Monday, September 26th.
"Old Zhang, how are things on your end? Do you need me to come over?"
"No major problems, but if you're not busy, you can come visit."
"Oh, by the way, I bought an apartment here, three bedrooms and one living room, fully furnished, hehe."
Tan Jincheng was stunned:
"What's going on? Last time I said I wanted to buy a house, you called me a moron, how come you bought one yourself?"
Zhang Xupeng looked at the busy employees, then walked outside:
"Hey, didn't I come too early? I had to stay in a hotel for two months, how could I afford that? So not long after I moved in, I thought about buying a house. I was going to tell you after I got the keys."
"Haha, at least you have some brains. I'll check after National Day, if I have time, I'll go over."
Tan Jincheng laughed heartily.
Zhang Xupeng sighed:
"Alas, today marks one year since we, brothers, made it ashore. A year ago, I never imagined having the situation I have now. Back then, all I wanted was to open a small restaurant."
Things like buying a house in Yangcheng, Zhang Xupeng hadn't even thought about a year ago, but a year later, he could easily buy one, and even the reason was so casual.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhang Xupeng also took a trip to Xiangjiang across the river, which was much more luxurious than the mainland and also a suitable place for spending.
Zhang Xupeng spent a lot of money, buying many gifts for his parents and himself, planning to take them home when he had a chance, something he wouldn't have dared to imagine before.
"It's good that you know. As long as you don't touch anything other than Huang's, you're set for life. Just focus on doing business and living your life."
Then Tan Jincheng added:
"Oh, right, I found a girlfriend, you should find one quickly too."
"Is it Gu Qingqing?"
Zhang Xupeng asked without surprise.
"That's right, it's her. You better hurry up. Next time you go home, your mom will definitely urge you to find a girlfriend."
"She's already urging me. You know, parents are really something. They were so strict when we were in high school, interrogating us if we even spoke a few words to a girl. Now they keep urging us, what's there to rush?"
"It's always like this. Alright, I need to work, won't talk to you anymore, hanging up."
After hanging up, Tan Jincheng couldn't help but smile.
Very good, Zhang Xupeng can now stand on his own, and knows how to adapt to situations.
As long as he doesn't get involved in anything he shouldn't, honestly doing business for a few years will give him financial freedom, and he won't have to worry for the rest of his life.
It seems it's time to find an opportunity to transfer the shares to him.
Let's wait until the end of this fiscal year.
As for the money from transferring the shares, Tan Jincheng has already decided: in addition to buying QQ and Maotai, he will establish or acquire a small battery company.
It's time to lay out plans for batteries.
Whether it's for e-bikes or future new energy vehicles, battery costs have always been a significant portion.
Currently, Flash-Ride's battery procurement accounts for about 30% of the cost.
If they could use their own batteries, even if they started with lead-acid batteries, the cost could drop significantly.
"Alas, what a pity, it's still a bit late."
If he had been reborn a few years earlier, establishing his own battery factory and assembly workshop, then e-bikes would truly be like foreign trade, and he would have pocketed all the years with the highest profit margins.
"Knock knock knock."
A knock on the door.
"Come in."
Zhang Xuhui pushed the door open, holding several reports.
"Boss, these are last month's payroll reports, I need your signature. Also, there's something else: a distributor in Yingzhou has called several times, hoping we can supply them with 200 units next month. Group Leader Wu asked me to tell you."
"Bring the payroll reports first, I'll sign this, then you can slowly tell me the rest."
Jinpeng Trading and Jinyi Industry have fewer staff, and salaries are paid on the 15th of the following month.
Flash-Ride's salaries are paid at the end of the following month.
With over 200 people across two production lines now, a month's salary is no small amount.
Holding off for half a month longer is beneficial, not only to ease financial strain but also to earn some interest.
"That's the thing, that company sold all 100 units this month yesterday. They're out of stock recently, so they're anxious."
Zhang Xuhui explained, and Tan Jincheng understood the reason.
The owner of this franchised store, named Little Zhao Electric Vehicle Franchise Store, actually thought of adding extra store promotions on top of the manufacturer's promotions during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, giving away items like rice, flour, and oil.
As a result, sales surged during the Mid-Autumn Festival holiday and the following days.
By last weekend, they had already sold out all their Flash-Ride inventory.
Clearing out inventory should have been a happy occasion, but Zhao Chuanbing was also stunned.
He only intended to try an additional promotion method, but didn't expect such a good response.
With less than a week until National Day, what should he do if the store runs out of stock?
So early this morning, Zhao Chuanbing called several times, urgently hoping that Flash-Ride could immediately arrange to send him next month's goods first, and also increased the order quantity from 100 units to 200 units.
"Haha, interesting, this boss is quite good at business, a double promotion."
In 2005, the business methods in some second and third-tier cities, most of these sole proprietors still operated with mindsets from the 1990s.
Customers would come to the store to buy things, quote prices, haggle, and at most receive a small gift.
As for specific promotional methods, they wouldn't do much planning.
