The car giant started by marrying the daughter of the king

Chapter 445 Environmental Fusion, Salary Doubling Plan

"Lingnan Semiconductor is going to make its own lithography machine?"

"Are you sure this news is okay?"

Zhang Zhong is a veteran in the semiconductor industry.

He knows the situation of the global lithography industry very well.

China has absolutely no presence in this regard.

Otherwise, there wouldn’t be so many factories importing second-hand chip production equipment from the United States and other places in recent years.

The key point is that these equipments were invested and built in the 1960s and 1970s, and are not even on the same level as the world's advanced level.

According to Zhang Zhongmou's understanding, the global lithography machine product structure has basically been fixed.

Japan's Nikon and Canon are leading the way, Europe's ASML has emerged as a dark horse, and the American chip equipment giant has begun to become a second-tier supplier to ASML and other manufacturers.

In this market, when will it be the turn of Chinese manufacturers to speak?
"I have specifically confirmed that this news should be true."

"It's just that we haven't found out the other party's specific research and development plan yet."

"But we have a general understanding of the level of lithography equipment in mainland China."

"They were also able to produce lithography machines before, but their technology was only equivalent to the first generation of lithography machines in the 1960s, and could only be used to produce some low-end chips."

“And the production efficiency and yield rate are not very good.”

Zeng Fanchen now attaches great importance to Lingnan Semiconductor, a competitor. He has specially investigated and confirmed any information related to them.

The more he understood, the more confused he became.

In this case, the best choice for Lingnan Semiconductor would be to find an international lithography machine giant to form a strategic partnership.

Just like TSMC, it is now seeking equity cooperation with ASML, hoping to become a shareholder of ASML.

Regardless of how much money we can make from ASML by then, at least we can ensure the supply of lithography machines.

You know, the technological iteration in the chip industry is very fast.

For the same lithography machine, if others can deliver it earlier than you, they may have an advantage in the technological iteration.

In extreme cases, it is possible that your competitors have already developed a new generation of chip technology, but you haven't even received the lithography machines used for this generation of chips.

The equipment manufacturers in Europe and the United States do not have enough time to work overtime to produce for you.

They said the delivery would be in two years, so it would be good if there is no further delay.

Expecting others to do it in advance is completely impossible.

"With this level of technical background, do they dare to develop lithography machines themselves?"

"Aren't you afraid of offending the lithography machine manufacturers?"

Zhang Zhong felt that he was a little confused about the operations of Lingnan Semiconductor.

Although lithography machines are important, they can’t be messed around with like this, right?
"It will take us some time to accurately grasp the other party's specific ideas."

"But Lingnan Semiconductor is preparing to officially launch the lithography machine project and is poaching people from many other scientific research institutions."

"We even cooperated with local universities to allow some technicians who did not want to work at Lingnan Semiconductor and Nanshan Equipment to continue to stay in the system."

"This shows that they are serious about developing lithography machines."

Zeng Fanchen’s reply made Zhang Zhong feel even more confused.

However, he also knew that Lingnan Semiconductor was preparing for the BMW Group and should not be short of money in the next few years.

Therefore, it is not ruled out that the other party intends to poach people from the international market on a large scale.

Thinking of this, he added: "We need to give feedback to several lithography machine manufacturers such as ASML, Canon and Nikon, and tell them that Lingnan Semiconductor is working with Nanshan Equipment and other manufacturers to develop lithography machines themselves."

"It would be best if this incident could make those lithography machine manufacturers wary of Lingnan Semiconductor."

"It would be best if we could just give up the cooperation with Lingnan Semiconductor."

Anyway, for TSMC, anything that can cause more trouble to Lingnan Semiconductor is worth doing.

"Well, I will organize the intelligence information I have recently obtained and communicate with those equipment manufacturers."

Zeng Fanchen plans to push this matter forward personally to see how far he can go.

The company that has similar ideas to them is naturally Samsung Electronics.

"President, Lingnan Semiconductor's first production line in China is already rapidly installing various equipment, and the installation of all equipment will be completed this year."

"The relevant equipment manufacturers are already preparing some of the equipment for the second production line, and they will start delivering it this year."

"Among them, the lithography equipment was purchased from ASML, which is currently the most mainstream lithography product in the world."

"According to our speculation, their second production line will be installed next year."

"In order to expand its customer base and influence to the greatest extent, ASML attaches great importance to Lingnan Semiconductor's lithography machine orders."

As the head of Samsung Electronics' marketing department, Kim Tae-hyun is very concerned about the development of the global semiconductor industry, especially the semiconductor industry in Asia.

