2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 245 Earning 100 Million Yuan Annually
"Orange Technology? What kind of name is that?"

"Isn't that how all internet companies are? They use animals, fruits, or whatever is easy to remember."

"It seems so. The 'Cheng' in 'Chengzi' sounds like 'Cheng' in 'Chengzi,' so this name is indeed suitable."

"What about Superstar Engine? What does that mean? Why would an investment company choose such a strange name?"

"We got a car license, and cars have engines, you know? That's the name we came up with."

Zhang Suzhi watched the two of them quietly from the side, finding it all very novel.

Isn't it said that young people these days talk about movies, TV series, shopping destinations, and good restaurants when they're dating? Why are these two talking more about work?

Judging from their expressions and demeanor, this was clearly not the first time they had talked about these things.

"Is this how you two usually get along? Do you talk about work when you're together?" Zhang Suzhi asked quietly while Gu Qingqing went to the restroom.

"Huh? Mom, what do you want to say?" Tan Jincheng didn't quite understand his mother's meaning for a moment.

"Don't people say that couples talk about romantic things when they're together? I saw you two talking about work the whole time. How could any girl like you?"

Tan Jincheng then realized and laughed, "You mean this? We don't always talk about these things. Besides, we met through work. Most of their families are in business, so talking about these things isn't boring."

When couples are together, there's no fixed topic to talk about. People's interests change at different stages of life. High school couples might encourage each other in their studies, but in college, they encounter more people and things, and their interests and topics become more diverse.

Once you enter the workforce and reach the age of marriage and children, life becomes more about the mundane details of daily life, like finances and household chores.

In his previous life, Boss Xiao Tan had dated and married someone born in the 90s. He might be a bit of a straight man, but he wasn't completely clueless about women's psychology, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to win over Gu Qingqing.

The reason why the two often talk about work when they are together is simply because Gu Qingqing is curious and interested. Her mother's worries are just because she is not used to it yet.

Zhang Suzhi is quite satisfied with her future "daughter-in-law".

First of all, there's her height. At 1.68 meters, Gu Qingqing is quite tall, even compared to men, among southerners. Coming from the countryside, she still has the mindset of a farmer and has a great fondness for tall girls.

She's good-looking, has a great personality and a good family background, and is a very generous and poised person. It's a pity she's still studying and won't be able to get married for several more years.

"You two just mentioned several companies. How many companies do you own now?" Seeing that Gu Qingqing had returned, Zhang Suzhi brought up the topic of companies again.

With Gu Qingqing present, even when Zhang Suzhi spoke to Tan Jincheng, she used Mandarin. This was partly because Zhang Suzhi used to speak Mandarin frequently when she worked at the petrochemical plant, and partly because she wanted to take care of her future daughter-in-law.

Now that the family is united, there will be no language barriers in the future.

Gu Qingqing, who was teasing Tan Jinyue, was also curious when she heard Zhang Suzhi's question. She didn't really know how much Tan Jincheng's assets were, as the expansion was too fast. He had added several more companies in just a few days.

"There are a total of six companies under my actual control, and nine if you include companies in which I hold shares."

Jin Yi Industrial, Shan Chi Technology, Hang New Energy, Xin Chi Intelligent Manufacturing, Ju Xing Engine, and Orange Technology are five companies actually controlled by Tan Jincheng. In addition, Tan Jincheng only holds shares in Jin Peng Trading, Ming Cheng Industrial, and Sheng Shi Shan Chi under his personal or corporate names.

In addition, there are four Taobao stores. The revenue and profit of these four Taobao stores are actually quite substantial, and they could barely be considered a company.

By this calculation, there are as many as 10 companies associated with Tan Jincheng.

No wonder later generations of bosses owned so many companies; they all appeared without anyone noticing.

In fact, the income of the four Taobao stores was not low. The competition for Taobao stores was not as intense as it is now. It is undeniable that the overall quality of online store practitioners was not high, counterfeit goods were rampant, and there was little guarantee.

However, the profit margin is very high, especially for clothing products.

All four Taobao stores sell clothing. Compared to its competitors, Tan Jincheng has a significant advantage in this area. It has its own OEM factory, its own design team, and even its logistics are cheaper than those of smaller stores thanks to Flash Technology.

With a complete industrial chain and delivery channels, and with Gu Qingqing managing the company's operations, I feel more at ease than with ordinary people. Cost control can be said to have been taken to the extreme.

The OEM factories are all export-oriented, so their quality is much higher than that of their competitors. In addition, their designs are also more modern. Plus, they offer free shipping in the Yangtze River Delta region and occasionally run some store promotions, such as flash sales.

In terms of business strategy, we are a generation ahead of our peers. What may seem like an insignificant, small-scale business can actually generate millions in profit for four stores a year with ease.

A profit in the millions is quite remarkable even at the company level. "You have so many companies? How much do you earn in a year?" Zhang Suzhi asked, somewhat shocked.

She knew that the four Taobao stores could make money, but she never imagined that her son was involved in the operation of so many companies in addition to the four Taobao stores. She just didn't know how much money he could make in a year.

Gu Qingqing hugged Tan Jinyue, who was standing between her legs, and looked on with curiosity.

