Chapter 272 Watsons Acquisition and Subsequent Layout
In the next few days, Lan Jun’s team began formal contact with Watsons and HSBC.
The boss of Watsons obviously wanted to sell the loss-making assets in Hong Kong and quickly return to the UK. After being repeatedly pushed down on the price, his face turned red with anger, but he finally sat down to discuss and let Lan Jun gradually test it out. Got to the bottom line.
Finally, on April 6, the three parties negotiated and reached an agreement within half a month. Changxing Group purchased Watsons Company for HK$5.26 million.
As an intermediary, HSBC gets 6% of the remuneration, one is the introduction fee, and the other is the guarantee fee. With this money, it has to ensure that there are no big pitfalls in the information previously provided by Watsons.
This is not only a legal responsibility, but also a brand responsibility. If Changxing Group is cheated, then HSBC, as an intermediary, also needs to help the defrauded hold the perpetrators accountable, otherwise its reputation in the Hong Kong business community will be damaged.
"Yang Sheng, congratulations, you have acquired the first British-owned company in Hong Kong." Sanders said with a smile: "This matter will soon become a business legend in Hong Kong."
"Thank you to Mr. Sanders for introducing me in the middle." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
Watson's is indeed not a big company in Hong Kong, but it is still a well-known British company. In its early days, it was a large pharmacy in Hong Kong in the 1820s. Later, after being acquired by British companies, it has been operating until now. It is said that it has been accompanying Hong Kong people for several generations.
In an era when there were few hospitals, most doctors went directly to the pharmacy, so its popularity was still very high.
Sanders said: "It's a coincidence this time. Watsons does retail, and you also do retail. Although there are some differences, that's why I introduced you."
"Although they are both retail, there is still a big difference. "Yang Wendong said casually: "Retail is also a very broad concept, just like manufacturing, involving thousands of things."
"Yang Sheng is right," Sanders added. , although I know that due to your strength, you will not say that you have debt repayment problems, but HSBC is currently Watson's creditor bank, so I also want to know about your subsequent plans.
It doesn't need to be very detailed, just a rough outline. , HSBC also needs to keep records of every major transaction it makes. If Watsons can flourish in your hands, then HSBC will have some achievements. "
"Okay," Yang Wendong also understands. HSBC actually also wants to prepare for future financial mergers and acquisitions.
In the previous life, Huoduoli Company, a subsidiary of HSBC, was a professional financial company. Many commercial mergers and acquisitions in Hong Kong in the next few decades, whether malicious or well-intentioned, were behind many of them, including Landmark Milk, Pao Yugang vs. Jardine Matheson. , Wheelock mergers and acquisitions, etc.
Then he said: "Watson's current several businesses I will continue to operate the business, but the pharmacy and cosmetics will be operated separately, and each will sell its own products. The property area can be smaller and the quantity increased. "
This is true, pharmacies or cosmetics stores, this kind of street. The biggest cost in the service industry is shop rent. If you own your own property and run it more reasonably, you won't lose money.
Sanders nodded and said: "With Yang Sheng's financial resources, this is a small problem. Plus you also have a media company, these two businesses can definitely be revived."
Yang Wendong smiled and said: "It is never a good idea to rely on external help for a long time, even if it is your own company, so you still need to run it seriously later. I can't tell you exactly how to do it now. I still have to wait for it to be done personally later. Only then will we know.”
"Yes, everyone can talk about the theory, but it is difficult to do it well." Sanders asked again: "What about Watson's drinks? The market is huge, but the competition is more intense."
"Yes, it's very intense." Yang Wendong replied: "I also have some ideas, but I can't reveal too much to the outside world yet."
"Yes, I understand, then I will wait for the day when Watsons We can regain our former glory again," Sanders said with a smile.
"I hope so too." Yang Wendong nodded.
The worst part is that I can also copy what Li Jiacheng did in his previous life, but it will take a long time to open cosmetics stores in so many markets around the world. However, I can do this first step in Hong Kong.
The next day, Oriental Daily immediately exposed the news: [The century-old brand Watsons Huaying changed hands]
Although this kind of acquisition is not a listed company, the replacement of the entire management by the British ghost must not be hidden. It’s impossible for people within the Watsons family to know about it, so with this little news, they naturally have to take care of their own people.
"Watson's has been acquired by the Post-it King?"
A woman just bought a newspaper and said in surprise after seeing the content.
After hearing this, the man next to him quickly turned his head and looked at the newspaper in the woman’s hand: “It’s true, I remember Watsons is the oldest company in Hong Kong, older than Jardine, HSBC and others.”< br>
"It's early enough, but the development is not very good." The woman said with a smile: "Now it has been acquired by the Chinese."
