Chapter 1008 Continuous Fermentation 1
Although the press conference is over, its impact on major companies around the world continues to ferment. Of course, the first one to bear the burden is National Steel Corporation. Black Cloud Group purchases raw materials from Sumitomo Metal, but it wants to reduce their share. But now the deal is done, everything is a foregone conclusion, but it is difficult to change.
Since the black cloud path doesn't work, we have to find a way from other aspects. Moreover, not only everyone in the world knows about the conflict between Bao Zixuan and the Morgan family, but at least the shareholders of National Steel Corporation know about it.
It's just that it didn't affect the company's business before, and it was a personal issue. With old Morgan's authority, no one really dared to say anything. But it is different now. Heiyun Group purchases raw materials directly from the Japanese, so for the US National Steel Company, which itself is not very prosperous. Although it is not a fatal blow, it is definitely an act that adds insult to injury.
There was no choice but to convene a board meeting. After all, the matter was too big and beyond the scope of the company's normal operations. The Morgan family has purchased this company for more than 80 years, and basically no one can challenge their authority in the company. But now the old Morgan also knows that he must explain the situation to shareholders and discuss the next countermeasures.
It was known before that Bao Zixuan would definitely choose other partners, but the investigation found that no company could take such a large order. After all, Heiyun's annual purchases are too large, and they are increasing year after year.
Contradictions are contradictions, and business is business. These are two different things. When both families get what they need, it is not so easy to give up. I didn't expect the Japanese to come out to disrupt the situation. It seemed that they were too polite to them before.
However, this was a critical period of the Cold War, and Americans did not dare to suppress Japan too harshly, let alone offend the Japanese for no reason. If the other side fell to the Soviet Union, it would be a huge blow to the entire Western world. Although this possibility is low, it does not guarantee that it will not happen.
Old Morgan specially came to the headquarters of Pittsburgh Steel Company for this purpose and saw that all the shareholders were silent in the conference room. This is the rule. No one can speak until old Morgan comes. Although he is a bit domineering, who can let him have that strength!
Seeing old Morgan come in, shareholders seemed to have found a backbone.
After sitting down, Old Morgan said: "Now that everyone is here, let the meeting begin!"
This sentence is absolutely like an edict. Rich, CEO of National Steel Corporation, said to everyone: "You must have seen what happened in Xiangjiang. Heiyun Group has cooperated with Sumitomo Foundation on many projects. This includes raw material procurement, of course. The largest amount is related to the procurement of metal raw materials.”
"Currently, Heiyun Group purchases US$4 billion of metal raw materials from the National Steel Corporation every year. It can be said that it is the company's largest customer. And Heiyun Group is different from other companies. Payment for goods is very timely; it is never in arrears; and at the same time, the price is The price is very reasonable and he is the best customer I have ever seen in my 30 years of business.”
"But on the other hand, we didn't even take the initiative to visit. This is not common in such a large amount of trade, or even unique."
"Customers will of course give up some suppliers if they have more suitable partners. We are currently the abandoned party. If we do not take countermeasures, the National Steel Corporation's profits will be even lower next year, or even suffer losses."
In fact, as the CEO of National Steel Corporation, Ricky also had a lot of complaints about the old Morgan. Previously, Old Morgan issued a ban to his companies; that is, all of his companies could not take the initiative to visit Bao Zixuan. Even if the boy named Bao wanted to come to visit the company, he would refuse him directly.
At that time, Ricky disagreed and even explained the situation to old Morgan. But how could a stubborn person compromise easily? Of course he didn't agree. And Ricky was given two choices, either accept it or leave.
Now that there is a problem, Ricky doesn't want to take the blame for old Morgan. Although life in the National Steel Company will not be easy in the future, it is better than being so unclear.
Old Morgan glanced at everyone and said with a smile: "Do you think so too!"
"We think that as long as we are attentive to our customers and take the initiative to visit them, they will give us orders. This is really naive and even ignorant. You know that Bao Zixuan has conflicts with the Morgan family even if I don't tell you. Of course, this is a private matter. I didn’t want to say it to the company’s board of directors. Now do you think it’s because of its relationship with the Morgan family that the Heiyun Group has reduced or stopped purchasing metal raw materials from the National Steel Company?”
