Chapter 396 The first step in political investment
After hearing this, Dai Linzhi smiled and said: "The Hong Kong government also has this plan, but we are also facing the same problem as the UK now. The three major terminals are now working There are tens of thousands of people, and I need to make preparations before I can consider this matter;
The London side also took several years to prepare, but it is still not going well. I can only hope to wait until Hong Kong arrives. At that time, it will be better, and I may need Yang Sheng's help."
"No problem, I will try my best to help more people find jobs," Yang Wendong said with a smile.
Historically, the construction of the Kwai Chung Container Terminal in Hong Kong began in 1970, but in fact preparations have been made for a long time, including finding a suitable location, layout planning, etc., but these are not as important as how to solve the problem. Tens of thousands of unemployed longshoremen are important.
This is also a problem in other places around the world. London actually failed in history because it never succeeded anyway. The port workers united and blocked all actions. It is estimated that London wants to invite more manufacturing factories to invest, but it will not work in the end. .It is probably the same in this life.
The success of Hong Kong is special. In the 1960s and 1970s, Hong Kong itself was developing at a GDP growth rate of almost 13% or more every year. Only with more and more factories did it successfully transform. London could not develop at this speed
br>
“Thank you very much.” Dai Linzhi seemed to see what Yang Wendong meant and said, “If a container terminal is built in the future, what will Yang Sheng do? What idea?”
Yang Wendong said with a smile: “As a Hong Kong businessman, I naturally hope to contribute to Hong Kong’s economic development.”
“Haha, I understand.” Dai Linzhi nodded and said: "I can't make a decision on this matter now. I can only wait until later, but I will ensure that everything will be a fair competition." ’
"Okay, thank you Mr. Hong Kong Governor." Yang Wendong said with a smile.
Being fair is actually a great help to Chinese capital. This is not because the Hong Kong government is really "fair", but because the situation is such that the British Empire can only win over the local forces in each colony. Otherwise, they will only lose these places one by one, such as Malaysia, Singapore, etc.
After coming out of the Hong Kong Government House, Yang Wendong did not go back to his building directly, but asked the convoy to pass through Victoria Harbor. Arrive at Kwun Tong.
When the motorcade arrived at Changxing Industrial Park, Wei Zetao also got the news and hurriedly came to the door to greet him: "Yang Sheng, why are you here?"
"Just came out of the Hong Kong Governor's Office. , just come here." Yang Wendong smiled and said: "Let's go up, we have business."
"Okay." Wei Zetao also noticed it, and immediately took his boss to Yang Wendong's office above the administrative building.
Although Yang Wendong rarely comes here, the place is still cleaned very clean every day.
After the two sat down, Yang Wendong said: "Today I went to the Hong Kong government and the Hong Kong governor told me something about the British side."
Wei Zetao also listened carefully to his boss. After listening to the description, he said: "The main purpose of investing and building a factory in the UK is also for the European or American market. If everything goes well, the cost will Maybe it can really be done lower than in Hong Kong and then transported there.
This matter has been considered before, but not in the UK, but in the eastern United States, but after investigation, it still doesn’t work for European and American workers. It’s too much trouble, and it’s hard for the trade union to handle it. Once this heavy asset is invested, it will be difficult to get it back.”
"Why don't I know this?" Yang Wendong nodded and said, "But Dai Linzhi is right. Our group has been making money from Europe and the United States in recent years. With this, we have created tens of thousands of jobs in Hong Kong.
Although they are all new products, no direct competitors in Europe and the United States have gone bankrupt because of us, but if our scale continues to develop like this, there will be a risk of being targeted sooner or later. Factors in this regard must be Consider it. ”
If it is American capital, then Yang Wendong is not worried at all. I will produce it in the United States and sell it to the world.
But I am a Hong Kong capital. Although it is affiliated with the United Kingdom, Hong Kong has been financially independent as early as the 1950s. In many matters, the British side does not interfere too much.
