Chapter 291 Acquiring 49.9% of Shares Within a Week!
As expected, after Supplee Logistics announced a 50% price cut, the very next day the company's business volume significantly increased.
Everyone knew it was a loss-making strategy, but there was no other choice.
If they didn't lose money now, they would lose the market permanently in the future.
Thus, the Chairman of Supplee Logistics proved himself to be a man of considerable resolve.
In London's financial district, inside the Wing Shing Building, President Liu sat in his office, watching financial news on London Financial TV, showing a report on Supplee Logistics' soaring stock price.
A satisfied smile spread across his face.
If Supplee hadn't received new funding or made a bold move, their market share would have continued to shrink, and even their most loyal customers might eventually defect.
After all, sentiment alone couldn't feed a business.
If DHL continued offering drastically lower prices while Supplee maintained normal rates, even the most loyal customers would eventually grow dissatisfied and switch.
What President Liu feared most was a further plunge in Supplee's stock price, which would devalue his holdings.
But he wasn't willing to invest more himself.
Now, with Lin Haoran brought in, not only had the decline stopped—the stock price had actually jumped.
How could he not be thrilled?
Even if there would be no dividends this year, he didn't care.
As long as the stock price remained healthy, he could still cash out at any time.
Indeed, by bringing Lin Haoran in, Liu had used him somewhat—but he never intended to harm him.
On the contrary, the capital injection gave Supplee real strength to fight back against DHL.
Still, Liu hadn't dared to hope too much at first.
Unexpectedly, Lin Haoran had really agreed to invest.
"Once the stock price rises enough, I should sell quickly.
Logistics is too uncertain.
Today it's DHL; tomorrow, who knows what other group might show up," President Liu muttered while watching the television screen.
In his view, logistics was a slow-money, high-risk industry, nowhere near as attractive as finance or real estate.
While Liu was plotting his next moves, Lin Haoran was already meeting privately with Mr. Elvin, the former second-largest shareholder of Supplee, at a quiet café.
This Scottish investor was surprised but curious about Lin Haoran's sudden invitation.
At the press conference, Lin Haoran had obtained the contact information for the major shareholders, including Elvin.
Thus, three days after becoming a Supplee shareholder, Lin Haoran invited Elvin for a private meeting.
"Mr. Lin, to what do I owe the pleasure?" Elvin asked directly, wasting no time.
He barely knew Lin Haoran, so he preferred to be straightforward.
"Mr. Elvin, I heard you were considering selling your stake in Supplee.
Is that correct?" Lin Haoran replied just as directly.
"You're interested in buying my shares?" Elvin asked, clearly surprised.
"That's right.
I heard about it from Mr. Liu—he's an elder to me.
He mentioned you had been seeking buyers but hadn't struck a deal.
If you're willing, I'm interested.
If not, no hard feelings," Lin Haoran said with a smile.
He didn't want Elvin to know about his independent investigation, so he used Liu as an excuse.
Elvin frowned and sipped his coffee, thinking for a moment before asking,
"Mr. Lin, what price are you offering?"
"Five million pounds—for all your shares," Lin Haoran replied directly.
That price was close to the current market value.
Even though Supplee's stock price had risen slightly, Elvin's stake had been diluted from 12% to around 9.6%.
Five million pounds might not sound huge, but it equaled over 50 million Hong Kong dollars—a sizable sum for an investor like Elvin.
"Previously someone offered me five million pounds, and I declined.
If you're offering the same, I'm afraid I'll have to say no.
If you want to buy, it would have to be at least eight million pounds," Elvin countered firmly.
"Mr. Elvin, you should think carefully.
Although the stock price has risen, it's only a temporary spike.
Even with new funding, the company will be running at a loss to compete with DHL.
Even if we hold on for a year, what then?
Can you guarantee DHL will back down?
Their backers are Squid Capital," Lin Haoran said calmly.
In this era, Squid Capital wasn't as terrifying as it would become decades later—but it was still a powerhouse no small-time investor like Elvin could challenge.
"Since you know all this, why would you still want to invest and buy my shares?" Elvin asked, puzzled.
Clearly, he had realized that Lin Haoran was aiming to take control of Supplee.
"Simple.
Because I have the resources to fight back.
Mr. Elvin, you probably know about my background in Hong Kong.
I have the financial strength—even if Squid Capital is behind DHL, I'm not afraid.
But my investment depends on gaining control.
If you won't sell, I won't proceed with my plans," Lin Haoran said with a relaxed smile.
"Seven million pounds—no less!" Elvin bargained after a moment's thought.
Lin Haoran shook his head.
"Here's my final offer: six million pounds.
If you agree, the deal is done today.
That's already well above the market price.
I can't waste more time in the UK—I need to return to Hong Kong soon.
If you refuse, I'll wait until Supplee's stock drops again before buying.
I'm in no rush."
He deliberately mentioned that Elvin had previously hesitated and missed a sale opportunity.
Elvin knew Lin Haoran was right—and he knew if he hesitated again, he might miss out entirely.
Besides, Elvin deeply feared Squid Capital.
Even if Lin Haoran seemed impressive, Elvin viewed him as merely a lucky young man.
Better to cash out now and leave than risk losing everything later.
"Alright, Mr. Lin.
Six million pounds.
We can sign the contract today," Elvin finally agreed.
Lin Haoran smiled in satisfaction.
With this acquisition, he would soon surpass the Chairman's voting power!
That same day, Lin Haoran visited Elvin's office, signed the stock transfer agreement, and acquired Elvin's 9.6% stake.
Meanwhile, Citibank Securities had quietly accumulated an additional 7.8% stake for Lin Haoran over three days.
Because the stock was actively traded following the announcement of the capital increase, no one noticed the massive transactions.
Thus, in just four days, Lin Haoran's total stake in Supplee Logistics reached a staggering 37.4%!
And Elvin agreed to keep the transaction confidential for a month.
For Lin Haoran, a month was more than enough.
In fact, he probably wouldn't need even that long.
Two days later, Lin Haoran's holdings officially exceeded 40%, reaching 40.9%.
Rather than buying shares from President Liu, he approached another shareholder.
He spent another five million pounds to acquire 8% more.
With ample funds and the company's weakened state, taking over shares wasn't hard.
The next day, Citibank Securities helped him purchase an additional 1%.
After that, Lin Haoran halted the secret acquisition operation.
By then, within just a week—from the initial capital injection to now—Lin Haoran held 49.9% of Supplee Logistics' shares.
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