2005 was an extraordinary year for Tan Jincheng and Shanchi Technology.
From having nothing to becoming an industrial enterprise above designated size, with annual sales exceeding 60 million yuan, sales of 38,000 electric scooters, and increased brand awareness, Shanchi Technology has secured its place in the rapidly developing electric vehicle industry.
Two sets of factory buildings were put into operation, a new industrial base is under construction in full swing, and a lithium battery project was launched in cooperation with a high-end research institute, opening a second front.
The number of employees also grew from just Sun Yuming at the beginning to over 600 by the end of the year, making it a medium-sized enterprise.
To qualify as a medium-sized enterprise, several major conditions must be met: more than 300 employees, annual sales exceeding 30 million yuan, and total assets exceeding 400 million yuan.
Shanchi Technology met all these conditions except for the last one, where the total assets of 400 million yuan remained uncertain.
Industrial enterprises with over 1,000 employees and revenue exceeding 400 million yuan can be called large enterprises.
Shanchi Technology still has a way to go before becoming a large enterprise.
Compared to the difficulties of 2004, 2005, though still tough, was much easier.
Although they were often short on cash, they no longer feared running out of travel money to get home, like during their first trip to the Canton Fair.
Personal life also greatly improved.
During business trips in 2004, Tan Jincheng and Zhang Xupeng only dared to stay in budget hotels, and their meals were mostly at ordinary roadside restaurants, often settling for Shaxian International Hotel.
All this changed significantly after the 2005 Spring Canton Fair.
While they weren't extravagant, they at least lived a bit more like wealthy people.
——
An annual meeting refers to a gathering held once a year by certain social groups.
It is an annual grand event for enterprises and organizations, primarily for thanking clients, boosting morale, fostering a sense of belonging, and setting goals for the coming year.
The exact period of its earliest appearance is unknown.
Taiwanese companies' factories in mainland China habitually refer to it as "Wei Ya," and they are also very keen on holding annual meetings.
However, Taiwanese companies are known for their frugality.
While they organize diverse forms of events, their actual welfare benefits are far inferior to those of other foreign-funded enterprises, and they even fall short compared to some domestic private enterprises.
The 3,000 yuan monthly salary that ordinary workers expected to receive directly, Taiwanese companies could divide into countless parts.
Ultimately, to get it, one had to put in double the effort, and the salary calculation methods were eye-opening.
In the early 2000s, domestic private enterprises, apart from having generally lower wages, truly couldn't compare with Taiwanese companies when it came to playing tricks.
January 22nd, Sunday, the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
Today was "Xiao Nian" (Minor New Year) in some regions, but in Yongcheng and Tan Jincheng's hometown, Xiao Nian was celebrated on the 24th day of the twelfth lunar month.
Regardless, it could barely be considered a holiday, and many employees of Shanchi Technology also had their hometowns celebrate Xiao Nian on the 23rd day of the twelfth lunar month.
Today was Shanchi Technology's annual meeting day.
The workshop employees of Shanchi Technology, who had barely had a day off since last December, rarely enjoyed a day of holiday today.
After the annual meeting, they would work two more days before going home for the New Year.
Everyone understood that they wouldn't have to work as hard during those last two days.
Departments would tidy up, clean, and basically just pass the time.
Xu Xinglei and Zhao Xinbin, wearing newly bought down jackets, ambled in through the factory gate.
Tan Jincheng didn't choose a fancy hotel for the annual meeting; instead, it was set in the new factory area.
A temporarily vacant workshop was simply tidied and decorated, and a few chefs were hired from a hotel, along with the purchase of better ingredients.
This was far more cost-effective than going to a hotel, and also more low-key.
"How much money did you get in total?"
Xu Xinglei whispered to Zhao Xinbin beside him.
Their salaries had been paid in advance this Friday to put their minds at ease.
Of course, it was for December, while January's salary would still be withheld.
In addition to salaries, year-end bonuses were also distributed.
Regarding salary payments for the New Year, Shanchi Technology was relatively humane.
The age structure of the company's grassroots employees was mainly between 20 and 30, with most being unmarried young people, who couldn't be expected to save much money normally.
Therefore, how much money they received this month for the New Year basically determined their quality of life when returning home for the holidays.
Whether they stayed at home watching TV or went out playing cards with slightly more expensive cigarettes in their pockets depended on this month.
"Last month I had full attendance, my salary was 4,800, plus a year-end bonus of 2,500, totaling 7,300. How about you?"
Zhao Xinbin said happily.
Overtime work since last month was much more profitable than usual, as overtime pay was significantly higher.
