Reinventing the Millennium

fantastic.

Fang Zhuo was sitting in the coffee shop on the second floor of the hotel, listening to the talk of Sun Zhizhou, deputy director of Deyi, and had only this feeling in his heart.

The transition between the rich and the executive here in the United States is really smooth. After this period of busy life, the business resumes of New York Bloomberg, Commerce Evans, and Defense Rumsfeld are all very dazzling.

If he abandons business and joins politics, and gets in touch with Comrade Guan Hai, wouldn't it be of great use?

The impression seems to be that the Department of Energy will have its first Chinese-American leader.

As Sun Zhizhou stopped speaking, Fang Zhuo stopped his thoughts. Deyi's visit was actually not complicated, it just came up with a package solution.

One side pays a package of funds, and the other side provides a solution.

TI has more than ten wafer fabs around the world and is looking for buyers for two of its outdated production line equipment. This is one of them.

TI can do patent licensing and industry semiconductor production line solutions, and it wants to grab a competitor's business. This is the second reason.

As for the third one, it was not about the monetary payment, but the content really surprised Fang Zhuo.

"Mr. Sun, regardless of what you said earlier, what does this TV company in the Chinese market have to do with me?" Fang Zhuo asked in shock, "Neither Yike nor Bingxin are involved in the DLP technology you promote. You The so-called exerting influence on TV companies..."

He spread his hands and felt weird.

The first two are understandable, but suddenly they jumped to the DLP rear projection TV technology that TI wants to promote, and also said that they would exert influence on domestic TV manufacturers to fight against 3LCD alliances such as Epson, Sony, Sanyo, Panasonic, and Hitachi. enterprise……

Fang Zhuo thought for a moment that his Yike was the leader of the Chinese TV company.

Rear projection TV is a TV that uses the principles of projection and reflection. According to the type of projector used internally, it is mainly divided into LCD and DLP.

Texas Instruments is a strong promoter of DLP technology, and its products include rear projection TVs, projectors, etc.

In Sun Zhizhou's description, the 3LCD Alliance headed by Epson and the DLP Alliance headed by Texas Instruments are fighting to death.

The companies under Texas Instruments include InFocus, Toshiba, Mitsubishi, Barco, etc.

"Mr. Fang, haven't you already exerted influence?" Sun Zhizhou said seriously.

Fang Zhuo gave a question mark face.

"We at Deyi have cooperated with Changhong and Konka in China in the past two years and established a joint laboratory to promote the development of DLP in China." Sun Zhizhou explained the whole story clearly, "But Changhong suddenly ended its relationship with us at Deyi With cooperation, we closed down the DLP laboratory and turned around and threw ourselves into the embrace of LCD.”

"This has led to companies such as Konka to follow suit, directly strengthening the LCD alliance."

He said with bright eyes: "Mr. Fang, aren't the changes in Changhong due to your influence? There is no need to shirk such a thing, right?"

Fang Zhuo: "..."

Talking about this technical route, it is to let Changhong make LCD and rush to do plasma. Who knows what DLP rear projection you Deyi is doing.

He was silent for a few seconds, feeling very...interesting about the chain changes Changhong had made.

"Did Deyi find me this time because of the changes in the Chinese TV market?" Fang Zhuo asked a question.

Sun Zhizhou naturally had nothing to hide when he said this and nodded: "Yes, Mr. Fang, we attach great importance to the development of DLP technology in the global market. This is related to industry standards. We were surprised by the sudden defection in the Chinese market. It took some time to I understand Mr. Fang’s promotion.”

——It took some time to find out who was behind it.

Fang Zhuo frowned slightly, feeling that there was still some misunderstanding.

Changhong and Texas Instruments cooperated to create a DLP technology laboratory, which involves rear-projection TVs rather than ordinary TVs. This positioning is more high-end and is not the battle between LCD and plasma that they are talking about.

Furthermore, the choice of TV companies must follow the laws of the market. What influence can they exert?

Well, it is necessary to communicate with Lao Ni and see how he makes decisions.

Sun Zhizhou took a sip of coffee and narrated the last part: "We know that Mr. Fang has a great influence on China's TV companies, and we also heard that Mr. Fang encountered some difficulties in making ice cores, so this is actually the best of both worlds."

"Mr. Fang, what do you think?"

