Rebirth in Hong Kong: From Dessert Shop to Industrial Empire

Chapter 114 Test (Seeking monthly votes and recommendations to continue reading)
On Hong Kong Island, Chan Ping-man is making preparations in advance for a potential order of 500,000 packages.

Meanwhile, after obtaining the samples of Jinba instant powder, Wang Jianjun and his team returned to the mainland without stopping.

The Jinba instant powder was of utmost importance, and they dared not delay in the slightest.

Therefore, after receiving the test samples from Chenji, they went directly to a well-equipped base in Guangdong Province.

They intend to use soldiers to conduct live-action simulation tests in a jungle environment similar to that of the southwestern border region.

The back mountain of the base was chosen as the testing ground, where the vegetation is dense and the terrain is complex.

The test participants were a highly skilled reconnaissance team, whose members possessed top-notch physical fitness and unwavering willpower.

They were divided into two groups, A and B.

Group A used "Jinba Instant Powder", while Group B, as the control group, used ordinary glucose powder.

The test used a double-blind design, so neither the team members nor most of the on-site commanders knew which group was using the real sample.

The first test was extreme endurance and marching with a load.

On the day of the test, the two teams carried 30 kilograms of standard combat load and marched for more than ten hours on a mountain route simulating a jungle.

Halfway through the journey, the team members were soaked to the bone, breathing heavily, and their steps were noticeably heavy.

During the rest stop, the commander ordered the troops to replenish their energy.

Team members from both Group A and Group B took out the aluminum foil packets that had been distributed to them, poured the powder into their water bottles, quickly dissolved it in cold water, and drank it down in large gulps.

About ten minutes later, changes began to appear.

The team members from Group A gradually calmed down, and their previously unfocused eyes regained focus.

Although the soreness in my muscles persisted, a clear sense of "coming back to my senses" dispelled the confusion and intense drowsiness in my mind.

In Group B, apart from a few exceptionally strong players, most of the members remained slumped on the ground, looking dejected.

"It felt like a cool breeze rushed to the top of my head, which cleared my mind and relieved some of my fatigue."

After the test, a member of Group A said to the observer who was recording the test results.

The second test was a long-term infiltration and alert test.

Teams A and B need to remain absolutely silent in their concealed positions within the designated area and observe continuously for more than 24 hours.

This kind of long-term, uninterrupted vigilance and covert operation is the ultimate test of a soldier's willpower and alertness.

It's better during the day, but around 2 or 3 a.m., the body's functions are at their lowest.

Fatigue and drowsiness will come like a tide, making it extremely difficult to concentrate.

The team members in Group A, who drank the Jinba instant powder solution, once again outperformed those in Group B.

For a week, Wang Jianjun and his team conducted multiple rounds of rigorous tests on Jinba instant concentrated powder, covering various subjects and simulating real-world conditions.

The conclusion was that Jinba instant concentrated powder can quickly relieve fatigue, stabilize mood, and enhance soldiers' endurance.

"This stuff works even better than I expected."

One of the technicians involved in the testing and evaluation couldn't hide his surprise, saying, "It's not a stimulant and won't make people overly excited."

It's more like a highly efficient energy buffer, stabilizing a person's state at a high level and delaying the onset of collapse.

This is of great significance for units that need to maintain combat effectiveness for extended periods!

"I will report to my superiors immediately and try to get the Jinba instant concentrated powder to the front line as soon as possible!"

After receiving a positive response from the technicians, Wang Jianjun immediately set off for Beijing.

Nan Hua Trading Office, Singapore.

Ling Peiyi put down the phone, let out a long sigh of relief, and couldn't hide her excitement.

She had just finished a call with Chen Hongfa, the owner of "Hongfa Beverages" in Johor, Malaysia, and finalized the last detail of their collaboration.

In just two weeks, the explosive growth of "Pulse" in the Singapore market has ignited the enthusiasm of distributors throughout Southeast Asia.

