When I am reborn, I just want to be a top student

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are now in a very dangerous situation and facing the biggest crisis since the company was founded."

"The debate over technological routes has always been brutal."

"Based on existing data, lithography factories have a greater advantage and lower costs compared to our technology approach."

"It's fair to say that if Galaxy Machines were to release this technology and offer it as a packaged service, I think our business volume would shrink dramatically."

"I think our most important concern right now is how to survive."

"So, I have an idea to propose a temporary motion to the board of directors to lift the restrictions on licensing cooperation for extreme ultraviolet lithography machines. The market is here, and if we don't take it, Galaxy Technology will take it over using its lithography factory."

“The research and development of the lithography factory has inevitably involved a large amount of investment. It has just been completed and will take some time to commercialize. This time is our opportunity.”

"Break through the restrictions and sell our lithography machines to Chinese companies, to any customer who is interested in purchasing them."

“After they buy our products, I don’t think they will go on to buy a lithography factory.”

Even if the price is a little lower!

Upon hearing this idea, the ASML executives present were stunned.

It's important to know that ASML has always been subject to SIA restrictions. As a core international member of the North American Semiconductor Industry Association, ASML needs to see customer information before it can sell lithography machines.

Countries like China and the United States are not allowed to sell high-tech, top-notch equipment.

This includes, but is not limited to, equipment such as lithography machines and lathes.

And now, they are actually going to break through this restriction and sell advanced lithography machines directly to China.

As a company, ASML naturally wouldn't want to do that.

Not selling advanced equipment to China is tantamount to losing a huge market.

Anyway, since China produces high-end chips, ASML is not the one that suffers the loss.

"That's probably difficult; they won't agree to that!"

"Yes, this is now a matter of national security. I can't believe the SIA would have any reason to agree to it."

Faced with this bold proposal, many executives voiced their doubts.

However, Dino, the chief technology officer, pondered for a moment and agreed, saying, "At this point, we really have no way out. If we don't change in time, we will only have one outcome: being eliminated."

"Unless everyone is willing to lower prices and engage in a price war with Galaxy Technology, and is willing to accept the result of making less money or even losing money."

"To wage a price war with Chinese companies is undoubtedly a foolish act."

"The key point is that even if we do this, it won't change our fate. We'll only survive for two more years, unless during this time we can quickly upgrade our technology to a higher level and achieve 2nm process chips with a yield rate of over 95%."

"Obviously, this is impossible."

"So, in the end, we don't actually have many choices."

Hearing Dino agree with his idea and give such a strong explanation, Peter couldn't help but smile.

"That's right, Asma's life or death is in our hands."

"I deliberately avoided other shareholders and directors in this meeting. The reason I invited you here is because we are the ones who are closely connected with the company and whose interests are aligned."

"The capital market has lost confidence in us, as evidenced by the collapse in our valuation. Perhaps right now, someone is already considering how to sell us for a good price."

"In the capital market, there are only interests, no human feelings."

“They valued ASML only because ASML could make money for them. When we could no longer provide them with generous returns, we became nothing more than cake in their hands.”

"We must save ourselves, and the best way to do so is to break through the limitations of SIA and seize the consumer market in advance."

"I believe that as long as they offer benefits, they will not refuse."

"There are no collaborations that can't be reached, only a lack of sufficient US dollars."

Peter made the decision quickly and addressed the group of executives.

If Wang Donglai hadn't been hiding within China and hadn't been surrounded by tight security, Peter would definitely have been willing to spend a large sum of money to make Wang Donglai disappear.

However, now that the lithography factory technology has been implemented, it's too late for Peter to regret it.

“The SIA will certainly not approve it easily, but we don’t necessarily need its approval. If it really doesn’t work out, we can withdraw from the SIA.”

"If SIA was acting out of self-interest back then, its withdrawal now is also to protect our interests. We must never forget this point."

"Of course, this step should absolutely not be taken until the very last resort."

“We can proceed in two steps. First, we can contact China and express our willingness to provide China with high-end lithography machines. We can also offer appropriate discounts or even deliver the machines ahead of schedule.”