Fang Zhuo rubbed his fingers and said slowly without speaking big words: "Mr. Sun, neither Yike nor Bingxin are involved in the TV business. They have so-called great influence... Changhong and I have some personal relationships. I'm afraid you have misunderstood. ”

Sun Zhizhou raised his voice slightly to strengthen his words: "Mr. Fang, can personal feelings make Changhong suddenly go to Luzhou to acquire companies? Can personal feelings make Konka also close its laboratory?"

Fang Zhuo didn't let his expression change.

Deyi was really well prepared when she asked this Chinese deputy director to come to her door.

But, he was overprepared!

Speaking of which, Changhong can still be recognized, but this Kangjia is even more out of reach!

However, this final condition placed by TI may be the strongest driving force for this trip. Compared with second-hand equipment, patent authorization, and industry solutions for the production line, the battle for the technical route of rear-projection TV is broader. market.

Whoever dominates product standards will get the biggest piece of cake.

Does Deyi want that kind of US$340 million?

Of course, it needs to be.

But what it wants more is technological participation and dominance in a market worth billions or even billions.

Moreover, in the rear-projection TV market, it may not be possible to combine the upstream and downstream industry chains to promote cost reduction and seek more general market shares.

In the context of such a dispute, ice cores are just scraps from semiconductor foundries for the first time, and the financial interests involved in this aspect are not the key.

Fang Zhuo probably understood that Deyi didn't mind adding more weight in order to fight for the technical route. Well... I'm afraid this is also a battle that is difficult to win.

"Mr. Sun, I understand your purpose of coming and Deyi's purpose of coming."

"I am happy to accept Deyi's help, and I am very grateful to Mr. Sun for coming here."

"but……"

Fang Zhuo waved for a cup of coffee.

Sun Zhizhou was a little nervous unconsciously. He felt very stable before this trip. After actually contacting Mr. Fang, he found that he was not as anxious as he imagined. He even suspected that Mr. Fang had another way to open up national defense.

Both of their coffees were replaced.

"However, Deyi's conditions are a bit harsh." The turning point in Fang Zhuo's mouth was not that Sun Zhizhou imagined that it involved the Chinese TV company. He said slowly, "Deyi asked us to digest the backward production line equipment, which is too difficult."

"If ice core is to build a wafer fab, it must be close to the advanced level. Otherwise, why would it take so much trouble?"

"If the national defense really can't get a permit, we will move to Berlin immediately, but it will only take a few months at night."

Sun Zhizhou shook his head and said, "Mr. Fang, I believe that relocating the factory is not an easy decision."

"Yes, of course we don't want to move, but the national defense is forcing us to move." Fang Zhuo said naturally, "By moving to Berlin, we can purchase the best equipment and introduce the best technology. Then there will be Berlin." As the production line sets an example, the National Defense Department will surely relax restrictions on us, so it’s not a bad idea to take such a roundabout way and return to China.”

Sun Zhizhou stared at the young CEO in front of him: "Mr. Fang, you won't move easily."

He was shaken in his heart, but he still stuck to his original judgment.

Fang Zhuo nodded in agreement: "Mr. Sun, you are right. Of course it is not easy. Of course, we have to try various methods to obtain national defense approval. Of course, we try to put production into China where the investment promotion policy can best be used. However, just like you It’s the same as Deyi coming to me this time.”

"As far as I know, the development momentum of LCD is very strong, right?"

"TI will not give up on DLP easily. Of course, it must use its energy to strengthen its bargaining chip in the market and join forces with more companies to fight against the LCD alliance."

"Everyone is like this, they all have to do their best."

Fang Zhuo sighed: "It's just that there is a limit to this best effort. We at Bingxin consider ourselves to be doing things within the scope of normal business, but what we are encountering now are political factors. If we can't eliminate them, we can't just watch. Isn’t the ice core melting?”

Sun Zhizhou looked into the young CEO's sincere eyes, and there was a voice in his heart - why? Why do you think he is so sincere? Why do you think what he said is right?

"Mr. Sun, if Deyi is willing to help, I would be very grateful. As for wanting to sell high-priced second-hand equipment, this is not something I can accept." Fang Zhuo first drew a line and continued, "But I believe in Deyi's strength and am willing to Let’s talk about cooperation on patent licensing and industry solutions.”

Sun Zhizhou frowned.

Fang Zhuo continued: "As for China's TV companies, I can try to help, but I'm not sure how much I can help."

Sun Zhizhou had a very confident judgment in this regard and said word for word: "Mr. Fang, I believe in the power of the richest man in mainland China, and I believe you will be able to help a lot."

Fang Zhuo pretended to think for a while and tapped the table with his fingers: "Well, since Deyi is sure to clear the national defense, let me see the sincerity. We will submit the application tomorrow."

