Chapter 297 Equity Swap, Warren Buffett's Company
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Lin Haoran quickly moved to the point.
Since the two sides weren't close, there was no need for unnecessary small talk.
"Mr. Altair, why don't you go straight to the point?" Lin Haoran said with a smile.
"Then I'll be direct, Mr. Lin.
Our DHL Group would like to acquire your shares in Supplee Company," Altair said without beating around the bush.
"Acquire my shares?"
Lin Haoran was surprised.
This was completely unexpected.
He had thought they came to negotiate peace, not to propose buying him out.
Altair's intentions were clear: DHL wanted to swallow Supplee completely.
"An acquisition? That's not impossible. What price are you offering?" Lin Haoran asked with a smile.
His investment in Supplee had been something of an accident.
He had held his shares for barely ten days and had little emotional attachment to the company.
If they offered a satisfactory price, he didn't mind selling.
After all, if he really wanted to get into the logistics industry, he could easily build a company in Hong Kong.
"From what we understand, Mr. Lin, your total investment in Supplee has been just under £30 million.
We're offering £50 million to acquire your stake," Altair stated directly.
"Mr. Altair, are you kidding me?
As far as I know, Supplee's current market value is around £150 million.
I own nearly half the company, and you're offering £50 million?
If this is the sincerity you're showing, I think there's no point continuing this discussion," Lin Haoran said bluntly, without the slightest pretense.
They really thought he was a fool.
While Supplee's stock price was somewhat inflated, it wasn't unique—many stocks were riding the broader market surge.
Besides, his shares were not ordinary shares.
Holding 49.9% meant controlling the company—a completely different level of value.
"Mr. Lin, I have another idea.
Supplee could merge into DHL at a reasonable valuation, and you would become an important shareholder in DHL.
What do you think?" Altair continued, seeing his initial offer rejected.
But Lin Haoran shook his head again.
He had no interest in being a minor shareholder in a Squid Capital-controlled company.
If he wanted to do logistics, he intended to fully control his company, not be just another name on a shareholder list.
"Mr. Lin, let me be frank.
I have discussed the Supplee acquisition plan with Lord Enrice Oliveira, Leader of the House of Lords and Speaker of the Privy Council.
He supports our acquisition, as do several other influential MPs.
Given this political backing, I sincerely hope you will consider negotiating with us," Altair hinted, subtly leveraging political pressure.
"Oh?
Then perhaps I should have a word with the Prime Minister.
I'm planning major investments in Britain, but it seems the business environment may warrant some second thoughts," Lin Haoran countered smoothly, invoking the Iron Lady.
Even if his personal ties with the Prime Minister weren't deep, given how much the government had courted him, he trusted that at least publicly, the government would side with him.
Altair frowned.
This was proving harder than expected.
"Then, Mr. Lin, what price would convince you to sell?" Altair asked directly.
His side had already invested tens of millions in the UK and didn't want the campaign to end in failure.
"£100 million," Lin Haoran said, smiling like a lion.
"If you pay £100 million, I'll sell you my 49.9% stake."
He knew this price was unrealistic, but since they started by lowballing him, he was happy to counter with an equally outrageous number.
Negotiation was never easy.
"Mr. Lin, you know that's not realistic.
Let's both be reasonable and find a workable price," Altair said, shaking his head.
From Lin Haoran's tone, Altair understood that Lin wasn't absolutely refusing to sell—he just needed the right offer.
However, they couldn't offer unlimited money.
DHL's aggressive expansion wasn't confined to the UK; they had ongoing investments in a dozen countries.
Draining too much capital on Britain alone was unacceptable.
Lin Haoran fell into contemplation.
Maybe it was time to cash out and leave.
After all, investing in Supplee had been accidental.
He hadn't planned to acquire a British company when he first came to the UK.
And yet, here he was—Chairman of Supplee.
Selling now would net him a tidy profit of several hundred million Hong Kong dollars.
Ten days' work for such a return wasn't bad.
Still, Lin Haoran felt a little dissatisfied.
He wasn't in a rush to answer.
Seeing Lin silent, Altair grew anxious.
"Mr. Lin, I have another proposal," Altair said.
"I can offer you shares from my family's investment portfolio instead of cash.
Our family holds major stakes in several companies across Europe, America, and Japan.
You might find something you like."
"Oh?
Which companies exactly?" Lin Haoran's curiosity was piqued.
After all, expanding his investments was his ultimate goal.
Altair immediately grabbed a pen and paper and began listing names.
While Altair's family wasn't on par with the most elite Squid Capital families, their holdings were still significant.
Some companies where they held major stakes could be quite valuable.
Soon, Lin Haoran was handed a sheet listing over a dozen company names, along with the percentages they held.
Some stakes exceeded 30%—enough to gain control.
"Wait—Berkshire Hathaway?"
Lin Haoran spotted a very familiar name.
Wasn't that Warren Buffett's company?
Under Buffett's leadership, Berkshire Hathaway's stock price would rise tens of thousands of times over the coming decades.
"How much is Berkshire Hathaway worth right now?" Lin Haoran asked.
"Including recent valuations, about $200 million," Altair said, slightly surprised by Lin's interest.
To Altair, Berkshire Hathaway seemed unreliable—its profits depended heavily on Buffett's investing prowess.
Their family had invested decades ago on the recommendation of Altair's father.
Though Berkshire's stock had risen over the years, it hadn't been entirely smooth.
After taking over as family head, Altair had seriously considered selling off their Berkshire stake.
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