The birth of the Hong Kong Island family

After the Spring Festival.

The Spring Festival of 1949 obviously had a different meaning to Lin Zhichao than last year. After all, the Lin family had two new members, making it seem 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 now stable, he obviously needs to work harder and seize more opportunities.

Lin Zhichao and Tang Zhongyuan came to Keelung Street in Sham Shui Po together, and the "Changjiang Garment Factory" they collaborated with 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. Since the 1920s, due to the development of the Mong Kok area, the Sham Shui Po and Cheung Sha Wan areas in the north have also been developed accordingly. Coupled with the investment from overseas Chinese at that time, the area became a major industrial area in pre-war Kowloon, with textile, clothing, hardware and enamel factories.

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

Zhou Zhaohui was originally a sales talent of Yangtze River Industries and had experience in successfully selling zippers in Southeast Asia. Now he was transferred to the Yangtze River Garment Factory by Lin Zhichao. Naturally, he hoped that he could open up the "Yangtze River Garment Factory" situation.

The beginning of the Changjiang Garment Factory is similar to that of Changjiang Industrial, that is, it does not pursue breakthroughs, but first tests the waters in the industry. Changjiang Garment Factory initially planned to recruit hundreds of workers to produce cheap shirts and sell them to Southeast Asia and the local market.

"Yes. From now on, my father-in-law will be the general manager of the Yangtze River Garment Factory. You will be the deputy general manager and I will be a consultant. The initial goal of the Yangtze River Garment Factory is very simple, that is, to survive."

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

Why survive?

The reason could not be simpler, that is, to be able to afford the wages of the workers and the rent of the berths, nothing more.

So the target is really low!

Tang Zhongyuan knew that his son-in-law would never make such a simple request, otherwise he would not talk about cooperation between the two companies; so he thought that his son-in-law might just be giving the Yangtze River Garment Factory a transitional stage.

"The current task is to recruit manpower and purchase machines. We will officially start production within one month as soon as possible." Tang Zhongyuan is 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: "Shanghai can produce sewing machines, and the performance is pretty good. Since Mr. Xian survives, of course there is no need to buy imported machines."

Lin Zhichao felt that this was a good understanding, so he said: "You may have to work hard. After one year, all participating garment factories may have to use new electric sewing machines (sewing machines) imported from Yingjiang; therefore, this batch of ordinary machines will be more or less You have to earn some machine money back.”

really!

Tang Zhongyuan and Zhou Zhaohui thought at the same time that they knew that Lin Zhichao would not be interested in hand-made workshops. After all, it is simply unreasonable for a boss who can improve zipper rice arranging machines and develop slider stamping machines to use simple and backward machines.

But Lin Zhichao was very confident at this time. At present, most of the garment factories in Hong Kong are equipped with backward sewing machines. But in the second half of next year, when these bosses were trying to replace the best new electric car garments, they discovered that Hong Kong had been blocked. No, electric bicycles (sewing machines) cannot be imported at all.

In this way, even the Southeast Asian market is a market dominated by the Japanese. It was not until 1953 that Hong Kong's garment factories could import new electric bicycle clothing. This coincided with the joint restrictions on RB Textile by Europe and the United States in the mid-1950s, so Hong Kong's garments really developed.

Knowing this information, Lin Zhichao naturally had to make plans in advance to stand out from the Xiangjiang Garment Factory.

Tang Zhongyuan immediately said: "In this case, there will be a market with huge demand!"

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

Tang Zhongyuan finally understood his son-in-law's idea of ​​​​opening a garment factory first and then developing a clothing brand. In this way, the two companies would already have a one-stop industrial chain.

Tang Zhongyuan is not very interested in clothing brands. On the contrary, he thinks that the garment factory, which holds 30% of the shares, is very promising. As a result, fighting spirit was ignited in him.

As everyone knows, Lin Zhichao is the opposite of him. He doesn't value garment factories very much, but he values ​​clothing brands more, because the added value is higher and the profits are higher.

As for the shares in the garment factory, as long as Tang Zhongyuan agrees to marry his second daughter to him, it doesn't matter if he gives 20% of the shares as a bride price. The two companies own a 50/50 garment industry, and he is a hands-off shopkeeper who only needs to supervise.

After a few people chatted for a while, Lin Zhichao left the Yangtze River Garment Factory.

