Return to 1958 and build a century-old giant

Chapter 589 Beverage Plastic Bottle

August 8, Carrefour supermarket:
"We are abacus technicians, why did you transfer us to the warehouse to do the accounting?" Several middle-aged people were gathered in an office, and one of them with short hair said angrily.

In front of them, a young man wearing glasses said helplessly: "Old Wu, everyone, you have all seen calculators, don't you understand?

Whether it is speed or accuracy, you can't compare. The company is ready to let all cashiers use calculators, which can save one labor, and the entire Carrefour can save nearly a thousand people. "

"Carrefour is so big, but it still lacks such a small number of people?" The short-haired middle-aged man said, "Besides, they called us when they needed us before, but now they drive us away when they don't need us anymore?"

They also know that no matter how hard they try, they can never compare to the calculator in terms of performance, but they are still unwilling to accept this.

"Everyone, did you not get paid before or what?" The man with glasses also looked cold, and said: "If it were a normal company, you would have been unemployed long ago if you encountered a situation like today;
That is, the boss of Carrefour is Mr. Yang, and he doesn't want those of you who have worked hard for the company to lose your jobs, so he is transferring you. If you are not satisfied, you can leave at any time, but I tell you, calculators will be sold on a large scale soon, and the industry you are working on will be gone."

Although labor costs in Hong Kong are not very high, no one will hire someone they don’t need;
It's just that the boss had a lot of things to consider, so he didn't do that, but transferred me instead. Although the new position doesn't require an abacus, since those who can become abacus masters all have some academic qualifications and mathematical ability, working in the warehouse can be considered a good use of resources.

The short-haired middle-aged man saw his boss's face change, and he knew what the other party said was true, so he didn't dare to go too far. It was just related to his own interests, so he asked: "Manager Zhao, we all have parents and children to take care of. It's okay to change jobs, but the salary reduction is too much."

Manager Zhao said, "Old Wu, you also know that the abacus profession is almost gone, so how can it still have the high salary it once had?

The company is now paying you 70% of your previous salary, which is already a good consideration for you, because those who do the same work as you in the warehouse are paid a little less than you, and this is also the boss's special consideration for you, don't refuse a toast and then drink a forfeit;
If you are really dissatisfied and have the ability to find other jobs elsewhere, you can leave at any time. The boss also said that you can get an extra two months' salary subsidy if you leave, which is considered a benefit for you."

In the past, the salary of an abacus maker was really high, several times that of an ordinary person; there was no other way, because becoming very proficient at using the abacus was a skill, and the salary of a skilled worker was naturally very high.

The subsidy is actually given with the thought that if some people can really change jobs, it will be a good thing for Carrefour in the long run. It is best if both parties are willing.

"." The young leader's words made Old Wu and others shut up;
In fact, they have long known that once calculators become popular, they may threaten their careers;

Even if I go out and find a paying job now, I may still be unemployed later. It would be better to stay in Carrefour. Although the salary is a little lower, at least the benefits are good, the work is relaxing, and there is even air conditioning in the summer.

Manager Zhao added: "Everyone, I know it's hard for you to accept, but this is the situation now. Times have changed. For example, rickshaws were very popular ten years ago, but now they are basically no longer popular.
Moreover, some of you already have good academic qualifications or are good at arithmetic, and this ability cannot be replaced by a calculator. If you perform well while working in a warehouse in the future, you can be promoted, and your salary may be even higher than before.

Carrefour is also developing now, and all of you have possibilities.”

A dozen years ago, there were many rickshaw pullers in Hong Kong, even in Hong Kong Island. Rickshaw pullers were everywhere, except for a few places like Central where taxis were the main drivers.
But in the past ten years, the development of minibuses has been very rapid, coupled with the good economic development, the number of taxis has increased, and rickshaws have basically withdrawn from Hong Kong Island and only exist in some places in Kowloon where transportation is not well developed;
However, the Hong Kong government is also gradually adopting policies to abolish rickshaws. As time goes by, many people will inevitably become the cost.

"Thank you, Manager Zhao." That's all Old Wu and others could say.

Although they knew this was consolation, they did encounter similar things with the "rickshaw pullers". Ten years ago, there were rickshaws everywhere, but now there are basically not many people;
Nowadays, people either take a car or a bus, both of which basically have air conditioning. What do rickshaws have? Sunlight?

In terms of price, buses are not expensive, and taxis are fast. Rickshaws are naturally eliminated after they have no use.

