I'm a Master in India

Chapter 253: Good News Keeps Coming

The power struggle in eastern Uttar Pradesh, which had just entered its climax, was forcefully suppressed.

Ron felt some regret that the Sur family couldn't clear all these obstacles at once with such a rare opportunity.

Yadav didn't want chaos here; for those in power, maintaining the current situation was far less risky than overturning and starting anew, so he wasn't willing to take risks.

However, at least the trouble at Sur Cement Plant was resolved, and those two local bullies were also severely weakened.

For quite some time in the future, they will likely behave themselves, secretly licking their wounds and waiting to recover.

The Sur family also needs to consolidate its influence; they haven't been here long enough, and their foundation is still insufficient.

“Are you preparing to return to Mumbai?” Ratan was exercising in the manor.

“With Yadav in charge, Uttar Pradesh will be peaceful for a while,” Ron said, sitting in a wicker chair and flipping through reports.

“It's a pity the bullets for the Bren light machine guns weren't all used up,” Ratan also said with some regret.

“Stop thinking about fighting and killing; time is on our side.”

“I know, I know, wait until the cement plant develops,” Ratan said, finishing his push-ups, clapping his hands, and getting up. “By the way, how did the factory's cement sell this month?”

“Very good!” Ron patted the report in his hand. “Basically, we sell as much as we produce; demand exceeds supply.”

The cement plant has been in operation for a full month, producing a total of over eight thousand tons of cement.

Just as Ron said, demand simply exceeds supply. The cement fresh from the factory was immediately hauled away, with many people lining up at the entrance waiting.

There are too many places in Uttar Pradesh that need cement, especially in urban areas, where the shortage is significant.

A large state with nearly 150 million people, the civilian market alone is enough to keep the Sur Cement Plant running at full capacity.

Developers like Chada and Roy, who are initially involved in real estate, have also shifted their external cement demand to Ron.

When they buy cement from other states, they not only have to pay extra for transportation but also incur some losses during transit.

Ron's location is close, and within a hundred kilometers, he even provides delivery to the door; the service is impeccable.

They basically consumed all eight thousand tons of cement in the first month, and even next month's supply is already booked.

The limestone mine in Mirzapur is of very good quality. Sur Cement Plant also uses new equipment, producing cement that is more reliable than similar products in most parts of North India.

Ron's price to Chada and others is 1800 rupee per ton, far below the 2500 rupee quoted in government tenders.

Anyone familiar with state government projects knows that's an inflated price, specifically for milking money.

Real estate developers are the main customers in the future, mostly large-scale transactions, so a discount is appropriate.

The retail price for other small customers is 2000 rupee; these are middlemen who will sell it on again.

Selling cement, like selling evaporative coolers, requires leaving about 10% profit for channel partners.

The final price paid by urban residents is roughly between 2200 and 2400 rupee, which aligns with the market price.

After shipping eight thousand tons of cement, Sur Cement Plant's sales in the first month reached 14.4 million rupee, making a huge profit.

This stuff is completely unsellable, with a profit margin as high as 75%; Ron is practically counting money while lying down.

For large transactions, the agreement Ron signed with Chada and others is to pay 90% of the previous month's goods payment before the 10th of each month, with the remaining 10% to be paid within one month after the final settlement.

Other small customers and middlemen, however, pay cash upon delivery.

There is no pressure on accounts receivable; Ron expects to earn back the principal within a year.

Big investment, big return, it's awesome.

The cement business in Uttar Pradesh is almost a semi-monopoly.

“Damn, it looks even more profitable than marijuana,” Ratan also secretly marveled at the numbers on the report.

“In the short term, that's correct, but competition will become fierce in five years.”

“With so many orders, we don't need to care about Yadav's attitude at all.”

“That's a government project; there's so much profit you'll be stuffed! Besides, who would complain about having too much business? I plan to start the second phase of the cement plant this year,” Ron said, his ambition grand.

“Brother, the first phase isn't even finished yet, and you're already preparing to expand and strengthen?”

“Such a good opportunity cannot be wasted,” Ron said, patting the blueprints in his hand. “The second phase will directly scale up to three hundred thousand tons, with two lines.”

“That means,” Ratan calculated on his fingers, “an annual production of 700,000 tons?”

“Yes, taking advantage of the market gap, we need to stake our claim early.”

Ron just didn't have the money; otherwise, he would have wanted to do it in one go and directly raise the annual capacity to a million tons.

Once the channels for large-scale transactions like cement mature, it will be difficult for others to enter.

In the era of pioneers, what matters is being bold and reckless.

“Expanding capacity six times, that must cost a lot of money, right?” Ratan admitted that he wasn't as bold as Ron.

“An estimated 800 million rupee; the machinery and equipment will be bought directly, no longer leased.”

“800 million? Brother, will the banks give us a loan?” Ratan expressed doubt; they had just borrowed a sum of money.

“There will always be a way; at worst, we'll try a few different banks,” Ron said, completely unfazed.

India's banking system is a mess, with too many loopholes to exploit.

As long as he shows them the Sur Cement Plant's reports, most banks are guaranteed not to refuse his loan.