Samsung Electronics is now a latecomer in the industry, and its technological level is still far behind the American semiconductor giants, and there is also a big gap between it and the semiconductor companies in Japan.

In this situation, one will naturally pay close attention to what other opponents there will be in the process of moving forward.

TSMC and Lingnan Semiconductor are undoubtedly the manufacturers that Jintai believes are most likely to compete with Samsung Electronics among competitors of the same level after careful analysis and screening.

In particular, in order to quickly enter the international semiconductor industry, these two manufacturers have adopted chip foundry solutions.

This made Samsung Electronics feel a little anxious.

Because no one has ever done chip foundry before.

Samsung Electronics is also unsure whether this path is the right one.

"Our R&D department has analyzed and believes that if we want to continue to find breakthroughs after the current generation of lithography machines, we need to make some innovative moves in the light source."

"But neither Canon nor Nikon in Japan are very keen on changing tracks. Instead, ASML is more proactive in this regard."

"The pattern of the lithography machine market is likely to undergo significant changes in the future."

"Nikon and Canon's monopoly will be completely broken."

"So we have been strengthening our partnership with ASML since this period, and both parties are considering in-depth cooperation on the next generation of lithography technology."

"When the new generation of lithography machines are developed, we will be given priority."

"Now Lingnan Semiconductor has also chosen to purchase lithography machines from ASML, which is an additional variable."

Li Jianxi had heard Jin Tai report about Lingnan Semiconductor before, so he was not particularly surprised when the topic was mentioned now.

However, what Jin Tai said next was quite strange.

"I think there is a way to kill this variable."

"I just got a piece of news that Lingnan Semiconductor is interested in jointly developing photolithography machines with the equipment manufacturers within their group."

"I guess they think imported lithography equipment is too expensive and requires a lot of foreign exchange, so they plan to make it themselves."

"If ASML knew this news, it would definitely have a problem with Lingnan Semiconductor."

After Jin Tai said this, Li Jianxi immediately asked back: "Does Lingnan Semiconductor have the ability to develop the latest lithography equipment?"

His question should be the reaction that many people will have after hearing this question.

The gap between China's current semiconductor technology level and the international advanced level is really too large.

No semiconductor giant would consider China as its rival.

This is true whether it is the manufacturer that designs and produces chips or the manufacturer that produces equipment.

"The specific situation is not very clear, but it is certain that the other party wants to get lithography machines."

After Jin Tai said this, Li Jianxi immediately gave an instruction, "No matter whether Lingnan Semiconductor's lithography machine project can be successful or not, and to what extent it can be achieved, we will share it with ASML and other manufacturers to make things difficult for them."

Anyway, publicizing this matter will not do any harm to Samsung Electronics.

As for whether there are any benefits, there is no need to think too much about it.

Let’s disgust Lingnan Semiconductor first!
……

Thanks to the efforts of Samsung Electronics and TSMC, ASML naturally received the news quickly.

However, ASML's response was rather special.

"Schmidt, people from TSMC and Samsung Electronics shared a piece of information with me these days."

"They said that my client Lingnan Semiconductor in Huaxia is going to develop its own lithography machine, and they hope we can be more vigilant."

Although Christophe felt that there was no need to pay special attention to this news, after all, there were many manufacturers around the world who wanted to produce lithography machines.

But so far, the only two manufacturers that can really put pressure on ASML are Canon and Nikon in Japan.

According to the latest information obtained by Christoph, Canon and Nikon's combined share of global lithography machines will reach 70% this year.

ASML's share can be increased to more than 15%.

The remaining less than 15% of the market share is left to other equipment manufacturers such as America.

As for China's lithography machine manufacturers?

Who knows?
who cares?
Who believes that they can pose a threat to ASML, Canon and Nikon?
"Lingnan Semiconductor ordered the latest lithography equipment from us this year and hopes that we can shorten the delivery schedule and complete the delivery within this year."

"Could it be that they are planning to develop photolithography machines themselves?"

Although Schmidt did not think that the Chinese manufacturers could pose a threat to him, he still needed to confirm what needed to be confirmed.

To avoid capsizing in the gutter.

“I don’t think it should be like this.”

"China's lithography technology is far behind the world's advanced level."

"Even if we put the latest lithography machine in front of them, they won't be able to copy it without ten or eight years."

"The key is that in ten or eight years, the lithography machines we produce will definitely be completely different from what they are now."

Christoph's statement is consistent with Schmidt's understanding.

