Reborn Tech Maniac

Chapter 553 The Difference Between Duty and Favor
In 1979, when Mostek's market share climbed to the peak, it attracted the attention of predators, and was finally acquired by United Technologies Corporation, UTC, for $3 million.

UTC is a well-known manufacturer in the United States and a huge military contractor. Its main business scope includes aircraft engines, helicopters, air conditioning systems, fuel cells, elevators, escalators, fire and safety equipment, construction equipment and other industrial equipment.Its companies are familiar to ordinary people, such as Otis Elevator Company and Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Engine Company.

The spacesuits and fuel cells used in the Apollo 11 moon landing; the engines of the Boeing 747; the fuel cells, spacesuits and environmental control systems of the Columbia space shuttle... are all provided by UTC.

Backed by UTC, Mostek originally had processors and other products on its product line, but after DRAM became more and more profitable, it put all its treasures on it.

Such a focus does not necessarily mean that the road is getting narrower. The key point is that Japanese counterparts have developed a 256KB dynamic random access memory chip, but Mostek has been slow to make progress.

The technology is lagging behind, and the price cannot be competitive. Naturally, the status in the world is not guaranteed, and life is becoming more and more difficult.

But there is one thing, if the child cries, there is no guarantee that the adults will not come forward to defend it.Therefore, Mostek's sarcasm is really scary.

Tang Huan tapped his fingers on the table and asked understandingly: "You came here to make me a strong man, maybe you want me to cooperate with you in acting."

"Indeed." John Chambers nodded, "I feel that only you can help Fangyuan Computer Company calm down the situation."

……

San Jose, located in the south of the San Francisco Bay Area, is the capital of Santa Clara County where Silicon Valley is located, so it also calls itself the capital of Silicon Valley.The closed-door consultation meeting of the US Semiconductor Industry Alliance and computer manufacturers chose to be held here.

Representatives from dozens of companies were sitting together. It was quite a crowd. The active small group headed by Mostek was communicating and encouraging each other, how to put pressure on the representatives of Fangyuan Computer Company when they arrived.

……

"If you count on those ineffective guys from the federal government to investigate the dumping of the Japanese semiconductor industry, you may not be able to get the results. Even if you can wait for the results, our losses will be difficult to recover. Therefore, everyone must be prepared. , Let manufacturers cooperate with our actions."

"As long as we take down Fangyuan Computer Company, it will be easy for other companies."

……

As the initiator of this semiconductor industry alliance, Robert Noyce was displeased when he heard these comments.The reason why he worked so hard to run up and down is that he really has a good wish to save the entire semiconductor industry in the United States.Unfortunately, some members of the alliance did not appreciate it.

Speaking of which, the relationship between Mostek and Intel has a long history.

In the 1970s, Intel had quality problems when it launched 4KB DRAM, so Mostek seized the opportunity to step on Intel and ascend to the dominant position in the memory industry.

In addition, after Federico Fagin left Intel, he founded Zilog, and developed an 8-bit microprocessor Intel8080 compatible CPU and competitor Z80. It was Mostek's fab that assisted in its tape-out success.

There are too many problems between the two companies. It is impossible to completely eliminate the barriers that were planted just because they now have the same big goals.

In all fairness, Robert Noyce lobbied the federal government to investigate the dumping of the Japanese semiconductor industry, and he worked very hard, but because the trade friction between Japan and the United States is very complicated, and the Japanese are very shrewd and familiar with international trade rules, it is not so easy to handle , so the progress is slow.

At the same time, Robert Noyce also listened to the opinions of the alliance and lobbied some important American computer manufacturers to support "domestic products" in memory, but the effect was really not good.

But Mostek didn't understand the hard work involved, and even suspected that Intel was unwilling to put pressure on computer manufacturers sincerely because of the processor Intel80286. Using what he heard from Tang Huan, he described it as "hold up a bowl to eat meat, Put down your chopsticks and scold your mother." It's so heartless.

Robert Noyce was evaluated as a "loyal elder" by the outside world, but at this time the false fire was rising, and he couldn't help but sneered bitterly to himself, "I have personally experienced the toughness of Fangyuan Computer Company, let's see how you hit your head Bleeding!"

……

With the representatives of computer companies such as Commodore, Apple, Compaq, SUN, SGI, DEC, IBM and so on, the time left for the meeting was running out.

