Chapter 293 At This Point, Do I Even Have a Choice?
After several days of stock price gains, Supplee Company's market capitalization had risen to around £70 million.
Although still a far cry from its former peak of over £100 million, the increased trading activity showed that the market had regained confidence following Supplee's announcement of countermeasures.
Throughout the week, Supplee's Chairman, Bill Stevens, had been filled with excitement, watching the company's order volume steadily climb.
Supplee was, after all, the culmination of his life's work, and even Royal Mail's acquisition offer had once failed to sway him.
But now, faced with the imminent loss of control, his mind was in chaos.
President Liu's blunt refusal to support him had crushed his last hope.
Without Liu's backing, Stevens knew he could no longer hope to retain his position.
For a while, Stevens sat there, hollow-eyed, paralyzed by indecision.
But after a few moments, his long years of business experience allowed him to regain some composure.
"Mr. Lin, Supplee is the work of my lifetime.
If I voluntarily step down as Chairman, what are your plans for the company?" Stevens asked calmly.
Though reeling from the shock, he realized that Lin Haoran's control was now a foregone conclusion.
Trying to counter Lin Haoran by absorbing more shares would be pointless and would only further weaken the company against external threats.
As the founder, Stevens did not want to see Supplee collapse entirely.
Thus, acknowledging the reality, he began thinking more pragmatically.
"My preliminary plan," Lin Haoran said, "once I officially assume the role of Chairman, is to push Supplee into the West German market.
We'll borrow DHL's own tactics—start with a price war.
However, considering the different business climate in West Germany, we can't simply slash prices indiscriminately.
Instead, we'll offer slightly lower rates than DHL, or launch promotions like 'buy one, get one free,' to capture market share.
The point is, if DHL wants to wage a price war against us in Britain, then we will retaliate by striking them in their home turf—West Germany.
We already have a small foothold there.
If we invest heavily, we can expand quickly and hit DHL where it hurts."
Lin Haoran's words made Stevens' eyes light up, but then he frowned.
"Mr. Lin, the £10 million we have on hand will not last long if we operate at a loss in two markets.
At best, it might support operations for a year in Britain or six months if we expand to Germany.
We must tread carefully," Stevens warned.
Having resigned himself to the reality of Lin Haoran's takeover, Stevens now adopted the mindset of a second-in-command, seriously assessing risks and challenges.
He still held shares and wielded 40% of the voting rights through the AB stock structure, so he remained a vital part of the company.
From Stevens' tone, Lin Haoran could tell that the founder had accepted the situation.
But even if he hadn't, Lin Haoran's near-majority stake left him little choice.
"DHL's backers—Squid Capital—are indeed powerful," Lin Haoran said, "but they are not invincible.
Compared to the American titans, Squid Capital is manageable.
They have deep pockets, but they cannot afford to burn money indefinitely.
Sooner or later, they'll either change strategies or seek private settlements.
I don't believe they entered the UK market just to mutually destroy both sides."
Lin Haoran had already gathered intelligence showing that Squid Capital had significant influence—even in the British Parliament—but their strength had limits.
Hearing this, Stevens nodded thoughtfully, showing signs of agreement.
"Mr. Stevens, I propose that tomorrow we hold a board meeting," Lin Haoran said.
"We'll formally announce my assumption of the Chairman's role.
Out of respect, I intend to support you remaining as Vice Chairman and CEO."
Stevens was, after all, the soul of Supplee, and Lin Haoran wasn't foolish enough to oust him immediately.
At least not until Lin Haoran had established a stronger base of operations in Europe.
"In the future, if necessary, I'll have plenty of ways to remove him," Lin Haoran thought to himself.
"At this point, do I even have a choice?" Stevens said with a bitter smile.
Technically, Supplee's board had five members: the original four shareholders and the company's General Manager.
With Lin Haoran's investment, he had become a board member too.
But two of the original shareholders had sold their stakes, leaving just four board members: Stevens, Lin Haoran, President Liu, and the GM.
Thus, convening a board meeting was easy—no complicated procedures like at HSBC or Jardines Matheson.
"Good.
Let's hold the board meeting tomorrow at 10 a.m. and settle it once and for all," Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"Fine.
I have no objection," Stevens replied, nodding.
Knowing he would remain as CEO made the bitter pill easier for him to swallow.
After all, the CEO was still the operational head of the company.
After the meeting, Lin Haoran didn't leave immediately but toured the company headquarters.
Though he had become a shareholder a week ago, this was only his second visit.
President Liu served as a guide, explaining the layout and departments.
Watching the fleet of trucks loading cargo, and the busy warehouse staff, Lin Haoran felt extremely satisfied.
This was just the London facility; Supplee had over twenty warehouses across Britain, and even more overseas.
If nurtured properly, Supplee could grow into a global logistics giant like Maersk.
And all this had cost him just a few tens of millions of pounds—an absolute bargain.
As long as DHL didn't continue predatory competition indefinitely, and with Lin Haoran's resources backing Supplee, the company would flourish.
He was confident that in places like Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia, Supplee could capture significant market share.
After inspecting the company, Lin Haoran, President Liu, and Tang Kun got into a car together to return to Tang Tower.
"Uncle Liu," Lin Haoran suddenly asked, "I bet you're planning to sell your shares once the company's value rises, right?"
President Liu looked embarrassed.
Indeed, like the other original shareholders, he had become pessimistic about Supplee's future once DHL entered the market.
"I advise you not to sell too soon," Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"You're Uncle Tang's old friend and my elder—I won't let you lose out."
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