The not-so-large conference hall was packed, with media from across the province and some from outside the province gathered here.
Some reporters were experienced, secretly complaining about the mediocre hotel, but there was no choice, at this time, this was already the best hotel in Beicang.
There were no Hilton-like hotels in this era, and even large shopping malls only had RT-Mart.
When Tan Jincheng came in, he also felt that the place was a bit small.
It was just that the investment cycle for hotels was too long and not very interesting, otherwise building a luxury hotel in Beicang would be quite good.
"Next time we hold a press conference, we should learn from Luyuan and hold it in Hangzhou."
Luyuan's headquarters was in Huitui City, and they often scheduled press conferences in Hangzhou.
Besides convenient transportation, they might also face the same problem as Beicang, lacking a good venue for press conferences.
They couldn't possibly go to the municipal administrative conference hall, could they? No enterprise has that qualification yet.
——
Wuxi.
In the office of the Xinri headquarters' boss in the electric vehicle industrial park, Zhang Congxun's mood plummeted to rock bottom.
He had urgently interrupted his trip to return; after being on a business trip for more than half a month, his home had been burgled!
Yu Lin had submitted his resignation to him.
This was definitely an incident that could cause turmoil for Xinri, and it was extremely serious. Its consequences were no less than Shanchi losing more than half of Tan Jincheng, and it would cause turmoil for Xinri.
The cost of poaching Yu Lin would definitely be higher than Zhou Ao's.
Their values and strengths were different, and Zhang Jian had a full understanding of this, which was why poaching Zhou Ao first was also to reduce corporate costs.
But since it didn't succeed, Yu Lin couldn't fail.
Xu Qihua talked money with Zhou Ao, but with a well-established figure like Yu Lin, she talked ideals.
Yu Lin's position would not merely be a marketing director, but Aima's second-in-command.
Including the establishment of market channels, marketing planning, advertising, and other aspects would be fully entrusted to Yu Lin.
What Aima would become, whether it would be the next Shanchi, would entirely depend on the results Yu Lin achieved.
Simply put, Zhang Jian would provide the money, Yu Lin would provide the effort, and both parties would partner to make the company bigger and stronger.
If they did well, they could even be given shares.
For Yu Lin, this kind of promise was very attractive.
He had already proven himself in marketing, and he didn't lack money.
Now he had the opportunity to display his talents and allow an enterprise to go from its beginner stage to being famous nationwide.
After nearly 20 days of persistent lobbying by Xu Qihua, and Zhang Jian even personally came to Wuxi once, Yu Lin was finally moved.
There was another unspoken reason: the rise of Shanchi last year.
Yu Lin and Zhang Congxun had certain conflicts in their philosophies.
Yu Lin, with his professional sensitivity, suggested to Zhang Congxun that they must pay attention to Shanchi.
But at that time, Zhang Congxun was in high spirits and didn't pay much attention.
By this year, such an important plan as the Olympic sponsor had been lost due to Shanchi's obstruction, and the relationship between the two became even more delicate.
Zhang Congxun probably didn't even know that Shanchi's successful obstruction of Xinri was partly due to Tan Jincheng knowing the historical process, and partly related to Zhang Congxun's big mouth.
If it weren't for that visit, where Zhang Congxun showed off to Tan Jincheng that they had signed an international superstar, Tan Jincheng wouldn't have reacted so quickly to secure Zhou Jielun to counter them.
Tan Jincheng knew Xinri would sign that international superstar, but he didn't know when they would sign him.
When a senior executive formally submits a resignation to the boss, it basically means there's no chance of retaining them.
Unlike impulsive resignations from ordinary employees, senior executives who are financially secure, well-connected, and choose to resign voluntarily have usually thought it through carefully.
They are either starting their own business or have found a more ideal destination.
Yu Lin's sudden resignation application disrupted Zhang Congxun's work rhythm.
Although he knew it was impossible to retain him, the necessary procedures still had to be followed.
Another issue was how to fill the vacancy in the marketing department after Yu Lin's departure.
Fortunately, it wasn't an immediate resignation, there was a buffer period, so the marketing department's work wouldn't come to a standstill.
Zhang Congxun had been an entrepreneur for many years.
Although he hadn't suffered many major setbacks, he had experienced significant challenges.
