Wu Changfeng nodded indifferently.
Price whatever you want, I won't haggle.
Their true purpose was not just to buy, but also to invest.
But Wu Changfeng still said, "It's quite expensive. A chip manufacturing factory needs at least dozens of these machines to meet production needs."
Wood said, "Indeed, production volume can give you a price advantage. However, I predict that the demand for chips in the electronics industry will explode, and the earlier you set up production capacity, the greater your advantage will be."
Wu Changfeng agreed with Wood's idea.
After all, only a few of these machines can be produced in a year, so to achieve factory-scale production, advance planning is necessary.
Wu Changfeng asked, "How much has your company sold over the past few years?"
“Uh…” Wood hesitated for a moment, then said, “This… is confidential, I cannot answer.”
Wu Changfeng snorted.
At this time, the sales of GCA lithography machines from the United States, the world's leading company, were soaring, with orders being placed in the hundreds. Japanese company Nikon followed closely behind, and even newcomer Censor was able to sell dozens of advanced lithography machines.
Given ASML's relatively small market share, it's understandable that its production capacity has increased.
But Wu Changfeng knew that ASML's spring had arrived. It was precisely because ASML's market size was small that it suffered a major recession due to the sluggish demand in the semiconductor market amidst the dramatic changes in the global lithography machine market, with many companies incurring losses.
For example, Samsung Semiconductor suffered a huge loss of $300 million (which was no small amount at the time).
The global giant GCA also experienced a financial crisis, with new product development being delayed again and again. It was eventually acquired by General Signal in 1988, and closed down in the last few years because it could not find a buyer.
Following closely behind, another major lithography giant, P&E, was acquired by SVG in 1990.
Because of its small market share, ASML was not fatally hit by this wave of lithography machine bankruptcies. Instead, it gained a considerable market share with its PAS2000 lithography machine.
At this time, the fog had not yet lifted, and CEO Wood was also feeling lost.
Only Wu Changfeng, that genius, saw the future development clearly and knew that lithography machines would be an indispensable industry in the future.
Even later, when the mainland wanted to buy lithography machines, ASML, for various reasons, paid the money but did not provide the equipment for several years.
Now is the perfect time to strike.
Wu Changfeng licked his lips and rolled his eyes: "Here's what we'll do. I'll buy one and use it to train the workers, but I'll give you 500 million US dollars."
"Huh?" Wood was dumbfounded, and Annie was dumbfounded too.
What's going on?
Instead of purchasing $500 million worth of equipment, they're giving away $500 million in funds for free?
Do you want shares?
Wood sensed a shift in the semiconductor industry, with Philips headquarters no longer willing to invest money.
What does it mean that Wu Changfeng invested 500 million yuan?
Wood said, "Mr. Wu, what does this mean? Are you sure it's not a purchase, but a free gift?"
Wu Changfeng shook his head: "How could it be given away for free?"
"Shares?" Anne said from the side. "Mr. Wu, ASML is still a Philips company. This is a decision that needs to be made by the company."
Wu Changfeng smiled and nodded: "Of course I understand."
He continued, "What I mean is, you see, I need time to train workers to operate lithography machines. That's a technical job, right?"
Wood and Anne nodded in agreement.
To put it bluntly, although the operation is automated, it is not perfect in handling emergencies, resulting in an extremely low product qualification rate.
Especially when it comes to trial production of new chips, each trial run can cost hundreds of thousands of US dollars!
Wu Changfeng continued, "During this period, I will need lithography machines temporarily, but ASML's production capacity is limited. Once I have prepared the workers and technology, ASML will likely be producing equipment for others."
Wood nodded in agreement and said, "I understand. If you take a stake, this doesn't seem to be a big problem."
Wu Changfeng shook his head: "No, it's shares plus a right of first refusal."
"ah?"
Wood was even more confused. Right of first refusal?
Does this thing really need 500 million US dollars to guarantee its enhancement? That's incredibly extravagant!
Annie was completely dumbfounded.
Wait a minute!
The right of first refusal is worth 500 million?
We're more than happy to have customers buy from us. Forget about priority, as long as you pay, we'll start working on it right now!
What exactly is Wu Changfeng worried about?
ASML is not the only manufacturer of lithography machines.
There shouldn't be any problem with acquiring a stake in ASML, but is there some kind of conspiracy behind the priority purchase right for equipment?
Wu Changfeng said with a smile, "That's right, it's the right of first refusal."
Wood said, "If you become a shareholder, you deserve the right of first refusal."
Wu Changfeng shook his head: "Hehe, please discuss it with the head office. You'll understand what I mean then."
Wood shrugged, glanced at Anne, and Anne gave Wood a look, agreeing first.
ASML was never profitable to begin with, so it's a good thing that some fool invested 500 million!
Wood said, "Okay, I'll go to the company to report."
In Wu Changfeng's view, shareholders are shareholders and preemptive rights are preemptive rights; they are two completely different things.
Wu Changfeng stood up and said with a smile, "It's a pleasure to cooperate with you."
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