Twenty years of cold chain

Hu Shutong didn't understand why Li Zhou wanted such a large venue, but if Dr. Li didn't want to talk about it, asking further wouldn't yield any results. Coordinating this was a huge challenge for Hu Shutong; he couldn't get involved in the venue's zoning, so he could only try to find solutions from the suppliers of the specific exhibiting equipment.

After much deliberation, it became clear that this matter required coordinating multiple exhibitors.

Only by compressing the overall exhibition space for all parties can we ultimately achieve the goal of reaching 2,000 square meters for Da Ye. Hu Shutong suddenly realized that Jiangning Industry and Trade would definitely bring out their automated defrosting equipment this time. Through this platform, they could not only gain brand awareness but also conduct actual order negotiations.

This became Hu Shutong's main strategy, and he coordinated with various equipment suppliers one by one.

The only way to secure the space needed for Da Ye is to integrate and recombine the spaces of each company. In fact, the convention center is a large canvas.

Hu Shutong couldn't do this himself, but that didn't mean someone else couldn't handle it. The person who claimed to have connections throughout the equipment industry happened to have a solution in his hands, and he absolutely couldn't refuse at this point. Moreover, the preparation process for the refrigeration exhibition was quite lengthy, and this matter wouldn't be resolved until after New Year's Day at the earliest, giving him plenty of time to make arrangements.

Li Zhou's expression and words that day lingered in Hu Shutong's heart for a long time. Of all the people he had met, Li Zhou was the most aloof, the most silent, and the most indifferent. He didn't know many people well, and the people around him were mostly people who had been with him for many years but still didn't know him well.

This man, who seemed unmoved by anything, uttered such fiery words, even resorting to profanity. His contempt for those who blindly worship foreign technology—what kind of pragmatist would he reveal? This was something Hu Shutong eagerly anticipated. Therefore, even if Qiu Shuanghu couldn't handle everything regarding the venue this time…

Hu Shutong will also think of other solutions.

The second phase of Yuncheng is under construction and, according to the current progress, will be officially put into operation by the middle of next year at the latest. Hu Shutong is stationed in Tongxing. Around the second phase of Yuncheng, many local manufacturers in Qingning frequently come and go in the park, and preliminary cooperation negotiations have already begun.

Liu Zhiying went to Ganzhou, while Meng Qiangqiang's industrial park had reached the stage of being established and received great attention from the local government, and was already quite large in scale from the very beginning.

This is not only a matter for Ganzhou, but also a visionary path discussed by Hu and Liu. Ganzhou has a strong demand for exports, and its modern cold chain logistics hub will undoubtedly shine brightly in the future. Furthermore, a high-speed artery of great significance to the Northwest is about to begin construction, making the future coordination between the two cold chain hubs particularly promising.

Hou Huan is right. Developing resources in the west is a major trend for many industries in the future, and this will once again become an opportunity for the development of the cold chain industry, because it means new targeted policies.

Few industries are as reliant on policy as the cold chain industry. It's no exaggeration to say that those who reach the top and secure substantial funding in this sector...

They are all people who are well-versed in policies and can even predict them.

Hu Shutong is undoubtedly one of the best among them. His entrepreneurial journey began with his earliest proposal for the development of modern logistics. Over the years, it was precisely because of his keen insight that he secured substantial financial support. Otherwise, given his family's circumstances of owning only three acres of irrigated land, his story would likely have been that of a typical tech professional.

The continuous support from cold chain policies surpasses that of any other industry. The reason is actually quite simple: the development of cold chain technology has lagged behind what it should be in this era. Unlike the telecommunications sector, where domestically produced large-screen mobile phones, once successfully developed, can immediately enter every household and comprehensively improve the user experience for the general public.

The difficulty of cold chain logistics lies in the fact that no one can lift up this large system.

Speaking of policy, it was a sunny morning when Hu Shutong received an email from Lei Xiaoxi.

This time, Hu Shutong was completely unsettled.

The official document titled "Opinions on Policy Measures to Promote the Healthy Development of the Logistics Industry" will not be mentioned much in the industry in the future; people prefer to call it the "Eight National Policies on Logistics".

Since the first mention of modern logistics in 04, more than seven years have passed. During this time, countless policies to revitalize the logistics industry have been introduced. Even so, people still look at this policy differently because it is so unique!

If you had eyes that could see the long river of time, you would find that it is the watershed of the logistics and cold chain industries, and the most significant stroke in the policy direction of this industry!

Costs and cold chain logistics are a recurring but unavoidable topic, as they are matters of vital importance. This time, the "Eight Measures for Logistics" have offered a clear turning point.

First, there's the tax reduction. The current business tax categorizes transportation and services into two main types: cold chain transportation and handling (classified as transportation, taxed at 3%), and cold chain warehousing (classified as services, taxed at 5%). This is a typical case of different taxes for the same industry. Following the implementation of the "Eight Measures for Logistics," it is hoped that a uniform 3% tax rate will be implemented.

Moreover, cold chain logistics suffers from double taxation. Once business is outsourced, it means that two parties pay the same tax. The logistics industry already has many links, which makes third-party and even fourth-party logistics companies pay more costs.

Therefore, in the context of the VAT reform pilot program, "differential payment" emerged in the logistics industry. Simply put, if a company earns 100 million in revenue but needs to pay 70 to a third party, it only needs to pay tax on the 30 difference.

Furthermore, measures such as reducing road and bridge tolls, addressing arbitrary charges and unauthorized checkpoints, implementing industrial electricity rates for all logistics and warehousing, prioritizing land use for logistics, and giving priority to the development of agricultural product logistics are all concrete steps. According to industry experts, the implementation of these eight national logistics policies could reduce transportation costs by as much as 10%!

Don't underestimate this seemingly small percentage; it represents a significant profit margin for cold chain companies. Storage and transportation costs account for 80% of the total. Many industrial parks that rely solely on warehouse rentals for their livelihoods, without ever mentioning vehicles, are well aware that once cold chain trucks are running, it's like an off-road vehicle navigating deep mud – every turn of the wheels is a costly waste.

The release of the eight national policies on logistics has given industry insiders a glimpse of an incredibly bright future. Looking back on this journey, it's somewhat like a song.

His opening was low and hoarse, like a middle-aged man who hadn't yet found his place in life, singing to himself as he strolled through the midnight hours. As he walked, accompanied by tall grass and a gentle breeze, seeing the dawn and hearing birdsong, he was infected by his surroundings, and his melody became a little lighter. Further on, he saw the brilliant morning light, and he saw many of his companions.

He began to sing the powerful chorus, conveying a profound sense of awe and grandeur, as if only through deep silence could one's voice resonate throughout the world, and only by rushing like clouds could one ignite lightning. Suddenly, the fear of the road ahead and the night ceased, for even the starry sky could bewitch the mountains and fields, and where there were lights and towers, there were people returning home.

Undoubtedly, our modern cold chain started late, and its changes are not so striking. It may take one or two years, or even three or four years, for people to notice any significant improvement.

But for those in the industry, for those who have a clearer understanding of the cold chain path, this is the best of times.

The golden age of cold chain logistics!

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.