industrial overlord

Chapter 601 Challenge the windmill
Khedira walked around the exhibition hall and found dozens of executives from major manufacturers he knew, trying to convince them to pay attention to the threat posed by Chinese companies.What made Khedira feel frustrated was that almost none of the executives of the manufacturer accepted his opinion. Everyone agreed that Khedira's ideas were purely unfounded.

"Mr. Khedira, you should know that Japanese companies have posed the same threat to us in the past, but in the end they could not replace us. This market is very large, whether it is Japanese or Chinese, everyone It is impossible to monopolize the market."

This is the answer that Khedira received the most. Even those companies whose products have been competed by Chinese manufacturers are still very optimistic about the prospects.Isn’t that right? European companies have been in the equipment market for 200 years. During this period, the rise of the United States, the Soviet Union, and Japan has not affected the profits of European companies. A China that has just escaped poverty , How can it make Europe?
This may be the last of the optimism in Europe.In fact, the decline in Europe has already appeared, and the superficial prosperity in the market is only from the decoration of credit overdrafts and a large number of cheap Chinese goods, so that Europeans do not feel economic stagnation for a while.In a few years, the high level of debt will force European countries to adopt austerity fiscal policies. At that time, the debt crisis that once befallen South America and Southeast Asia will fall on the heads of Europeans.

Khedira is undoubtedly a person with foresight. Unfortunately, as the old saying goes, only a few people grasp the truth, and the power of a few people cannot compete with the majority.

With disappointment, Khedira returned to his booth, called Frederick over, and asked him: "Frederick, I want to ask you, if you are an official of the World Bank, what would you do about For this project of the Equator Thermal Power Plant in the Republic of Goma, would you choose our ALK equipment or the Chinese equipment?"

Frederick said: "Mr. Khedira, I have carefully studied the technical materials of the Chinese, and also went to their booth to communicate with their technicians. I feel that their equipment is better than ours in terms of quality. They are slightly inferior, and surpass us in performance, so the overall level is similar to ours. But their advantage is that the price is more than 10% cheaper than ours, and the promised equipment delivery period and construction period are much shorter than ours.”

"Chinese people have a kind of desperate energy in work." Khedira said, "I still heard from my father that we Germans used to be like this, but now it's no longer possible. Our engineers, if there are no two When you drink coffee for hours, it is said that you lose your inspiration and cannot work normally."

"Uh...Mr. Khedira, industrial design is a very energy-intensive thing..." Frederick began to explain awkwardly. In fact, he is the kind of engineer who draws drawings for a while and then rushes to drink some coffee. , which is not uncommon in German companies.

"I know, I know." Khedira hurriedly interrupted Frederick. He knew that if he continued, he might lose another ally.It is almost impossible to persuade his compatriots to give up their superior living conditions and unite to compete with the Chinese. Now he is like a Don Quixote who independently challenges the windmill. In the eyes of everyone, He is definitely an alternative.

"Frederick, I mean, do you think we have another chance?" Khedira asked.

Frederick thought for a while and said: "Our only chance is to see if the Chinese understand the rules of the World Bank. In this regard, our experience is much richer than theirs."

Khedira shook his head and said, "I've thought about this too, but I just learned that Hanhua is recruiting experienced engineers from Europe on a large scale, including various project engineers who are proficient in international market rules. I think, They will defeat us with the European legions they have assembled."

"It's a really bad thing," said Frederick with an air of concern.However, in his heart, he didn't feel that this matter was anything special.

It's just a power plant project. It's just a few hundred million dollars. The ALK family has a big business. Do you still care about the gains and losses of these two projects?For similar projects in the past, when ALK and other Western manufacturers bid for bids, they could not guarantee that they would win every time. Why should they be so concerned this time?

It seems that this Khedira has suffered from the Chinese, leaving a shadow in his heart.Alas, as a sales director, how can you be so narrow-minded?This is not good... Frederick secretly criticized Khedira in his heart, but he didn't show it on his face.

