After Lin Zhichao returned to Hong Kong from abroad, he was delighted to find that spring had entered Hong Kong.
Although winter in Hong Kong is short, the cold and wet weather is still unpleasant.
During this trip, he inspected Europe, the United States, and Japan, which lasted more than 20 days. Based on the inspection, he discovered that world shipping has changed.
For example: European, American and Japanese countries are vigorously supporting the shipbuilding industry, and some European and American shipping companies have taken the opportunity to eliminate second-hand ships; European and American shipping companies are having a difficult time and are reducing their fleets.
Lin Zhichao is not worried about this situation.
Judging from the current situation: almost all freighters are being eliminated, and the proportion of oil tankers is rising; almost all European and American shipowners are being eliminated, and their high operating costs are the main reason.
In this way, most of Lin Zhichao's 68 'second-hand cargo ships' (720,000 tons deadweight) can be rented out on a long-term basis even if a large number of contracts expire in the second half of next year, but at a low price. These second-hand ships are expected to be eliminated one after another in the mid-1960s.
Currently, Global Shipping includes ships under construction with a total tonnage of 1.8 million tons.
include:
There are 68 second-hand cargo ships in operation, 1 new cargo ship of 10,000 tons, 10 new oil tankers (8 56,000 tons, 2 36,000 tons), 6 second-hand oil tankers (4 15,000 to 16,000 tons, 2 22,000 tons) Ton);
There are two 70,000-ton oil tankers and four 50,000-ton cargo ships under construction.
Last year, Global Shipping also built nearly 350,000 tons of new ships.
This year will be no exception. We will still invest in the construction of several new ships, which are expected to be 100,000-ton oil tankers.
Although there will be a three-year shipping winter starting next year, Hong Kong shipowners have low operating costs and price advantages, making it easier to obtain business. Although prices are a little lower, they are still making money. The demand for oil tankers is growing, so the situation is better than that of freighters. Much better.
The important thing is that if we want to retain customers well, we need a steady stream of new ships to be launched.
this day.
Lin Zhichao brought Ruan Dazu, the founder of Ruan Dazu Firm, to the site at No. 77 Des Voeux Road Central.
Des Voeux Road Central is currently a coastal street, opposite the 'Bus Terminal', but the land is leased to the bus company. In the future, the land opposite will naturally be used for building complexes such as the Transaction Center and the International Financial Center.
Therefore, the time to be close to the sea will be at least more than 20 years. The building built at 77 Des Voeux Road Central will be used as the 'Global Building' and the headquarters of Global Shipping, so it will be very ideal.
"Ruan Zeshi, my request is to build a first-class coastal Grade A office building here. The overall structure of the building adopts steel beam and steel column structure and curtain wall construction technology. Factors such as typhoons must be taken into consideration."
Ruan Dazu is a native of Xinhui, eastern Guangdong. He graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a major in architecture in his early years, and later received a bachelor's degree in architecture from the University of Liverpool in the UK. In the early 1950s, Nguyen Tat Cho Office was established, which is quite famous in the architectural design world.
After he heard Lin Zhichao's request, he was very excited at first, because such a building would bring great reputation and influence to the architect.
"Lin Sheng, if you use an integral steel structure and glass curtain wall, the materials will need to be imported from the UK, and the structural mechanics will need to hire British experts and use computers to calculate it."
Lin Zhichao said cheerfully: "I'll leave the matter to you. I just need to see the results. As for the design fees and construction fees, they are not a problem. The important thing is that this is the headquarters building of Global Shipping."
Ruan Dazu was immediately shocked. Global Shipping was a shipping giant in the world, so its headquarters building naturally attracted much attention. If he designs a first-class office building, it will be beneficial to both parties.
Then, Ruan Dazu asked: "I heard that the first, second, third and basement floors of Lin Sheng's Crocodile Shirt Building are all designed shops. What are Lin Sheng's requirements for this building?"
Lin Zhichao said: "The first floor and ground floor are designed as shops, connected by escalators, and the second and third floors are office buildings."
As a headquarters building, naturally we don’t want too many shops.
What's more, CK Properties also owns the Pedder Street 'Hong Kong Hotel' site, and will consider setting up a shopping mall on the lower floors.
Next, everyone talked about a lot of ideas and creativity about Global Tower.
Back to Cheung Kong Holdings.
Lin Zhichao was thinking while reviewing the drawings of the Yingzhi Building at No. 9 Zhaolong Street in his office.
The building built at No. 9 Zhaolong Street was called the 'Yingzhi Building' by Lin Zhichao, which literally means profitable real estate.
At present, all real estate companies in Hong Kong are called real estate companies. This is because in the early days, real estate in Hong Kong was for "rental purposes", so everyone called it real estate - buying properties.
Construction of Yingzhi Building will start in May and will be put into use in early 1960.
The design and construction of the 'Global Building' at 77 Des Voeux Road Central is expected to take three years and is expected to be put into use in the second half of 1961.