The phone lines of distributors in Malaysia and Indonesia nearly overwhelmed Lin Wenxiong's office.

But Ling Peiyi kept Chen Bingwen's strategy firmly in mind: not to do simple distribution, but to build a platform and a rule-maker!
She and her team worked tirelessly, following the framework of the "franchise bottling model" proposed by Chen Bingwen, to find suitable bottling plant partners in Singapore and Johor, Malaysia.

Singapore is a relatively easy option.

"Sin Chew Foods" is located in the Jurong Industrial Area. The owner, Lee Kok Tung, is a third-generation Chinese businessman whose family has been running a food factory for many years.

The factory is of medium size and has one Krones PET bottle hot filling line and one Tetra Pak aseptic filling line. The equipment is well maintained and the workers are skilled.

More importantly, Li Guodong is a pragmatic person who is very optimistic about the future of Chenji's "Pulse" brand. Although he feels pressured by the strict quality control standards proposed by Chenji, he expressed his willingness to fully cooperate with the transformation.

After several rounds of negotiations, the two sides reached an agreement.

Sin Chew Foods became Tan Kee's "franchised bottling plant" in Singapore.

Chen Ji provides "Pulse" concentrated powder, production process standards, brand authorization, and market strategy guidance.

Sin Chew Foods is responsible for diluting, filling, and packaging according to standards, as well as local warehousing and supplying to its primary distributor, Nan Wah Trading.

Chenji dispatched technical and quality control personnel to the factory for supervision.

The choice of Johor, Malaysia, is of greater strategic significance.

Hong Fa Beverages is located in Johor Bahru, just across a bridge from Singapore. The owner, Chen Hongfa, is from Chaozhou and started his business in the rubber industry before transitioning to beverage OEM manufacturing.

The factory area is large, and the equipment is relatively old. It mainly produces carbonated beverages, but it has the advantage of ample space, lower labor costs, and very convenient logistics coverage throughout Malaysia and Sumatra, Indonesia.

Chen Hongfa strongly identifies with Chen Ji's brand and business model and is eager to transform the business.

Ling Peiyi was attracted by Hongfa's potential and geographical location.

After three rounds of arduous negotiations, Hongfa Beverages finally became Chen Ji's "franchised bottling plant" in parts of Malaysia and Sumatra, Indonesia.

Chen Ji also provides concentrated powder, standards, brand authorization, and guidance.

Hongfa is responsible for upgrading the existing production lines to meet standards for filling production and for supplying distributors in designated areas of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Chenji also dispatched technical and quality control personnel.

The two bottling plants, one in the south and one in the north, cover the core market areas of Southeast Asia.

The Singapore factory ensures rapid response to both the local and high-end markets in Singapore.

The Johor Hong Fa plant is responsible for production capacity coverage and cost optimization in a wider area, including Malaysia and northern Indonesia.

With this, Chen Ji's "dual-factory layout" in Southeast Asia has taken initial shape!
"Mr. Chen, I am Ling Peiyi."

After reaching preliminary agreements with two franchised bottling plants, Ling Peiyi called Chen Bingwen's office in the Weiye Building to report on her recent work.

Chen Bingwen was very pleased to hear that Ling Peiyi had reached preliminary agreements with two bottling plants.

This means that the sales of 'Pulse' in Southeast Asia have completely broken free from the high-cost, low-efficiency model of long-distance transportation of finished products from Hong Kong Island.

From then on, all that was needed was to periodically ship the 'Pulse' concentrated powder, which had been significantly reduced in weight and volume, in containers.

Not only did logistics costs plummet, but more importantly, it completely avoided the high cross-border tariffs on finished beverages.

As one factor declines while the other rises, the structure of landed costs will undergo a fundamental change.

This gives Pulse terminals tremendous flexibility and competitiveness in pricing, making them much more confident in dealing with price wars from local brands or in launching proactive market offensives.

