Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 40 Solving the problem
"With so many cars, sales are really hot."

Kevin observed the situation in the factory and saw that large trucks kept going in empty and coming out fully loaded. He knew that the suitcases made by Matsumoto were really popular and buying them was like making a profit.

But he soon realized that he had underestimated the influence of Matsumoto Manufacturing.

Kevin looked at the dense crowd not far from the gate and asked uncertainly, "What are these?"

"Yes, these are the retailers responsible for purchasing. They are worried about the condition of the suitcases, and have sent their capable people to follow up. Among them is our country's largest retailer, Darei Supermarket."

Daiei Supermarket surpassed the old-line retailer Mitsukoshi Shokai in 1972 to become the new overlord of Japan's retail industry. The fact that the retail giant was closely monitoring it was also a favorable proof of the popularity of suitcases.

"There is actually a Daiei supermarket. It is indeed an invention that changed the history of travel."

"No way, that's too much."

"No, I'm being completely honest. Trolley suitcases have really changed travel life. When we were on the plane, countless people asked where they could buy one."

Kevin has no intention of disparaging the suitcases, because it is meaningless. Even if JCPenney refuses to sign, countless retailers will flock to it in the future.

"To make products that everyone likes is the founding purpose of our company."

Masato Takeshita didn’t know what the previous situation of Matsumoto Manufacturing was like, but after he came, this corporate culture was born.

He is a man who wants to change the world, and Matsumoto Manufacturing, as the company he owns, must also have this ambition.

"That's a great purpose. We at JCPenney also have a similar corporate culture, providing everyone with countless high-quality products to bring a better life."

Large companies must have a lofty goal. Even if they know that this goal is basically unattainable, they must continue to promote it internally and externally.

Google in its past life was a good example.

Google's slogan is "Don't be evil", which is a good slogan. But in fact, it can't do this at all, and it is just using this slogan to fool fools.

Take the simplest pharmaceutical advertising as an example. This was first started by Google. However, the penalties in foreign countries were severe. Google was fined several hundred million US dollars at one time, and then it honestly removed the related business.

Not to mention YouTube, a certain big country has been criticized to such an extent that those who say that a certain big country is good have restricted its traffic, and those who say that a certain big country is bad have recommended it.

Not only is it double standard, but it is also full of malice.

It can be said that if Google does not do evil, it will be the biggest joke.

Never trust a profit-driven private company with feelings.

There are so few such companies that one in a hundred thousand is not enough to show how rare they are.

After briefly understanding the sales of suitcases, several people came to the production workshop.

“This is where we produce our elegant travel cases.”

"Can we check out some ingredients?"

"No problem at all."

The cost of raw materials cannot be hidden from anyone. Masato Takeshita did not think of hiding this aspect. Matsumoto Manufacturing has established its brand advantage early on, and as long as it does not commit suicide, it can firmly occupy the position of the leader in suitcases.

Of course, good products also need publicity, so Matsumoto Manufacturing not only advertises in Japan, but is also ready to advertise around the world.

Although advertising fees are basically not earned back in markets such as Southeast Asia, Mainland China, and South America, Masato Takeshita's main goal is to increase brand awareness rather than make more money.

The markets in these places may take five years, ten years, or even decades to cultivate.

"How is it?" After touring the factory, Kevin looked at Michelle, an expert in this field.

"The materials used are quite good. The cost of raw materials for the Fengya suitcase is estimated to be no less than 4000 yen. Including labor, advertising, machinery and other expenses, it is estimated to be 5000 yen."

"As for Shuying and Linglong, they are also very good. Generally speaking, they can be used for more than 10 years, and if they are well preserved, there is no problem for them to be used for 20 years."

Suitcases in later generations have become consumable products. Even if they are good quality branded goods, their service life rarely reaches 10 years.

This is entirely the result of the manufacturer's deliberate action.

In the future, most manufacturers will deliberately lower the quality of products, because things with too good quality are not easy to be damaged, and the result is that the sales volume will decrease as time goes by.

However, in this era, the materials used by everyone are very solid, and it is not uncommon for products to be used for more than 20 years, and there are also many products that can last even longer.

Everyone wins by quality.

Products that break down after three to five years will be attributed to the market as inferior products, causing people to reject them.

Masato Takeshita clearly remembered that the iron sheet electric fan in his family's previous life seemed to be older than he was. It had been used for decades and had never broken down.

"Is that so? Great. Let's report this to the headquarters. The quantity of our previous order is still a little small."

"Okay, manager."

After receiving Kevin's message, the headquarters immediately agreed to his request to expand the purchase quantity.

Because after they received Michael's 1 pieces of goods, they put them in major shopping malls as an experiment, and they were quickly sold out. Later, countless people asked when they would have more.

Some inventions are destined to shine brightly when they appear.

This is true for light bulbs and also for trolley suitcases.

"Purchase more quantity? Sorry, Shuying and Linglong can, but Fengya can't."

5 pieces of Fuya suitcases are already the result of Masato Takeshita's hard work overcoming many objections. If the number is increased, domestic retailers will be seriously dissatisfied.

Shuying and Linglong do not have this problem. Their domestic sales are not good at all, not as good as those in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Southeast Asian markets.

"That's it, no problem."

Kevin mainly purchased the latter two types, so it didn't matter if he had a few Fengya suitcases. Americans were not as arrogant as the Japanese at this time, and they would buy a suitcase for $199 just because they wanted to.

"Okay, then, when can we sign the contract?"

"Tomorrow morning, I'm a little tired today."

"OK, no problem."

Masato Takeshita was in a good mood at this time. With the participation of American retailers, the inventory of mid- and low-end products would not be overstocked. It can even be said that Matsumoto Manufacturing's current mid- and low-end production lines are somewhat insufficient.

But this problem is relatively easy to solve. Especially for Linglong brand, it is the easiest to solve. Even if all the employees are new, it doesn't matter at all. People who buy this brand are more concerned about the materials, not the small flaws on the luggage.

Of course, Masato Takeshita can't go too far.

Linglong is low-end, that is relative to Matsumoto manufacturing. This price is also considered a brand outside. If the quality is too poor, it will seriously affect the brand reputation.

(End of this chapter)