I'm the Dauphin in France

Chapter 898: Let me show you the rhetoric of the 21st century

For example, Sandel did not bring the manufacturing technology of the "steam pressure gauge", a key component of the high-pressure steam engine, to Bolton-Watt.

The prototype he produced used a ready-made pressure gauge brought from France.

In the conference room, all the company directors had fiery glows in their eyes after hearing Frank's highly inflammatory speech.

They had all heard about how profitable the French Union Steam Engine Company was.

If the company can seize Europe's steam engine business, its profits will increase tenfold!
Someone said excitedly: "That's right! It's time to give it a try!"

“It’s right to use output to drive down costs.”

"Put 200 units into production and defeat the French!"

Falconer frowned slightly and looked at Sander again: "Mr. Sander, if we calculate based on an annual production of 200 units, how much money do we need to invest?"

The latter forgot to lower his head to calculate for a while and immediately reported the result: "About 8 pounds."

No one cared about the genius technician's calculation speed, but instead started discussing:

"Isn't this too much?"

"With the company's current funds, we need to borrow at least 5 pounds."

"We have new steam engine technology, and banks should be happy to provide loans."

Frank smiled slightly, raised his hand and pressed it down, saying:

“No, we have other ways to get funding.”

Everyone looked at him immediately.

"For example, the pre-sale model," Frank said, "We can pre-sell to customers who need steam engines, that is, pay part of the payment first and then deliver the machine a few months later. As long as we give them a small discount, they will be happy to pay.

"Also, have you ever heard of the famous saying in the field of controlling production costs: 'It is better to buy than to make, and it is better to rent than to buy'?"

Everyone was shaking their heads.

Frank followed the "script" given to him by the Crown Prince:

"You see, building a new milling machine costs about £3. But you can buy it on the market for £1.

"It costs 5 pounds to build a workshop to produce a 'steam pressure gauge'!

“But I know that there is a company in the Netherlands that produces this type of pressure gauge. Oh, the prototype I made this time uses their product, and one costs only 1 pound 7 shillings.

“Why should we invest 5 pounds to produce something this cheap?

"And the Dutch company will definitely develop a new type of pressure gauge in a few years, and we can just use it then. There is no need to invest a penny in research and development."

Watt, who had been silent all this time, suddenly asked coldly: "What if that company suddenly doesn't sell it to us?"

Frank laughed exaggeratedly: "They spent so much money to build the production workshop, why don't they sell it to us? There is no idiot in the world who would not make money!
"Even the French, who were at war with us, were sending boatloads of fashion and cosmetics to London just to make money, weren't they?
"Our company buys hundreds of pressure gauges every year. For such a big customer, the Netherlands will only come to us to beg them to buy."

Watt opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but then he felt that what he said made sense.

Yes, why not make money if you have the chance?
Not to mention Watt, even the Eastern countries in the 21st century have always been skeptical that the Americans would not do a business worth hundreds of billions of dollars just because they said they would not do it.

Of course, the so-called Dutch Instrument Company was arranged by Joseph in advance. In order to avoid suspicion from the British, the company even provided pressure gauges to Upper Hesse at a low price, and they were used normally for a long time - the products were originally made in France and only "washed" in the Netherlands, so they were naturally fine to use.

Frank continued:

"We need to carefully count the parts that can be purchased to avoid duplication of investment. In this way, the initial investment of 5 pounds is probably enough."

Falconer was delighted:

"You are a real master of company management! This way we only need to borrow 3 pounds."

"No, we still have to get as many loans as possible," Frank said. "We have to invest heavily in publicity. No matter how good the product is, if the buyer hasn't heard of it, he won't pay for it.

"I think we should invest at least £1 in advertising the new steam engine. Let every European know how great the Bolton-Watt steam engine is. This will further increase sales!"

All the shareholders nodded in admiration, thinking that this time Bolton not only recruited the technical master Sandel, but also recruited a management talent. It was really a big profit!
Bolton immediately said to Frank: "Mr. Frank, I would like to invite you to serve as the company's assistant general manager. I hope you will not refuse."

Frank was delighted. Bolton was the general manager, and the assistant general manager was the second-in-command in the company's daily management, which would greatly facilitate the implementation of his plan.

But he pretended to be reserved and said: "If I can get some shares of the company..."

Bolton and Falconer discussed it and both wanted to keep this management talent. Finally, they nodded and said, "The company can grant you 2% of the shares."

“Thank you for your generosity. I will do my best to make more profits for the company!”

After several hours of discussion, the board of directors of Bolton-Watt Company finalized a production plan of 5 new high-pressure steam engines per year with a loan of 7 pounds and a total investment of 200 pounds.

The next day, all shareholders signed the equity change agreement one after another.

At this time, the company's equity structure is:

The largest shareholder, Bolton, holds 26%, Watt 22%, Falconer 17%, Sandel 20%, Frank 2%, and other small shareholders hold a total of 13%.

At this point, the combined shares of Sandel and Frank were even comparable to those of Watt, the founder of the company.

Half a month later, the company's new workshop had begun to take shape.

The milling machines and boring machines purchased from a French company were unloaded at the dock, and orders for various instruments and raw materials have also been signed with suppliers.

At the same time, in the office of the company's R&D workshop, Sander and Frank were taking the company's technician list and screening them one by one.

"This Martin has solid theories and quick thinking..."

Before Sandel finished speaking, Frank crossed out Martin's name.

"Well, Mars seems to be a relative of Bolton. He doesn't have much ability. At most, he can do piston repairs."

Sandel immediately made a check mark.

The two of them quickly went through the 27 core technicians and put all the capable and even potential technicians on the list for dismissal.

"You need to recruit 12 new technicians as soon as possible in the next few days. Make sure they are skilled in assembling the machines and don't arouse Bolton's suspicion. As for the dismissal, I will take care of it."

One of them is the chief technician and the other is the assistant to the general manager. It would be easy for them to get rid of a few technicians together.

A few days later, when Ciaran Martin, who was unexpectedly fired by Bolton-Watt, walked to his doorstep, a well-dressed middle-aged man came up to him and smiled at him kindly:
"You are Mr. Martin, right? Nice to meet you. I am Brian from Lyon Machinery Manufacturing Company."

(End of this chapter)