The inspection team saw other large companies making large purchases of heavy assets, and Hardy was actually very tempted. However, he knew his own situation. The focus of his Hardy Group's industries was not these heavy assets, and he could not afford to play with heavy assets now.
For example, the Rockefeller Foundation has a deep foundation and strength, and their projects all pursue large investments and high outputs.
Invest in Agip Oil, the largest oil company in Italy. They have oil channels, the best oil technology in the world, and a lot of money. It is very difficult for others to snatch this project.
Another example is the Italian electricity grid. It is currently a private industry, but such a national strategic enterprise will sooner or later be nationalized. If you invest a large sum of money now, you cannot control the future of the enterprise, and it is still unclear whether you will get any profit.
As for the large manufacturing companies in Europe, Hardy thinks it is better to forget about them and invest directly in American manufacturing companies. In a few decades, the large manufacturing industries that can survive and develop will almost all be American companies. The United States is investing in Europe now for the sake of national strategy.
In the following decades, there was a fierce competition between large American and European companies, and the competition was life-and-death in machinery, pharmaceuticals, electronics, military industry, biological breeding, aerospace, steel, environmental science and other fields.
In the end, all the companies that survived were American companies.
Therefore, it is better to invest in American manufacturing than in European manufacturing.
Moreover, the political situation in Europe is changing too fast and is difficult to control. It takes up too much energy and is not a very good investment project for Hadi.
Another reason is Hardy's own.
The Hardy Group seems to be in a good position now, but due to its short establishment time and insufficient strength, Hardy made quick money before, and a series of crazy operations have given it its current status, not because of the strength of the Hardy Group.
Compared with those old-established conglomerates, Hardy is still far behind. Sometimes it really takes time to settle.
This is why he plans to enter the core of the California financial group.
Even the California Consortium is now an emerging consortium, and its strength cannot be compared with old consortiums such as Rockefeller and Morgan.
Hardy understood this very well, so he did not aim too high and only took on industries that he could consume, those with low investment and high profits.
Besides,
There is no need to cover everything when investing. You should invest in whatever you see. It is best to invest in the areas that you are most familiar with and that you can control.
Moreover, this world has just begun, and there will be many industries to invest in in the future. When the electronics industry rises, that will be the golden age for investment.
I took another look at the investment list.
There are 5 names on it that Hardy remembers.
Although we don't know to what extent they developed in later generations, one thing is certain, that is, they lived to the time of Hardy in later generations.
Anyone who can live that long should be pretty good.
Hardy put a check mark on the five names and called the Ministry of Commerce official and said, "Can you help me contact the heads of these companies? I want to meet them."
"Of course no problem, I'll contact them right away." the official said immediately.
No matter what Hardy invests in, as long as it is investment, they are willing to invest, and now they are hungry for investment.
Two days later, these merchants came one after another.
The first is the owner of Prada. Prada was founded in 1913 and later became the official supplier of the Italian royal family and was sought after by the upper class. However, the good times did not last long. Mussolini came to power within a few years.
After World War II, Prada's factory in Milan was bombed and only one in ten skilled workers remained, which made it difficult for Prada to operate. After the boss saw the advertisement of the Ministry of Commerce, he felt that this was an opportunity and came to seek investment.
“I don’t want the family business to disappear.” These are just the boss’ exact words.
After negotiations, Hardy invested US$550,000 and acquired 35% of Prada's shares, while the remaining shares remained in the hands of the founder's family.
The second person to come was Gu Chi.
The visitors this time were chief designer Guccio Gucci and president Dominique Dessault. It was the collaboration between the two that made Gucci develop.
Dominic Desor is a businessman. After seeing Hardy's investment information, he came up with the idea of making Gucci bigger. Now Gucci has a certain reputation, but it is only limited to Italy. He wants to make Gucci a global brand.
The two of them jointly owned Gu Chi's shares. Hardy asked, "How much shares are you prepared to give me and at what price do you plan to sell them to me?"
The two looked at each other, and Desol said, "We have a disagreement on this point, so let's go together to meet Mr. Hardy. We want more than just financial support."
Hardy smiled and said, "I don't know if you know the situation of ABC TV. ABC TV is my industry. It currently has the highest ratings in the United States. I acquired the luxury goods industry in order to promote them to the U.S. market. Our group has unparalleled marketing capabilities."
“To be honest, even a small and unknown brand can become a well-known brand through our promotion.”
"Cooperate with me and you can enjoy these resources."
Finally, the two partners agreed to give up 32% of the shares for US$660,000, and Hardy accepted the price.
Then came Bulgari, Fendi...
Hardy does not seek controlling stakes because he needs these people to continue to develop the business. All he has to do is wait for the business to grow and help him make money.
Boss Genia is here.
The owner of Genia is very unique. She brought two tailors with her when she met Hardy. Genia focuses on men's clothing and is a very well-known suit brand. They have a ready-to-wear production line as well as customized services for high-end customers.