However, considering the special nature of Lingnan Semiconductor, Schmidt felt it was necessary to confirm it again. "You can ask Lingnan Semiconductor directly and see how they explain it."

Faced with absolute strength and confidence, Schmidt obviously does not intend to beat around the bush.

Instead of spending so much time and energy investigating and confirming the situation of Chinese manufacturers, it is better to pay more attention to the movements of major international manufacturers.

Christoph naturally had no objection to Schmidt's arrangement.

Soon, Zhang Shaohua received the call.

Fortunately, Zhang Shaohua had already considered the wording in this regard in advance and knew how to answer.

Denying the lithography machine project is obviously not a good answer.

Since the other party asked this, he must have heard some news.

If you just say that this didn't happen, you're lying to others and ruining the relationship between the two parties.

Before the new lithography machines arrived, it was obviously not appropriate to ruin the relationship with ASML. Even after the new lithography machines arrived, the relationship was not ruined.

What if Nanshan Equipment is unable to imitate ASML's lithography machine products and needs to continue importing them in the future? The relationship will have been strained long ago. What will happen in the future?
So Zhang Shaohua’s reply was that Lingnan Semiconductor was indeed developing lithography machines with Nanshan Equipment.

However, the purpose of research and development is to meet domestic low-end demand and save foreign exchange.

This answer is completely in line with ASML's expectations and perceptions.

"Mr. Jiang, ASML just contacted me and specifically mentioned our development of our own lithography machine."

"I feel like someone must have mentioned this to them specifically."

"Otherwise, it would be impossible for ASML's people to know that we had launched the lithography machine project so quickly from such a long distance."

After Zhang Shaohua finished his conversation with Christophe, he thought and analyzed the situation for a while and then went to report to Jiang Hui.

He always felt that something was wrong about this matter.

"Given the behavior of European companies, they normally wouldn't know about this before we developed the lithography machine."

"Now that they have taken action so quickly, it must be that people from manufacturers such as TSMC or Samsung Electronics have said something to ASML."

Jiang Hui could deduce the facts without having to think too much.

After all, there are really not many suspects in this matter.

Semiconductor giants such as Texas Instruments and Intel don't bother to keep an eye on Lingnan Semiconductor.

Just like the people at General Motors or Volkswagen headquarters in the future, they would never pay attention to the development of a local car company in your country.

Unless there are very big changes in the entire industry, everyone's attention will shift here.

Like BYD, Chery and Geely in later generations, after they grew in size, they became the focus of various automobile giants.

But around 2000, or even in 2010, few people at the headquarters of international auto giants paid attention to the situation of these car companies.

Lingnan Semiconductor's influence in the chip equipment field is not as great as that of BYD, Chery and Geely in 2000.

It was under such circumstances that ASML knew so much information.

That means someone must have leaked the information.

There are only a few semiconductor companies that care about the development of Lingnan Semiconductor.

Without thinking too much, Jiang Hui found Samsung Electronics and TSMC.

“It should be like this.”

"It seems that TSMC and Samsung Electronics are still a little wary of our development."

Zhang Shaohua didn't expect that Lingnan Semiconductor was already regarded as a competitor before it even went into mass production.

It seems that the future development path is not destined to be so smooth.

"Don't worry about that for now, just keep ASML stable."

"As long as we don't develop a photolithography machine comparable to theirs, the other party's reaction should not be too intense."

"People are now eyeing Canon and Nikon."

Jiang Hui said very calmly.

It is mediocre not to be envied by others.

The fact that Lingnan Semiconductor attracted the attention of TSMC and Samsung Electronics so quickly shows that the direction it chose was correct.

Then we should be even more determined to stick to the current development path.

……

While Lingnan Semiconductor and BMW Group were busy with various projects, many changes were also taking place throughout China.

Since the beginning of April this year, after relevant departments adjusted the price subsidy policy for various basic materials such as pork, eggs, sugar, and vegetables, the prices of these products have risen sharply.

In fact, rising prices have been happening over the past decade.

It’s just that except for 1978 and 1984, the increases at other times were not that large.

So everyone’s feelings are not that strong.

This time is different. Starting from April, along with the adjustment of various policies, relevant departments have made up their minds to cancel the dual-track pricing system.

The prices of many products are beginning to return to their normal levels.

A surge in prices is almost inevitable.

"Boss Jiang, I've been in contact with quite a few customers recently. Many of them are busy buying things, which has affected the progress of some work."

"Our group's employees have relatively high incomes, so the impact on this aspect is not that great."

"But it still happens from time to time that people rush to buy some supplies as soon as they get off work."

"According to the current situation, I don't think it will be possible to stabilize it immediately in the short term."