However, the representative of Fangyuan Computer Company has not yet appeared.Seeing this scene, Mostek, who was ready to go, couldn't help but feel a little anxious, so he began to say strange words, "What's the matter with the representative of Fangyuan Computer Company, he didn't dare to come, or put on airs and asked everyone to wait for him." ?”

"Since only Fangyuan Computer Company is not here, let's just have the meeting like this." Jobs, who was even more impatient, took over and suggested.

As people's freshness and enthusiasm for flashy MACs are fading, the sales of MACs have been declining all the way. Jobs's rhetoric that Apple will sell 75 MACs this year will also come to naught. He is even more anxious, saying yes Not too moody.

Originally, Jobs would not have come to this kind of wrangling meeting, but John Sculley persuaded him, "Anyway, this meeting is in Silicon Valley, very close. As the external image of Apple, you should learn about the industry. The dynamics are also good."

But what Jobs lacks at the moment is "peace of mind". Sitting here and looking at everyone is not pleasing to the eye, and he hopes that the meeting will end quickly.

The president of Mostek, Wayne Proslo, was so stupefied by Jobs that he almost choked, cursing inwardly, "You ignorant and arrogant guy, don't you see that I have something to say? Besides, sir Without you Apple, Fangyuan cannot be missing, otherwise this meeting will lose its meaning."

The scene was in a commotion, when the door opened, Tang Huan, accompanied by John Chambers, walked in calmly and sat down next to the meeting convener, Robert Noyce.

It has to be said that Tang Huan's appearance was beyond everyone's expectations. Wayne Proslo and the friends beside him looked at each other in blank dismay, exchanging ideas secretly.

Looking around, Tang Huan found that, as expected, this kind of meeting that is destined to be full of quarrels, the top leaders of big companies are too lazy to show up.

Raising his wrist and glanced at the Rolex that Deng Lijun gave him five years ago, Tang Huan said with a smile: "It's almost time, can the meeting start?"

Robert Noyce, who was a little tired from being disturbed by various contradictions, pulled himself together, coughed lightly, and made a brief opening speech, "The issues to be discussed in this meeting have long been clear to everyone. Who will come first?" Speak."

"Let me explain my point of view." Wayne Proslo quickly took over Robert Noyce's words with a gesture of doing his part.

"As we all know, the U.S. semiconductor industry is experiencing the most severe shock in history, far exceeding the impact of the oil crisis in the 1970s."

"Japanese semiconductor companies use the technology they have learned from us and the licenses they have obtained to manufacture similar memory products, which in turn dump them on the U.S. market at a price lower than the cost."

"Obviously, Japan intends to destroy our semiconductor industry so that they can become kings."

"With this in mind, we must marshal our resources and efforts to respond to this disgraceful attack."

"At present, in the field of technology research and development, a series of agreements have been reached to avoid duplication of resources."

……

Tang Huan solemnly wrote in the shorthand notebook with a gold pen, "Huiji will be hurt, love will last forever, strong will be humiliated, a humble gentleman, gentle as jade", and then pondered it carefully.

Seeing that Wayne Proslow was still boasting there, Tang Huan could no longer bear his noise. He knocked on the table with his fingers and reminded: "Mr. Wayne Proslow, this is not the Congress. Please put away unnecessary things." Long story. So many people are wasting their time here, and the damage every minute is difficult to assess. What we need is to get straight to the point and discuss the main points.”

Amid Jobs's yawn and the joking looks of several other computer manufacturer representatives, Wayne Proslow blushed for a moment, then said calmly: "As you wish, let's talk about the key points. "

"In order to gather the strength of the U.S. semiconductor industry and resist Japan's malicious attacks, we hope that Fangyuan Computer Company can set an example for computer manufacturers and reduce the purchase of memories produced by Japanese semiconductor companies as soon as possible, and in turn support the United States. Developments in the Semiconductor Industry.”

"To tell you the truth, I understand very well and am willing to support your actions to save the nation and survive." Tang Huan made his attitude clear with false compassion, and then changed the subject and said: "But, don't you think, asking us to do this? Computer manufacturers, don't give up cheap sources of goods and buy memories that you have no advantage in quality and technology but still have high prices. Isn't it against the laws of the market? Fangyuan Computer is a publicly listed company. How will we benefit from it when the time comes? An explanation for the shareholders who suffered losses for nothing?”

