Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 113 Approval Document (Seeking monthly votes and recommendations to continue reading)
The day after Wang Jianjun and his group took away samples of Jinba instant concentrated powder.

In the top-floor office of the Weiye Building, Chen Bingwen was having a meeting with Fang Wenshan, Zhou Zhiyuan, Gao Zhenhai, Zhong Qiang, and several others.

They discussed how to deliver the 50 bags of instant powder in a short period of time if the order was placed.

"The daily production capacity of the concentrated powder production line at Fuyuan Plant is stable at around 2-4 tons, which is equivalent to about 12-18 standard bags of 15-30g/bag," Gao Zhenhai reported. "If the order is secured, it can be completed in a maximum of four days with full production."

"What about the raw material inventory?" Chen Bingwen asked.

Zhong Qiang flipped through the reports and reported: "The inventory of core raw materials such as taurine and caffeine is sufficient to support the production of 50 bags without any problem."

However, custom-made PET aluminum foil composite packaging bags and outer boxes need to be ordered in advance, and the delivery time is one week.

"Place the order now. Even if we don't get this order, we'll still need these packaging materials later."

Chen Bingwen made the arrangements immediately without hesitation.

His decisive tone and unquestionable attitude instilled an unusual sense of urgency in the attendees.

"Ah Hai," Chen Bingwen looked at Gao Zhenhai, "After production at the Fuyuan factory is finished today, immediately conduct a full overhaul of the entire line to ensure that the equipment is in optimal condition."

All workers are on standby; once an order is confirmed, production must begin immediately, operating 24 hours a day in three shifts.

"Understood!" Gao Zhenhai nodded in agreement quickly.

"Brother Qiang, please double-check all the raw materials, especially taurine and caffeine, to ensure that the inventory is accurate."

Additionally, contact the supplier to confirm the earliest possible replenishment timeline.

"Okay, Mr. Chen, I'll get right away." Zhong Qiang picked up his notebook and quickly took notes.

“Professor Zhou,” Chen Bingwen turned to Zhou Zhiyuan, “if this order is confirmed, it will be the first batch of products from Chenji to enter the mainland market.”

Therefore, no flaws are allowed.

You develop an expedited sampling inspection plan to ensure that production and quality inspection proceed simultaneously, without wasting a single second, but also without overlooking any problems.

Chen Bingwen's final statement, "No flaws are allowed," and his instruction to Zhou Zhiyuan to arrange expedited spot checks, clearly conveyed a signal.

This is by no means an ordinary business deal.

This is likely an order involving significant demand, and may even relate to use in certain special scenarios.

Fang Wenshan, Zhou Zhiyuan, Gao Zhenhai, and Zhong Qiang exchanged glances, their expressions turning serious.

"Leave it to me. I'll personally lead the team to conduct random checks," Zhou Zhiyuan said solemnly, adjusting his glasses.

Finally, Chen Bingwen said to Fang Wenshan, "Director Fang, you will be in charge of overall coordination."

After placing an order for packaging materials, closely monitor the logistics to ensure they arrive at the port within a week.

At the same time, we contacted freight companies in advance and prepared warehouses so that we could arrange shipment immediately once production was completed.

“Yes, Mr. Chen!” Fang Wenshan replied.

Just then, the secretary knocked on the door and came in, excitedly reporting, "Mr. Chen!"
The replies from the US FDA and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare have arrived!

The conference room suddenly became quiet.

All eyes were focused on the file folder in the secretary's hand.

Fang Wenshan was the first to react, quickly stepped forward to take the document bag, and swiftly opened it.

He first pulled out the letter from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, quickly scanned it, and his face instantly lit up with uncontrollable joy: "The FDA has officially approved it!"

Jinba Instant Concentrate Powder has obtained US market access approval!
Product Category: Dietary Supplements, meets recognized safety standards!

Immediately afterwards, he picked up the document from the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, his voice tinged with excitement: "The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has approved it too!"
It is classified as a 'functional food' and is allowed to be labeled with the effect of 'relieving physical fatigue'!

Upon hearing that both the US FDA and the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare had issued permits, the atmosphere in the meeting room instantly became lively.

Zhou Zhiyuan, Gao Zhenhai, and Zhong Qiang all showed excited expressions.

