2003: Starting with Foreign Trade

Chapter 511 Establishing an Automobile Factory
P.S.: Some readers have commented that the car brand name doesn't sound good, so I've started a thread in the comments section. Please go and comment, and the top four comments with the most likes will be used. Don't make fun of me!

The sixth day of the first lunar month.

Just as Xu Xinglei had expected, small groups of people began to gather in front of the gates of Shanchi Beicang's various factories from morning onwards, asking if there were any job openings.

Every year at the beginning of the work season, this is a common sight at the gates of major factories, with the Flash factory attracting an especially large crowd.

After two years of operation, as the headquarters factory with the best benefits in the group, Flash Motors has a high reputation in the North Warehouse screw-driving circle, and it is the first choice for those who want to enter the factory.

The first group of people to wander around here were still migrant workers who were stranded in Beicang during the Spring Festival. A large part of them worked in small factories and were left unattended during the Spring Festival. They suffered from homesickness while also experiencing soaring prices during the holiday.

This is truly adding insult to injury for someone whose wallet was already tight.

Compared to how Shanchi and other large factories, which are constantly being reported by Beicang TV and newspapers, have handled their stranded employees, my mood is even worse.

I need to change jobs.

How many people are you hiring this year?

The FlashTech factory is the most popular. Although it is far from the city center, in a relatively remote location, and not very convenient to get to, many people still take two buses just to come and inquire about it.

There were about thirty or forty people gathered at the entrance, chattering noisily.

However, Chen Jinwen patiently answered everyone's questions: "We have a lot of recruitment plans this year. In addition to Flash Technology bringing in fresh blood, Jinpeng Industry will also recruit a large number of new people."

"Finally, our factory in Meishan is a new factory and we'll be hiring quite a few people. Please feel free to share this with your friends. You probably already know about our company's benefits; you saw them during the Chinese New Year, right?"

Chen Jinwen is now the Human Resources Director of Flash Group, belonging to the senior management of the group. He has a lot of power and no longer needs to deal with these people. These matters will be handled by the human resources departments of the various branches.

However, having come from Flashpoint Technology, he still habitually comes here to take a look before starting work.

Chen Jinwen still has a deep affection for FlashTech. Starting from that small workshop in the Xiapu Industrial Zone, Chen Jinwen, like all the earliest followers of Tan Jincheng, has achieved a leap in his life.

He was no longer the insignificant recruiter who mingled in various factories. If there was a benefactor in Chen Jinwen's life, his former boss Cheng Yongjun was definitely one of them. One recommendation made him who he is today.

Of course, this was also because he seized the opportunity. After the company grew bigger, Boss Tan no longer held him to the same standards as a human resources manager who could casually hire a few people in a small factory, but rather as a human resources director of a large group.

Chen Jinwen needed to adapt to the strategic human resource management system he developed for the company, including internal talent selection, performance evaluation, and incentive mechanisms—a knowledge typically found only in large corporations.

Boss Tan said that if he could meet his expectations, he would become the group's HR director; otherwise, he would remain an HR manager at FlashTech. Fortunately, he is a professional, having studied this major in school.

Just as he seized the opportunity recommended by Cheng Yongjun, Chen Jinwen seized a second opportunity through his own efforts.

Flash Group has a heavy recruitment task this year. At the meeting before the new year, the boss said that preparations for car manufacturing should begin this year, and the company's financial situation is sufficient to support the early preparations for car manufacturing.

The land in Beicang Meishan is going to start full-scale construction this year. The first step in making cars is to build a factory and recruit workers. Boss Tan also plans to learn from BYD's human wave tactics and save money whenever possible when there is no money.

Meishan Automobile Factory needs to recruit a lot of entry-level employees, but the place is too remote. If it is not explained in advance, I guess not many skilled workers will be willing to go there. How to describe Meishan in early 2008? It was similar to Tan Jincheng returning to his hometown from Yicheng City.

Now that they've all joined the Flash Group, who wouldn't want to find a factory closer to the city center?

"Is Flashcar building another new factory? In Meishan? That's way too remote! What are the benefits like?"

Sure enough, as soon as Chen Jinwen finished speaking, there were many voices of doubt in the crowd. These were all old hands who had worked in Beicang for many years and had changed factories many times. They knew the geographical location of Beicang and the details of each factory very well.

To be honest, Chen Jinwen personally didn't like these seasoned veterans. Although they had much more experience than the newcomers, they didn't do their jobs properly. Moreover, because they often hung out in small factories, they were very casual and difficult to manage.

Chen Jinwen still prefers recent graduates. Although it takes a long time to train them and they need someone to mentor them, which is a waste of time, the overall cost is still lower for newcomers.

Telling them is simply asking them to spread the word that the new car factory can't only have newcomers; it also needs some skilled workers. As for those who are disobedient, we can gradually weed them out.

