Looking at the materials Feng Yu had prepared long ago, Zhang Ruiqiang flipped through them one by one. Everything that needed to be prepared was ready, but it seemed that the general manager of this company wasn't the person in front of him.
"Who is Feng Xingtai, and why isn't he here?"
"That's my father. He's out contacting business. Director Zhang, is there anything else you need?"
"No, everything is fine. Fill out this form, and leave the materials here. Come back in a week to pick them up."
Feng Yu felt a bit disappointed that he wasn't being challenged, which would have made it easier for him to find ways to build a relationship. But at the same time, he thought it was normal. If Director Zhang didn't have a good reputation, how could he have risen to such a high position?
Leaving the Department of Foreign Economic and Trade, Feng Yu felt very cheerful. With the export procedures in place, his company would start making big money!
Feng Yu sent the young men in his company out to conduct market research. Not sure what market research was? No problem, just go to various markets and stores and ask what Soviet goods are popular or what Soviet goods people can't buy.
Although these young men lacked experience, they were willing to work hard and were quite clever. Unfortunately, after sending them out, Feng Yu regretted it.
The large warehouse was now empty except for him, with no one to talk to. Looking at the empty office, there wasn't even a TV, and it was stiflingly hot with no breeze. Feng Yu had to muster his energy and start writing the company regulations.
At this moment, inspiration struck, and ideas flowed like a fountain. One hundred and eight clauses weren't enough; would one thousand and eight be too much?
When Feng Yu was writing the 368th clause, the young men returned, all drenched in sweat. It was just early summer, and the weather was already so hot.
"Let's buy a few electric fans tomorrow. This weather is stifling." Feng Yu muttered.
"Manager Feng, electric fans are expensive and use a lot of electricity. We can just use palm fans." One of the young men felt embarrassed. Last month, they didn't do much work, and in the second half of the month, they were idle every day. Manager Feng still gave them 100 yuan in wages. Where could he find such a good person? He had to save money for him.
Feng Yu blinked: "How much do electric fans cost?"
"The cheapest ones in the store cost over 100 yuan, and the better ones cost 400 to 500 yuan."
What? Electric fans are so expensive now? Electric fans don't require much technology, and there must be thousands of factories that can produce them. Why haven't prices come down?
"Indeed, I just bought one for my home a few days ago. It's big and has a swivel function, all metal. When it turns, the wind is very strong."
Wait, all metal? So a single electric fan must weigh at least a dozen kilograms. Steel isn't cheap now, no wonder electric fans are so expensive. The material cost is high.
But are the manufacturers all crazy? Why use steel? There's plastic now, which is light and cheap. Wouldn't the cost be much lower?
"Da Li, do we have any factories in Ice City that produce electric fans?"
Everyone looked at him, leaving Feng Yu puzzled.
"Our factory produces electric fans. They are very durable. The one at my home has been used for six years, and except for being a bit noisy, it has no problems."
Oh, I forgot they are all children of factory workers. An electric fan that lasts six years, no wonder they can't make money!
"Who among you knows the factory leadership?"
Everyone looked at Wu Zhigang. No way, is Wu Zhigang the child of a factory leader?
"My uncle is the director of the second workshop, so he's a leader. But now the second workshop works one day and rests two days. Even if they produce more, they can't sell it."
"Let's go visit your uncle. I have a big order for them!"
"Auntie, this is my friend?" Wu Zhigang's aunt sighed. This naughty boy, coming just when it's mealtime. You come to freeload, and you bring a friend. The factory isn't doing well, and your uncle has been on half pay for months. You still act like you're a kid.
"Auntie, hello. We're here to see Director Zhao." Feng Yu gave what he thought was his most charming smile.
"Xiaogang, you're here. Haven't eaten yet, right? Come and eat, the food is almost ready." Director Zhao was sitting on the sofa watching TV. Seeing his nephew bring a friend, he thought they were fighting again and hiding at his place.
But that's not right, why are they carrying cigarettes and alcohol? Where did this kid get the money? Did he steal something from the factory and sell it?
"Director Zhao, hello. I am Feng Yu, the vice president of Taihua International Trade Company. I came today to discuss some business with you."
Director Zhao stared at Feng Yu, stunned. What did this kid say? He's the vice president of an international trade company? How old is he?
"Sit down. What do you want to buy? Let me tell you, the factory won't sell anything to you at a discount!"
Feng Yu smiled, "I want to buy a batch of electric fans."
"Electric fans? How many?"
"Ten thousand for the first batch."
"How many? Ten thousand? No problem, I'll deliver them to you within ten days!" Director Zhao was delighted. Selling ten thousand electric fans would secure the factory's wages for this month.
"Director Zhao, don't be too hasty. I don't want the electric fans your factory currently produces. I want smaller, lighter ones."
The electric fans produced by the factory were all standing fans, over a meter tall and very heavy. Feng Yu wanted small table fans, and he wanted to replace all non-essential parts with plastic, especially the blades, to make them lighter and cheaper.
"Smaller, lighter? What do you mean?"
"Use plastic for everything except where steel is necessary, like the blades. And they should be about 30 to 40 centimeters tall, with a smaller motor." Feng Yu described it while gesturing with his hands.
"Who would buy such a thing? The wind won't even reach your face, and it won't be durable."
Feng Yu smiled, "You don't need to worry about that, Director Zhao. Just tell me if you can make them. How much would each one cost? I'll order ten thousand."
Director Zhao hesitated. They could make them, but would it be profitable? Wouldn't it be a low-quality product that would ruin their state-owned factory's reputation?
"I need to report this to the leadership."
"Director Zhao, the workshop can't even pay wages now, right? I've heard that the civilian products produced by our factory are selling less and less. Look at this table, there's not even any meat. You don't need to worry about whether I can pay. Ask Gangzi and my brother-in-law how much they earn each month."
Wu Zhigang cooperated, "Uncle, I earn 100 yuan a month, and there's a bonus at the end of the month. I also get free meals and accommodation!"
Director Zhao also cooperated, showing surprise, "You earn 100 yuan a month?" The average wage in their factory was less than 100 yuan!
What kind of trading company is this? It seems they really have money. He needed to report this to the leadership quickly; the workers were waiting for their wages.
"I'll go to Factory Manager Li's house right now. You eat first, don't wait for me!"
PS1: A classmate once said that when they were kids, they often stole things from the factory to sell for money to buy ice cream.
PS2: Can I get more recommendation votes? Lao Si wants to stay on the new book ranking list longer.
PS3: Tomorrow, there will be three updates. The first one at midnight, and the other two at the usual times.