Yu Lin's departure was a loss for Xinri, but it didn't cause Zhang Congxun to lose his composure.
Following normal retention procedures, he also personally took over the marketing department, adjusted its personnel, and cleared out Yu Lin's trusted associates.
"Oh, if only the planning was all done by ourselves like young Tan, then poaching wouldn't matter."
He came from a business background, good at running operations and building relationships with local governments, but he was indeed lacking in marketing.
In fact, many bosses nowadays are similar to him, either from business or transitioned from sales.
Most of the early-stage development activities of Xinri were basically from Yu Lin's hands, and the reason Yadi was so low-key was because it lacked a strong marketing talent.
Tan Jincheng's approach was different from theirs.
Shanchi would release news from time to time.
Apart from not aggressively promoting itself, its general approach was somewhat similar to Lei Busi's, more akin to an "internet celebrity" entrepreneur.
There's nothing wrong with being an internet celebrity entrepreneur.
With the development of the times and increasingly fierce competition, enterprises need exposure and promotion.
Tan Jincheng just brought these forward.
"First, I'd like to inform all media friends and consumers about Shanchi's achievements since its first anniversary. As of today, our production capacity for September is fully booked, and orders for the fourth quarter are also very substantial. The total sales for the entire year of 2006 can already be roughly estimated, expected to be 426,200 vehicles! The overseas portion accounts for approximately 12%."
As soon as his voice fell, there were gasps of astonishment from below, and even the Beicang leaders in attendance couldn't hide their joy.
At the 2005 annual meeting, Tan Jincheng announced that the total sales for 2006 would reach 200,000 vehicles.
When this news spread, many thought this young man was too arrogant.
In the last few months of 2005, their sales were only 3.8 vehicles.
Could a growth rate of over five times be achieved in one year?
However, no one expected Shanchi to exceed its 2006 sales forecast by 131%, completing its 2006 sales target with an 11.2-fold increase compared to the entire year of 2005.
If this figure was real, annual sales of 426,200 vehicles could already secure a top-three position, aiming for second.
As for first place, it was still Xinri.
Xinri's sales forecast for this year should be between 500,000 and 600,000 vehicles, a five-fold increase from last year.
At Shanchi's growth rate, if they had a full year of sales last year, it's uncertain who would be the industry leader.
Most importantly, Shanchi's overseas channels performed surprisingly well.
Exporting over 50,000 electric vehicles overseas in one year and focusing on foreign markets made them the first in the industry to do so.
It hadn't been many years since joining the WTO, and ordinary people were still quite proud of the term "earning foreign exchange."
Shanchi Group not only had clothing and electronic product export businesses, but now also electric vehicle exports, truly instilling the concept of earning foreign exchange deep into its bones.
"All of this is inseparable from the support of consumers and all sectors of society, including the Beilun District Government, and also from the efforts of all Shanchi employees. The company has decided to give all employees a pay raise on the occasion of its first anniversary, with management receiving a 15% increase and grassroots employees a 20% increase."
"In addition, this summer we piloted a reunion program for left-behind children and their parents. A total of 37 left-behind children came to Beicang to reunite with their parents, and the results were very good. In the future, Shanchi will continue to implement this plan, striving to seek more benefits for employees."
After reporting the achievements, Tan Jincheng paused for a moment, then continued:
"Alright, these are the achievements of our electric vehicle business. Looking back at the past, we should look forward to the future. Next, I will talk about the future plans for the electric vehicle business."
"A sales volume of 500,000 is clearly no longer our goal. Next, Shanchi's electric vehicle business will strive towards a total sales volume exceeding one million and annual sales exceeding one million. I hope these can be achieved within the next three years. Within three years, our goal is to become a large industrial company with sales revenue of 1 billion!"
"Given the boom in the electric vehicle market and the increase in our own sales expectations, the existing production capacity can no longer meet market demand. In addition to the Beicang industrial base which will be put into operation on New Year's Day next year and the Tianjin industrial base currently under construction, Shanchi will also build a third industrial base in the future."
"Within the next three years, Shanchi Technology will have at least three industrial bases nationwide, creating jobs for over 2,500 grassroots employees. Furthermore, we will increase investment in R&D, with no less than 10% of net profit invested in R&D annually to achieve industrial upgrading."
After the review and outlook, a question-and-answer session began.
