Chapter 137 Building Australia General Machinery Company

  If we say that the partial opening of coastal railways has revitalized the economic vitality of coastal towns including Songjiang Town, and provided smooth channels to the market, which in turn promoted the great development of agriculture and animal husbandry.

The benefits of Songjiang Town are not only that, as the construction of Songjiang Reservoir officially kicked off, the first batch of 60 walking tractors were all put into the construction of the reservoir, and tens of thousands of construction workers gathered in Songjiang Town, which brought huge demand for life and commodities. , Attracting immigrants from the surrounding area like a magnet.

  Songjiang Cement Plant was completed and put into production, the fourth wool textile factory was officially laid, the planned site of General Dynamics Machinery Co., Ltd. Australia was selected for construction, and the Songjiang Base of Hongshan Iron and Steel Plant was officially included in the planning blueprint. The rise of this central industrial town is worth looking forward to.

  Early April

  Red River Valley Pier

  The 5000-ton freighter "Longhushan", which has just returned from the United States, is docked at the wharf. The new walking tractors are being unloaded by cranes. They are neatly arranged on the wharf, and the number has exceeded hundreds.

"My Lord Earl, walking tractors are now extremely popular all over the world. Orders from Europe have been scheduled until August next year. This batch of unloaded walking tractors is designated to supply three important companies, including 80 flatbed tractors from Hongshan Iron and Steel Plant. Type, 40 sets of low hurdle type, woolen No. 1 and wool spinning mills total 50 sets of high hurdle type, Hongshan Coking Coal Plant 100 sets of high hurdle type, Hongshan Shipyard 20 sets of flat type, 30 sets of low hurdle type Type, totaling 320 units."

After listening to the introduction by the person in charge of the terminal, Li Fushou said slightly; “Is there a supply plan on the Songjiang side? The Songjiang Reservoir is the top priority of today’s construction. It is the current project No. 1."

  The person in charge of the wharf replied respectfully; "Return to Lord Earl;

  Mayor Xin has arranged. This time due to the strong demand of various enterprises, it partially meets the urgent needs of Hongshan Iron and Steel Plant, Coking Coal Plant and Honghe Textile Plant.

  Longhushan is also loaded with 300 walking tractors. After this part of the cargo is unloaded, it will be loaded with building materials and daily necessities needed by Songjiang Town, and will be headed to Songjiang Town. All 300 units will be supplied to the construction of Songjiang Reservoir.

  These 620 walking tractors are the full production capacity of Kargil Steam Machinery Plant from January to February. They are currently making every effort to increase equipment and recruit workers to expand production capacity.

  Two months later, the monthly output will be rapidly increased from 320 units to 1,500 units per month, which will greatly alleviate the current contradiction between supply and demand.

  In order to meet the urgent demand orders from Europe and the United States, it is expected that the next batch of walking tractors will arrive in August, the number is 1,000, and they will be mainly used for railway construction in Songjiang Town, Beilun Town and Shuangzicheng. "

  Listen to this introduction

Li Fushou couldn't help but frowned, and turned to ask his accompanying secretary Hou Guangde. Not long after Hou Guangde returned from North America, he personally participated in the negotiation of the new diesel engine patent and the whole process of the trial production of the new engine and the development of the new engine of Cargill Steam Machinery Company. The situation is very knowledgeable.

   "Guangde, if it only imports engines, does Red River Valley have the ability to produce walking tractors on its own?"

"Returning to the master, the plan is feasible, but it is necessary to integrate the relevant Red River Valley machinery factory, and at the same time update some equipment to adapt to the production of walking tractors. There should be no problem with the accessories of carriages, fences, chassis and girders, and steel plate damping springs. Mainly it is the tractor steering mechanism and shift mechanism, which need to introduce brand new equipment for production." Hou Guangde replied respectfully.

  "According to your estimate, how long will it take?" Li Fushou thought about it and asked.

Hou Guangde replied; “You can place an order through Cargill Steam Machinery Company. The extra is only the transportation and equipment installation time, which will be delayed by about one and a half months. This means that skilled American workers are involved in the installation and construction, and they teach us how to make new products. Employee production, the initial production speed will not be high, there should be a process of 4 to 5 months of running-in and the gradual release of output, and finally it should be able to reach the level of 1,500 units per month. If this is calculated, the first tractor will be optimistically estimated. It will leave the factory by the end of the year."

