Chapter 423 Lin Haoran's Intention to Enter the Communications Industry
Carefully observing the magnificent architecture before him, Lin Haoran couldn't help but feel a wave of emotion rise in his heart. At this moment, Motorola stood proudly at the peak of its era. In the field of communications, Motorola had long been the trendsetting industry benchmark, its influence pervasive and widely recognized.
Yet who could have foreseen that such a radiant technological giant would one day tread a path of rapid decline, an outcome that left one lamenting its fate?
In the timeline before Lin Haoran's transmigration, Motorola had already lost its former glory in the mobile communications sector, falling comprehensively behind and undergoing multiple changes of ownership. However, none of that concerned Lin Haoran now. His purpose for coming here was simple and clear: to seek cooperation with Motorola.
He wanted Hong Kong to achieve mobile communications capability, and Motorola, as the most mature and advanced company in global mobile communications technology at the time, was the ideal partner.
Why had he not chosen to invest directly but instead leaned toward cooperation? The reason was that Lin Haoran held reservations about Motorola's performance in the stock market. Simply put, he wasn't impressed by its growth potential.
Despite its fame and recognition in the communications field, Motorola's stock market valuation didn't seem to reflect its true worth. Even at its future peak, its market value would only reach a few dozen billion dollars, and at present, Motorola's value was merely around one billion dollars.
With such a valuation, it didn't even rank among the top one hundred companies in the U.S. A billion-dollar market cap now, and even in its heyday, it would only increase by several dozen times. Compared to the future prospects of companies like Walmart, Apple, Intel, and Microsoft, Motorola's potential was much less impressive.
More importantly, even if Lin Haoran tried to accumulate a large amount of Motorola's stock through the market, he would still find it nearly impossible to gain substantial control of the company.
Motorola had deep roots in the American military-industrial complex, having developed numerous military products for the U.S. military, such as the famous World War II military walkie-talkie SCR-536 and the SCR-300 backpack frequency-hopping radio.
As a Chinese citizen and non-American, Lin Haoran knew that even if the Galvin family were willing to sell, any acquisition attempt by him would almost certainly be blocked due to national security concerns.
Moreover, Motorola had always been firmly controlled by the Galvin family, leaving almost no chance for outsiders to acquire it.
Thus, from the very beginning, Lin Haoran never intended to treat Motorola as an investment target. His only goal was to bring mobile signal coverage to Hong Kong so he could use mobile phones, avoiding the cumbersome BB pagers still in use.
After all, although he was currently in the U.S., he spent most of the year in Hong Kong. Besides, the communications industry itself was immensely profitable, making it an opportunity Lin Haoran could not afford to miss.
If he could successfully enter this industry and dominate Hong Kong's mobile communication market, it would greatly enhance his influence.
The fixed-line telephone business in Hong Kong was already monopolized by Hong Kong Telephone Company. A year earlier, Lin Haoran had secretly acquired Hongkong Electric Holdings, successfully taking over the British conglomerate.
At the time, his competitor had been Jardines Matheson. After failing to acquire Hongkong Electric, Jardines Matheson shifted their focus to Hong Kong Telephone Company and China Light and Power Company.
Within a few months, Jardines Matheson had secretly acquired ten million shares of Hong Kong Telephone Company, accounting for 10.95% of its total stock.
Although Jardines Matheson hadn't managed to control the company, with such a significant shareholding, they remained a major influence.
If Lin Haoran could convince Motorola's CEO Robert Galvin to cooperate in building Hong Kong's mobile communications infrastructure, he wouldn't mind directly acquiring Hong Kong Telephone Company as well.
In that case, he would control both Hong Kong's fixed-line and mobile communication sectors, positioning himself to expand into Southeast Asia and beyond whenever he wished.
At that moment, a secretary dressed in professional attire was already waiting at the entrance. Upon seeing Lin Haoran, she smiled and approached, speaking softly, "Mr. Lin, Mr. Galvin is waiting for you inside. Please follow me."
Lin Haoran nodded slightly and followed the secretary into Motorola's reception area, which was simple yet tastefully decorated.
Passing through several glass doors, they arrived at a spacious office.
The secretary knocked lightly, and a deep, resonant voice from within said, "Come in."