A completed cement production line is like a money printing machine; there's no need to worry about repayment ability.

“Brother, you are a person who does great things.” Ratan felt that even if he sold marijuana his whole life, he wouldn't make hundreds of millions of rupee.

“Now is the beginning of a great era, and we can still catch up,” Ron said with an optimistic shrug.

“Mumbai is indeed extraordinary; after you went there, your ideas became very different from people in Uttar Pradesh. By the way, when are you leaving?”

“After signing the government contract, probably next week.”

Construction on the Kanpur highway is not expected to start until the end of the year, so Sur Cement Plant is currently supplying the civilian market.

According to contracting practice, the government doesn't care which company's cement contractors use.

But there's a rule called supporting local enterprises, or to put it more directly, designated suppliers.

Yes, Sur Building Materials Company is the only cement plant in Uttar Pradesh.

No choice, this is the authentic Indian way of operating.

A week later, Ron returned to Mumbai.

The phone calls here were urgent, mostly about the television production line.

“Boss, in the months you were away, that Xiao Tian was going crazy with impatience,” Ashish immediately came to report on the recent situation at Sur Electrical Appliances.

“Who?” The leisurely Ron was still enjoying his first iced coffee of the Mumbai summer.

Well, it's already the end of August, just as the rainy season is ending.

“Xiao Tian, you forgot? That Xiao Tian who was in charge of the NEC negotiations.”

“Oh.” Ron suddenly understood; his mind was still on the power struggle drama, gunfights, and heavy machine guns in the north.

The span was too large, making it difficult for him to adapt immediately. That sense of disconnect felt as if he were in two completely different times and spaces.

“Didn't the NEC television production line just arrive recently? Has it been debugged?”

“No, those Japanese keep getting diarrhea every few days and work even slower than us.”

“So what's the rush?” Ron asked, puzzled.

“Uh, Boss, according to the agreement, we should pay the final installment after the production line arrives.”

“Working so slowly, and they still have the nerve to ask for money?” Ron's eyebrows shot up. “I even want to deduct their pay.”

“Ah?” Ashish was stunned.

“Tell that Xiao Tian that we'll talk about money after the production line is debugged.”

“Then I'll go arrange it.”

“Wait, how is East University doing?” Ron called out to him.

“Boss, your insight is truly sharp; their efficiency is several times faster than the Japanese.”

Ashish was beaming with joy; he had to admit that the old Chinese workers were truly exceptional.

The two black and white television production lines, promised to arrive in a month, arrived in a month, not a day late.

After confirming the equipment was in place, the other side immediately sent technical personnel to assist with installing the production line.

Unlike the Japanese, who promised delivery in three months but were delayed by two weeks due to the rainy season.

They haven't even finished the work and are already thinking about money, bad review!

“Did the people from East University not get diarrhea?” Ron asked, somewhat curious.

“They did, two people were hospitalized just two days after arriving.”

“Hiss~” Ron felt a bit of a toothache.

“But they said it was a minor issue and insisted on staying to work overtime.”

“Look at them; our workers are several times worse.”

Ron was heartbroken and indignant, while Ashish was ashamed like a child who had made a mistake.

Ah, someone else's child, a familiar formula.

“How are those two black and white television production lines doing?”

“We've already test-produced a batch, no problems,” Ashish perked up again.

“That fast?”

“I was just about to show you the finished product.” Ashish carried in a cardboard box from outside.

It was square, about twenty centimeters wide. There were no patterns on it; it looked like it was found temporarily.

Ron's office had readily available power outlets, so Ashish quickly moved it onto the desk and plugged it in.

A very classic model: a large back, a curved screen, a tuning knob on the right, and a speaker below.

The casing was black, and the knobs and frame were silver; for a moment, Ron felt like he was transported back to his childhood.

“This is the feeling!” He walked forward excitedly, carefully stroking the television's frame.

If it weren't for the shiny “SUR” logo in the upper right corner, he would have almost thought this television had traveled through time.

It's similar, too similar.

“Boss?” Ashish called softly.

“It's damn beautiful!”

At this moment, only a single exclamation could express Ron's complex feelings.

“Yes, yes,” Ashish nodded.

“Turn it on!” Ron waved his hand and sat back in his chair.

Turning on the switch, Ashish twisted the knob, clicking and clicking, starting to tune the channels.

After a blurry figure appeared on the television screen accompanied by static, he quickly spread his arms, holding the antenna and moving it left and right.

Finally, at a certain moment, both the picture and sound became clear.

He carefully stepped back, afraid of touching the antenna and undoing his previous efforts.

“Good, very good!” Ron was very satisfied.

This 14-inch black and white television was just like the one in his memory, with no difference.

The picture and sound are reliable, absolutely capable of meeting the daily needs of Indians.

“When can we start production?” he asked.

“This month is fine, it's just a matter of your word.”

“What about the cost?”

“Just as initially estimated, around 1600 rupee. If mass-produced, subsequent costs can be further reduced.”

“Start stocking up now; I want to bring down the price of televisions in India!”

Ron was full of ambition; he was familiar with the cost-performance route.