These abacus makers are in the same boat when it comes to calculators. They are completely helpless. Fortunately, they still have their own mathematical abilities, which are more or less helpful, so they can keep their jobs without any problem.

A few days later, Yang Wendong also learned that the abacus clerks in supermarkets were gradually withdrawing from the stage of history, and cashiers with calculators were taking over;

When it’s busy, there may be two people, one looking at the goods and quoting prices, and the other doing the math, but when it’s slow, just one person will do;
This is much better than the abacus masters of the past, because even during bad business periods, they had to support these people.

"Technology really does change our lives." Yang Wendong said with emotion as he looked at the group of cashiers who seemed to be more efficient.

Su Yiyi said, "It's the life of merchants that is changing, right? Ordinary people shouldn't have much demand for calculators, unless they are students?"

Yang Wendong smiled and said, "Of course not. The operating costs of many companies in society have been reduced. As long as there is fair competition, prices will fall sooner or later. Let everyone enjoy cheaper goods.
The price reduction of these goods will promote more consumption, which will eventually benefit businesses and workers, so that everyone will become richer and society will be more stable. "

Reducing inflation can be said to be one of the most important data for any country or region, and it is also linked to the unemployment rate;

The advent of the electronic age and the Internet age, although fundamentally different from the first and second scientific and technological revolutions and not involving energy, has brought about a revolutionary improvement in efficiency. It is no exaggeration to call it half an industrial revolution.

"Carrefour is a monopoly enterprise. Will it lower its prices?" Su Yiyi asked with a smile.

Yang Wendong nodded and said, “Yes, Carrefour has certain profit margin requirements in Hong Kong, and will not do whatever it wants just because of its monopoly;

First, it is unnecessary, as we don’t need this little money. Second, if we maintain high prices for a long time, it may support other competitors, such as Jardine Swire, which may come in and guarantee a certain profit margin, so that other businesses will not want to enter this market. In the long run, the profit will be higher.”

This is actually Coca-Cola's policy. In fact, they can also increase the price appropriately, and the profit of the year will definitely soar;
But the risk of doing so is that other beverage brands may take the opportunity to launch their own colas, take a low-price route, and then seize the market. Once the enemy gains a foothold, it will be difficult to drive them away later.

MediaTek was able to succeed in the chip industry in the past, thanks to Qualcomm's long-term rule of maintaining high profits, otherwise it would have been impossible to succeed.

"That's good." Su Yiyi said with a smile.

Yang Wendong said, "Okay, let's go. That's it for now. Let's go to Kwun Tong. Lao Wei is already waiting for us there."

"Yeah," Su Yiyi nodded.

The convoy of bulletproof Mercedes-Benz cars passed through the Hung Hom Cross-Harbour Tunnel and drove towards Kwun Tong after arriving at Hung Hom.

Su Yiyi looked at the surrounding scenery and said, "After the tunnel was opened to traffic, the speed of coming to Kowloon is much faster than before."

"Of course." Yang Wendong said with a smile: "We have invested hundreds of millions of dollars. Who would pay if the speed is not fast? The toll of our tunnel is much more expensive than the previous ferry."

The ferry costs only a few dollars, but the tunnel is more than a hundred times more expensive, so the toll is naturally much more expensive;

However, because of the convenience, most cars in Hong Kong are still willing to use the tunnel. After all, in any era, those who can afford to buy a car in Hong Kong are all rich people who don’t mind spending a few or tens of dollars.
Unless their location is really too far away from Hung Hom, and it takes more time and energy to go around than taking the ferry, there is no other way; however, with the opening of the Hung Hom Tunnel, the ferry is also being gradually cancelled due to the sharp decline in business. In the future, except for a few places, the Hung Hom Tunnel will still dominate the world.

Su Yiyi sighed and said, "I always think back to my childhood when I dreamed of going to Hong Kong Island. Unfortunately, I had no money and couldn't even afford a ferry ride."

"When we were young, that was youth." Yang Wendong sighed and said, "But don't think too much. We still have to move forward. We have to work harder. While the company is developing, we should see if we can help more children."

Su Yiyi asked: "Charity?"

"No, how many people can charity help? We can only help the extremely poor or some orphans." Yang Wendong shook his head and said, "The best way is to promote economic development so that everyone in Hong Kong can have a job and income and have their own house. This is the best for the children."

