"And although their T1100 has made a breakthrough, it has not been sold to the outside world, nor has the relevant performance been announced, and it is likely that it is only in a state of small-scale mass production."

Saganu's mood is actually very bad.

But at this time, he must not be too anxious, otherwise the people below will be out of proportion.

Toray's situation has actually improved in the last year.

The main reason is that Nanshan carbon fiber products are restricted from exporting, so that some international manufacturers can only passively continue to find Toray to buy T800 and T700 carbon fiber.

In fact, according to Saganu's idea, Huaxia's Guangwei Group should also be included in the sanctions, because the Guangwei Group that exports the most carbon fiber is actually the Guangwei Group.

Their T300 and T400 carbon fibers have been mass-produced, not only for the Chinese market, but also for export.

This has led to the price of both T300 and T400 carbon fiber being cut in half.

That is, Guangwei Group cannot produce T800 and T700 materials, so that Toray can continue to live a good life for a while.

"Although Nanshan carbon fiber products are restricted from exporting, if their technology really successfully breaks through the T1100, then it is likely that the technology of T700 and below will be transferred to other Chinese manufacturers."

"When the time comes, in the international market, we basically have no products to remain competitive except for the carbon fiber of the T800."

"Even T800 carbon fiber does not necessarily mean that we can always occupy the largest civilian market."

Taro Kondo felt compelled to let Saga know about the difficulties Toray faced in the sales market.

Unlike Hearst in the United States, most of Toray's products are still supplied to the civilian market.

This market is more sensitive to price and more competitive.

For example, high-end carbon fiber fishing rods, the current share is occupied by Guangwei Group.

As Toray's market share declines, the amount of carbon fiber that needs to be purchased from Toray will naturally decline.

"We're going to talk to the Mitsubishi Group and hope they can support us."

"Otherwise, there will be no way for the military products they produce to use the world's most advanced carbon fiber materials, which will be a loss for the entire Dongying."

At the critical moment, Saga Nu is ready to find someone to pay for Toray's research and development.

However, whether the situation can always follow his thoughts is another matter.

"President, is it possible for us to find someone to find a way to get some technical information from Nanshan Carbon Fiber or Hearst in the United States?"

"Even if it's a rough idea, it is estimated that it will have a great role in promoting R&D."

"We have accumulated a lot of experience in the research of carbon fiber, as long as there is some information as a reference, we will soon be able to develop T1100 carbon fiber."

Taro Kondo made a suggestion that would be more rubbing.

Is there anyone doing such a thing inside Toray?

The answer is absolutely yes!

But there are things that can be done and cannot be said.

So there are very few people who know this information.

As the head of the sales department, Taro Kondo often needs to contact customers, and to a certain extent, he is also responsible for the task of collecting information.

So he knows something.

"I'm afraid it's not that easy."

"Hearst's main customers are all military enterprises in the United States, and if we arrange for someone to inquire about the news, we will accidentally make things bigger and change the nature."

"As for Nanshan Carbon Fiber, it's not like you haven't tried it, and the defense on the opponent's side is much stricter than we imagined."

"Even I think that Nanshan Carbon Fiber is nominally a subsidiary of Nanshan Group, but in fact it is likely to be taken over by Huaxia's special department."

Saganu's answer made Kondo Taro unable to refute.

Whether this is true or wrong, there is no way to delve into it.

"Although T1100 carbon fiber is very advanced, no matter which company will not easily sell related products to the outside world."

"So the products that make money are still T800 and below models."

"If we want to remain competitive, we need to further reduce costs."

"President, why don't we just find a place in China or Southeast Asia to build a carbon fiber factory, reduce the cost, and follow Nanshan Carbon Fiber to seize the market?"

One direction didn't work, and Kondo Taro decisively proposed the other direction.

However, Saga Nu was a little unconfident and said: "Compared with cost reduction, can we compare with Huaxia enterprises?" ”

"Today we dare to cut the price by 10,000, and they dare to cut the price by 20,000."

"In the end, it drove us to a dead end."

"In my opinion, we still have to find a way to unite some companies to restrict the export of carbon fiber products by Chinese enterprises."

"I'm sure Hearst and some other international counterparts will be very unhappy about their behavior in disrupting the market."

When Saga Nu said this, Kondo Taro nodded repeatedly.

He likes this trick.

It would be best if Huaxia's carbon fiber products could really be banned.

Of course, the world obviously doesn't revolve around Toray.

……

"Mr. Chen, the carbon fiber market is now surging, and various companies are moving frequently, I think it is possible to communicate with Nanshan Group and upgrade the technical level of our joint venture factory?"

As the head of the sales department of Guangwei Group, Chen Qingshen naturally noticed Hirsch's actions in the United States.

Within them, there are people who are responsible for collecting the movements of international carbon fiber giants such as Hirtz, Toray, Mitsubishi Chemical, Toho Chemical, and German SGL every day.

After several years of hard work, Guangwei Group's market share in carbon fiber products and carbon fiber materials has been significantly improved.

Looking at the production capacity of carbon fiber alone, Guangwei Group is no lower than Toray, and can even be compared with Nanshan carbon fiber.

In particular, T300 and T400 carbon fiber are the main products of Guangwei Group, which not only provide raw materials for their own factories, but also export to foreign countries.

