117 : Luck is on the vine
I confidently entered the Schultz headquarters building.
“Excuse me.”
“How did you get here?”
“My name is Joseon CS Woo, a trend from Korea. I want to see the boss here.”
“Have you made a meeting appointment?”
The desk clerk asked in a businesslike tone.
“No, but if I show you this invitation, I think you will meet.”
I handed over the VIP invitation from Livanos.
Schultz, a Swiss company, is also a company that manufactures marine diesel engines.
Sure enough, when the invitation was issued, the desk clerk’s expression completely changed.
“I’m sorry I didn’t know about VIP. Please wait a moment.”
The employee hurriedly made a phone call, and almost at the same time as he hung up the phone, someone jumped down with a clatter.
“Ha ha ha, how are you? Are you from Korea? My name is Thomas Collin, the president of Schultz.”
The boss came down directly.
It was good to mention the big hand called Livanos.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Colin. My name is Daese Chosun CS Woo. I heard from Mr. Livanos that the products here are good, so I visited him.”
“Haha, let’s go up and talk, Mr. Woo.”
As soon as we finished introducing each other, President Colin gave me a hook and pointed inward as he stretched out his arm.
A meeting room for VIPs with a great view appeared, and a fragrant tea was set in front of me at once.
“We, Schultz, are the best company in the shipbuilding industry with a history and tradition. In addition to the list of products listed here, we will support you with the best product, whatever you ask for.”
President Colin proudly introduced the company by showing the product catalog.
Yes, I admit that Schultz is a traditional powerhouse.
However, after a few years, I wonder if our trend will produce the best products.
So just lend me a license.
We work hard to make things, but if other companies take too many royalties, we have nothing left.
“I am well aware that the boiler here is a luxury product. That’s why it came. It is because the ship that Daesae won this time is a 260,000-ton oil tanker.”
“Are you building 260,000 tons?”
“Yes that’s right. Most of the main parts have been specified by suppliers, but the boiler is a problem. I just came to Switzerland to sign a contract with the ship owner, and he recommended Schulz’s boiler. How does Schulz’s boiler compare to other companies?”
“Hahaha, which company would you dare to compare with our Schultz company? Our boilers are overwhelming in terms of both fuel efficiency and output. It is even listed as a representative product in textbooks.”
I don’t know which textbook it was published in, but I’m pretty sure they have the original patent anyway.
If the business declines and the boiler business closes, wouldn’t it be better for me to eat it in many ways?
“What are the advantages of choosing a Schultz boiler? Because I have a construction company, there are several power plant projects in collaboration with Bechtel or Westinghouse.”
Boilers are essential in power plants.
Where is the law saying not to use Schultz boilers there?
“Bar, do you do a power plant?”
I stuttered until the end, perhaps because President Colin was trying to manage his expression.
It was also surprising that a member of the VIP club of Livanos came from a country I had never heard of, Korea, all of a sudden. It was a 260,000-ton tanker and even a power plant?
I felt like a new market was opening up in Asia, which I had thought was only Japan.
“Until now, most of the facility materials and parts were supplied through joint ventures or technical service companies, but I thought it was no longer possible. So, we are trying to contact the manufacturer directly for each part.”
“Oh, if that’s the case, then you’ve come to the right place. We, Schultz, not only supply finished products, but also actively cooperate with customers in establishing their parts supply chain.”
Colin took great interest in what I said.
To be honest, companies that sell heavy machinery are quite profitable even if they only sell consumable parts.
Isn’t there a famous story that, after researching the company with the highest profitability in the machinery industry, it was a company that sold special screws.
“With such a diverse product range, I would like to sign a comprehensive license agreement with Schultz. In fact, most of us are start-ups, so we don’t have a technology portfolio, and we don’t have enough research personnel.”
“A comprehensive license agreement?”
Does Colin know how expensive the contract is? made a face.
“Of course, you have to pay a reasonable price. Somehow, the diesel auxiliary engine has already been contracted with German company MAN, but boilers for oil tankers and boilers for power plants to be built in the Middle East are still under review. I would like to raise Schultz to the first place to be reviewed.”
When I subtly mentioned the competitor, MAN, President Colin’s face flushed, perhaps because he was nervous.
“If you buy our boiler… No, if you promise to review our diesel engine in the future, a comprehensive license agreement is not difficult. With 1% to 3% of sales for each related product each year, we can prevent this or that patent issue.”
Buy your own products, and ask for a percentage of sales? Is this a completely 21st century concept?