Originally, it was okay to call this garment factory 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 taking advantage of it, he should register it.

At the same time, Lin Zhichao also registered "Changjiang Industries" and "Changjiang Real Estate" to prevent others from getting confused.

Lin Zhichao came to Cheung Kong Holdings and asked Wang Liang on the side: "How long have our salesmen been sent out?"

In order to open up the zipper market in Europe and the United States, Changjiang Industrial printed a batch of product brochures and produced a large number of samples; importantly, it spent huge sums of money to send many salesmen to Europe and the United States for promotion.

These salesmen are not simple either. Being able to speak English is a basic skill. The most important thing is highly educated people, and there are even international students (from the mainland). They were not originally applying for sales positions, but for management-level positions.

However, Lin Zhichao got through everyone's thinking and said that he needed to achieve some results as a salesman before considering returning to a management position.

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

"Twenty days have passed, and there should be merchants coming to Hong Kong for on-the-spot investigation soon!" Wang Liang said seriously.

Regarding on-site inspections by merchants, Lin Zhichao is full of confidence. Cheung Kong Industries has no weaknesses. The machines are the best in the world, the materials are imported, and the management is world-class.

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

Fortunately, the second industrial building in Tsuen Wan will be put into use in June, and the construction period will be shortened to nine months. By then, the factory area will be expanded three times to 120,000 square feet.

Next is the factory in Singapore, which will be completed in October, with a total factory area of ​​80,000 square feet.

While the two were discussing the progress of sales in Europe and America, a staff member rushed in excitedly.

"Boss, Manager Wang, a customer who claims to be a European zipper wholesaler, has gone outside the factory."

Lin Zhichao stood up immediately, followed by Wang Liang.

"Okay, let's go to greet you!"

How can you be unhappy? There are also five automatic zipper machines and one automatic slider punching machine, which are ready to be shipped, and the production capacity of Changjiang Industrial will increase by more than 30%.

But now, its own orders are less than 60-70% of its production capacity, and it is in urgent need of a large number of European and American orders.

If the order for 16 rice arranging machines is filled this time, Changjiang Industrial will set up several offices overseas. Lin Zhichao cannot rely on wholesalers for everything. After all, he needs to know the competitors in the market and customer feedback on his products.

Outside Cheung Kong's factory.

Peter is a zipper wholesaler from Europe. He recently received a sales promotion, which is comparable to aluminum alloy zippers and copper zippers produced in Europe, and the price is only half. This is something that makes him ecstatic.

Therefore, he immediately rushed to Hong Kong from Europe and planned to conduct an on-the-spot investigation.

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 under expansion, and it seems business is doing well!" was Peter's first feeling outside.

But looking at the factory building on the first floor, Pete was a little worried about whether the current production capacity could keep up.

"This distinguished guest from Europe, I am Lin, the boss here. What do you call me?" Lin Zhichao greeted him with a smile.

very young!

Peter looked at Lin Zhichao, who was only in his twenties. Could it be a family business?

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

"Okay, Mr. Peter. I don't know if you want to have some tea or visit my factory first!"

Peter immediately said: "Of course I will inspect the factory first. After all, this is the purpose of my coming all the way."

"this way please!"

Lin Zhichao is the least worried about foreign businessmen visiting Cheung Kong Industries. He feels that his factory can definitely give customers a differentiated feeling. At first, they will feel how dirty and messy the factories in Hong Kong are, and how manual they are. After they complete the inspection, they will feel that Cheung Kong Industries is very advanced and has excellent management.

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

Although the planning is crowded, everything is very orderly.

"This is the world's first automatic slider stamping machine, jointly developed by our factory and Germany's Bern Machinery." Lin Zhichao said to himself.

As expected, Peter said in disbelief: "You also have the ability to develop machinery?"

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

Peter immediately said: "I believe it! Because if it weren't for you, these two improvements would not have happened so early."

Next, Peter was very satisfied with the strength of Yangtze River Industrial and couldn't wait to express his cooperation. Moreover, the demand for Pete is very high, about 50,000 meters per month, and more than 600,000 meters a year.

After the delivery of the machines by Yangtze River Industry in March, the annual production capacity will be more than 5 million meters, so there is no need to worry.

