Chapter 243 - 243 Reversal of Roles
243 Reversal of Roles
The two questions that Wang Yizhi asked were what everyone was concerned about.
It was related to the next strategic move of the Divine Dragon.
If the Divine Dragon Software Company couldn’t produce enough, they would still have to import the lithography machines.
If the Divine Dragon Software Company could produce enough to meet domestic needs, there would be no need to import. This way, their strategy toward some countries could be changed.
After so many years, it was time to change roles. They would no longer be held ransom because of the advanced lithography machines.
The reason why he asked about the key components of the lithography machine was also because of this consideration.
“President Wang, the first question…”
“The tentative price of the Divine Dragon Model 1 lithography machine is 200 million yuan per unit!” Li Chengqian had actually considered the price long ago, even though this prototype had cost him 300 million yuan.
However, all the equipment for this prototype was custom-made and extremely expensive.
If it was mass-produced, the cost would be much lower.
After comprehensive calculations, the production cost of a lithography machine would not exceed 60 million yuan.
Even if it was sold for 200 million yuan, it was already very profitable.
When everyone present heard the price Li Chengqian mentioned, their eyes widened and their breathing became hurried. Wang Yizhi asked very excitedly, “President Li, are you serious?”
Ever since he started working for the National Chip Company, he had never encountered such a cheap lithography machine.
“Yes!” Li Chengqian nodded affirmatively.
“Great, that’s great! This way, our company originally planned to use 10 billion yuan to purchase 30 DUV lithography machines this year. As long as the price is reduced to 200 million yuan per unit, we can increase the number of DUV lithography machines we purchase to 50.” Wang Yizhi was very excited.
“I’m sorry, I got carried away… President Li, please continue!” Wang Yizhi was very excited. Then, he realized that he had gotten carried away. He hurriedly apologized, and allowed Li Chengqian to continue.
“President Wang, the second problem you mentioned just now is the production of the lithography machines.”
“Based on the current situation, if we devote all our resources, we can produce about 50 units a month. I think 50 units a month should be enough to satisfy your company’s needs,” Li Chengqian replied with a smile.
If there was a need to step up the production capacity, Li Chengqian could do it any time.
“It’s enough, it’s enough!” Wang Yizhi was all smiles after hearing this.
“President Wang just mentioned that we need to take a look at the production factory for the core components.” Li Chengqian understood what Wang Yizhi was worried about!
Was it difficult to assemble the lithography machine? It was a little difficult! However, to the Divine Dragon Country, this difficulty was nothing. It could be overcome.
The lens of the photolithography machine, the light source, the ultra-precision motor!
These three were the most critical problems in lithography machine production.
Wang Yizhi mentioned that he needed to take a look at the production factory for the core components to confirm if the Divine Dragon Software Company had really mastered the production technology for the core components.
Only by mastering the production technology of the core components could the problem of being held ransom be completely resolved.
“No problem at all!”
“However, the factories for the three core components are not in Tianyi City…”
Li Chengqian thought for a moment and spoke to Zhao Na, who had been following him.
“Director Zhao, please bring President Wang and the others to take a look at the three factories next.”
“Okay, Boss!” After a long period of training, Zhao Na had already become very mature and competent. She toned down her charm and sexiness on formal occasions. She was now a confident and capable business executive.
“President Wang, Director Zhao will be with you for the rest of the trip.”
“Director Zhao is in charge of the Divine Dragon Software Company’s equipment manufacturing. In the future, she will be in charge of the manufacturing of the lithography machine,” Li Chengqian explained.
Under Li Chengqian’s introduction, the two of them smiled and shook hands.
As Wang Yizhi was in a hurry, he quickly left the factory under Zhao Na’s lead to visit the core equipment production factory.
Academician Lin Qu and Academician Ji Cheng were very excited when they received the test report issued by the National Chip Company.
No matter how Li Chengqian tried to persuade them to stay, it was useless. They wanted to go back.
…
“Huang Jun, it has been confirmed that the Divine Dragon Software Company’s DUV lithography machine is functioning very well and is very advanced!”
“To be safe, we are now on the way to confirm the core components of the lithography machine, the lens, the light source, and the ultra-precision motor.”
“You can come back once we have confirmed that we can produce these key components!”
“It will be very soon. Wait for another day.”
“Thank you for your hard work!”
After reading the message from Wang Yizhi, Huang Jun passed his phone round for everyone to read the message.
“Alright!”
“That’s great!”
“According to President Wang, the production of the 7-nanometer DUV lithography machine by the Divine Dragon Software Company should be close to the mark. We are almost there!”