The former site of the Hong Kong Hotel on Pedder Street has also entered the resumption stage and will be demolished in the second half of the year. It is expected to build a 22-storey building with an area of about 15,000 square feet per floor. The name of the building will be 'Central' Construction of the World Trade Center began at the end of the year and was put into use at the end of 1960 or early 1961.
Four Grade-A office buildings in Central, Hong Kong, a 'hotel + shopping mall' in Kowloon, and a department store in Sing Tao, a total of six commercial projects, have started construction within two years.
If it weren't for Lin Zhichao's sufficient financial strength, no one else would dare to even think about it, including British capital.
Of course, there are many commercial projects in Causeway Bay, and planning is expected to begin early next year (1959).
In terms of residential land and real estate, Changjiang Real Estate has absorbed 8 real estate and land in the market in just half a year, covering an area of about 200,000 square feet.
Everything developed according to Lin Zhichao's expectations.
Lin Zhichao attended the high-level meeting of Hong Kong Airlines. He does not work in this company. He is currently only a shareholder, including HSBC. HSBC simply did not ask, so only Lin Zhichao was left to attend the meeting.
It has been more than four months since the acquisition. Lin Zhichao attended every meeting, but he did not participate in speaking, and listened more and watched more.
Invisibly, this made the senior executives of Hong Kong Airlines think that Lin Zhichao was compromising with them. Only the British can manage the airline well, and the Chinese cannot manage it well.
Perhaps because of taking care of his boss's face, President Hill suddenly said to Lin Zhichao during the meeting: "Mr. Lin, do you have any good suggestions?"
The other senior executives all showed relaxed smiles, probably thinking that Lin Zhichao was incompetent!
I saw Lin Zhichao put down the paper and pen in his hand, and suddenly said seriously: "I have been studying at Hong Kong Airlines for more than four months, and I have always felt that everyone is a very good management talent. Although Hong Kong Airlines' profit last year was only 700,000 US dollars, at least There is also growth, maybe we are still far behind compared to other airlines, but I have seen progress."
As soon as the words fell, everyone did not react immediately. There was a smile on their faces, but they quickly froze. The co-author was trying to bully everyone!
Hill kept smiling and said: "Growth is a good thing, and it may soon bring higher profits to Universal."
The implication is that Lin Zhichao and HSBC are more or less regarded as just shareholders and not as bosses. Probably, I feel that both families are amateurs.
Lin Zhichao also said seriously: "Hong Kong's economy is growing rapidly, and the number of tourists coming to Hong Kong is also growing greatly."
For a moment, everyone understood that Lin Zhichao was saying that Hong Kong Airlines' profit growth could not keep up with the growth of the situation.
Hill could only respond: "Lin Sheng, do you have any good suggestions?"
Having said this, he could only put down his dignity and ask for advice; of course, he also had the idea of letting Lin Zhichao give up.
After all, if you can't give good advice, it means that your boss is just a layman, and everyone is a professional aviation person.
Lin Zhichao slowly opened a page in his notebook and said:
"I have been listening to the class for so long, and I do have two small suggestions that everyone can discuss."
"Generally speaking, Hong Kong Airlines is at a disadvantage in the face of competition from overseas airlines. However, it is often only when we are at a disadvantage that we can humbly think about how to surpass our opponents."
“My thoughts are service, service, and service again.”
"First, take our flight to Tokyo, Japan, as an example. Many of the guests are Japanese customers. Why should they see our Hong Kong flight attendants? For them, Japan Airlines uses local flight attendants wearing long-sleeved kimonos. , enough to attract them. They also said that the flight attendants of Korean Airlines are the colorful Korean costumes of Philippine Airlines. Therefore, if we want to attract airlines from these countries, we cannot use all local flight attendants, but should come from South Korea, Japan and the Philippines select stewardesses and try their best to suit the preferences of travelers from various countries in terms of language, lifestyle and customs, so that they can win universal praise."
After saying that, Lin Zhichao looked at everyone, meaning what is my first opinion?
After a long time, Hill finally took the lead in applauding, and then other senior executives also began to applaud, expressing their affirmation of Lin Zhichao's proposal.
Later, Hill said: "Mr. Lin's opinion is very good. The current routes to Seoul, Tokyo, and Manila are actually competing with local airlines. If stewardesses are selected in these places, the locals in the three places can Customers are more approachable.”
Seek truth from facts! If these people want to refute, they have to come up with a reason. After all, Lin Zhichao is still the boss.
Lin Zhichao immediately added: "Therefore, our airline should replace the special features of Hong Kong with the universal Asian style to show the difference from other airlines. They emphasize national characteristics, and we must emphasize the Asian style. For example, non-Tokyo On the route, there are Japanese flight attendants, Hong Kong flight attendants, Korean and Filipino flight attendants. In short, the main focus is 'Asian style'. Let's vote by a show of hands. If you agree, you can't shirk it."
After speaking, he raised his hand first, and then stared at Hill with his eyes.
When Hill saw this, he knew he had no reason not to raise his hand, so he raised his hand immediately.