Wayne Proslow had obviously been prepared for such a question, and immediately retorted loudly without hesitation: "You have to take a longer view. If we are defeated by Japan, those Japanese companies can do whatever they want." If you set prices for your products, your interests will be seriously damaged."

"Then you have to explain clearly why the technology of the Japanese company that learned technology from the United States and obtained authorization has surpassed the master in the United States?" Tang Huan stretched out his hand, "I want a large amount of 256KB DRAM now. Everyone here, except Besides Motorola, who else can supply me? Does the support you mentioned mean that you want me to buy your outdated 16KB DRAM and 64KB DRAM with a low yield rate?"

Seeing the dumbfounded expression of the other party, Tang Huan sneered, and lazily concluded: "You don't have that ability! Instead of doing this, you might as well try to get the federal government to take action against Japan as soon as possible."

"You are sophistry." Wayne Proslo roared angrily, "I know that you have always been very close to those Japanese companies, and have been purchasing their products in large quantities for a long time. For your own immediate self-interest, Regardless of the overall situation of the entire semiconductor industry in the United States, you are the traitor among us!"

"Pay attention to your words." Tang Huan slammed the table heavily, and the nearby folders were shaken up by more than an inch.

He stared at Wayne Proslo, and said slowly: "I want to remind you to figure out what is duty and favor. It is duty not to buy your things, and it is favor to order you. No one is qualified to do this Pointing fingers, Fangyuan Computer Company has its own interest groups that must be considered."

Seeing that the atmosphere was so full of sparks, Robert Noyce endured the discomfort of ringing in his ears, and quickly stood up to persuade: "Everyone, please face the differences calmly."

Tang Huan snorted and said loudly: "I'm not boasting. Fangyuan Computer Company has made great contributions to the development of the US semiconductor industry. When the Fangyuan personal computer first came out, the memory capacity of the personal computer on the market was the highest. 64KB, but in about five years, Fangyuan personal computer has brought this level to the mainstream 512KB, the top 2MB or more. You must know the growth of your own memory shipments in your heart most clearly.”

"At COMDEX this spring, Zheru officially released a variety of more powerful software, which greatly stimulated the user's demand for memory, especially the virtual floppy disk program. It can use large memory and Extra space on the hard drive, copying the contents of the slow floppy in to get off the floppy temporarily."

"According to authoritative professional analysis, driven by this favorable condition, the market demand for memory will increase by at least 30.00% in the second half of the year."

"Everyone, this is our contribution. Instead of wasting time here thinking about how to put pressure on computer manufacturers, you should use your brains and how to seize this business opportunity."

Regardless of everyone's different expressions, Tang Huan put away his gold pen and stood up to say goodbye, "Everyone, I have other things to do, so I won't accompany you."

Before going out, Tang Huan told John Chambers grandly, "Since Mostek is so hostile to us, then don't purchase its products in the future, including the 256KB DRAM that may be developed."

Hearing that Tang Huan issued the banning order, Wayne Proslo turned pale with anger, "You are a bully, you are a provocation to our alliance..."

Jobs also stood up, yawned, and muttered dissatisfiedly: "It's so boring, if I knew it would be like this, I wouldn't be here, and I have to go on a business trip."

Other computer manufacturers, including Compaq, did not even bother to say hello and formed a group to retreat. Even semiconductor manufacturers such as Micron and Motorola found an excuse to escape.

Looking around the deserted conference room, Robert Noyce said to himself: "I knew that pushing too hard would be counterproductive."

Wayne Proslo asked, "Should this meeting continue?"

Robert Noyce waved his hand, "From now on, I will only be in charge of public relations with the federal government, and don't come to me for other matters."

After dropping this sentence, Robert Noyce also left.The previous closed-door consultation meeting, which was full of enthusiasm and excitement, was completely fruitless and broke up in a crowd.

Seeing this scene, Wayne Proslo could not help but feel dejected.My wishful thinking was completely in vain, and I also offended Fangyuan Computer Company, how can I explain to the board of directors when I go back?

I think how high-spirited Mostek was when it dominated the industry, but now Tang Huan pointed at his nose and scolded him. I really don't want to be reconciled!

(End of this chapter)