Tan Jincheng smiled and said, "It's really hard to plan exactly how much money we'll make; you'll have to ask the finance department. But we can still get a rough estimate."

"Then tell me, I want to know how much money you have right now."

"We won't count the three newly registered companies for now. Of the other six companies, only the battery manufacturer is losing money; the others are all profitable, the only difference is how much."

Jinpeng Trading is currently the most profitable company. Based on last year's profit sharing, I should have received over 2000 million yuan. However, with the factory construction this year, I definitely won't be able to receive that amount.

"Jinyi Industry's profits this year should be more than half of Jinpeng Trading's. I own this company, so let's say it earned 4000 million. We can't calculate the profits of the other companies that invested in us yet because it's been too short."

"Flash Technology should be able to achieve its sales target ahead of schedule this year. Sales are currently quite good, and it should be able to earn around 50 to 60 million. These companies, along with each other, can generate a profit of 100 million a year."

In the first half of 2005, FlashTech's profits were in the tens of millions of yuan. The expected sales volume for this year is 20 vehicles. Judging from the data in January and February, this sales volume for the whole year is not a problem.

Although the factory price has decreased due to the addition of the distributor model, and the terminal has maintained the gimmick of not following the trend of raising prices, it seems that the profit margin is lower. However, in reality, the price of the Windspeed series with the same configuration as the Flashspeed budget model is much higher, so the profit margin has not decreased, but has actually increased.

This is one of the reasons why many companies like to launch different styles and new products. By upgrading the packaging and changing the marketing strategy, they can sell the same configuration at a higher price.

For end consumers, few people would be so bored as to buy several electric scooters to take home and then disassemble them for comparison. The brand positioning of Flash and Windmill does not overlap, and their consumer groups are naturally not the same.

In reality, FlashTech's profits this year should be far more than 50 million. The real peak season for the market has not yet arrived. At this moment, Tan Jincheng is simply calculating based on last year's profits multiplied by five.

The two supply chain companies in which we have invested are both high-quality companies with guaranteed profit margins, and these can all be attributed to FlashTech.

As for the three newly registered companies, Star Engine and Orange Technology are currently empty shells, not profitable, but they won't lose much either. As for Xinchi Intelligent Manufacturing, it can be considered truly profitable once the district and Zhongtai reach an agreement on the shareholding situation.

In addition, Tan Jincheng also rents out 100 houses to FlashTech as employee dormitories, which generates nearly one million yuan in profit per year. Tan Jincheng plans to incorporate these assets into Superstar Engine.

Leaving aside stock prices, Mr. Tan's personal and company income for the year will be no less than 100 million yuan. This is real profit, which is much more substantial than talk of wealth or anything like that.

Zhang Suzhi was so shocked that she couldn't speak. All the miscellaneous expenses added up to 100 million yuan a year. No wonder he didn't care about Taobao stores even though they were so profitable now, and treated them as pocket money.

For someone who earns 100 million a year, can't a million or so be considered pocket money?
Gu Qingqing's beautiful eyes also sparkled with astonishment at Tan Jincheng's abilities. With so many companies, each with its own responsibilities, he was able to manage everything while also being able to make money so well. No wonder people in Beicang District and Yicheng valued him.

"How do you spend all this money? I've never seen you and Qingqing wearing gold and silver." Zhang Suzhi sighed after she came to her senses.

"Isn't there another company that's losing money? All the profits have been invested in that company. That company is expected to lose money for several more years. It's researching technology, and the investment costs are huge."

Investing in cutting-edge technologies takes a long time. BYD's successful transition from gasoline vehicles to new energy vehicles is also due to its large investment in battery technology in the early stages. It has its own battery technology and is not subject to CATL, which gives it a clear cost advantage.

My mom doesn't really understand this kind of thing, but what she said makes a lot of sense. It seems that I have indeed been a bit too stingy with my spending.

"Auntie, I'm still a student. There's no need for me to wear gold and silver. Besides, my current style is already considered quite high-profile for school. I can't go any further."

There are quite a few students from well-off families at Ningbo University. Gu Qingqing's family is not considered top-tier, but in the past two years, she has broadened her horizons a lot by following Tan Jincheng, and her dressing style is more eye-catching than most girls.

Secondly, Tan Jincheng changed cars quite quickly, from a Passat to a BMW 3 Series and now an Audi A6 in less than two years. His constant chauffeured rides in luxury cars earned Gu Qingqing considerable attention at the Foreign Languages ​​Institute.

Zhang Suzhi looked left and right, pondering in her mind, and finally seemed to have made a decision.

"That won't do either. I originally thought you were just doing big business and didn't make much money, but now it seems that's not the case at all. Since that's the case, I don't need to save you any money. Come on, Qingqing, come shopping with me."

The girl gave her and her husband a pair of watches, and it wouldn't do to leave them without any reward. Zhang Suzhi, who was used to being frugal, decided to splurge and buy the girl a gift.

It seems that donating money to the village primary school is also an option; if he doesn't spend it, I'll help him spend it.

"Don't lie there, take the three of us to the city for a trip." Zhang Suzhi got up and kicked Tan Jincheng.

(End of this chapter)