Twenty years of cold chain

Hu Shutong had already learned the general outline of Weihui's vehicle refrigeration project from Qi Zhendong. Chambers had invested equal capital in both of his sons, and each of them was starting a new company. While it seemed to be mostly for the purpose of reconciling family matters, Chambers' move was actually quite farsighted.

ZOLES represents a long-established container car manufacturer, and the industry's competitive rules are still the same. If ZOLES takes the lead in expanding and innovating, seeking a new situation, it will inevitably be isolated by the industry.

Moreover, internally, Zhonglesi is now somewhat cumbersome and difficult to improve. It can only follow the established procedures year after year, like an elderly person who has lost all vitality.

In that case, new technologies and solutions can be vigorously promoted by young people who can take the lead. Even if things don't go smoothly, established brands will be there to back them up. There's no need to play chess in front of you every time you hold a meeting.

More importantly, it's time to determine who is better between these two brothers.

Ever since Hu Shutong returned to Mingyuan, Qian Guowei's invitations have been nonstop. However, Hu Shutong's affairs have piled up, and this day he finally had time to meet this young master of Zhonglesi.

This was the first time Hu Shutong had ever stepped into a Western restaurant since he was a child, and it was there that he met Qian Guowei.

As his name suggests, Qian Guowei had never seen such a standard square face before. His skin was rather dark, and he was dressed casually with no accessories, making it hard to associate him with the son of a big company.

Qian Guowei brought his own red wine and ordered fish soup, steak, braised meat, and cold dishes. Hu Shutong had somewhat mixed feelings about Zhonglesi, making it difficult for him to remain calm.

Hu Shutong knew that Qian Guowei's search for him was all about the plan to reduce weight and increase space. He didn't intend to keep the plan a secret, but he was still unsure how to discuss it with Zhonglesi.

"Expert Hu..."

"Mr. Qian, you flatter me. Just call me Xiao Hu."

"Then I'll still call you Shutong," Qian Guowei chuckled dryly. "If you consider me part of Zhonglesi, then nothing can be discussed today. How about we bypass Zhonglesi and you treat me as Weihui's boss?"

Hu Shutong smiled and said, "Either is fine. Don't we always have to discuss the details of the plan before deciding on the money?"

"Yes and no. The plan is good, but the key question is, who will use it?"

Hu Shutong pondered repeatedly. Qian Guowei kept explaining that he was "setting up his own business," but things seemed to be different from what he had thought.

"To be honest, Weihui almost got established. Do you know why?"

Hu Shutong didn't know how to respond to this, so he just smiled and waited for Qian Guowei to continue. However, he had some doubts in his heart. According to the information he had received, this Weihui had already been listed.

"But this doesn't affect the progress of anything. The factory and everything that needs to be built are being built. It's just that on the day I registered the company, I suddenly had a whim to do something with you, Shutong."

"Please go ahead, Mr. Qian."

"I don't just want a solution to reduce weight and increase space; I want all your solutions for the refrigerated truck and container truck industry. In other words, I want to start a business with you."

These words shocked Hu Shutong. "What does President Qian mean?"

"We invite you to invest your technology as equity."

Hu Shutong fell silent, his mind racing with thoughts. He was completely unprepared for something like "technology as equity." Qian Guowei's demands were clear: he wanted Hu Shutong to become an original shareholder and to entrust him with all the technology, including weight reduction, capacity expansion, and all future improvements.

Moreover, this also means his first real pot of gold, a huge sum of money he had never imagined before.

Hu Shutong's hesitation made Qian Guowei frown. "Shutong, if it were a fully refrigerated truck manufacturer, you probably would have already agreed."

"Mr. Qian, you misunderstand. I just hadn't thought about it."

There is one path that Hu Shutong has always been clear about: from second-hand container semi-trailers to fully assembled refrigerated trucks, from cold storage plates to built-in refrigeration units, and from a variety of sizes to compliance. But this takes time. You can't expect a company that originated from a container truck manufacturer to suddenly change its ways and turn the tables on its competitors.

If the path of cold storage is about casting a wide net to achieve collaboration, then the path of refrigerated trucks is about more refinement and stricter regulations—it's a gradual process. And if you participate in it yourself, even having decision-making power, it's no longer the frustrating experience of proposing solutions and seeking approval from others.

"Weihui's registered capital is 500,000 yuan. You hold 100,000 yuan, which is 20% of the shares. How about that?"

"Mr. Qian, I can't come up with 100,000."

Qian Guowei looked confident, as if he had already thought it through. "Your weight reduction and space-increasing plan can be taken to an appraisal agency for intellectual property evaluation. Based on the value of that plan, it should be valued at at least 100,000. That is the technological achievement, and you can use it as your investment."

Hu Shutong is a highly skilled technical expert, and he is very valuable in the eyes of his boss and peers. However, he is worthless in the eyes of the industrial and commercial departments because the focus of equity investment is on the results.

Qian Guowei's actions can be accurately described as "equity incentives," transferring the company's valuation to create a 20% capital contribution obligation, which is essentially equivalent to gifting equity. As for future investments, that's another matter entirely.

These procedures were clearly not something Hu Shutong needed to worry about; Qian Guowei only needed his nod.

Although it was their first meeting, Qian Guowei's sincerity was astonishing. The matter was transformed from a plan into a person, which stemmed from his absolute approval of Hu Shutong.

Hu Shutong has his own methods when it comes to refrigerated trucks, and he has long been considering product improvements.

"Thank you for your trust, Mr. Qian."

Qian Guowei raised his glass, beaming with delight, "With you on the team, nobody can stop us!"

This path may be dazzling, or it may be difficult and arduous, but the path of cold chain is one of adventure, and no one can cheat the way. Where does the "mobile cold storage" lead? Why not explore it for yourself!

……

I've loved cold chain logistics for twenty years.