Even in 2023, some individual businesses in small counties and rural areas still conduct business this way.
It's not that they can't think of these things; rather, they are reluctant.
Most individual businesses pay great attention to profit margins.
If an item can earn 10 yuan, they'll sell it to 10 people; but if they were to earn 8 yuan by selling it to 20 people, they would be somewhat unwilling.
Many times, this is their business mindset: they'd rather have fewer customers but earn more profit.
Of course, there's nothing wrong with that.
Zhao Chuanbing being able to come up with double promotions, sacrificing a portion of profit to increase sales, still shows a certain boldness.
"The credit rating is good, give them 200 units. Send them in two batches, send 100 units this time, and the rest after the 15th of next month."
"Also, ask Group Leader Wu to appropriately pay attention to this store, after all, it's the first store to sell out."
It has only been a little over a month since the official launch, and Flash-Ride already has distributors selling out of stock.
This is a very good phenomenon, indicating that e-bikes at this price and quality are still very popular in the market.
What a pity, the current factory area is only enough for two production lines; adding more would be too crowded.
Production capacity is currently Flash-Ride's most critical issue and must be resolved as soon as possible to make money quickly.
"Is there anything else?"
"Not for now."
Tan Jincheng nodded and said:
"Alright then, print out the sales reports for August and September for me."
It's time to visit the district government and see if they can secure land as soon as possible.
If not, at least get a larger factory building for themselves first.
Regardless, several more production lines must be added early next year.
Currently, Flash-Ride is sold in four cities across two provinces, with a total of 120 stores selling the Flash-Ride brand.
However, the maximum monthly production capacity is only 7,500 units, which clearly cannot guarantee each store's order quantity of 100 units per month.
Workshop orders are already scheduled until November, and now stores are running out of stock within the month, which must be taken seriously.
Based on the current 120 distributors ordering 100 units per month, a monthly production capacity of at least 12,000 units is needed.
The gap is still significant.
If they want to continue expanding, Flash-Ride Automotive's annual production capacity must reach at least 200,000 units next year.
Additionally, Tan Jincheng also wants to launch the Fengchi series next year.
Tan Jincheng intends to use this product, positioned for urban white-collar workers, to open the door to first and second-tier major cities and elevate brand awareness.
Furthermore, derivative products of e-bikes such as electric tricycles, electric golf carts, electric patrol vehicles, and tourist sightseeing vehicles must also be put into R&D as soon as possible.
While sales of these peripheral products may not catch up to e-bikes, they are equally indispensable.
This is the product matrix.
Once the product matrix is established, Flash-Ride can truly upgrade from a factory to an enterprise.
---
"Leader, you must help us think of a solution. Look at our sales, current production capacity simply can't keep up. Please approve a piece of land for us as soon as possible so I can build a factory quickly. This is also contributing to the district, after all."
Tan Jincheng, relying on his youth, spoke without much restraint, having been persistent here for over 10 minutes.
He repeatedly used the same phrases:
"We want to contribute to the district's fiscal revenue and employment, but we also urgently need the support of the leaders."
In short, he was like a sticky plaster.
Even when scolded, he would just smile, and with his still somewhat youthful face, it was truly amusing.
Leader Gu looked at Tan Jincheng helplessly and said:
"You rascal, you need to follow procedures, alright? You can't just demand it. Do you think I don't want to approve it for you as soon as possible?"
"Even if it's approved today, it would take at least half a year to build the factory, so it's still too late."
Tan Jincheng still smiled and said:
"One day earlier is one day earlier, we can produce an extra batch one day earlier!"
"Alright, alright, stop talking nonsense; how about this, there's a factory building of over 3000 square meters in the bonded zone, we'll approve it for your temporary use. Go follow the procedures with the secretary later, and not a single cent less on the rent, alright?"
"Ah? That's great! Thank you so much, Leader, you've solved our urgent problem! And please rest assured, we will absolutely operate legally and compliantly, and not cause any trouble for the leaders."
Tan Jincheng patted his chest and said.
He was waiting for that very sentence.
If he hadn't received the news, why would he have acted like a sticky plaster here?
A factory building of over 3000 square meters is actually still not quite enough, but it will have to do for now, just to get through next year.
"Hurry up and get out, I have other things to be busy with."
Leader Gu waved his hand, then added:
"Let's be clear first, next time I need you, you can't postpone like last time."
"Don't worry, Leader, I definitely won't refuse next time."
Tan Jincheng chuckled.
This was referring to a previous publicity event by the competent authorities, which wanted Tan Jincheng to participate and cooperate, but Tan Jincheng refused, citing that he was just starting out and his small, dilapidated factory wasn't worthy of such treatment.
Joking aside, although the annual production capacity is over 100 million, this is nothing compared to Tan Jincheng's ambition.
At this time, developing discreetly is the most useful approach.
As for now, first secure the factory building, agree to it for now, and then think of other ways if it doesn't work out later.
Definitely next time.
(End of chapter)