This unexpected good news undoubtedly instilled great confidence in Chenji.

"Great!" Chen Bingwen cheered happily.

This is more than just two pieces of paper.

These are two crucial stepping stones!

The FDA approval means that Jinba instant concentrate powder has passed one of the world's most stringent food and drug regulatory systems and obtained a passport to enter the North American market.

The North American market, especially the United States, is one of the world's largest consumer markets with enormous potential.

The permission from Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare opened the door to the high-end market in East Asia.

The Japanese market has extremely high quality requirements, and the approval of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare is a very significant endorsement of quality.

More importantly, the successful market access in North America and Japan will pave the way for Jinba instant concentrate powder to enter other developed markets such as Europe and Australia.

Approvals from the FDA and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare are the most convincing "passports".

Without approval from the FDA and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, even if Coca-Cola and Suntory are willing to open their sales channels to Chen Ji's products, the products cannot be legally sold on the shelves.

"Director Fang!" Chen Bingwen immediately instructed, "Initiate the registration of the 'Pulse' trademark in North America, Europe, and Japan immediately."

We'll be filing the packaging design simultaneously; this time, we want to get all the preparations done upfront!

"Understood!" Fang Wenshan replied immediately.

The joy brought by the dual certificates did not go to Chen Bingwen's head.

The lesson of Singapore's "Jinba" turning into "Pulse" is still fresh in our minds.

Chen Bingwen knew that obtaining market access was only the first step; the key was whether the product's taste could be accepted by local consumers.

He looked at Fang Wenshan and Zhou Zhiyuan and said, "Director Fang, Professor Zhou, now that we have obtained approvals from the FDA and the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, our instant concentrated powder can enter the United States and Japan."

My idea is to recruit 500 typical consumers of different ages and professions in each of the four cities of New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Osaka to figure out the tastes and preferences of the US and Japanese markets.

And we conducted the first round of blind taste tests for the 'Pulse' energy drink!

"This time, we must let the data speak for itself!" Chen Bingwen emphasized. "We absolutely cannot rely on guesswork anymore!"
Professor Zhou, I'm leaving the sample preparation and flavor fine-tuning to you.

"Understood, I'll adjust the formula immediately and produce the first batch of blind test samples," Zhou Zhiyuan replied.

After the meeting, everyone went their separate ways.

Zhou Zhiyuan stayed behind and walked to the office with Chen Bingwen. On the way, Zhou Zhiyuan said, "Mr. Chen, there is a candidate who is very suitable for the perfumer you mentioned."

I previously contacted Isabella at Givaudan; she has extensive experience in beverage flavor development for the Asia-Pacific region. She's very interested in our Chen Ji and is considering switching jobs.

"How capable are you?" Chen Bingwen asked.

"A Frenchman, 35 years old, who has worked at Givaudan for ten years and has led the flavor design of several international brands' best-selling beverages."

"Highly skilled and possesses unique insights into beverage flavors."

Zhou Zhiyuan explained in detail, "She hopes to lead product development, rather than just provide technical support."

What are her salary expectations?

"HKD 6 to 8."

The number was lower than he had expected.

As the operations director, Ling Peiyi's annual salary is HK$10 plus a 1% profit-sharing option;
Fang Wenshan and Gu Yongxian's annual salary is HK$8;
As the head of research and development, Zhou Zhiyuan receives an annual salary of HK$8 plus rewards for research and development achievements.

In comparison, the status of a perfumer in a beverage company is second only to that of the technical director.

Chen Bingwen pondered for a few seconds and said, "We can notify her to come to Hong Kong Island for a face-to-face meeting."

We'll cover the airfare and accommodation. I want to meet them in person before deciding whether to recruit them.

“Okay, I’ll contact her right away!” Zhou Zhiyuan replied.

Three days later, at the R&D center on the top floor of the Weiye Building.

Chen Bingwen and Zhou Zhiyuan met Isabella, who had come from afar.

She was dressed in a sharp business suit, her blonde hair styled in a simple updo.

“Ms. Isabella, welcome to Hong Kong Island.” Chan Ping-man shook hands with her. “I am Chan Ping-man.”

"Mr. Chen, I've heard so much about you."