Although many people in Hong Kong in his previous life lived in very poor conditions, with a family squeezed into a ten-square-meter room, it was much better than the squatter huts he lived in as a child, and the proportion of such people was far less than before;
In general, the development of Hong Kong is bringing better and better changes to people's lives, and what Hong Kong needs to do is to develop those who are relatively poor in a mutually beneficial way, so that while it can eat the meat, tens of thousands of other people can have a drink of soup.

"Oh, Berkshire's factory is already under construction, and Zheng Zhijie is also developing channels in Southeast Asia. I hope this factory can also develop successfully, so that at least a few thousand people can work," Su Yiyi said with a smile.

Yang Wendong said: "This is actually not difficult. Berkshire's technology, Hong Kong's labor, and our group's property resources, when added together, will definitely succeed."

Although he did not know much about the textile industry, the basic conditions for doing business were available in the joint venture factory between Berkshire and Changxing Group, so he was confident that he would succeed;

And if it succeeds, I can also learn from some of the business models of clothing giants that I knew in my previous life. Even if it doesn't succeed, it should be helpful.

The convoy soon arrived at the Kwun Tong Industrial Park in Changxing;

"Mr. Yang, Mrs. Yang." Wei Zetao had already been waiting at the factory gate.

"Old Wei, you have a lot more white hair. You must have worked hard over the past ten years." Yang Wendong suddenly said after seeing it.

In a blink of an eye, he has been in Hong Kong for 12 years, and Wei Zetao, as the first professional manager to follow him, has been here for almost 11 years.

Wei Zetao was stunned for a moment, then said, "Mr. Yang, you are too polite. This is what I should do. I never dreamed that the small factory that interviewed me would be able to develop to its current level. I am honored to be a part of it."

This statement is not false. As a professional manager, being able to follow a boss like Yang Wendong and start such a business is a great opportunity.

Although he did not get any shares in the company, his salary income over the years was very high. His boss also rewarded him with several houses and cars, which were all owned by the company. Basically, he had no worries in life.

"Haha, well said." Yang Wendong nodded and said, "Changxing Industry has always been the company I value most. My fortune depends on it."

The best-selling products of Changxing Industrial in the early days gave Changxing Group sufficient credit lines in various banks, which gave it the opportunity to succeed in asset-heavy sectors such as real estate and shipping. After these two markets took off, they also led to several other new industries, such as supermarkets and media.
Wei Zetao said with a smile: "Mr. Yang, there are several companies under your control that are stronger than Changxing Industrial."

Although they have a long history, several other subsidiaries have surpassed Changxing Industrial.

Honor Electronics sells hundreds of thousands of televisions, which is hundreds of millions, and they also sell a variety of other electrical products.

Changxing Real Estate controls tens of millions of square feet of land in Hong Kong, many of which are in prime locations; Changxing Shipping has made a lot of money in recent years by taking advantage of the Middle East crisis;

Although we have industries such as plastics and paper, which are developing very well and would be large companies if placed separately in the United States, we are still inferior to these companies.

"Yes, but this is also an industry problem. The market for plastic parts is too low." Yang Wendong added: "But this is not absolute. Some plastic parts still have great prospects."

Wei Zetao quickly asked: "What does Mr. Yang mean?"

In the early years, several flagship products of Changxing Industrial were developed based on the creativity of the boss Yang Wendong. Later, Changxing Industrial also developed many products internally and achieved some results, but they were far behind sticky notes and trolley cases.

Now, as time goes by, the patents of Changxing Industrial's early products are about to expire, which is a relatively large threat;

Although Changxing Industrial has achieved some results in the field of non-patented products, it cannot maintain its previous scale relying solely on these.

Yang Wendong asked in return: "In the plastics industry, do we have the research and development capabilities now?"

"Yes, we already have R&D centers in Hong Kong and Taiwan. We have recruited some people from overseas and also trained a lot in Hong Kong," Wei Zetao replied.

Although there was no talent in this area in Hong Kong ten years ago, Changxing Industrial's continuous investment over the past decade has naturally led to many achievements.

Yang Wendong asked again: "Okay, then next, I need you to develop a special plastic product. If it succeeds, it will definitely be a more popular product."

"Please give me some advice, Mr. Yang." Wei Zetao asked happily.

Yang Wendong said: "I need you to make the plastic into very thin bottles, ensuring that the weight is light while also ensuring a certain quality;

Additionally, the materials must be food grade.”

"Plastic bottle?" Wei Zetao immediately responded: "Mr. Yang wants to use it to hold drinks?"

"Yes." Yang Wendong nodded.

PS: Please give me a monthly ticket at the end of the month
I wish you all a Happy New Year

(End of this chapter)