If it’s the 60’s, let’s make a contract like the 60’s!
“Since our sales and product lines are so inconsistent, it can be problematic to set a percentage. So, let’s get a perpetual license for $1 million a year.”
$1 million a year is quite a lot of money, but compared to my sales, it’s new blood.
And if we pay the license fee for about 10 years, our patent portfolio will be completed.
“A million dollars a year… no, it should be two million dollars. It is to give you the license of Schulz, which is incomparable to the vastness.”
I wondered what kind of rice cake this was, but when I hooked it up, I doubled the license fee.
Did you think that 2 million dollars a year was the maximum that could be ripped off for a shipyard owner in a developing country?
Of course, it still costs me gum, but I had to pretend to be worried.
“Then make it $1.5 million per year and sign a no-increase contract for the next 10 years.”
“Ah, such a law…”
“Instead, I’ll give you cash right now.”
I took $1.5 million out of my bag and put it on the table. It was part of the down payment from Livanos.
I was glad I came here before I deposited it in the bank.
“Umm… It must be a condition for purchasing our boiler, right? The condition that you will actively purchase diesel engines in the future is also valid, right?”
“You specify it in the contract. If Schultz is superior to competitors in terms of price, performance, reliability, and technical support, they will buy Schultz products first. Would that be okay?”
If you put a lot of restrictions like this, you can decide what you want.
Because we evaluate performance, reliability, and technical support.
“good. After all, there is no competitor that can follow Schultz products.”
At least, it would be the idea that if they do not lag behind other companies in competitiveness, they can sell their products.
To be honest, if you sign a comprehensive license agreement, the relationship between companies is bound to become stronger.
“Seeing the president’s confidence makes me more confident. This money belongs to Schultz.”
I pushed 1.5 million dollars in front of Colin.
“Ha ha ha, please write the contract.”
“So be it.”
Immediately, Schultz called the legal representative and drafted the contract.
As I sincerely participated in the negotiations for each phrase, before I knew it, we signed the contract and even took pictures together.
Winter in Switzerland is really nice.
Gifts from Santa Claus flew here and there.
***
london england,
“Take a look. Boss Wu.”
Appledoor Chairman Longbottom, Captain Smith, and Barclays Bank Vice President Cockins all came to the airport to see me off.
“There has never been an example of a loan being approved so quickly. There will be a big upheaval in the shipbuilding industry.”
Meanwhile, Vice President Cockins was most surprised.
The $80 million loan was all approved, and $15 million was already deposited into the account for start-up costs.
“It is thanks to the hard work of the Vice President. Whenever you call, I will come running.”
I held Vice President Cockins’ hand and promised to repay him once more.
“Haha, everyone should have seen President Wu negotiate with Livanos with their own eyes! It has become an unforgettable memory at this age.”
It seems that the business trip to Switzerland was quite a refreshing experience for Chairman Longbottom.
“I believe that you will come to Korea with wonderful blueprints and engineers.”
“Hahaha, isn’t the pressure a joke?”
“Boss, don’t worry. I will take care of it and go.”
“Captain Smith, please work hard too.”
Captain Smith was faithfully fulfilling the role of watcher representing the general trend.
“I will finish my work here and go to Saudi Arabia to return to the Daese Shipping tanker.”
“Do by that way.”
Again, Captain Smith preferred ships to planes.
I waved to everyone to see you again and headed for the departure hall.
***
over Europe,
“Oh, I’m going to live for a while now.”
As soon as I sat down on the plane seat, I must have fallen asleep, but time flew by before I knew it.
I thought to take a closer look at the list of licenses I brought from Schultz, as if I had gotten some sleep.
“Hey, do you even have a stake in this patent?”
Flipping through the thick dictionary-like booklet, I couldn’t help but be surprised.
Some of Schultz’s patent listings included the purchase of rights shares from other companies.
Ironically, Schulz had purchased a 30% stake in the turbine patent from Skoda in the Czech Republic.
Skoda was one of the few companies to have original turbine patents.
Isn’t it the company I was thinking of acquiring a turbine engine for localization someday?
From the original history, I thought I could understand why Korean heavy industry companies actively entered into cross-licensing with Schultz.
Since Schultz owns even the original patent for the turbine, it would have been very advantageous to defend royalties for building power plants as well as large ships.
Since Schultz had only a boiler and no steam turbine technology, it seems that he had already purchased the original patent.
Being a neutral Swiss company, it could have bought a communist country’s patent, but it was a surprising coincidence.