"Director Ling, well done!" Chen Bingwen praised without reservation. "The dual-factory layout, based on the core and radiating to the surrounding areas, is a very prudent move."

I've assigned Zhong Qiang to lead the technical and quality control team; they'll be flying to Singapore tomorrow!
Zhong Qiang will be in charge of the Xingzhou factory, and he will arrange capable technical personnel to go to the Hongfa factory.

Tell them that the standards are ironclad rules, and there is no room for compromise!

“I’m relieved that Zhong Qiang is here!” Ling Peiyi on the other end of the phone visibly breathed a sigh of relief when she heard that Chen Bingwen had sent Zhong Qiang to lead a team to Singapore. “I have a preliminary understanding of the technical foundation of both factories. The Singapore factory has a good foundation and can improve quickly.”
Hongfa plant has great potential, but it requires a lot of effort to upgrade.

"As soon as Brother Zhong and his team arrive, they can immediately begin a comprehensive assessment and develop a renovation plan."

“Yes,” Chen Bingwen emphasized, “the standards cannot be lowered, and the speed cannot be slowed down.”

The Southeast Asian market is heating up, and distributors are eagerly awaiting orders, so production capacity must catch up as soon as possible.

In addition, I completely agree with your suggestion to establish a branch in Southeast Asia.

Singapore is ideally positioned as the regional headquarters.

We'll rent an office floor as the headquarters for Chenji's Southeast Asia branch. From now on, all matters related to concentrated powder supply, brand management, market coordination, financial settlement, and legal compliance will be centrally managed by the Southeast Asia branch.

“Mr. Chen, the company’s business in Southeast Asia is still in its early stages. I plan to stay here for a while longer to sort out the Southeast Asian branch and the work here before returning to Hong Kong Island.”

Knowing that the company is currently short-staffed, especially lacking in management personnel, Ling Peiyi volunteered to stay in Singapore.

"Great! Director Ling, with you in charge in Singapore, I can feel much more at ease."

Chen Bingwen said with relief, "I will have Vincent Fang temporarily share more of the burden at the Hong Kong Island headquarters."

Your core task over there is to completely integrate the franchised bottling model and the branch office operation system, making it the standard template for our future global expansion!

"Understood, Mr. Chen. I will do my best."

After hanging up the phone, Chen Bingwen rubbed his temples.

Chenji is moving faster and faster, but its talent pool is constantly holding it back.

With Chen Ji's Southeast Asian branch about to open, Ling Peiyi is stationed in Singapore, while Zhong Qiang is leading a team to overcome difficulties at the Xingzhou and Hongfa factories, which has temporarily stabilized the situation.

But this is only one corner of Southeast Asia.

In the North American market, the blind testing plan submitted by Vincent Fang has been launched, and consumer feedback data from New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, and Osaka is being continuously transmitted back to the R&D center.

Isabella and Zhou Zhiyuan's team are working day and night to analyze data and adjust the flavor formula.

Once the North American version of "Pulse" instant powder is finalized, market promotion is imminent. Who will explore that larger, more mature, and more competitive market?

Are we hoping that Vincent Fang can go in person?
Or perhaps he himself would personally take the lead?

The Japanese market should not be overlooked either.

The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has already obtained the approval, and Suntory's distribution channels are open. However, to truly penetrate the mainstream channels in Japan and establish brand awareness for "Pulse," a strong leader who understands both the rules of the Japanese market and is well-versed in the operation of fast-moving consumer goods is needed.

Currently, the Hong Kong Island headquarters doesn't even have a marketing director who can step away from the situation!
Europe is completely blank.

Although Nestlé received the $50 patent licensing fee, it was only for the bottle caps.

Chenji has yet to fully tap into Europe's vast functional beverage market.

If we want to expand in the future, we will need a team of elite personnel for every step, from market research and channel negotiations to brand establishment and localized operations.

(End of this chapter)