"Mr. Stool, please consider my suggestion seriously." In the Wheelock Building, Dis said politely to an Englishman wearing gold glasses in front of him.
This person is none other than the current CEO of Wheelock Group, John Horseman. Wheelock Group, like Jardine Matheson and Swire, is a family-owned enterprise. For a long time, the entire Wheelock Group has been managed by the Horseman family.
John Stiff thought for a moment, then looked at Dis with some meaning, and said, "Mr. Dis, HSBC shouldn't want me to sell Defeng to Jardine Matheson, right?"
"I can tell the truth, this is the case, but what I just said is also true." Dis said without being humble or condescending: "Wheelock competes with Jardine in many aspects. If you know all the internal information of Wheelock, It was all handed over to Jardine Matheson. If they continued to acquire it, it would naturally not be a problem. But if it was not acquired due to price or other reasons, then these information would cause Wheelock to lose hundreds of millions of funds. Mr. Ma Shi is also a leader in the business world. , I think you know the possibilities here better than I do."
"What you said makes sense. I really need to think about it again." John Ma Stool nodded and said: "I will discuss this issue with Newbijian. Moreover, in addition to Jardine, there are also other Chinese and Southeast Asian investors. Consortium.”
As an investment company that makes money by promoting transactions, Duoli actually wants to prevent this transaction. John Ma Shi can naturally see the problem, but he can see it, but this is a conspiracy, and he is indeed unlikely to Before the acquisition, the information of Defeng Company will be handed over, but if it is not handed over, no matter how courageous Jardine is, it will not dare to directly acquire it, otherwise it will trap Jardine to death, and it seems to be trapped in an infinite loop.
"Most of the Chinese capital in Hong Kong is not strong enough. As for the consortiums in Southeast Asia, they don't know Hong Kong very well. I'm afraid it will take a long time to cooperate with them." Dis said with a smile.
If Wheelock is sold to a Southeast Asian consortium, HSBC can reluctantly accept it.
"Not even Chen Zhiwen? Or Bao Yugang? Are they strong enough?" John said with a frown.
"Bao Yugang has not expressed his position on Wheelock, and Wheelock's business has many overlaps with Global International. Are you willing to hand over all the information on Wheelock Shipping?" Diess said: "As for Chen Zhiwen, we I also communicated with him that he will not acquire Wheelock, but he is interested in some of Wheelock’s assets.”
"What assets?" John asked.
Dis said: "Federal and International buildings."
"What?" John was stunned for a moment, and then said: "He wants to sit back and enjoy his gains, and wants to acquire Wheelock's best assets?"
Wheelock was founded more than 100 years ago. It developed in Shanghai in the early days and later came to Hong Kong for various reasons. At that time, Wheelock Land was already the land king in Central. However, with the capital accumulated in Shanghai and years of development, Wheelock Land has Defeng still acquired three buildings in Central in Hong Kong.
They are the Federal Building, the International Building and the Wheelock Building. The Wheelock Building is the group headquarters, while the Federal and International Buildings are investments. They have always been leased to many trading, legal and other companies to collect rental profits.
“Isn’t Wheelock’s best asset the countless freighters?” Diss said with a smile.
"The same goes for freighters, of course, but this does not mean that the Federal and International Buildings can be disposed of at will." John Horseman nodded and said. Although the oil crisis occurred in the past few years and the operating costs of freighters have increased significantly, the demand for shipping has been rising, and freight rates have increased. It's even more powerful. When exaggerated, a cargo ship can make a net profit of US$3 million from a trip to the United States, and the cost can be recovered in a little more than a year.
This is much more money than rent collection in Central. Otherwise, the Jardine Group would not have wanted to exchange the building for a supertanker with the shipping king Pao Yugang after the Connaught Building was completed.
"That's still a question of price. If the price is really right, will Mr. Ma Shi consider selling it?" Diss said with a smile: "With the current income from shipping, if these two buildings are sold and a freighter is purchased, three years will be enough. Revenues doubled.”
"Mr. Diss is really good at doing business. After all the detours, do I need to borrow money from HSBC to buy a freighter?" John said with some self-deprecation.
"I do have my purpose, but I am also telling the truth." Dis nodded.
The direct benefits of profit-making are intermediary fees for promoting investments and acquisitions, while the indirect benefits are dealings between acquirers and sellers, and then allowing them to conduct transactions, borrowings, etc. at HSBC Bank.