   "Yes, if you hand over General Machinery to you to organize production, how long will it take to produce the first qualified walking tractor?" Li Fushou was very decisive.

  With the influx of a large number of Chinese immigrants, it is no longer enough to digest the population through industrialization and infrastructure construction. It is necessary to open up new large laborers.

  There are not many realistic choices in front of Australia. The development of mechanized agriculture is a good way to solve the increasing demand for food and vegetables, and at the same time expand the production and export of canned fruits.

  Do not ask for much profit, the minimum goal is to digest huge amounts of agricultural output.

  Li Fushou’s idea is to set up some demonstration farms first to teach Chinese immigrants to change from facing the loess and back to the sky, reclaiming the land with one hand, and turning into a new type of farmer driving iron cattle to cultivate, laying the foundation for the development of personal farms.

  The walking tractor is very simple to use. Even the illiterate can quickly learn to use agricultural machinery for harvesting and planting.

  The demonstration farm is like an agricultural university. While providing more agricultural and sideline products, it also cultivates more and more Chinese farmers to learn how to use machinery.

  When they have money in their pockets, they can buy land to set up private farms based on the family clan. Huitong Bank will provide loans to help farmers for this and produce a steady stream of products to enrich the market.

  Of course, this is a few years later.

  In addition, there are thousands of local white farmers in Australia. Which one does not need a few walking tractors?

  The entire Australia is based on animal husbandry and gold mining. The demand for hand-held tractors is tens of thousands. Cargill Steam Machinery Company alone will not work because it is facing the larger European and American markets.

  Hou Guangde heard that Lord Earl wanted to entrust this burden to himself, he was so excited that he could not restrain himself, he considered it seriously, and replied firmly;

   "Return to the Lord, it is early April. Guangde is confident that it will produce the first qualified walking tractor on September 15 and is willing to issue a military order for this."

"Okay, General Machinery Company will leave it to you from now on." Li Fushou has always decided the major events of Red River Valley without asking other people's opinions; "I authorize you to integrate Red River Valley's steel machinery enterprises and approve them. A sum of funds is used to import necessary equipment, and Mayor Xin is asked to provide strong support. The army has no joking. I will see the first walking tractor leave the factory on September 15."

  "Guangde swears to complete the task to the death, never dare to disappoint his master's high expectations." Hou Guangde is willing to go all out and do everything to complete the vow.

Li Fushou was very satisfied and nodded and said; “The planned Australian General Machinery Company will not only produce walking tractors. The new diesel engine produced by Kadir Steam Machinery Company will also be the leading product of General Machinery Australia. market.

  The new plant will be located in Songjiang Town, where there is ample supply of electricity and energy, providing a broad space for the development of General Machinery Plant. .

  So, after the integration of the Red River Valley Iron and Steel Machinery Enterprise, your focus should be shifted to Songjiang Town to prepare for the introduction of new diesel engine production equipment and commissioning.

  As Australia’s first high-tech industrial enterprise, General Machinery Australia will be a large-scale enterprise based on the production and development of power machinery and equipment and taking into account downstream products.

  Not only to produce walking tractors, agricultural machinery, mining machinery, but also to cooperate with Siemens to produce diesel generators, extend the development tentacles to more fields, and support the continuous development and growth of enterprises.

  I hope that one day, it can support half of the sky for the Red River Valley, Guangde, I have great expectations of you. "

He Guangde was deeply moved by Li Fushou’s affectionate exposition, and he was even more aware of the heavy burden on his shoulders as heavy as a mountain. He replied solemnly; He’s commanded, unswervingly implement the master's strategy, and develop General Machinery into a pillar enterprise, supporting half of the sky for the Red River Valley."

   "Then it's settled."

  Li Fushou held He Guangde's hands tightly, and a secretary was reduced by his side again, and a general general was added.

  Hou Guangde is an elite talent who has followed Li Fushou throughout Europe. After several years of training, he has grown up and has a global perspective.

The number of the secretariat has not decreased but has increased. The 12 students from Jiangnan have all entered the secretariat since August last year. They are now scattered and tempered in important infrastructure projects. They have demonstrated excellent capabilities and overall outlook. The future is worthwhile. expect.

  Hongshan Shipyard

  Along the broad waters of the Brisbane River Fjord, a series of eight huge slipways are being built for 12,000-ton ocean freighters, some of which have just laid their keels, and some are already building tall steel masts.