The man thought for a while and said: "This should be the first time that the Chinese have acquired a large-scale A British-owned company, right?"
The woman said: "Watson's is not a large one, at least. But it is indeed the first time, and it does not count as a small business."
Hong Kong has been established for more than a hundred years. Countless British people have come to look for opportunities and established many companies. Many of these companies have closed down, and naturally some may have been acquired by Chinese.
But these are small-scale and will not be noticed by the society at all. But this time it is different. Although Watsons is far inferior to the large foreign companies, it can be regarded as a relatively famous British-owned company in Hong Kong. , when it comes to drug stores, many older people immediately think of Watsons.
"This sticky note king is really developing rapidly." The man paused and then said: "Do you think he will acquire a larger Guilao Bank in the future?"
The woman replied: "No. Is that possible? Can those ghost guys from Hong Kong agree? "That's true." The man nodded and stopped dwelling on the topic.
"Yang Wendong acquired Watsons?"
In an office in Central, Huo Yingdong was a little surprised when he saw today's Oriental Daily.
After the man next to him heard this, he quickly asked: "Watson's? Isn't it the former Hong Kong pharmacy?"
"Yes, Ding Sheng has only been in Hong Kong for two years, right? He actually knows the history of Watson's?" Huo Ying Dongxiao asked.
“I know a little about most of the companies in Hong Kong before I came to Hong Kong.” Ding Kejian, the person in charge of China Resources in Hong Kong, nodded and said: “And Watsons and China Resources also have some cooperation. Yes, some of their traditional Chinese medicines are also purchased from us.”
"So that's it." Huo Yingdong added: "Watson's is not a big company, but it is also a well-known British company. This acquisition by Yang Wendong has a certain significance."< br>
“Is Hong Kong Chinese capital about to rise?” Ding Kejian asked.
"That's what I mean." Huo Yingdong said: "In fact, the overall scale of Chinese capital has been getting larger and larger in recent years. Although it is still far behind British capital, the trend has emerged.
And Yang Wendong is even more so. The first person with Chinese capital, now he has acquired a small company with British capital, and it is also a well-known company. I wonder if he has any intention of testing the Hong Kong government or British capital. "
Dink. Jian thought for a while, Asked: "Huo Sheng, are you thinking too much? Is it possible that Yang Wendong just fell in love with Watsons?"
"Haha, it's also possible that I'm thinking too much." Huo Yingdong He smiled and said: "Watson's has been losing money over the years, and it is possible to seek sale.
Why Yang Wendong acquired it is a bit strange. None of Watson's main businesses is easy to manage. ”
"Is it because you are interested in Watson's properties?" Ding Kejian asked again.
Huo Yingdong shook his head and said: "I don't think so. Watson's properties are not bad, but if you are really willing to spend money and find something similar, it's not impossible. It's just a little troublesome;
But it would be troublesome to accept the Watsons for this property. If those businesses lose money, you have to pay for it, and so many people have to support it.
With Yang Wendong's previous business. To see, he still cares about the workers. Even if it is for fame, he will continue to do this for the sake of cherishing feathers."
Ding Kejian thought for a moment and said: "Maybe Yang Sheng did it for Watson. With several businesses that are losing money, given that he can become almost the number one Chinese in Hong Kong in a few years, he may have already considered several businesses of Watsons.”
"Well, that can only be explained like this." Huo Yingdong nodded, and then asked: "What is the opinion of the superiors on the museum proposed by Yang Wendong?"
Ding Kejian replied: "The superiors still agree, A group of folk antiques can be sold. As long as the calligraphy and painting are not very famous in history, they can also be sold. There is no problem in renting national treasure-level antiques. Antique calligraphy and paintings that can be shipped to Hong Kong will be of a higher grade, but a deposit may be required.
As for how to cooperate, that still needs to be discussed. "
"Okay, I think Yang Sheng will agree to this request." Huo Yingdong was overjoyed.
This cooperation is really perfect. Yang Wendong gets new industries, Hong Kong citizens can visit ancient culture and history, and the mainland can get foreign exchange.
The only pity is that this kind of cooperation will not provide a lot of funds at the national level, making it difficult to solve the current huge foreign exchange gap problem.
Ding Kejian added: "It has also been agreed from above that the entire process from sending people to transport, local care in Hong Kong and then transporting away will be done by experts from the mainland.
This can also minimize the need for antiques Damaged."
"Well, that's good, the protection of antiques is the most important," Huo Yingdong agreed.
Although these people will also receive foreign exchange if they participate, this can only be said to be an unexpected blessing. The more important responsibility is to ensure that there are no problems with the antiques.
Otherwise, the entire cooperation may be ruined.