As Jiang Hui's direct subordinate, Chen Chenxing naturally dared to report things that others dared not say.

He came to Jiang Hui today to talk about the rising prices. Obviously, he was not simply complaining or reporting the news, but he had other suggestions to make.

"I've heard about this, too."

"It is better to suffer a short pain than a long one. The dual-track pricing system has a significant negative impact on economic development and has led to many other problems."

"Some people got the inside price and made a lot of money by reselling it."

“This is bound to increase the dissatisfaction of some insiders.”

"Even the fact that our group can get prices within the system has caused complaints from other factories in Shenzhen that need to obtain materials from the market."

"So now we are going to give it a try. Although there will be some initial pain, I think it will be beneficial in the long run."

After listening to Chen Chenxing's simple explanation, Jiang Hui knew what was going on.

In this life, driven by the BMW Group, China's industrial strength, especially the industrial strength of Lingnan Province, has greatly improved.

The overall economic pressure has been reduced a lot, and the atmosphere for reform is very good.

But from the perspective of the overall situation, the problem of price reform definitely exists.

"That being said, the rise in prices will have a significant impact on our group."

"On the one hand, the subsequent purchase prices of various raw materials will increase, and the cost of our products will increase."

"On the other hand, if employees' income remains the same, their actual purchasing power will decrease, and there will definitely be dissatisfaction."

Chen Chenxing slowly shifted the topic to what he wanted to say.

However, before he could express his thoughts, Jiang Hui took the initiative to speak.

"The production cost of our products has increased, but the impact on us is still within our control."

"After all, our products have a high profit margin, and most of them are exported, which can cover this part of the cost."

"As for employees, their actual purchasing power has decreased, so we can just give them a pay raise."

"I estimate that the entire system will start to increase salaries for everyone in the future."

After Jiang Hui said this, Chen Chenxing breathed a sigh of relief.

This evil man doesn't need him to do it anymore.

"Boss Jiang, if the salary increase is low, it may have little impact on this incident, but if the increase is high, it will bring some pressure to the group."

As the year with the largest price changes in the entire 1980s, a substantial wage increase was definitely needed to compensate for the decline in the purchasing power of wages.

Chen Chenxing felt that there was really no way to say this.

"I will arrange for someone to investigate and formulate a salary increase plan as soon as possible."

"According to my preliminary estimate, the salary of the entire group's employees will double next year!"

Jiang Hui was not stingy and directly offered everyone a salary doubling plan.

Anyway, the current wage level is simply not worth mentioning compared with the international level.

BMW Group does international business, so it can still afford a certain amount of wage costs.

The main reason is that in the next few years, wages in the whole society will be rising, and it is not possible not to adjust.

Instead of passively raising salaries, it is better to be proactive and win the favor of employees.

……

"Boss, the BMW Group is planning to raise salaries for all employees. It is said that the average salary increase could be doubled."

Through various efforts in recent years, Yao Yiming has cultivated a considerable number of informants in the BMW Group.

As long as the information is not particularly sensitive or confidential, he can get it first.

As Liu Tianwu's secretary, Yao Yiming's influence in Shenzhen cannot be underestimated.

Naturally, there are many people in the BMW Group who are willing to maintain friendly relations with him.

This can also be considered a reflection of one’s connections.

Just like in later generations, if a person’s identity is the same as Yao Yiming, there would probably be few people around him who don’t want to have a good relationship with him, right?
Many people are willing to do it even if it means paying something for it.

"Boss Jiang's reaction is so quick?"

Liu Tianwu naturally knew why the BMW Group would bring up the topic of salary increase under such circumstances.

During this period, all kinds of news are closely related to prices, and Shenzhen is no exception.

"Yes, it is said that this plan will be formally formulated soon."

"BMW Automobile Group probably doesn't need to worry about people becoming uneasy."

"But I am a little worried that if they do this, will the competitiveness of their products decline in the future?"

Yao Yiming is very clear about the development of the BMW Group, which is closely related to his own future and the prospects of Shenzhen.

If this salary increase leads to unsalable products or a drop in sales of BMW Group's products, that is definitely not the situation he wants to see.

"Mr. Jiang has a very good vision."

"Since he made this decision, he must have his reasons."

"We don't need to worry too much for now."

"But we also need to keep communicating with them and provide timely assistance if they need anything."

Liu Tianwu thought about it for a while and gave his opinion.

He is quite familiar with many situations of BMW Group.

Most of the time, you don’t need to worry about it.

He believed this time would be no exception.

(End of this chapter)