Reporters below had already started raising their hands, and Tan Jincheng casually picked a somewhat familiar reporter.
"First, congratulations to Mr. Tan's company for achieving such results on its first anniversary. Secondly, I also wish Shanchi success in completing its sales forecast in the next three years. My question is, does Shanchi have plans to go public?"
"Of course, companies want to go public, and Shanchi is no exception. Going public is a part of future development, but this depends on the market environment. Also, I have limited education and am not very knowledgeable about finance. In the future, I will diligently study this knowledge to ensure I don't fall behind in the company's development process."
"The theme of the press conference is Shanchi Group. You just talked about the electric vehicle business. Could Mr. Tan introduce us to Shanchi Group's other businesses?"
There was no doubt that these initial questioners were "plants," otherwise, it would be boring if Tan Jincheng was the only one speaking on stage, giving a dry presentation with no interaction.
"Of course. The reason it's called a 'group' is that its businesses are certainly not just a single one. Everyone knows that I initially did clothing export business, and this part has not been abandoned."
"The former Jinpeng Trade, now Jinpeng Industry, has been incorporated into Shanchi Group and also has its own brand. Currently, a factory is under construction in my hometown, and Jinpeng Industry also plans to invest in building another large garment factory in Beicang. The two factories are expected to create nearly 3,000 jobs."
"In addition, Hangxin New Energy Co., Ltd., under the company, is dedicated to the research and development and production of lithium batteries. We have already partnered with Beicang Urban Investment to acquire a piece of land in Chunxiao Town, where we will build a lithium battery factory in the future. Once completed, it will also create over a thousand jobs."
"Has Shanchi Technology's third industrial base been confirmed? Is there a specific location for it?"
"Not yet. Currently, there are a few potential locations we are quite interested in, but they are still under investigation."
Tan Jincheng's statements and the Q&A with reporters were full of information, not only outlining Shanchi's dazzling achievements over the past year but also the company's long-term plans.
A total sales volume exceeding one million is certainly not a problem and might even be achieved next year.
The annual sales volume exceeding one million being Shanchi's goal within the next three years is as sensational as the 2006 sales forecast of 200,000 vehicles announced last year.
But at this point, no one would treat it as a joke anymore.
Besides these, it was also mentioned that Shanchi Technology would establish one or even multiple industrial bases.
Furthermore, Jinpeng Trade transitioned from a purely trading company into manufacturing, launching two large garment factories right away.
There was also a lithium battery factory; each of these was a major investment.
The electric vehicle factory would create 2,500 new jobs, the garment factories 3,000 jobs, and even if the lithium battery factory created 1,000 jobs, adding to the existing scale, Shanchi Group would create at least 8,000 jobs within the next three years!
This was undoubtedly a large company.
Any local government would warmly welcome such an enterprise.
No wonder Beicang District treated Shanchi like a favorite son.
The key was that all these things Mr. Tan mentioned, except for the annual sales exceeding one million which still had some doubt, were already ongoing projects.
This meant that Mr. Tan had not exaggerated at all, and was even somewhat conservative.
Although he did not directly confirm the IPO plan, it was essentially a default.
If annual sales could reach one million vehicles and revenue exceed 1 billion, then going public would actually be a relatively simple matter.
Tan Lihua, who had sneaked in to join the excitement, sat in a corner, watching his son speak eloquently on stage, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
A series of data proved that Shanchi had matured into a large group company capable of solving employment problems for thousands of employees.
This made him understand even more deeply why people had been inviting him to dinner recently.
According to Shanchi's announced sales forecast for 2006, the total annual revenue had exceeded 500 million yuan.
This already surpassed the combined annual GDP output value of Wangjiang's secondary industry last year, and more than one-fifth of the county's total annual GDP!
It was more than ten times the county's fiscal revenue!
If he were a leader, he would also have to build a good relationship with young Mr. Tan's father.
As long as you are from Yicheng, it doesn't matter if you're not back now, there will always be a time to return.
The press conference continued, and the Q&A session was still ongoing, but Tan Lihua's thoughts had wandered, and he was lost in thought, not hearing the specific content clearly.
At some point, a reporter asked:
"Mr. Tan, what is your relationship with Chengzi Technology, the parent company of Kaixinwang, which has recently become popular across the internet?"
(End of Chapter)