For example, this time, if Chen Zhiwen can really acquire two buildings of Wheelock, then he will definitely only provide a small part of the funds himself, and the rest will be financed by HSBC. The same is true for Wheelock. The shipping industry is a gold-swallowing one. For large companies, the cost of building a cargo ship or oil tanker is as high as tens of millions of dollars. Shipping companies first borrow money to buy the ship and then repay the loan after operating it. Otherwise, Hong Kong would not be able to have so many shipping kings. Without the help of banks, shipping companies would not be able to have so many shipping kings. It is more difficult to start a transportation company than real estate.
But the difference is that in Hong Kong's real estate business, most of the capital flows and financing go through HSBC, but not necessarily in the shipping business. Japanese banks, in particular, like to snatch this kind of customers.
"It is indeed the truth, but let's wait until Wheelock is sure that it will not be sold. Or if I sell Wheelock, you can discuss it with the buyer." John said with a smile.
Developing shipping is indeed his future direction. Even if Wheelock is sold, he can use the funds to build a new shipping company or develop in other countries. If he continues to control Wheelock, then what Dis said Quite right.
Although real estate can also make money, for him, this kind of real estate in Hong Kong is too unstable, so he might as well sell it. He is very optimistic about the future of shipping. As long as he invests money in it, he can definitely get his capital back in three years. The rest are all about making money.
"Okay, then I will visit again next week and hope to get good news from you." Dis nodded and said.
November 1, Hutchison Building:
"Dong dong dong" There was a knock on the door outside the office, and Chen Zhiwen said: "Please come in."
The door opened, and a middle-aged man in his 30s came in. He came to Chen Zhiwen's desk and said: "Sheng Chen, the 250 million Hong Kong dollars specially approved by HSBC Bank have been transferred to Watson's account."
"Oh, it's pretty fast." Chen Zhiwen smiled and said, "Come on, Old Wu, sit down."
The person in front of him, named Wu Weibing, is one of the talents proficient in local retail industry management in Hong Kong hired by a headhunting company commissioned by Chen Zhiwen. He is currently responsible for the entire operation of Watsons.
"That's also because Chen Sheng came forward in person. Otherwise, HSBC would not be so happy." Wu Weibing said with a smile.
"After acquiring enough properties with this money, we can use these properties as collateral." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said, "Moreover, this low-interest loan from HSBC is not without cost."
This emergency loan from HSBC obviously has the intention of pitting Chen Zhiwen against Jardine He, but Chen Zhiwen doesn't care. The more low-interest loans, the better, even if they are not low-interest. In today's rapidly rising stage of Hong Kong's real estate market , high interest rates are not a problem, as long as the amount of funds is sufficient.
Moreover, ParknShop Supermarket is also one of Hutchison Whampoa's core businesses in the future, and the Hong Kong base camp must be fought for. Winning this money will bring no harm at all.
"Okay." Wu Weibing said: "Sheng Chen, considering that many of our supplies do not require advance capital, now that we have such a large amount of funds, I plan to speed up the purchase of properties in various suitable places in Hong Kong. With the properties, we It has an absolute advantage.”
"Okay, it's best to own all the properties, but if you come across a very good location and the other party is unwilling to acquire it, you can rent it as well." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.
PARKnSHOP Supermarket has a great advantage, that is, it can take advantage of Galaxy Trading's huge procurement chain. Because of Galaxy Trading's long-term purchasing, many suppliers have also formed very stable and good cooperative relationships. PARKnSHOP Supermarket communicates with them Finally, these suppliers are happy to deliver the goods directly to the shelves of PARKnSHOP supermarkets first, which can reduce the occupation of funds by materials in the new supermarket during the initial expansion.
As for Wellcome Supermarket, even if it has real estate behind it, it is impossible to have the ability to allow so many goods suppliers to advance all the payments. This is a gap-like advantage.
"Okay, but I still think we can look for nearby properties to acquire. In the long run, it is safer to own our own property. At the same time, as housing prices rise, the property itself is also an intangible asset that can also be used Yu used bank financing as a mortgage," Wu Weibing said.
"Okay, you can collect this kind of properties first, and then give me the statistics. As long as there are no big problems, I will agree." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.