He paused: "Also, we can talk to someone else about this cooperation."

The position of the deputy director of marketing is somewhat inconsistent, which is not very reassuring.

Sun Zhizhou was not angry because of these words, and quickly agreed: "Mr. Fang, this is a win-win situation. I believe there is a lot of room for cooperation between us. You will see Deyi's goodwill this time tomorrow. "

He stood up and shook hands.

Fang Zhuo shook hands, smiled at the waiting staff on the other side of Deyi, and said goodbye to them.

The calm Chairman Bingxin returned to the room as usual and made his first call to Ni Runfeng in China to inquire about the laboratory cooperation between Changhong and Deyi.

"Oh, Mr. Fang, we have a DLP laboratory with Deyi, and they even sent technicians over."

"However, considering Changhong's current warehouse inventory and the necessity and thoroughness of strategic transformation, this laboratory has been shut down. Changhong must fully embrace liquid crystal technology."

"As for Kang Jia, I really didn't pay attention."

Ni Runfeng replied.

The development momentum of LCD TV is very good. Konka may have taken the move due to the influence of Changhong's vigorous transformation, which in turn led to a chain reaction.

After all, the cost of DLP rear projection TVs is relatively high.

"What is the general attitude of domestic enterprises towards DLP?" Fang Zhuo asked.

Ni Runfeng said very honestly: "TI is willing to come and set up a laboratory and provide funds for technology. We are naturally willing to cooperate. As for whether it is DLP or 3LCD, no one is sure. The share of domestic rear-projection TVs is not large."

"The attitude is, just a wallflower. Both sides should cooperate. DLP and 3LCD have more upstream patents occupied."

"Like TI's DLP technology, the key component it involves is a digital micromirror chip, which is arranged on the chip. These patented technologies are controlled by TI, and domestic companies have to work hard to break through."

"Based on my recent observations, everyone is indeed more willing to participate in the development of 3LCD."

"Although it is a rear-projection TV, 3LCD is easier to develop than LCD, and it is more cost-friendly and technology-friendly."

Fang Zhuo felt that this wallflower's attitude was very real.

He thought for a while and asked: "Are there many domestic companies engaged in rear-projection TV production?"

"Not a lot. After all, the profits of high-end products are relatively high. Although they are not popular now, there is no guarantee that they will be in thousands of households if they develop rapidly in the future." Ni Runfeng replied, "Anyway, whether it is TI's DLP or Epson's 3LCD , they all engage in technical cooperation, and everyone believes that more technology is better than less technology.”

Fang Zhuo pondered.

A few seconds later, Ni Runfeng added: "Oh, yes, for this rear projection TV technology, there will be a China International Audiovisual Integrated Equipment and Technology Exhibition at the end of the year in Shanghai, followed by technology exhibitions by TI and Epson."

"Okay, okay, Lao Ni, I have to thank Changhong for this." Fang Zhuo briefly explained the situation and asked, "Since it is a rear-projection TV, can you get some colleagues to work together on a DLP laboratory or something like that?" of?"

Ni Runfeng was a little embarrassed and said: "In the past few years, domestic TV has been engaged in price wars. I can't wait to lead Changhong to kill all other companies. This relationship is not easy."

Fang Zhuo thought about it, and since Deyi came to the door, he must be sure. This is an opportunity that cannot be missed.

What the other party values ​​is the so-called influence, so it’s hard to explain if it doesn’t provide some effect. At least it can give the DLP a short-term boost of blood.

"Lao Ni, why don't you get in touch." Fang Zhuo said slowly, "There are only a few major domestic TV companies. You can take the lead. I know them."

"Well, you can tell me something. I'll cheer you up this time, and we'll all be friends from now on."

"I'll find the leader again and try to figure it out."

Ni Runfeng was very happy: "Mr. Fang, there is no problem with Changhong's appointment. I can help spread the word. Let's see what they say first. We will communicate in time."

Fang Zhuo felt relieved and ended the call.

His second call was to the ice core purchasing team to ask them to evaluate the patent licensing and semiconductor production line solutions that TI could provide. This part was previously on the purchase list, and now it can be considered to be given to TI, even if the price is high. Some are acceptable.

As for the second-hand equipment of TI's wafer fab, it is also within the scope of the discussion and can be discussed at that time.

This opportunity is not to be missed. Deyi wants money and interviews. It wants companies to embrace it and rear-projection TVs. It needs to be as beautiful as possible. At the very least, it must look good on the outside.