The door opened slowly, and Lin Haoran stepped inside, immediately spotting Robert Galvin seated at the head of a long table.
Robert Galvin was an older gentleman, about sixty years old, dressed in a dark suit, with a warm smile on his face and an unmistakable aura of leadership in his gaze.
"Mr. Lin, welcome," Galvin said, standing up and politely shaking Lin Haoran's hand.
Although Lin Haoran's reputation had risen significantly in the U.S. recently, Robert Galvin didn't particularly care.
To Galvin, Lin Haoran was just another investor, while he himself was a titan of the technology industry. Under normal circumstances, their paths would not even cross.
If it hadn't been for the introduction by Citibank, Robert Galvin wouldn't have had much interest in meeting Lin Haoran at all.
Motorola, after all, not only possessed world-leading communications technology but also had the U.S. government as its powerful backer. They didn't need to curry favor with investors, no matter how wealthy they were.
In Galvin's eyes, Lin Haoran initially appeared to be just another nouveau riche who had risen by seizing opportunities.
The Galvin family, in contrast, had deep roots and a long history, accumulated over generations—something Lin Haoran, a newly wealthy outsider, could not compare to.
Thus, Robert Galvin had no real interest in this meeting at first.
"Mr. Robert Galvin, I've long admired you. Since I was very young, I've known of you as a pillar of the American technology world. It's truly an honor to meet you today," Lin Haoran said with a sincere smile, his tone polite and composed, showing none of the arrogance typical of the newly rich.
Hearing Lin Haoran's appropriate and respectful words, Robert Galvin's mouth unconsciously curved into a slight smile.
Although he remained skeptical about Lin Haoran's background and origins, the young man's modesty and respectfulness left a good impression, and Galvin's demeanor became visibly friendlier.
"Mr. Lin, you are too kind. I am also very happy to meet a young and talented entrepreneur like yourself," Robert Galvin replied warmly.
His words carried the tone of a senior offering encouragement to a promising junior, subtly acknowledging Lin Haoran's status and potential in the business world.
Indeed, Galvin had every reason to be proud.
Motorola, as a communications giant, had been a leader in the international communications industry since World War II. To this day, it had maintained and even strengthened its leading position.
Even the famous Bell Labs lagged behind Motorola in the communications sector.
In Galvin's view, Motorola had no true rivals in its field.
Lin Haoran could clearly feel Robert Galvin's deep-seated confidence and pride, but he was not offended by it.
He understood Motorola's future very well—decline was inevitable. But that was none of his concern.
"Mr. Galvin, I've brought you a small gift from Hong Kong, and I hope you'll like it," Lin Haoran said as he handed over a gift bag.
Robert Galvin accepted it with mild curiosity. He knew that it was customary for Chinese visitors to bring gifts, so he did not refuse.
Internally, his impression of Lin Haoran rose a little more.
Inside the bag was a delicate embroidery of the famous Along the River During the Qingming Festival, which Lin Haoran had indeed brought from Hong Kong.
He had given similar gifts to Steve Jobs and Citibank Chairman Walter Wriston as well.
After all, these gifts weren't expensive, but they were thoughtful.
"Thank you very much for your gift, Mr. Lin," Robert Galvin said, setting the bag aside. "However, as you can see, my schedule is quite packed, with many important matters awaiting my attention."
His tone grew a bit more direct. "Therefore, if we could get straight to the point and discuss the purpose of your visit, it would be more efficient for both of us. I believe open communication will make our conversation smoother."
Given what little he knew of Lin Haoran, Robert Galvin privately guessed that the young man's purpose might involve investment—or even an attempt to acquire Motorola.
In Galvin's view, Motorola was grossly undervalued in the stock market.
Its market capitalization hardly reflected its leadership and depth in the communications field.
It was not surprising that investors like Lin Haoran would show interest.
Over the years, many had tried to approach Motorola with acquisition proposals. All had been politely but firmly declined.
Motorola, bearing the Galvin family's honor and dreams, was absolutely not to be touched by outsiders.
Thus, while maintaining outward politeness and courtesy, Robert Galvin was already mentally prepared to reject Lin Haoran's proposal.
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