Even a tacit understanding has been formed between Guangwei Group and Nanshan Carbon Fiber, that is, Guangwei Group does export business, and Nanshan Carbon Fiber meets the needs of domestic customers.

Especially in terms of the demand for T700 and T800 carbon fiber, domestic customers are supplied by Nanshan carbon fiber.

In view of this situation, Chen Qingxiang also has some ideas.

"Raise your skills?"

"Now that we are able to produce T400 carbon fiber, if we continue to improve, the next largest amount will be the T700 product."

"This is the main source of profit for Nanshan Carbon Fiber, and I am afraid it will not be easily given to our joint venture factory to produce."

Chen Liang was not carried away by the success in front of him.

If Guangwei Group can continue to break through more high-end carbon fiber technology, it will naturally make people have nothing to say.

But if you keep looking for Nanshan Group for technology, it will definitely be unreasonable.

It will even affect the cooperation between the two parties.

"But even the M10 carbon fiber has been mass-produced on the Hearst side of the United States, and the threshold of carbon fiber like T700 is relatively not so high, right?"

As soon as Chen Qingshen finished speaking, Chen Liang immediately retorted: "In recent years, Nanshan carbon fiber has broken the monopoly of international giants and completely rewritten the domestic carbon fiber market, otherwise do you think T700 is a big road goods, and it is everywhere?" ”

"In addition to Hearst and Dongying Toray, as well as Nanshan Carbon Fiber, how many other companies in the world can supply T700 carbon fiber in large quantities?"

"Even Germany's strongest carbon fiber company, Deutsche SGL, their main products are still stuck in T300 and T400, and T700 can only be produced on a small scale, and there is no advantage in cost."

As an aristocrat in the material industry, the threshold of carbon fiber technology is actually relatively high.

Otherwise, not so many countries would not be able to produce it.

"If there is no way to upgrade the technology, then can we communicate with Nanshan Carbon Fiber and let them let go of the sales of T800 carbon fiber?"

"In this way, whether it is a fishing rod or a golf club that we use T800 carbon fiber, the performance is definitely better than that of other manufacturers."

Since there is no way to improve the material performance of your own factory, you need to find a way to buy better materials.

Although the T800 of Nanshan carbon fiber was not banned from sale before, due to production capacity, in fact, Guangwei Group basically had no chance to buy T800.

"I can talk to them about this."

"Hearst's IM10 in the United States has been mass-produced, and I estimate that Nanshan Carbon Fiber's T1100 must also be mass-produced."

"At that time, the big customers who originally bought the T800 are estimated to switch to the T1100."

"But T800 carbon fiber can't be sold casually, so you can consider selling some of it to us."

Chen Liang thought about it and felt that this plan was feasible.

With the partner of Nanshan Group, although Guangwei Group still needs to continue to develop carbon fiber technology, it will definitely not do it regardless of the cost.

On the contrary, it may be more suitable to make some targeted improvements in combination with their own product needs.

Soon, these demands of theirs naturally came to Cao Yang's side.

After all, T800 is a special carbon fiber, even Zeng Jianying, the general manager, does not dare to call the shots casually.

"The United States Hearst came up with the IM10, and I estimate that the T800 carbon fiber in the international market will not be so sensitive in the future."

"Of course, there must be a time transition in between, and it is definitely impossible to buy this material casually."

"After all, the United States is also afraid that this material will be used by some of its hostile countries."

"Chaos isn't necessarily a good thing for us."

For external sales of T800 carbon fiber, Cao Yang must have no opinion.

A new T800 carbon fiber plant was built just last year, and now the output is not as good as before.

Although China's aerospace industry is developing rapidly, the demand for carbon fiber is not so much.

After all, it will take a few more years to produce warships like dumplings and airplanes like kites.

At that time, the production capacity of Nanshan carbon fiber was not comparable now.

"That's right, there are only a few countries that can produce T800 carbon fiber, but it's a bit difficult to mess up."

"Whether it's the United States or our China, naturally they don't want it to be chaotic."

Zeng Jianying is well aware of the main uses of T800 carbon fiber.

If this is chaotic, it will not be a good thing for Nanshan Group or Huaxia.

"Guangwei wants to improve the performance of their products, so that fishing rods and golf clubs can completely seize the market, and I think it is no problem to sell them a batch of T800 carbon fiber."

"There is no way to reuse this kind of thing, and there is no way to study how to produce it by relying on the finished product alone."

"Just when we are ready to expand the production capacity of T1100, we will simultaneously expand the market demand for T800 carbon fiber, and prepare for the comprehensive improvement of product technology level in the future."

"However, this time Hearst released IM10 in such a high-profile manner, as if the global carbon fiber market has returned to the state of their monopoly ten years ago."

"We also have to find a way to make them feel that the market is no longer up to them."

"The market for military products, we don't count."

"But we can still influence the market for civilian products."

"As long as the manufacturers who use carbon fiber as raw materials on the market can't survive, then the supply and demand of the carbon fiber market is ultimately in our hands."

"When the time comes, let them see who will pose a threat to whom."

Cao Yang is not a person who scolds and does not fight back.

Especially in the carbon fiber market, he wants to do a lot of things.

"Mr. Cao, what do you mean ......?"

Zeng Jianying looked at Cao Yang expectantly.

(End of chapter)