Isabella's English had an elegant French accent, but her tone was crisp and clear: "Professor Zhou has already introduced me to the development history of Chenji, which is very impressive."

If possible, I would love to join Chen Kee, a company with tremendous growth potential.

Seeing Isabella's frankness, Chen Bingwen smiled and said without beating around the bush, "Ms. Isabella, we don't look at resumes, we look at ability."

Please prepare a functional beverage flavor base that you believe is best suited for the Asian market. Ingredients are not limited, and you have one hour.

Isabella smiled slightly: "This is exactly the kind of assessment I've been looking forward to."

As she spoke, she walked to the lab table and skillfully put on her gloves.

Dozens of natural flavorings, concentrated fruit juices, acidulants, and sweeteners are displayed on the lab bench.

She first took several beakers, poured in grapefruit, lime and mango concentrate respectively, tasted them carefully and nodded slightly.

"The Asian market prefers a refreshing taste, but it also needs to retain enough sweetness to support the flavor of the functional ingredients," she explained as she worked, her technique precise and elegant.

She first prepared a base liquid, and after tasting it, she frowned slightly.

Next, she took a small amount of menthol and weighed out a dose of 0.008 grams using a precision balance.

"Too much will give a medicinal feeling, and too little will not provide a refreshing feeling."

She explained softly as she dissolved the menthol and added it to the base solution.

Over the next forty minutes, she added the various ingredients with precision.

A drop of lime essential oil enhances the refreshing sensation, a touch of carotene adjusts the color, and a carefully blended sweet and sour ratio makes the taste more balanced.

Each time she added something, she would give a detailed explanation to Chen Bingwen and Zhou Zhiyuan, who were watching her actions.

Finally, she divided a glass of pale orange liquid with a refreshing fruity aroma into two portions and handed them to Chen Bingwen and Zhou Zhiyuan.

"Mr. Chen, Professor Zhou, please try 'Dawn Vitality'."

Its core design concept is: a refreshing citrus scent to awaken the senses, and a very low dose of menthol to provide a cool, morning breeze-like sensation, avoiding any irritation.

The sweet and sour ratio is well-balanced, with a clean aftertaste and no artificial flavoring.

Chen Bingwen took a bite.

The initial taste is a bright, sweet and sour grapefruit flavor, with the slight tartness of lime adding another layer of complexity. A barely perceptible coolness spreads through the throat, truly refreshing and invigorating without any burden.

After tasting it carefully, Zhou Zhiyuan nodded: "The flavor balance is very good, with distinct layers, and it should be very popular."

“Very good.” Chen Bingwen put down his cup. “Ms. Isabella, your ‘Dawn Vitality’ proves your strength.”

We warmly welcome you to join Chenji R&D Center as Chief Flavor Designer.

Annual salary of HKD 7, responsible for flavor architecture design, innovation and quality control of all product lines.

Report directly to Professor Zhou.

Isabella said happily, "Thank you, Mr. Chen! I accept this position."

“Your first task,” Chen Bingwen continued, “is to work with Professor Zhou to analyze blind test data from the US and Japan, and to customize exclusive flavor profiles for North America and Japan for ‘Pulse’ instant powder.”

"Understood!" Isabella immediately got to work.

Seeing that Isabella readily accepted the task, Chen Bingwen added, "However, Ms. Isabella, please understand."

The North American and Japanese markets are crucial to Chen Ji, and are also important markets for the globalization of the 'Pulse' brand.

As the head of research and development, Professor Zhou will oversee the overall direction and technical feasibility of the flavor scheme.

You will be responsible for providing professional flavor design suggestions and flavor application solutions, and working with Professor Zhou to analyze blind test data.

The final decision rests with Professor Zhou and me.

These words clearly defined Isabella's work authority.

Isabella showed no displeasure upon hearing this; instead, she nodded in understanding: "Of course, Mr. Chen."

I am fully aware of the risks involved in launching a new product. I will fully cooperate with Professor Zhou, providing professional support to ensure that the flavor profile is both innovative and meets market demands.

Chen Bingwen was very satisfied with this answer.

He doesn't need a domineering artist, but a partner who can integrate into the team and solve problems with professional skills.

(End of this chapter)