As Lin Zhichao's eyes were fixed on every senior executive, everyone raised their hands.
Everyone couldn't help but sigh that the boss who could achieve such a huge undertaking was really a fool.
Lin Zhichao had been silent for four months, but now he successfully made a breakthrough in Hong Kong Airlines with just one suggestion.
Although Hill was a little reluctant, he still said: "Mr. Lin, do you have any other opinions?"
Under the eyes of everyone, Lin Zhichao nodded and said: "This opinion is also related to service! Sometimes when I fly, it's like eating something, but I can only eat the bread and snacks I brought with me. I'm thinking, if the airline is Why shouldn't a service company provide meals? If meals are provided, customers will feel very considerate and like God. Maybe they will remember our airline's delicious food and be willing to fly with Hong Kong Airlines every time!"
Hill immediately said: "Meals are provided on the plane, Mr. Lin!"
Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Of course I know, but it is a sales fee, and the food is only cold sandwiches and dried fruits. Who can fly? Most of them are people with certain assets. Of course they can get more Good treatment.”
Hill said: "You can't cook food on the plane, it's very dangerous!"
Everyone knew that Lin Zhichao would not make such a mistake, so they all looked at Lin Zhichao.
"What I mean is to set up an 'airline food company' to develop aviation food, such as pasta, rice, fried beef cubes, vegetables, salads and other varieties. After these meals are cooked at the airport, they are packaged for flights. We only need to maintain the temperature before we can provide it to customers. Not only can we provide it to our own airlines, but flights taking off and transiting in Hong Kong will also need our aviation food. In this way, our airlines can One more subsidiary company.”
Everyone is full of surprises!
Compared with Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong Airlines currently lacks a mechanical engineering company because Jardine Matheson still has a mechanical engineering company. If you want to expand externally, the 'airline food company' mentioned by the boss is simply the best way to expand.
As the president, Hill immediately said: "I agree with Mr. Lin's point of view! There are tens of thousands of flights in and out of Hong Kong every year, and the prospects for aviation food are very promising."
Seeing that the president had compromised, everyone agreed.
In fact, Hill was from British Overseas Airlines, but Lin Zhichao retained all the management during the acquisition. This was a condition. In order to stabilize these people, it was made clear during the acquisition that their positions would remain unchanged and their salaries would be increased by 10% after the acquisition.
Otherwise, if the pilots and management resign, the boss Lin Zhichao will really have a headache.
After the meeting, Lin Zhichao followed Hill to inspect Hong Kong Airlines and communicated with the crew waiting for the flight.
At this point, Lin Zhichao has initially established a firm foothold in Hong Kong Airlines.
Of course, if he wants to seize power in the later stage, he will also have a magic weapon. After all, no matter how good these managers are, they cannot control the finances. As long as Lin Zhichao seizes the finances immediately, these people can only slowly obey him.
All this was in Lin Zhichao's plan. When Hong Kong Airlines purchased new aircraft, that was when he officially took power.
The important thing is that judging from today's meeting, these foreign senior leaders already have a deep understanding of Lin Zhichao's abilities, and it is not difficult to conquer them.
During this period, Lin Zhichao said to Hill alone: "President Hill, Hong Kong Airlines cannot have a future by relying on its own development. Without the support of shareholders with strong financial strength, it cannot develop at all. British Overseas Airlines and Jardine Matheson , why can't it develop? Because their financial strength and support for Hong Kong Airlines are not enough, and they have no intention of increasing development efforts."
Hill immediately understood the hidden meaning of Lin Zhichao's words and could only say: "Is Mr. Lin still prepared to invest in Hong Kong Airlines?"
Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Of course! Maybe the next step is to buy the Boeing 707. I am optimistic that it will be a milestone for jet aircraft and a milestone for civil aviation."
Hill said: "Mr. Lin, you must be cautious when purchasing aircraft. The Comet airliner of that year almost caused Cathay Pacific to suffer a disaster. It is said that Mr. Shiyok planned to buy it, but he listened to the words of an expert friend and escaped the disaster. .”
Lin Zhichao smiled and said: "Of course, I am just optimistic about the Boeing 707! If Pan Am can fly it, it means it is very reliable."
Pan American Airways is a world airline giant and a trendsetter.
Hill nodded and said, "Yes. But, it's not cheap!"
Lin Zhichao smiled and said nothing, and Hill instantly understood Lin Zhichao's ambition to invest in the aviation industry.
An airplane is not as expensive as a large oil tanker, so there is no pressure on Lin Zhichao.
After that, Lin Zhichao said goodbye to Hill and other management, and he would not actually get involved in management soon. But starting from today, he has entered the management circle of Hong Kong Airlines.
Although he has always been a major shareholder, he does not want to have too much trouble with the management. Moreover, HSBC also means that Lin Zhichao should not fall out with the management and affect the normal operation of Hong Kong Airlines. After all, it is all money.
Now that we are participating with our strength, this is obviously the most ideal method.
(End of chapter)