"However, they must sign an exclusivity agreement with us. After purchasing our equipment, they cannot purchase any more lithography factories. In addition, China needs to provide us with some guarantees."

"On the other hand, we need to lobby the Bald Eagle Federation to use legal means to get the SIA to lift the restrictions, at least the restrictions on 14nm lithography machines."

"The semiconductor industry has reached a very dangerous point. From photoresist to EDA design software, China has made breakthroughs in more and more core technologies. Now, with the completion of photolithography factory technology, it has achieved a qualitative change."

"In reality, we have lost our global monopoly, so we must change our approach."

"When the industry undergoes a major transformation, all companies become vulnerable. Those that fail to keep up will be eliminated without exception."

"We can either break through SIA's restrictions and seize the global lithography market, or we can align ourselves with SIA and use the strength and status of the Bald Eagle Federation to forcefully promote lithography machines and sanction lithography factories."

"Of course, there is one last option, which is to negotiate a patent cross-holding agreement with Galaxy Technology to jointly monopolize the market."

"However, it is obvious which method is more likely to succeed, and I think everyone knows the answer in their hearts."

The business world is like a battlefield, especially for giants like ASML, with revenues exceeding 100 billion and profits exceeding 10 billion. Conflicts of interest are often naked and blatant.

Taking a slight step back could cause a huge advantage to vanish instantly.

Therefore, Peter can easily and without any psychological barriers state the above choices.

Betraying the SIA, cooperating with China, or using the SIA were all driven by business considerations.

The executives who are present here are all deeply tied to ASML and form a community of shared interests.

Therefore, after hearing Peter say this, many executives quickly understood and made a decision.

Therefore, Dino, as the chief technology officer, went to China to try to achieve cooperation with China.

Peter, on the other hand, went to the Bald Eagle Federation to lobby for cooperation with China and other countries through legitimate business and trade methods, within acceptable limits, to break through the restrictions of the SIA.

The next day, Dino, carrying Peter's expectations and instructions, boarded a plane to China.

Many people believe that Western giants offer good benefits and work at a leisurely pace, which is actually a stereotype.

When faced with a life-or-death situation, Western companies remained just as tense and anxious.

Just like ASMA at this moment.

As Peter and Dino set off on their separate journeys, their company's stock price continued to plummet to its daily limit.

Since the news about the lithography factory broke, ASML's market value has fallen by more than half.

Furthermore, it's clear that this stock market panic will continue. Although ASML still has a large number of orders and its profits remain strong.

Anyone with a normal brain and a decent IQ would know one thing: with the breakthrough in lithography technology, ASML's good days are over.

Without further positive developments, ASML will be replaced by Galaxy Semiconductor within a few years.

Just like ASML defeated its competitors and monopolized the industry back then.

Capital is never benevolent; it is always incredibly cruel and realistic.

……

Galaxy Technology, headquarters building.

Galaxy Technology has been making a lot of big moves lately.

It's about lunar landings, Xuanwu batteries, leading the Qin Province University Alliance, developing vocational education, and building a photolithography factory.

In addition, food delivery and express delivery companies are spending heavily, and even Pinduoduo is offering 'billions in subsidies'.

In short, Galaxy Technology doesn't tolerate laziness.

All business lines are busy, with a lot of things to do.

If this were any other company, it would probably have already fallen into a development dilemma of low efficiency due to its numerous businesses and complex personnel.

But this is Galaxy Technology!

The food delivery system is fully controlled by Wa, whose computing power allows her to pinpoint the exact situation of each rider.

With the support of artificial intelligence and the relentless food delivery subsidies, it has entered a fierce competition with Huangtuan and Ele.me.

Huangtuan ranked first with a market share of 45%, Pinhaofan ranked second with a market share of 30%, and Eleme ranked third with a market share of 25%.

In other words, the entire food delivery market is divided among three food delivery companies.

In addition to its pioneering efforts and market dominance in the food delivery sector, Xinghuo Express has also accelerated its development after acquiring several near-bankrupt courier companies.

The express delivery industry is already very mature, and Xinghuo Express has a large number of orders.