“The lithography machine has finally been domesticated! I don’t have to be bullied by ASML anymore.”
Everyone was very excited after reading the message.
“Alright, everyone, don’t say anything and don’t leak this news.” Huang Jun put away his phone with an excited expression.
“Just in case, we need to wait another day.”
“In a day, it will be time for us to leave.” The Dragon Dragon Software Company had even manufactured a lithography machine. Generally speaking, they would not lie when it came to the production of core components.
Wang Yizhi went to take a look personally just to be sure.
However, Huang Jun had already thought of the outcome of Wang Yizhi’s visit.
There definitely wouldn’t be a problem.
“Wang Wei, call the consulate and ask them to book a flight back tomorrow.” Huang Jun began to make arrangements.
“Alright, President Huang!”
Just as Huang Jun was making arrangements, there was another knock on the hotel door.
It was Louise and Chaiter again.
“My friend, yesterday you said that you needed to report the situation to the company. I wonder if your company has considered it?” Louise said with a smile, but there was anxiety in his eyes.
The National Chip Company wanted to buy 22 lithography machines this time.
This was a major deal. If this deal went through, it would be almost one-third of ASML’s annual income.
In the past, both Louise and Chaiter felt that the National Chip Company had no other choice but to buy the DUV lithography machine from ASML, so they were not in a hurry at all.
Therefore, their attitude was arrogant. They raised the price sky high and also set other harsh conditions.
They were even verbally rude to the procurement staff.
But it was different now.
Even though they didn’t receive any new updates from the Sunset Empire, but combined with Huang Jun’s attitude…
They had thought of many things!
The Divine Dragon Country had definitely made a huge breakthrough in the field of lithography machines.
“Mr. Louise, the company said that they still need to consider it! I can’t give you an answer for the time being,” Huang Jun replied indifferently.
“That’s a pity.” Louise frowned slightly.
“Mr. Huang Jun, I heard a piece of news that your country has made a major breakthrough in lithography technology! You’ve developed a domestically-produced DUV lithography machine. I wonder if it’s true.” Louise looked into Huang Jun’s eyes when he probed.
“I know only as much as you do. I’ve heard the news, but I don’t know if it’s true.” Huang Jun was still lukewarm as he answered Louise’s question indifferently.
Louise told him what he had prepared beforehand.
“Mr. Huang Jun, you know that ASML is an old player in the lithography machine industry. Our products are bestsellers worldwide. The quality of our products has been recognized by all users.”
“The lithography machine is the core equipment in chip production. If the quality of the lithography machine is unstable and the product quality is flawed… It’s a fatal problem for a chip contracting company.”
“It would be a huge loss to the company.”
“Regardless of whether the Divine Dragon has developed a lithography machine or not, even if it has really been developed, there will always be problems with the equipment produced by a start-up company… The quality is unstable. That’s a common problem.”
“There’s another common problem, which is that it’s very expensive. They need to distribute the development cost of the lithography machine to the equipment.”
“Therefore, even if you have developed a domestically-produced DUV lithography machine, I still suggest that you adopt our ASML products considering the price and quality.”
Seeing Huang Jun frown slightly, Louise was delighted. He felt that his words had worked.
“Mr. Huang Jun, I know that you’ve had some bad experiences since you arrived at ASML.”
“We sincerely apologize for our oversights.” When Louise said this, he looked at Chaiter. His meaning was obvious. He wanted Chaiter to step forward and apologize.
In the past, the National Chip Company only had one choice, and that was ASML.
Therefore, no matter how much they insulted or made things difficult for the employees of the National Chip Company, no matter how harsh the conditions were or how infuriating they were, the employees of the National Chip Company could only put up with them.
But it was different now!
Now, the National Chip Company had a new choice. ASML was no longer the only choice.
A 22-machine, ten billion yuan order was at stake!
Huang Jun had the last say!
Now, it was ASML’s turn to beg Huang Jun!
When Chaiter saw Louise’s gaze, his eyes were filled with anger and humiliation, unwillingness and resentment.
“Chaiter, show our friend how sincere we are.” Louise’s voice was a little cold. After he went back the day before, he immediately reported the situation and his speculations to the company’s CEO.
After that, Louise was tasked to conduct the negotiations with the National Chip Company.
At the same time, Chaiter was asked to work with Louise.
Moreover, the CEO had already announced that if the business negotiations fall through this time, Chaiter would have to take responsibility for it and pay the price!
Therefore, even if he was very unwilling, even if he felt aggrieved and humiliated, he could only suppress the anger in his heart. On Louise’s signal, he stood up and apologized to Huang Jun and the others.
This would demonstrate ASML’s sincerity.
…