Ding Kejian asked again: "Then we will go find Yang Sheng later. I hope this matter can be settled soon."
"Just the nearest one." Huo Yingdong After thinking for a while, he said: "Many of his second-hand ships are coming to Hong Kong soon, and we will also have to negotiate about transporting grain by then."
"Yes, this matter is more important." Ding Kejian nodded. head.
...
The change of ownership of Watsons Huayang still caused a small backlash in the Hong Kong business community, especially because many people knew that HSBC was behind the success of this matter.
As Hong Kong’s quasi central bank, HSBC’s small move also has a certain meaning.
Not to mention that Chinese capital will be able to acquire medium and large British companies in the future, this incident also clarified HSBC’s new Taipan’s attitude towards Chinese capital in the future.
On April 8, Yang Wendong came to the Watsons Beverage Factory in North Point, Hong Kong Island:
Many people were already waiting at the door, including Wei Zetao.
"Yang Sheng." Wei Zetao stepped forward to greet him and said, "Yesterday, my people took over several Watsons factories, and I also met the heads of each store."
"Well, where are those ghost guys?" Yang Wendong asked.
Watson's is a British-owned company, and its management structure is the same as that of many British-owned foreign companies. The top management is all crazy. No matter how great the credit is for the Chinese, it is already very good if they can be among the top ten power circles.
For his company’s business, it was easiest to recruit people from fellow British-owned companies because there were many capable Chinese who had grown to the limit.
Wei Zetao said: "After discussing with them, they still want to stay, but I am not prepared to keep them. I can just compensate them according to the law and let them go."
"Will they? Leave a hole for us?" Yang Wendong asked: "These people have more or less control of the company's original resources?"
"Yes, they are contacted by many external channels." He replied: "But these people have worked at Watsons for so many years, and their hands are more or less dirty.
If you really dare to fall out with us, then we can investigate the past. , maybe it is possible to send them in. They are just small people. If it weren't for their white skin, it would be their turn to be arrogant."
"Well, you can't do this unless you have to. ." Yang Wendong said.
This is actually a tacit understanding in the business community. If you do this today, it is legal.
If you want to acquire other companies later, you will face endless resistance. This is also a reality.
But if these people are ignorant, it is still possible to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys. Although Hong Kong is controlled by the British today, the law can still target the British, especially such little people.
Not to mention now, even in the 19th century, the British had the death penalty for breaking the law in Hong Kong. However, the Chinese death penalty at that time was beheading according to Qing law, while the British ghosts were hanged.
“But they don’t dare to gamble.” Wei Zetao said with a smile: “These people have worked at Watsons all their lives, have no achievements and have caused serious losses to the company. They are worms.
I have checked before and found that there are basically few capable people, and they all look down on Chinese people. It is impossible for us to keep such people. "
"Okay, you decide for yourself. "Yang Wendong added: "But since we have reached today's scale, it is okay to recruit some ghost guys to work for us. Especially for some positions that require deep connections with Hong Kong, Britain, or Europe and the United States, it is better to use ghost guys. convenient. "
With the current scale of Changxing Group, some positions no longer care about Gui Lao's higher salary.
Wei Zetao agreed: "Okay, let's talk about trade, export and legal affairs. , I'm looking for some suitable ghost guys. "
"Hmm. Yang Wendong asked again: "How do you plan to operate Watson's various businesses later?" ”
Wei Zetao replied: "Watson's stores will still operate as before, but they will be separated into different businesses, either pharmacies or cosmetics stores.
If the location or area is not suitable, then the location will be changed when the lease expires.
As for the soda business, I have also asked someone to recruit people from Taikoo or United Soda. This business still requires professionals."
"Yes, OK." Yang Wendong nodded. Then he said: "If you find the right person, I will take a look at it after you finish the interview.
Watson's will become independent when it grows in size and become a separate business under the entire Changxing Group."
At present, the companies or businesses under the Changxing Group are divided into several levels. For example, Changxing Real Estate, Changxing Shipping, Changxing Industrial, Changxing Media, Carrefour, etc. belong to the first level, and they all report directly to the boss Yang Wendong.
The business under these companies is Level 2, and there will even be Level 3 in the future.
Watson's will belong to the first level from now on, and its cosmetics retail and beverages are both in the ultra-large-scale market.
"Okay." Wei Zetao agreed.
Yang Wendong had also told him a long time ago that Watsons was only temporarily under the name of Changxing Industrial, and would become independent when its new internal team operated the company to a certain extent.
This is also the first business that the boss has paid special attention to this year.
Yang Wendong looked around and said: "Let's go around the factory first, and I'll also see what the beverage production equipment looks like."
……
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(End of this chapter)