The Hong Kong real estate market is currently at the starting point of preparing to soar. Acquiring properties is all about making money. And if you can also monopolize the retail field in Hong Kong, that would be perfect. At the same time, it would also be good to combat the arrogance of Land.
Time flies, half a month passes quickly.
Hong Kong, Connaught Building:
Bao Fuda came to Niubijian's office with some dullness and said: "Mr. Niubijian, Hutchison Park's Supermarket has gone crazy this time. As far as I know, they have acquired at least more than 20 properties for use. Opening a supermarket, I don’t know, I guess there may be more, and many are still near our supermarket, which is very unusual.”
"Near us? Is Chen Zhiwen ready for a price war?" Niubijian frowned slightly.
Although the negotiation with Chen Zhiwen broke down before, both parties began to compete for suitable shops in Hong Kong, either buying or renting, but everyone avoided each other. It was not that anyone was afraid of the other, but that the market was huge and there was no need to compete at the moment. At the same time, Everyone also avoids each other's supermarkets that have been opened by each other, because the biggest result of two supermarkets being together is that neither of them can make any money.
But now, Hutchison Whampoa is actually choosing to open a new store or purchase properties near the Wellcome supermarket it has already built or the supermarket it is planning to open. It is clear that it is preparing to fight a price war in the future.
"That's what he meant. He probably did this to show his determination and wanted us to retreat despite the difficulties." Bao Fuda analyzed.
"Hmph, if we quit like this, we will be laughed to death by our Hong Kong colleagues." Niubijian said disdainfully: "I will transfer another 50 million Hong Kong dollars to you. I don't believe how much more money Chen Zhiwen can invest."
"Jardine is preparing to acquire Wheelock. Is there any problem with funding?" Bao Fuda asked again. As the second-in-command of Jardine, he is still very clear about the financial situation of the entire company. There is too much blood loss overseas, and there is too much blood loss here in Hong Kong. The recent rise in the real estate market can barely be considered a blood transfusion.
"Wheelock itself has many high-quality assets. Acquiring them is not a problem and we will not lose a lot. However, John Horseman has been unwilling to hand over detailed financial reports of Wheelock, which makes me afraid to make a move." Newbill Jian said with a slight frown.
Many of Wheelock's assets make Jardines jealous, such as the three buildings in Central, and large amounts of land in North Point, Kui Wan, and Kwun Tong. What is most exciting to Newbrickian is Wheelock's huge ocean transportation Although the fleet is not as good as the shipping king Bao Yugang, it still has more than 30 large and small transport cargo ships. Ocean transportation has always been a weakness of Jardine. Jardine has always wanted to make up for this shortcoming, especially After the 1970s, the price of ocean transportation hit new highs. Yihe was so anxious that he even wanted to exchange Kang Le Building and Pao Yugang for oil tankers, but was still rejected.
But no matter how envious he is, Newbijian would not dare to acquire the other company without obtaining detailed financial data from Wheelock, because once there is a trap, where there is a debt of hundreds of millions of Hong Kong dollars, Yi, who is already walking a tightrope, can be Although Hutchison would not be on the verge of bankruptcy like Hutchison a few years ago, it would be enough to severely damage their vitality. At the same time, it would also cause their top management to pack up and leave.
"This is indeed a headache. John's refusal to hand over financial information may be something fishy." Bao Fuda also nodded and said.
"Then we can only look at it again. If Wheelock has been unwilling to sincerely seek a merger, then there will be nothing to talk about. Now that the Hong Kong real estate market and stock market are rising, we cannot continue to delay it because of this matter. "Newbijian said again.
Acquiring Wheelock requires a lot of capital, and it also requires a lot of credit resources. It can be said that if the merger is really done, half of Jardine's resources will have to be invested. In the future, it may be able to rely on some sales of properties, Branching out companies, seeking listings, and other methods to withdraw funds, but that is also a matter for the future.
If it doesn't work out, Yihe's funds and resources will just hang in the air. If it goes on for a long time, it will definitely be unbearable and we will have to give up.
"Yes, we should decide as soon as possible." Bao Fuda nodded and said: "Land is preparing to participate in the bidding of the Hong Kong MTR Corporation's properties in Central and Admiralty. It is estimated that a lot of funds will be needed. Wheelock's matter cannot be delayed forever."
PS: Please give me a monthly ticket
(End of chapter)