A few days later, an overseas phone call came from a zipper wholesaler of Eagle Sauce, informing Cheung Kong that he would conduct an inspection and also told him the Pan Am flight number.

Lin Zhichao knew that Yingjiang had an impatient but cheerful personality, so he planned to drive to greet him personally. He specially asked someone to make a placard to express the importance of Cheung Kong Industries.

After all, if zipper products can break into Eagle Sauce, it will be a victory in a major battle. Although Smith is a Yingjiang man, in fact, the zippers he wholesales are used for the needs of the garrison in Asia.

Today is the day the flight arrives.

Lin Zhichao specially drove the newly purchased Ford 1949 car to Kowloon via car ferry. After all, in Kowloon, he only had a second-hand car, which was not of high quality.

At Kai Tak Airport, Xue Junshan held up a wooden sign with the words "Welcome Mr. Powell to Hong Kong" written in English. It immediately became the most beautiful scenery at Kai Tak Airport.

Lin Zhichao ignored other people's strange eyes. He even met acquaintances. Although he was ridiculed, he also gained admiration.

When a foreigner walked towards them alone, Lin Zhichao greeted them immediately.

"Are you Mr. Powell?"

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

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

Powell then said with a smile: "Your welcome is very sincere. Thank you very much for making such arrangements!"

To be honest, in Lin Zhichao's opinion, merchants who can come to Hong Kong for inspection in person have a very high chance of cooperation. Several salesmen sent out this time have returned to Hong Kong, but there are only a few waves of visitors, so we must capture every wave of customers.

In this way, Cheung Kong's machines will not be idle this year, and orders will be filled.

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

Powell said without hesitation: “Of course we will visit the factory!”

He is indeed an impatient Yingjiang person!

Fortunately, Cheung Kong Holdings can be inspected at any time!

Then, sitting in a brand new Ford 1949 car, everyone drove towards Tsuen Wan.

On the way, Lin Zhichao and Powell had a very lively chat. Lin Zhichao shared some of his entrepreneurial process, which attracted praise from Powell.

This is a person's business card!

You’ve already gained a sense of credibility without even visiting the factory.

After arriving at Cheung Kong Industries, we had another visit.

"Mr. Lin, I already knew something about Yangtze River Corporation from the brochure before I left. I knew you had a large factory and the most advanced equipment. After today's on-site inspection, I didn't expect that your factory has a huge development (counting the construction projects under construction). (two factories), 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 did not expect to receive such praise, and immediately said humbly: "The zipper industry is only in its early stages, and there is still a lot of development potential in the future, so I have been working hard to make progress. Thank you for your praise of our factory, I can assure you that our Product quality and delivery time.”

Powell said cheerfully: "Okay, I want to sign a contract with you today. I have read your quotation, and now I feel that it is of high quality and low price, so there is no need to talk more. And my annual demand is more than 800,000 meters, which is exactly what I need." You will supply from March.”

In this era, the only materials for zippers are aluminum alloy and copper, and plastic materials have not yet been born.

But zippers are also divided into models, varieties, functions, etc. Cheung Kong's varieties are not complete, because many of them require new machines.

However, if Powell can come, it is obviously Yangtze River Industries that meets his needs.

At this time, Lin Zhichao was not in a hurry and said: "I heard from your overseas phone call that you still need to go to Japan to inspect zippers. I happen to be fluent in Japanese and I am willing to accompany you to inspect."

This young man is not simple, Powell sighed inwardly. He speaks English fluently and can also speak Japanese.

Powell said with a smile: "There's no need to go now! And as far as I know, the Japanese zipper machine is produced by our Yingjiang, and its performance is still a little worse than your machine. Coupled with your price advantage, it must be It’s cheaper than Japan, so there’s no need to check it out. It’s just that I’m very curious about your Chinese temples, so I want to spend two days in Hong Kong before going back to Yingjiang!”

Lin Zhichao immediately said: "Then I will accompany you!"

Not to mention two days, he has to find time even for a week. After all, being able to sell zipper products to Eagle Sauce is the best proof of his strength.

In this way, the zipper sales in Europe and the United States won about 2.3 million meters of orders, quickly increasing the orders of Yangtze River Industry to the point of being full.

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 is comparable to Europe and the United States in terms of quality. Naturally, it soon occupied 80% of the global market.

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