Wei Zetao thought for a while and said: "Yang Sheng's consideration is indeed correct. We do need to consider zz factors. By placing part of our production capacity in the UK and exporting it to Europe and the United States, we can win over the UK. ”
"Yeah, but don't build a large one. Build a smaller one first to ensure employment for hundreds of people." Yang Wendong said again: "Then what products do you think are suitable to be moved there for production."
Wei Zetao said: "Trolley suitcases Yes, spin mops are also more suitable. Among our current products, they have the highest transportation costs and their own value is not high. Therefore, producing them in Hong Kong and sending them to Europe and the United States is a loss in itself. Our production capacity in Hong Kong is also not high. Big.
So if it is produced in the UK, at least it will not affect Hong Kong. If we produce in the UK, we may have a certain opportunity to really develop.”
“ Well, that's okay." Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Okay, let's decide for the time being to go to the UK to produce spin mops and a small number of trolley cases, and set up an assembly factory first, so that the things can be shipped cost-effectively from Hong Kong. Things are shipped from Hong Kong. For large and irregular items, look for suppliers in the UK. They should also have plastic parts factories.”
Although the rotary mop is not as large as the trolley case, it is itself. It is irregular and the mop is still long. Before the popularity of containers in Hong Kong, this kind of transportation was definitely not cost-effective, and its own value was much lower than that of a trolley case. Therefore, the development of trolley cases within Changxing Industrial has been very unsatisfactory over the years. Later, we still adopted the method of licensing and produced it for other companies.
And if history remains unchanged, Hong Kong only started to build container terminals in 1970, and operations will not be until at least 1972. If you go to the UK to invest and operate for ten years, you can still accept that even if you can participate in the terminal, you will hardly be able to do so. It may affect the timing, because during the economic crisis of 1966-67 The Hong Kong government will not have the energy to prepare for the terminal.
"Okay." Wei Zetao said again: "Even if there are no local ones, we can also directly make plastic parts, which can also increase a little employment." "Okay, this It doesn’t matter, but it’s best to travel lightly,” Yang Wendong nodded.
Becoming asset-light was the goal of many large companies in the previous life. This is also because the scale is too short and high management costs will lead to serious internal friction;
Even if you can recruit unlimited people , but the energy of a company’s management is also limited, and it is impossible to expand infinitely
As for the influence of driving employment, for small companies, it depends on direct numbers, but for large companies, the employment brought by their orders to the local area is also their own influence, and this feature is that they can change production at will. location, thus causing a greater impact. After all, a factory such as If you build a factory in one place, you won't be able to leave even if you want to. If the local government has bad intentions, this will be a big money tree
Wei Zetao paused and said: 'There is just one more problem. The British side probably wants us to invest near London, which is not in our interests. '
"This matter is quite complicated. We have to wait for British officials to come." Yang Wendong said: "And we want to invest in spin mops, but it is not necessarily the case in the UK. I guess they will definitely I want us to move several major products there, and let’s talk about it later.”
This time is actually seeking a zz asylum. This is something that large consortiums must consider. There is no one behind it, so that’s it. It’s hard to really make it big.
Our products are mainly exported to Europe and the United States. With so many countries in Europe and the United States, we must find a team. The situation today may be better. If we wait until the electronics industry explodes in more than ten years, we will If you make achievements in the electronics industry without a backend, you will definitely be severely suppressed
Free trade in the West is just a joke. When I am good, then trade freely. When I am not good, you are endangering national security.
And if you use the name of Britain, then march on In the U.S. market, the old U.S. government has to think carefully if it wants to take action. After all, the British power is still there. Even if it is not as good as the United States, it is not easy to go too far. And if you want the British to stand behind you, you will definitely have to pay a little bit. What, the most basic thing is to provide enough employment
Of course, the electronics industry is special and can really threaten national security, so even if the UK is behind it, it cannot really touch some special fields. Everything must be controlled.
Five days later on the 21st:
George, the assistant to the Hong Kong Governor, brought two British ghosts to the Cheung Hing Industrial Park in Kwun Tong.