"It is only a matter of time that Heiyun Group reduces its purchase of raw materials from National Steel Corporation. It is not because of the cheap prices offered by the Japanese, nor is it because of some conflicts with the Morgan family."
"In terms of understanding of Bao Zixuan, maybe all of you together don't know as much as I do. The Morgan family's intelligence information on that kid is more than one meter high. It can be said that they have conducted a comprehensive investigation on him, almost There are no dead ends.”
"Bao Zixuan is very ambitious, and even though he is young, he likes to be prepared for danger in times of peace. In his view, the raw materials are in the hands of Americans, which will make them very insecure. Once we cut off the supply of raw materials, so black Many factories will be affected by the cloud."
"There is an old Chinese saying that eggs cannot be put in the same basket. Currently, National Steel Corporation of the United States is the most important raw material supplier of Heiyun Group; if there is a problem between us, Heiyun cannot afford such losses."
"The Japanese took the initiative to come to the door, just as Bao Zixuan wanted to do. And if I say this today, ten years from now, the Japanese will lose more than making that little money."
It can be said that old Morgan sees everything clearly, and Bao Zixuan's true thoughts are clear to the old guy.
A shareholder suddenly said: "Now that Mr. Morgan has thought of it, I wonder if there are any countermeasures."
When they heard someone speaking, everyone looked at the person who just spoke. After all, this is a bit of a challenge to old Morgan's authority, and the meaning is obvious; since you are so capable, you must have a countermeasure.
After knowing who was speaking, everyone seemed to be watching a show.
James Carnegie is the great-great-grandson of Andrew Carnegie, the founder of National Steel Company.
The predecessor of U.S. Steel was the Carnegie Steel Company, founded in 1864. Carnegie Steel only became strong after the United States implemented tariff barriers in the mid-19th century. It was not until 1913 that this tariff protection for the American steel industry was completely lifted. Prior to this, most of the U.S. steel industry relied on tariff barriers to make profits in competition with Britain's free trade. Carnegie Steel gained its advantage by building it from scratch into a massive steel conglomerate that produced steel, and for decades it remained the world's largest steel mill.
Later generations did not understand when Andrew Carnegie sold the company to the Morgan family. After all, it is when the company is most prosperous, how can we let others take advantage of it?
In 1901, the United States was in a state of absolute protection of domestic steel companies. Carnegie Steel was at its peak, making a lot of money.
Although they received US$400 million in cash at the time, without a company, the family would soon decline. Could it be that Andrew Carnegie didn't know such a superficial truth? There must be something hidden.
Andrew Carnegie did not explain why until his death, which makes people even more suspicious. In particular, the descendants of the Carnegie family were very critical of the sale of the company.
It is believed that the Morgan family must have forced Andrew Carnegie through dishonorable means. If you don't sell the company, you may not even be able to save your life. Although this is just a guess, in the business environment at that time, murders and arson often occurred; we cannot blame Carnegie's descendants for overthinking.
Although they lost their shares in National Steel Corporation, the Carnegie family also gained huge wealth. Later generations will certainly not be convinced when they see that the Morgan family has been giving orders to the company founded by their ancestors.
Four years ago, by chance, the Carnegie family finally seized the opportunity and spent billions of dollars to purchase shares of National Steel Corporation. It can be said that they are now the company's second largest shareholder and have a strong tendency to take the company back.
It's just that we have to endure it for now. The Morgan family has been running the company for more than 80 years; Carnegie is not even a shadow, so how can shareholders and employees still recognize and trust the Carnegie family.
Morgan Sr. had no right to stop the Carnegie family from entering the board of directors. If we really do that, it will be a challenge to American law, and no one will be so bold.
Previously, the Carnegie family was still very peaceful and basically invisible in the board of directors. Today, they suddenly asked old Morgan whether they wanted to fight for power.
It is never too late for a gentleman to take revenge after ten years, but the Carnegie family is more interesting. He actually endured it for 80 years and waited until the fifth generation of the family to explode, which also confirmed the terrifying strength of the Morgan family. It can be said that the way of heaven is reincarnation, no one will be spared by heaven.
Shareholders are not stupid, and no one dares to speak out at this time. Although the Morgan family is stronger, the Carnegie family is not easy to offend, so there is no need to offend them. It's good to watch the show, but don't get yourself involved; this is the true thought of all shareholders.