  The densely packed ants of the shipyard workers are attached to it, and a full-blown work scene is all busy and nervous.

  The fist-thick steam pipes on the ground are densely packed, and the front of each one is connected with a heavy rivet hammer, which makes a deafening reverberating sound as if the steel plate is struck through tofu, densely integrated.

  Diesel walking tractors drove by braving black smoke, various steel components and rivet hammers were placed in the carriages, and flatbed tractors were carrying steel plates and long channels of steel, creating a busy scene.

  ……

"My lord, three of the eight new 10,000-ton ocean freighters we are currently producing are the tasks of the 19th Century United Shipping Company. The remaining five are orders from the west coast of North America. Customers are quite satisfied with our 10,000-ton freight ships. Satisfied, the shipyard is currently holding 21 orders, of which 6 are from the 19th Century United Shipping Company, and the others are orders from customers in Germany, Britain and Italy. The production schedule has been scheduled for the first half of 1882. The current situation is very good. ."

  The shipyard manager is British Fox, a 46-year-old professional manager with extensive production experience in the shipyard. He is a very dedicated entrepreneur with high job requirements.

  Fox’s annual salary is 550 pounds, and the bulk of his income lies in equity dividends. He enjoys 1.7% equity dividends in the shipyard. The total income in 1879 was 2721 pounds, so the work enthusiasm is very high.

  Li Fushou looked at the well-organized shipyard production. At present, he has provided 6,600 jobs, and there are 720 shipyard riveters in training. He feels quite satisfied.

"Mr. Fox, first of all, I would like to congratulate you on your outstanding work. Secondly, I want to see the seagull patrol ship launching for trial sailing one day soon." Li Fushou said as he walked forward, his expression full of expectation; "From Australia The routes of the Far East are constantly threatened by Spanish pirates. Although we have taken various measures to ensure safety, two ocean freighters have been attacked recently, and dozens of people have been killed and injured. You must have seen the relevant reports. We need to have Your own **** power."

  "Honorable Lord, please continue to move forward." Mr. Fox accompanied Li Fushou all the way forward, introducing him as he walked;

"At present, the shipyard is fully producing 10,000-ton ocean-going ships and has the ability to build 8 ships at the same time. The annual delivery capacity is 120,000 tons. This production capacity can also squeeze into the top 15 in the world. As a shipyard only three years old. , This is an amazing achievement.

  According to Lord Lord’s expectations for the development of ocean fishing industry, we have introduced the world’s latest ocean fishing vessel designs from the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, with three models respectively.

  One is an 86-ton offshore fishing vessel, valued at 1,080 pounds, capable of operating 13 people, and has a marine tank that can store 44,000 pounds.

  One is a 150-ton medium and offshore fishing vessel, worth £2,750, capable of operating 22 people, and has a sea tank that can store 127,000 pounds.

  The largest is a 350-ton offshore fishing vessel, worth 8,200 pounds, capable of operating 31 people, and has a sea tank that can store 290,000 pounds.

  Ocean-going fishing boats need to be equipped with reliable steam engines, small diesel engines for driving fishing nets, and a large number of fishing gears. Therefore, the construction cost is relatively high, which is much higher than that of ordinary ships.

  The high-quality fishing boats produced by Hongshan Shipyard are 30% lower in price than similar European products, and the quality is not inferior. This is our proud advantage. "

  For Mr. Fox’s boasting, Li Fushou nodded frequently and agreed with him.

  Shipyard is a typical labor-intensive enterprise. Steel costs account for more than 70%, labor costs account for more than 20%, and the rest is management costs.

  First of all, from the perspective of personnel salaries, Australian shipyard workers are only 1/3~1/2 of those in European and American countries, and their labor efficiency is not inferior.

  At this point, there is a clear advantage.

  Only ordinary marine thin steel plates are used to build fishing boats. Due to the price advantage of steel plates supplied by Hongshan Iron and Steel Plant, it is also ahead of European companies.

  Large estimate, the fishing boats built by Hongshan Shipyard are at least half the price of similar ships in Europe.

  Obviously, this guy Fox still buried meat in the bowl.

  As a small shareholder of the shipyard, Fox’s interests are closely linked to the interests of the shipyard. Of course, I hope that the shipyard can leave more profits. This is beyond doubt.

  (End of this chapter)