As long as you are willing to invest money to purchase equipment, expand facilities, and recruit staff, and with the leadership of an experienced management team, it is not a big problem to form a courier trunk line in a short period of time.

The problem for other express delivery companies expanding is that they don't have enough orders to support their employees.

However, Xinghuo Express is not worried about this, so its development speed is exactly as expected.

Correspondingly, express delivery companies such as STO Express, YTO Express, ZTO Express, and Yunda Express are facing a decrease in orders due to price wars, as well as competition from Xinghuo Express for orders from Taobao merchants. Naturally, their order volume is declining day by day.

Jackma owns shares in STO Express, YTO Express, ZTO Express, and Yunda Express, but this does not mean that Jackma is willing to force merchants on its platform to use these companies.

At most, they might do some minor things, like reducing permissions slightly.

However, for the merchants below, the most important thing is which courier service is faster, offers better service, and has a lower price.

Therefore, it's quite normal for Xinghuo Express to quickly capture the market.

It can be said that Galaxy Technology has had a smooth and prosperous development in all fields.

This naturally made the executives of Galaxy Technology feel proud.

I wonder how many people are trying to curry favor with Galaxy Technology and get associated with it.

Therefore, before the news of Dino's arrival in China was even reported, it had already reached Galaxy Technology.

"Boss, I heard that ASML's chief technology officer has quietly arrived in China and just got off the plane this morning."

At the executive meeting, someone immediately reported the situation.

A smile appeared on Wang Donglai's face. Before he could say anything, Zhang Byte said, "ASML has no choice but to panic. After the news about the lithography factory was released, ASML's stock price hit the daily limit down for several consecutive days, and its market value has been reduced by more than half."

"Given this situation, and the fact that only a Chief Technology Officer has arrived suggests that their boss, Peter, has likely gone to the Bald Eagle Federation."

With just a few words, Zhang Ziyi guessed ASML's actions.

"Arriving uninvited, it seems Asmai is unwilling to just wait to die!"

"This is normal. They used to monopolize the global high-end lithography machine market with extreme ultraviolet lithography machines. Something that costs tens of millions of US dollars could be sold for hundreds of millions of US dollars. Not to mention the production schedule, they also had to impose sales bans. They were making money without even sitting down. So it's perfectly normal for them to react this way when they see something that threatens them."

The executives sitting there started joking around.

Galaxy Technology's technological breakthroughs have led the world, naturally cultivating a style of arrogance among its many executives.

Before ASML's lithography factory at GalaxyTech, it was a giant in its own right.

It should be given high priority wherever it is placed.

Even now, apart from Galaxy Technology, it still holds considerable prestige.

Listening to everyone's words, Wang Donglai shook his head slightly and asked them, "What do you all think is the purpose of ASML sending out their chief technology officer?"

"They've definitely come to beg for mercy!"

"In my opinion, they probably want to talk to the company about the lithography factory."

"Perhaps they don't trust our technology, which is why they sent the chief technology officer over to check the reality of the lithography factory."

"I think ASML might be here to discuss cooperation!"

Everyone started guessing, offering all sorts of guesses.

After everyone had finished guessing, Wang Donglai finally spoke up: "ASMI's Chief Technology Officer, Dino, didn't come to Tangdu; he went to Shanghai."

"Therefore, the speculation that they want to talk to us about cooperation is completely wrong."

"It's obvious that Asma is planning to raid our base!"

"Stealing a house?!"

When Wang Donglai made this guess, everyone was taken aback.

But everyone here is intelligent enough to realize what's going on in a second.

indeed!

With breakthroughs in lithography technology, ASML's monopoly is threatened and it will inevitably face market disruptions.

Now, it is only natural to take advantage of this opportunity to compete with lithography factories for customers.

However, Liang Song raised a question.

“SIA will not allow ASML to do that. The lithography machines that we can buy in China all have to go through layers of approval before they can be shipped back to China.”

"Furthermore, raising prices and waiting for construction time are both quite troublesome."

"It's unlikely that ASML would be so eager to seize market share from us right now!" (End of Chapter)