Chapter 822 Beverage Factory One late spring afternoon, Zhang Zhongwen once again sought out Lu Qingyang.
This time, her face shone with even more excitement than before, and as soon as she sat down, she couldn't wait to start talking.
"Qingyang, I've recently spotted a new business that's definitely worth the money. Young people these days are obsessed with video arcades. Set up a space, put in TVs and VCRs, and show Hong Kong martial arts movies. Wow, the scene will be amazing! Tickets are only a dollar each, and it'll be packed every day! It'll turn over tables faster than your restaurant! How about it? Interested in joining forces? If we team up, we're sure to make a fortune!"
Lu Qingyang thought about it carefully. The video arcade business had indeed been very popular for the past few years, but it was also very risky.
“Brother Zhang, you have a good eye. Video arcades are indeed a novelty these days, and they make money quickly.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhongwen's smile widened, thinking there was hope.
Unexpectedly, Lu Qingyang changed the subject: "However, the current regulations on these kinds of cultural and entertainment venues are sometimes strict and sometimes lax. They can show this film today, but they may not be able to show it tomorrow. Who knows, one day a document will be issued and they will have to close down."
Secondly, the barrier to entry is low. If you can do it, others can do it after just one look. Before long, video arcades will be everywhere, prices will come down, and profits will be thin.
Thirdly, it's not sustainable. Once technology advances further and every household has a television and VCR, who will still be running around watching TV every day?
Zhang Zhongwen was somewhat stunned by this bucket of cold water, and subconsciously asked, "Then... according to you, this won't work, that won't work, what kind of profession can last?"
Lu Qingyang picked up his teacup and blew away the foam: "Brother Zhang, think about it, from ancient times to the present, whether it's an emperor or a commoner, when have they ever been able to live without eating and drinking?"
He put down his teacup and looked at Zhang Zhongwen with clear eyes: "Video arcades may be popular for a while, but people need to drink water and beverages every day. What I'm interested in is this business."
"A beverage factory?" Zhang Zhongwen was stunned, his brows furrowing.
"Those glass-bottled sodas? Orange flavor, banana flavor? Can this make more money than showing movies?"
Lu Qingyang smiled, knowing that Zhang Zhongwen might not understand Zhang's thoughts for the time being.
In this era when material goods are scarce and basic needs are met, few people would think about brands, health, or the huge future beverage market.
“Brother Zhang, it seems ordinary right now,” Lu Qingyang patiently explained, “but think about it, how many people are there in our country? Life will only get better and better in the future. People will have more disposable income, and what they drink to quench their thirst won't just be plain water. The sugary drinks on the market now have a monotonous flavor and inconsistent quality. If we can introduce better equipment and use more reliable ingredients, we can make beverages that taste better, are more refreshing, and even more beneficial to the body, and create our own brand…”
"This business can be done for a lifetime, and even passed down to the next generation. Unlike video arcades, which are just a passing fad, food is the most important thing for people, and drinking takes up half of that. Don't underestimate it now; in the long run, the potential here is vast."
Zhang Zhongwen originally thought Lu Qingyang was no ordinary person, and after hearing what he said, he immediately made a decision: "You're right, I'll listen to you. I happen to have some funds and I'm just wondering what to do with them. Qingyang, go ahead, these days everyone talks about shareholding systems, you can have the majority of the shares, and I'll help you with the arrangements."
We'll talk about it later.
Although Zhang Zhongwen still had doubts about the future of the beverage factory, he trusted Lu Qingyang.
Seeing Lu Qingyang speak with such certainty, I felt my adventurous spirit kick in, and I really mobilized my network of contacts, listening all over the area around Beijing, looking for a suitable factory.
Not long after, they actually found one: a small factory on the outskirts of the city that used to produce soft drinks. The equipment was outdated, the management was poor, and it looked like it was about to close down. It was even about to be unable to pay its workers' wages.
Zhang Zhongwen thought the price of the land was reasonable, so he immediately took Lu Qingyang to check it out in person.
The factory was indeed somewhat dilapidated, with mottled walls, overgrown weeds in the yard, and a few red brick factory buildings that looked dusty. The only two production lines lay there quietly, covered with a thin layer of dust.
Lu Qingyang, however, observed very carefully.
I walked around the factory, focusing on the factory structure, water supply, and transportation location.
I discovered that although the factory was old, the main building was still quite sturdy and had enough space. Most importantly, it had its own reservoir with pretty good water quality, and it was located in the suburbs, so there was room for future expansion and convenient transportation.
“Here we are.” Lu Qingyang stopped and said to Zhang Zhongwen and the old factory director beside him, his tone crisp and decisive.
Zhang Zhongwen was stunned for a moment, thinking that Lu Qingyang would find the place too dilapidated.
"Qingyang, this...this equipment is so outdated, and the factory also needs a thorough renovation. Is that alright?"
"The equipment can be updated, the factory buildings can be repaired, the key is that the location is suitable, look at the reservoir nearby."
"This reservoir is quite large, let's make a reservation then."
After things were settled, Lu Qingyang began to make plans.
놛 convened a meeting with the factory's former master craftsmen and technicians to understand the original production process.
When the product's flavor was mentioned, 놛 offered a new idea:
"Besides the original orange flavor, we can also develop some new flavors, such as lemon, which is refreshing and thirst-quenching; or lychee, which is sweet and unique, and the North Korean market should find it refreshing."
The experienced craftsmen looked at each other, appearing somewhat hesitant.
A senior chef in charge of mixing the ingredients began, "Director Lu... Director Lu, it's not that we're being conservative, but this orange flavor has been a staple for years, everyone recognizes it. Lemon and lychee sound fresh, but will everyone be able to accept them? We need to rethink the recipe, just in case..."
"Someone has to try it first. Everyone said they wanted to be the first to try something new."
Lu Qingyang glanced at the original bottle and shook his head.
"The bottles also need to be redesigned to be eye-catching and memorable. Our brand also needs to be changed to a more innovative and memorable name."
Zhang Zhongwen nodded repeatedly: "That's true."
Lu Qingyang came up with an idea: "Why don't we solicit names for our soda from newspapers?"
Zhang Zhongwen was stunned for a few seconds, then suddenly slapped his thigh, his eyes shining: "This method is brilliant! We didn't spend much money, we can not only decide on the name, but also let all the old men in the city know that our new factory is about to open. This is killing two birds with one stone."
Say it's nothing.
The two immediately contacted a well-circulated evening newspaper in Beijing and paid to publish a small "prize-winning call for submissions".
The notice was simple and clear: The newly established beverage factory is soliciting suggestions from the entire city for its new factory name and product trademark name, requiring them to be catchy, easy to remember, and meaningful.
The final winner will receive a cash prize of 10 won and a year's supply of the factory's soft drinks!
All contributors can receive a complimentary drink voucher upon presentation of their submission letter after the factory opens.
One dollar in cash! In the early 1980s, this was an absolutely staggering sum of money.
What's more, you can drink soda for free for a year!
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