"It is a bit out of the way, but the district will build a road to get there. Besides, we will also arrange a shuttle bus, so you don't need to worry about that. As for the benefits, that's definitely not a problem."

"Yes, this is our group's HR director, Mr. Chen. What he says is absolutely credible. Besides, there are advantages to being biased. Think about it, everyone, you can save more money and spend less money in the meantime."

"You can buy a car with the money you save. Our company has a partnership with Zhongtai, and you all probably know that our employees get a lot of discounts on cars. Or if you're feeling adventurous, you can buy a house. Our group even builds its own houses, which are cheaper than the market price." Chen Jinwen also joked with a smile, "That's right, you earn more and spend less. Aren't you all out here to make money? Sometimes being in a remote area is actually a good thing. You can really enjoy spending the money you save when you go home for the New Year."

"Haha, like this year, if no one can go home, what's the point of spending money?"

"How can every year be the same as this year? Don't worry, there are places for you to spend your money. Take our group for example, we have clothing and electric vehicles, these are all places for you to spend your money. If that's not enough, you can also play on Happy Farm."
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Chen Jinwen was busy persuading people to work in a factory in Meishan that didn't even exist, so Boss Tan had to help him solve this problem.

The New Year celebrations begin before the Lantern Festival, and the sixth day of the Lunar New Year is considered the proper start of the holiday. However, like Flash, government departments will not be able to take a break this year.

Before the Lunar New Year, people were busy fighting the disaster, and after the Lunar New Year, they were busy restoring production order. It's not so easy to have some free time.

"Why does Boss Tan have time to come here? Doesn't he care that your factory is open?"

The leader who first discovered Tan Jincheng reaped the greatest benefits. He overruled objections and supported a small workshop. Otherwise, it would have been almost impossible for Shanchi to obtain such a large plot of land at that time.

Just go and rent a factory building honestly, let alone expect any discounts.

It was a huge gamble for his career, but the rewards Flash has given him have been enormous. He is now clear that he can take another step forward, just waiting for the change of leadership.

The company that responded to the snowstorm was the best performing in the district, which made him even more proud.

Tan Jincheng often came over for a visit. These people are usually serious and rarely smile. If they occasionally crack a joke, it means they are in a great mood. Today, however, they were all smiles and jokingly called Tan Jincheng "Boss Tan".

Needless to say, good things are on the horizon.

"Uncle Gu is joking. If you don't mind, I'll come and check in every day until you get tired of seeing me."

Boss Tan doesn't hold any of the positions or associations that other business owners have. It's not because the district won't offer them to him; he declined them himself. He's too young. Although the titles may not be very valuable, countless business owners would be vying for them.

If a young man in his early twenties could take this, it would be a bit enviable. Besides, he doesn't really want it. As long as he runs his business honestly, with the current employment scale of several thousand people, Boss Tan can be assured that he will have no problems for the rest of his life.

It's best to avoid provoking them if possible; be close but also maintain a distance.

This is another reason why Leader Gu appreciates Tan Jincheng. This kid is sensible and knows what's rightfully his. He'll take what's rightfully his, even more than he should, but he won't take anything that's not rightfully his.

Take tax payments in the district as an example. Every company wants to pay less. Although Flash also tries to legally avoid taxes, it never engages in any underhanded tactics beyond legal tax avoidance. It honestly pays its taxes, which is what the district appreciates most.

All efforts require corresponding returns, which is the premise for Flashspeed to maintain a good cooperation with Beicang District.

"Stop talking nonsense. There are tons of people who want to see you now. You're a big name now. Stop acting like a child and behaving like before. Just say what you need."

"Uncle Gu understands me best; something really has happened."

"Is it a good thing or a bad thing?"

"Of course it's a good thing! We at Flash are planning to start manufacturing cars this year. Do you think that's a good thing or a bad thing?"

Leader Gu paused for a moment, then squinted at Tan Jincheng for a while before asking, "So you admit you have the idea of ​​building cars?"

Since July of last year, the idea of ​​Flash Motors manufacturing cars has been constantly mentioned by the media, including by the Ningbo Municipal Government and many other local governments. They have repeatedly probed Tan Jincheng about it, but he has denied it all.

Every city wants to have its own car brand, and Beicang is no exception. Although it has a branch factory for Zhongtai, it is not a Beicang brand. If Shanchi is willing to manufacture cars, Beicang District will definitely be the most enthusiastic supporter.

For Beicang District, Tan Jincheng's official statement is naturally a good thing.

"That's definitely a good thing. You're still the troublemaker you always are, causing a big stir before the new year has even started. Tell me, how do you want the district to support you?"

"But let's get this straight first, you have to build a real car factory in our district, not like that power battery project that fooled us, got the land and ran off to Luzhou."

Of course, this was a joke. If Boss Tan really wanted to fool Beicang District, would he want land in that lousy place of Meishan? Even a piece of land in Xiaogang in the city center would be better than Meishan.

(End of this chapter)