Khedira was able to guess some of Frederick's thoughts from Frederick's casual answer. He warned: "I am not worried about the power plant in the Republic of Goma, but I am worried that the Chinese will start to get involved in the African continent. similar projects. According to their habits, once a gap is opened in a certain field, they will go all out to eat up this field and leave nothing to others. Therefore, we must stop China people get this project.”

"But, Mr. Khedira, how do you think we can stop them?" Frederick asked, spreading his hands.

"This matter has to start with Nuzama." Khedira said, "Frederick, you go and find Nuzama for me now."

"Okay, I'm willing to help you." Frederick had no choice but to leave his booth and search for Nuzama all over the exhibition hall.After a lot of difficulty, I found Nuzama at the booth of a British manufacturer. At that time, this man was tired of staying there and wanted to cheat some souvenirs.Frederick grabbed him and pulled him back to the ALK booth.

"Minister Nuzama, my old friend, I want to talk to you about your power plant, is that okay?" Khedira put on a smile on his face. , he is rarely so amiable.

Nuzama felt a little flattered, and quickly responded: "Of course, personally, I am very willing to cooperate with ALK, but, as you know, the World Bank..."

"Come on, let's talk inside."

Khedira let Nuzama into the negotiation room, closed the door again, then took two gift boxes from the shelf behind him, handed them to Nuzama, and said: "Minister Nuzama, we have had many years After the cooperation, these two Swiss watches are to thank you for your trust in ALK over the years, please accept it.”

"Oh, thank you so much, Mr. Khedira, I just need a watch... Well, my wife needs one too, this is very suitable." Nuzama's face smiled like a flower.In fact, the watches used as gifts in this kind of company are not too expensive. If they are too expensive, they will be suspected of bribery and will be prosecuted by law.But Nuzama is such a person, he will not refuse any bargain that can be obtained, even if it is just a signing pen, he will happily put it in his pocket and regard it as a major gain.

Khedira also knew about Nuzama's habit, which was one of the reasons why he looked down on Nuzama.However, now he had to establish a united front with Nuzama, so he could only suppress all kinds of disdainful emotions in his heart.

"Minister Nuzama, I think you are very clear that in this world, the equipment produced by our Germans is the best, and the Chinese products are useless except for their cheap prices. If the Chinese occupy Africa If the thermal power equipment market is not available, then the overall level in Africa will undoubtedly be greatly reduced." Khedira said.

"Uh..." Nuzama began to falter, and while holding the two gift boxes tightly in his hands, he said: "Mr. Khedira, I really trust ALK products, but these two We communicated with World Bank officials the other day, and they are very inclined to choose Chinese products.

There are several power plants in China built with loans from the World Bank, and these power plants use equipment made in China. The World Bank has evaluated them and considered them technically qualified.Therefore, the World Bank suggested that we choose Chinese products. They believed that this would allow more effective use of loan funds. "

"Minister Nuzama, there are actually many ways to make the Chinese lose this project. Are you interested in hearing it?" Khedira decided not to make circles with Nuzama, and he needed to solve this problem directly.

Nuzama pretended to be embarrassed and said: "But in this way, we will also suffer losses. You know, the price quoted by the Chinese is much cheaper than yours. If we use Chinese equipment, we can spend at least less. $2000 million. $2000 million, isn't it..."

Speaking of this, he glanced at the two gift boxes containing watches, and the subtext was very clear: You Khedira can get this project if you want, but you can't send me away with two cheap watches right?

"We are going to launch a project to help children in Africa learn to read, with a budget of 100 million US dollars. Can Minister Nuzama recommend a suitable person to be the person in charge of implementing this project in Africa?" Khedira said.

"Of course." Nuzama cheered up like chicken blood, "I think an education expert, he is my... er, my relative. I can guarantee that his ability and character are Totally trustworthy. I would very much like to recommend him as the head of your aid program."

"Okay, we've decided on this matter. After you go back, let your...education expert send us his resume, and we will take care of this matter." Khedira Said, "Minister Nuzama, can we talk about the power plant first?"

"Yes, yes, this is an important matter. I am very interested in hearing Mr. Khedira's suggestion." Nuzama readily agreed.

(End of this chapter)