My 1999

He found that foreign giants occupied the mainstream round/square battery market of lithium batteries, and it was difficult for start-ups to survive.

A hot-selling Nokia mobile phone is equipped with Sony polymer batteries, which are thin, short and easy to carry.

Most importantly, this technical route can be flexibly packaged to meet the needs of electronic products of different sizes, and is particularly suitable for lightweight and customized design.

At that time, there were thousands of electronic products. Designing batteries for each product separately was extremely uneconomical, whether in research and development or production.

And this technical route, to a certain extent, actually solved the problems of both production and demand.

So why didn't the giants choose this route?

Lao Zeng hadn't thought about it at first, but they soon found out.

At that time, the patent holders of similar routes were Sony in Japan and Bell Labs in the United States.

He went to the United States, bought the license of Bell Labs with $1 million, and returned to Dongguan with joy to start production.

What disappointed him was that this technology was flawed, the internal materials would decompose and release gas to expand, and there might be a risk of battery explosion.

Lao Zeng immediately contacted experts from Bell Labs, but the answer from the old American experts soon made him realize the disparity of the capitalist world.

What, our patent has a problem?

Of course there is a problem. If there is no problem, we would have done it ourselves long ago. Why is it your turn?

What, return the money?

We have authorized more than 20 companies, and our main goal is to cheat as many companies as possible.

It's your bad luck if you encounter it.

Pay money?

Even God can't do it!

Sue me?

Whatever.

In our commercial lawsuit, it will take hundreds of thousands of dollars and one or two years to get a result?

Go ahead.

Even if you agree, I will pay you one million dollars, which may not be as high as the lawyer's fee.

This dead pig is not afraid of boiling water, which makes ATL disgusted and angry.

You should know that when ATL was first established, its own capital was 2.5 million US dollars.

It's heartbreaking to lose 40% in an instant.

But the technology can't be used, and the money can't be recovered.

Is it going to be a waste?

Lao Zeng was unwilling to accept it, gritted his teeth and stomped his feet.

We will do it ourselves.

In this way, he led ATL's technical staff to study day and night for half a month, and finally found the defects of Sony and Bell Labs' patents:

There is a problem with the electrolyte formula.

Otherwise, Zeng is awesome.

It's not surprising to find problems, but it's amazing that he can solve them.

He developed 7 formulas by himself and contacted electrolyte factories to try them one by one.

He soon made a usable battery.

He solved the problem that more than 20 domestic and foreign battery manufacturers of all sizes could not solve.

Soon, with flexible packaging technology, ATL occupied a place in mobile phone batteries.

In 2001, the company's shipments reached 1 million batteries.

In 2002, it achieved profitability and gradually became formal.

So, the second problem arose: how to expand production, how to get funds?

The best way for technology companies to get money is venture capital.

ATL did the same.

From 2002 to 2003, ATL successively carried out two rounds of financing, A and B.

Taiwan's Hanting, American Carlyle, European 3i Group, and Hanhua Mars 4 Fund all became early investors in ATL.

In 2004, the thriving ATL received an order from Apple and provided batteries for the later popular iPod, which was in the limelight.

However, the consumer electronics market in 2004 was already a red ocean.

The profitability of downstream electronics companies continued to be poor, and the midstream battery companies were also in a state of internal competition.

By 2005, the directors of Carlyle Investment had made a round of inspections and found that some competitors including Pengcheng BYD Battery, BYD and Nanfu were better than ATL in terms of price and other aspects.

Should ATL continue to roll?

With the increasingly fierce competition in the lithium battery industry, the possibility of the rise of medium-sized companies like BYD and ATL is getting smaller and smaller.

It is likely to lose money if more money is spent.

If ATL goes public, its valuation will only be US$100 million, which is still a long way from going public.

So except Hanhua, Hanting, Carlyle and 3i Group all asked to withdraw and recover funds.

Under Xu Liang's instruction, Torch Group defeated Zeng Shuyan's former employer, Japan's TDK, and acquired ATL for $120 million.

Of course, if he hadn't intervened, Japan would have made a fortune soon after acquiring ATL.

Under the leadership of Lao Zeng, ATL developed rapidly and soon acquired a series of customers such as Samsung, Huawei, VIVO, and DJI.

In 2007, Huaxia began to support the new energy vehicle industry with subsidies.

In 2008, taking advantage of the Olympic Games, the government used policy + finance to promote new energy vehicles.

Lao Zeng was keenly aware that new energy vehicles would bring huge business opportunities to the lithium battery industry, and the power battery market prospects would be even broader.

However, Huaxia's subsidies for new energy are definitely for its own children.

In 2011, the government issued the "Guidance Catalogue for Foreign Investment Industries", which clearly restricted foreign-owned enterprises from producing automotive power batteries.

This national policy directly led to the birth of CATL.