Wei Zetao and Yang Wendong also received them in person. The first thing they did was to take them around the entire industrial park and inspect the production of sticky hooks, trolley cases, spin mops, various plastic toys, plastic bags, snakeskin bags, etc. Etc.
When looking at the large number of products being packed and transported on the truck, British official Sean said with emotion: "I didn't expect that there is such a large factory in Hong Kong. It’s incredible.”
Jo. Zhi smiled and explained: "Mr. Sean, the industrial park we are in now is the largest factory in Hong Kong, with an annual production capacity of more than HK$360 million. The total number of people working here is almost 21,000."
Changxing Industrial Park not only has workers from Changxing Industrial, but also has other factories, including some suppliers, and even other independent plastic factories and a lot of management. In the era before computers, the number of office clerks was very large. .
The reason why so many people can gather is because the entire industry chain is together. Even the plastic raw materials are brought directly from Wanwan. The internal transportation is convenient and there are many talents. Everything related to plastics is available. It’s so convenient to be able to produce it.
Therefore, the scale here is even higher than when it was originally designed. Especially with the development of Hong Kong's industry, the plastics industry is also rising, and it seems that there may not be enough space
But whether it is expansion or other Local construction can only be handled by Changxing Industrial. Only Changxing Industrial has the ability to successfully complete such a project.
“Oh, mygod, it’s incredible,” Sean continued: “I only recently learned that trolley cases, sticky notes and adhesive hooks are all produced in Hong Kong.”
George smiled and said: 'This is all Eric's invention. '
Sean also looked at Yang Wendong and said: "Eric, I read your information before coming here. I have to say that I really admire you. Your entrepreneurial story makes me Everyone was shocked.”
"Thank you." Yang Wendong smiled and said, "Then let's discuss the business, shall we?"
"OK." Sean nodded.
Yang Wendong said: "Go to the conference room in front, tea and coffee have been prepared there."
Everyone came to the office in the administrative building. After some greetings, the conference room was full of people. The remaining four people were two officials from the UK, as well as Yang Wendong and Wei Zetao.
Everyone else has left, including George, the Secretary to the Governor of Hong Kong. Obviously, the Governor of Hong Kong is not willing to get involved in this kind of thing, so he protects himself. After all, this is transferring jobs in his country to the UK, and the Hong Kong government is too involved. If there are too many, it will cause negative news. Just because it is a request from the UK, I will only introduce it from the middle
After the four people chatted for a while, Sean said: "Eric, you also know the purpose of our cooperation this time. We can promise that your company's business will circulate normally in the Commonwealth market;
If you are treated unfairly outside the Commonwealth, the British government will come forward to help."
"It's easy to say within the Commonwealth," Yang Wendong paused and asked. Outside the Commonwealth, how can you guarantee it? I’m not worried about your capabilities, but if you guarantee that you will really come forward, can you commit to this matter in writing?”
What if the UK really intervenes? Even the United States has to give three points of face, but the question is whether they will come forward. After all, it is not a local company.
"It cannot be written in writing. This is not an actual transaction. It cannot be described in writing. Even if it is a British company, Enterprises will not have such a written commitment." Sean shook his head and said, "We can certainly guarantee this. The British government will make similar commitments to Commonwealth enterprises that invest heavily in the country, and it is not just for you. ”
"Multiple people? Let's discuss this matter later." Yang Wendong did not pursue a question. It would be a bit difficult for the British government to sign a paper agreement for this kind of thing. However, if it is a promise made by multiple people, it would really be a breach of contract. , the consequences are also very serious.
At least in the 1960s, the British government still wanted to save face and try its best to maintain its status as a "big power". If it really broke its trust with any of the top local financial groups in the colonies, even just one, there would be many sequelae.
Wei Zetao asked: "Mr. Sean, you also said that a large investment is needed. I don't know how big the investment is?"
Sean said: "The scale of investment depends on different factors. Industry, it’s hard to say, our requirement is that it should be no less than 2 million pounds, and the number of jobs it can create should be no less than 1,000 people.”
PS: Please give me a monthly ticket
(End of this chapter)