The war destroyed the factory, and now there are only a few tailors left in the company, making custom suits for people, and it has returned to the early days of a tailor shop.
Hardy held up his hands and let the tailor take his measurements. Boss Genia stood by and introduced the factory with a smile, hoping to get Hardy's investment to open a new garment factory.
Later Hardy heard of the Jenia brand.
One of the world's top menswear brands, with a very high market share.
"I have a suggestion for you," said Hardy.
"Mr. Hardy?" the boss asked very politely.
"Open a clothing factory in Italy and also open a clothing factory in the United States. In the future, the consumption capacity of the United States will be the first in the world. It is best to seize that market now." Hardy said.
"Oh, I'd like to, but that would require a bigger investment," the boss said with some embarrassment.
"I'll invest, so my shares will definitely account for the majority, but I'll give you some technical shares, please consider it." Hardy said.
Boss Genia lowered his head and thought for a long time.
"I agree with your suggestion, Mr. Hardy."
......
After discussing cooperation with these luxury brands, Hardy had some free time. He planned to walk around Rome and take a look at the Global Times branch in Rome.
The newspaper office has a two-story building in Rome.
There were only six or seven people in total. Hardy met with the editor-in-chief and reporters of the newspaper, encouraged them, and treated them to a big meal.
After dinner, Hardy left with his assistant and bodyguards.
When their car was driving along a street, Hardy suddenly asked the driver to stop. Looking at the statues in front of him, he thought, isn't this the wishing fountain in "Roman Holiday"?
"I'll get off the bus and take a walk."
Hardy got out of the car, and his assistant and two bodyguards also got out quickly and followed him. Hardy stood by the Trevi Fountain for a long time and walked towards the street next to it. It must be said that any street in Rome is full of artistic atmosphere.
Some ideas flashed through Hardy's mind.
Can "Roman Holiday" be released a few years earlier? The male lead, Jon, can be a reporter for the Global Times. This will definitely be a great promotion for the Global Times. As for the motorcycle in the movie, the motorcycle from the motorcycle company that Hardy previously acquired can be used.
All the items in the movie that can be used are used by our company, such as the dress Audrey Hepburn wore, which was from Prada, and the jewelry on her head, which was from Bulgari.
The drink I drink has to be Pepsi.
Hardy said to his assistant, "Please remember this and go back to inform Henry and the others to find a girl named 'Audrey Hepburn'. She should be in the UK and have filmed a movie or performed a stage play."
The assistant quickly wrote it down.
That's all Hardy knows. It might be difficult to find them. It depends on the abilities of Henry and the others.
After giving the instructions, Hardy was about to get in the car and leave, but suddenly he smelled a strong chocolate aroma. He looked up and found himself standing at the door of a candy store.
Look at the sign.
“Ferrero candies.”
Hardy was slightly surprised. The richest man in Italy in later generations was the owner of Ferrero Candy Company. Hardy walked into the store and saw the wooden shelves filled with various chocolate candies.
A chocolate ball wrapped in gold paper in one of the paper boxes caught Hardy's eye. A salesperson came over and said with a smile, "What would you like to buy, gentlemen?"
"What is this candy called?" Hardy asked, pointing at the golden ball.
"This is the 'hazelnut wafer chocolate' developed by our boss. It tastes very good. Would you like to try it, sir?" He picked up one and handed it to Hardy.
Hardy opened the wrapper to reveal a chocolate ball inside. He took a bite and it tasted really good.
This also reminded Hadi of some memories of later generations.
I haven't thought about the afterlife for a long time, but today a piece of candy brought back memories of the past.
He was still in college at that time.
He fell in love with a senior girl in his senior year, spent a lot of money to buy a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates, and went to confess his love to her on Valentine's Day.
The girl took the candy with a smile and told him that she had a boyfriend.
Hardy left abruptly and was disappointed for a long time.
Memories of youth.
"I want to meet your boss." Hardy said after eating a golden ball.
"Ah, to see our boss, what can I do for you?" the salesperson asked in surprise.
"I'm from the United States and I'm an investor. I think your chocolate is great and I plan to invest." Hardy said straightforwardly.
The salesperson was a little confused.
Do you have to invest after eating a piece of candy?
Is this true or not?
It can't be just to cheat for a piece of candy.
"Oh, let me call our boss, he's upstairs." The waiter hurried upstairs.
Hardy picked up another golden ball, opened it and started eating. He had to say that the hazelnut wafer chocolate he was eating now was much more delicious than those he had eaten in later lives. He didn't know whether it was because of the chocolate or because it was handmade.
Anyway, it tastes great.
It made him want to eat one more.
Hardy also knows the story behind this hazelnut wafer chocolate.
After the end of World War II, European countries were short of materials and chocolate beans were in short supply. In order to reduce the use of chocolate, Ferrero invented this chocolate ball with hazelnuts, chopped nuts and wafers, so that only one-sixth of the chocolate could be used.
After it was invented, it was found to taste excellent and became very popular, becoming one of Ferrero's most classic chocolate candy products.