Lao Zeng decisively used his influence to lead ATL's power battery sector to become independent, establish a new company in his hometown of Ningde, and named it "CATL Era" after his hometown.

Thus, the world's largest power battery manufacturer was born.

The reason why Xu Liang still acquired ATL after he had Nanfu, the alkaline battery overlord and the small lithium battery giant, was because of the talent of Zeng Shuyu.

Only he can lead Torch Group to become a true global auto parts giant.

Xu Liang picked up the teapot prepared on the table, poured two glasses of water and handed it over.

Lao Zeng took it rather flattered.

After the five flavors of tea have passed through.

"Old Zeng, what do you think about the future of ATL?"

Zeng Shuyu has considered this issue many times.

"Mr. Xu, I think we should integrate Nanfu and ATL, bring together the strengths of both companies, and compete with lithium battery giants such as Samsung and Sony in the field of lithium batteries."

Xu Liang nodded, "Then have you considered that if the two companies are integrated, it will be difficult for you to do research and develop the company as you like in ATL in a new environment."

Zeng Shuyu was silent for a while and said, "Mr. Xu, no matter what the outcome is, I will make suggestions that I think are right.

If the consequences of this suggestion are not ideal, I will submit a resignation report to the head office myself. "

"You are very frank." Xu Liang smiled.

"I can't lie in front of you, and there is no need to lie."

Xu Liang nodded and said, "If you were asked to be the CEO of Nanfu, what would you do?"

"Then Chen Laimao...?"

Xu Liang interrupted him with a wave of his hand.

"Don't worry about it for now, I just want to hear your suggestions, or corporate strategy."

Zeng Shuyu did not hesitate, “We focus on product research and development, and gradually build our own patent option pool to develop better lithium battery products.

In terms of market strategy, it aims to gain profits based on the rapidly developing domestic consumer electronics market and compete for orders from Apple, HP, Dell, General Motors and other companies.

Strive to become one of the top five lithium battery giants in the world within five to ten years. "

"The goal is great, but how are you going to deal with the competition from lithium battery giants like Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, and Sanyo?"

"Mr. Xu, although Samsung, Sony, Panasonic and Sanyo are lithium battery giants, their main business is consumer electronics. In terms of corporate priorities, lithium batteries are lagging behind.

Let me give you an example.

After the Asian financial crisis, global demand for battery products plummeted, and battery prices at that time fell by 20-40%.

Panasonic, Sony, Sanyo, etc. were affected by the economic crisis and they focused more on their main electronics business.

At the same time, based on various considerations such as profit and economy, orders were placed with domestic companies such as BYD, ATL, Nanfu and Sunwanda.

Although there has been some recovery since the crisis passed.

However, the priority of the lithium battery business of these consumer electronics companies is naturally not as high as that of professional lithium battery companies like us.

Nothing can be seen in the short term, but as the market continues to develop and competition becomes more and more intense, companies such as Panasonic and Sony will gradually fall behind.

The companies that can really compete with us are those companies that have invested heavily in lithium batteries, such as BYAT and Samsung. "

Xu Liang nodded.

“Good analysis.

I can rest assured when I leave the company to you. "

Seeing Zeng Shuyu hesitate to speak, Xu Liang continued with a smile.

"Do you know why Torch Group acquired ATL and not Hongyan or Hanhua?"

Zeng Shuyu shook his head.

“The strategic business of Torch Group is the auto parts industry.

However, the auto parts industry for internal combustion engine vehicles has been eaten up by foreign giants.

Even if Torch invests huge sums of money in research and development, it will be difficult to catch up with the opponent in a short time.

So, I want to bet on electric cars. "

Zeng Shuyu suddenly realized.

"Do you plan to let ATL vigorously develop vehicle power batteries?"

Xu Liang nodded and smiled: "It's not just the power battery, but also the motor and electronic control.

In the future, the R\u0026D and production of Sanden will be the unquestionable core business of Torch Group.

And batteries are the core of Sandian’s business.

I need a very good person who understands both battery research and development and has management skills to take charge of this business.

This person is you! "

Looking at his affirmative eyes, a wave of heat rose from Zeng Shuyu's heart.

The feeling of being valued and trusted is always so exciting.

However, despite being excited, he still remained calm.

"Then Chen Laimao, Mr. Chen...?"

“I have decided that after ATL integrates Nanfu’s lithium battery business, it will be integrated into the Torch Group.

Nanfu retains the alkaline battery business and continues to have Chen Laimao as CEO, and will choose the opportunity to be listed on the Hong Kong stock market. "Xu Liang said.

Originally, he planned to merge Nanfu's alkaline battery business into Torch.

But Chen Laimao is really difficult to arrange.

Not only is he the founder of Nanfu, he has also been working hard on research and development in the past few years and has made the company prosperous. He is quite prestigious within Nanfu Battery.

If you force him to move away, push Zeng Shuyu up.

It will also cause a division among employees within the two companies.

There will inevitably be endless internal fighting.