"Did we build this monitor ourselves?" Chen Zhiwen asked, looking at the big butt monitor in front of him.
"Yes, although the monitors made by our factory in Hong Kong are not the best in the world and are still far behind Sony, Sharp, RCA and other companies, they are enough for use on personal computers, because the computer monitor is far away from the user. It's relatively close, as long as the resolution is enough, you don't need to pursue the same pixels as a TV." Lei Shengli replied.
"Well, that's true. If you can produce it yourself, the cost will always be lower." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said.
"Except for the chips, the components in this personal computer, including the entire circuit board, are not made by us. The precision of our motherboard factory in Midea in Hong Kong cannot meet the requirements unless we purchase another high-precision production line." Lei Sheng Li said.
"Do you want to go to the United States to buy?" Chen Zhiwen asked.
"No need, it's available in Japan. The quality of Japan's semiconductor equipment is no worse than that of the United States, and the price is much cheaper," Lei Shengli said.
"Well, let's go inquire first. You still have to buy it. Our original production line is actually not enough." Chen Zhiwen nodded and said, "But when you buy it and switch to our own motherboard, you have to be careful. , make sure there are no problems before starting the switch."
The original motherboard factory was mainly for home appliance services. However, with the success of Chen Zhiwen's terminal sales layout in the United States, and the quality of Midea's electrical appliances themselves are very cost-effective, and sales are getting higher and higher, the production capacity of the motherboard factory is also a bit insufficient.
This production line is relatively low-level. Not to mention computer motherboards, it can’t even make arcade or game console motherboards. Nowadays, Midea’s red and white consoles are best-selling in the United States, with sales of 2.5 million in the Christmas week. , surpassing Atari, the former home game console giant, to reach the top of the industry.
Personal computers are about to start. Although Chen Zhiwen also knows that it is impossible to have a monopoly on this market, the market is too big. If he captures a small part, he will have a very large order volume and a long-term growth advantage.
In this case, the motherboard naturally still needs to be made well by itself, which can not only control the quality but also reduce the cost, but there is no other way around the chip. Both the Famicom and Midea-1 use Intel's latest 8086 chip. All designs are run based on other people's underlying logic and can only be purchased. Fortunately, Intel has not yet monopolized the entire market. Before it is time to cut leeks, the price of 8086 chips is not outrageous.
"Okay, I understand the importance of quality, and I'm also planning to hire engineers from our OEM factory in Japan. With them here, the risk will be much smaller," Lei Shengli said.
"Okay, we must also slowly improve our production capacity. Otherwise, all core components will be dependent on outsiders, which is too risky." Chen Zhiwen said.
In the past, Midea followed a rapid development path and focused on R&D. First it focused on games. After earning capital from games, it developed game consoles and then personal computers. Now that the company is large enough, it should expand downwards. Master more production capabilities, especially in areas with a bit of technical content.
You don’t have to produce it all by yourself, but you must at least have this ability. This way you can lower the price when negotiating with some skilled suppliers. At the same time, you must avoid being blackmailed by suppliers, especially in the field of electronic parts. Many of them are It relies on Japanese factories, and these Japanese factories are very likely to be united.
Of course, in computers, there are many subdivisions that are unlikely to be produced by oneself, but if one is missing, part of the rights and interests can also be restored through capital. For example, Intel, which is absolutely dependent on it, can be acquired by itself. Part of the shares have received some economic returns, but not now. In the past few years, Intel has been beaten by Japanese chips, and its stock price has been falling. Only after the alliance between Weisoft and Intel and the United States began to impose sanctions on Japanese chips did it usher in development. dawn.
"Understood, I have already begun to prepare to select our best suppliers through investment, and then train them intensively to expand the scale. This will maximize profits for us and reduce risks, but it is only suitable for Hong Kong. Enterprises, suppliers in the United States or Japan, we are somewhat dependent on them." Lei Shengli said.
"For overseas suppliers with technical content, I will solve this problem, and you will be responsible for Hong Kong." Chen Zhiwen continued: "The sales of game products are getting higher and higher, and then there will be computers, and then other Production capacity with low profits should be moved out as soon as possible, either to the mainland or to the Gulf."
Midea can be said to be a high-tech company, especially after the launch of personal computers, but the production of electronic products will always be labor-intensive, at best a little better than the textile industry.
Labor-intensive industries require a lot of land and a lot of labor. Hong Kong met the requirements seven years ago, but it no longer works. In the past few years, housing prices in Hong Kong have increased five to six times, and wages have also increased four to five times. In a few years, the price will increase several times. By then, labor-intensive industries will die if they don’t move away.
"This should be no problem. Many suppliers have followed us to Shekou. Some of our orders have also been given to Wanwan OEM, the home appliance factory in Yanjing. Mainland means cultivating local suppliers in Yanjing City." Lei Shengli replied.
"Then domestically, we can also cooperate in the form of shares, give them foreign exchange, and let them purchase overseas equipment. It can be regarded as killing two birds with one stone." Chen Zhiwen said with a smile. This is a welfare gift to him. Today, except for the highly polluting ones, most of the factories in Yanjing City are located in the urban area, and to a lesser extent in the suburbs. If you can invest in some of the factories in these locations, they will definitely be It is cost-effective, and if the home appliance factory in Yanjing develops, these parts suppliers will also expand, which is a win-win situation.
"That's no problem. I will talk to the person in charge of the Yanjing project." Lei Shengli said.
"Okay, if there are no problems with these computer tests, then prepare to hold a press conference in the United States. However, given our reputation, it is estimated that not many people will come back. In the future, all computers will be distributed to Costco and Best Buy, and Wal-Mart will I will let you know and it should be fine on the counter, and then we can advertise on American TV stations. The initial budget is about US$10 million," said Chen Zhiwen.
"10 million US dollars?" Lei Shengli was a little surprised. Midea's brand products basically didn't have much advertising, but the boss's other company did so with overwhelming advertising.
"Just a little more, Lao Lei, this personal computer is our absolute main product in the future of Midea, we must do it well." Chen Zhiwen said.
In the past, Midea products and home appliances actually spent some money on marketing, but the amount was not large. After all, except for fans, the other products were too technically different from big brands. In the early days, I was short of funds, so spending it on this would be a waste. .
As for the subsequent game industry, there is no need for publicity at all, because this is an absolute leading position. People's previous word-of-mouth publicity can make the demand for arcades or red and white handheld consoles exceed Midea's production capacity. In this case, naturally, There is no need for advertising. Just like Apple from 2010 to 2016, Tesla before 2022 will never advertise. It is not because of the bullshit culture that no advertising is needed because a product is good, but because the production capacity is not enough and the demand is It’s too big and demand exceeds supply.
But computers are different. There are already many players in this market, and Midea is not technically dominant, and its future development is very strong. In addition, Midea is not short of money, so it naturally needs a lot of advertising.
"Okay, then I will arrange for someone to contact the American TV station first. The time will be just right. It will be launched after the American press conference is held in a month." Lei Shengli nodded and said.
(End of chapter)