It’s impossible right now, but I thought it might be possible to contact Skoda in the Czech Republic using Schultz as a tether.
After signing a comprehensive license, the blessings came along like pumpkin vines.
I wanted to dance at least if no one was watching.
Signing such a jackpot for only $1.5 million!
I wanted to go to the Czech Republic right away and ask for joint development, but if I went back to the Czech Republic without taking any action in this era, I would be taken to the court right away.
“Come to think of it, since when were we allowed to enter a communist country?”
Since the OBs were in Libya and the Soviet Union, they only told stories about how they entered and headed to the bare ground, but I didn’t hear how they entered.
There must have been something going on in the diplomatic channel, right?
In the end, no matter how much I fly and crawl, I think it’s right for the state to do big business.
As for business in communist countries, I can’t speak first, so I’ll have to keep a close eye on the situation until the opportunity arises.
Let’s focus on the present rather than the future.
There are many things to take care of, including the construction of a shipyard, construction of the Jordan waterway, Pohang Iron and Steel, and when the time comes, the establishment of Mr. Hwang’s research institute.
First of all, I asked Hwang to set up a small research institute, but it seemed that there would be more researchers than I thought.
Because Jaehong should also work there when he returns.
In addition to Jaehong, it seemed that those who had studied abroad would have far exceeded my expectations in terms of passion and effort. Those who want to learn how much should be invited.
Even if there is a long time to release what I have learned and send it back to study abroad.
**
Head office in Seongsu-dong.
“Chief Bok-soon Kim. no. Manager Kim”
“Yes, boss”
Before I went to report to the Blue House, I took care of the headquarters. Everyone, including Manager Kim, was looking at office work with each piece of chocolate I bought.
“Do you have any data on how the people who have been studying abroad are doing now?”
“Yes. I have something sorted out. Everything from admission information to grades is recorded.”
“Did you have the spirit to take care of the export and import business as well? That’s amazing.”
“sure. It’s a company thing, so I have to take care of it. How much money is going out?”
“That’s right.”
As soon as I received the materials, I went through them one by one.
It was a pity that I hadn’t been able to take care of it for a while.
There were a total of 42 international students, most of whom obtained a mechanic’s license from the US Corps of Engineers in Quy Nhon, and occasionally craftsmen were seen.
Most of the artisans were being trained at the San Diego shipyard, and some at Bechtel.
On the other hand, college students were receiving training at Coopers Steel and DuPont in Detroit or went on to prestigious graduate schools.
Surprisingly, in the meantime, six people, including Professor Joo Young-gil, were already in the doctoral course.
“Chief Kim, there is someone who has already entered the doctoral program. Is this possible?”
“I heard that you passed the master’s course in six months by exam? I guess everyone is a genius. Like the boss!”
Manager Kim responded by activating Abu mode.
Because of how hard you studied, you skipped the master’s exam.
Even then, they either divided their fields among themselves or were pursuing doctoral programs in different majors, such as physics, materials, chemistry, mechanics, and electronics.
How explosive will the growth be if these noblemen are fused with practical geniuses such as Hwang and Shim Jae-hong?
My heart was pounding.
I thought I would have to wait 6 years, but it seemed that the time would be much shorter than expected.
“Chief Kim, give a notice to the entire company.”
“Announcement? Are you making another company?”
“It’s not a company, it’s an organization. Create a research center… No, I’m trying to establish a research center and overseas branches.”
Daesae has offices in Vietnam and Portland.
In Singapore and Australia, I made something similar to a branch office, but I need to take this opportunity to reorganize the organization.
Our employees have grown much faster than I thought. It seemed that all the people at the top of the gene quickly gathered together.
“Yes, an overseas branch?”
The eyes of all the chiefs in the office, including Manager Kim, twinkled.
At this time, being appointed as an overseas branch is not a shortcut to success.
There must be some people who know that the research institute will also be the way to go, right?
“We will establish a research center with 100 employees in Changwon. And, branches will be set up in Jordan, England, Singapore and Australia with 10 employees each. Recruit applicants.”
“Waaa!”
The office staff cheered as if they had passed. It seems that four branches are created at the same time.
“I will select researchers and dispatchers based on their work performance so far. If your performance meets the standard for the next year, we will give you a special promotion.”
“Boss, can we apply too?”
“Absolutely. Any employee can apply.”
“Wow! Boss, cheers!”
“A chance has finally come! hurray!!! hurray!!!”
Whether it’s a research institute or an overseas branch, it’s a formidable place. It was like a romantic era.