So Zhao Xinbin pushed himself hard, and with the year-end bonus, being able to receive 7,300 yuan at once was something he dared not even dream of before.
Since Shanchi Technology had only been established for just over half a year, Tan Jincheng did not calculate year-end bonuses for grassroots employees based on seniority.
Even if you had only worked for one month, as long as your attendance rate met the standard, you would receive a 2,500 yuan year-end bonus.
The new parts procurement contract had taken effect, greatly reducing procurement costs.
For the year-end bonuses of grassroots employees, Tan Jincheng naturally wouldn't be too stingy.
With only five or six hundred employees, an extra few hundred yuan per person wouldn't amount to much.
"I got two hundred yuan less than you, but it's still a lot. I'll have over 10,000 yuan in hand when I go home this time,"
Xu Xinglei chuckled.
He was among the first batch of employees at Shanchi Technology's new factory, and he had been as busy as a dog these past few months, so he naturally saved more money for the New Year.
"The old factory is better. Breakfast there is free, you can eat as much as you want, and it's close to where you live, so you can sleep in a bit longer."
"Yeah, but the old factory doesn't usually hire people now. It's hard to get transferred there unless there are mass resignations. Who knows if there'll be an opportunity next year."
"Hey, what do you think we'll eat today? I heard our team leader say they invited a head chef from a hotel to cook for us. I wonder what good dishes there will be."
"We'll know soon enough, let's go find our spots and grab a good one first."
"You're right, let's hurry."
Just then, two Audi A6s slowly drove past them and into the factory parking area.
"Look, the front one is the boss's car. I don't know whose the one behind it is,"
Zhao Xinbin pointed out.
"I know that. I heard from a fellow villager that the one behind is the boss's childhood friend. He often hangs out at the old factory and is also a rich person."
"What nonsense are you talking about? Can someone who isn't rich drive an Audi?"
"That's not what I mean. I heard gossip from people there that when the old factory was first being built, that childhood friend helped manage it when the boss was away on business. It's said they initially started a business together, probably meaning the boss helped him get rich."
"Holy cow, that's awesome! Why don't I have a childhood friend like that? When I go home, I'll have to ask my buddies if any of them have struck it rich."
"Hahaha, I'll ask when I go back too."
A steady stream of people converged on the factory area.
At the same time, four minibuses slowly drove in; these were employees from the old factory area, coming to attend the annual meeting together today.
Once the minibuses stopped, they exited one by one.
Soon, the parking area was full of people.
At this moment, Tan Jincheng also got out of his car, observing the crowd, his heart filled with pride.
Zhang Xupeng also got out of the car.
With him were Li Yanning, the Li Jinglan sisters, and Liu Wenbing.
These three were all original employees of Jinpeng Trading and had significant interactions with Tan Jincheng.
Therefore, when Tan Jincheng invited Zhang Xupeng, he also invited them to join in the fun.
In addition, employees from Jinyi Industry also attended the gathering.
Compared to the beginning of the year, Tan Jincheng's demeanor had changed greatly.
Coupled with not having met for a long time, Li Jinglan no longer dared to talk nonsense with Tan Jincheng as casually as before.
It was a kind of unspoken pressure that Li Jinglan couldn't quite describe.
Li Jinglan really wanted to go up and crack a few jokes with Boss Tan, but she just couldn't bring herself to do it.
"Jinglan has become quite the lady, hasn't she? Weren't you quite lively before?"
Tan Jincheng glanced at her and said.
"She's afraid of you. You're a big boss now, casually meeting top leaders in the district. I don't even dare to speak freely in front of you,"
Zhang Xupeng said absently, looking at the crowd.
Jinpeng Trading had already closed for holiday yesterday.
If not for Tan Jincheng's invitation, these three would have already gone back to their hometowns.
Zhang Xupeng, of course, would return with Tan Jincheng.
"Cut it out. You take the three of them inside and find a seat. Someone will arrange things for you. I'm going to the entrance to pick someone up."
"Is your sister-in-law coming too?"
Zhang Xupeng cast a sidelong glance and asked.
"Yes, she took a taxi directly from the train station. She should be here by now,"
Tan Jincheng nodded.
School had long since been on holiday.
Gu Qingqing, who hadn't gone home for the summer vacation, would have no excuse if she didn't return for the winter break.
So, after the holiday, Gu Qingqing went back to Yiwu.
For Shanchi Technology's annual meeting, Gu Qingqing, bored at home, also hurried over to join the fun.
Tan Jincheng originally planned to pick her up, but he had been too busy lately, and both drivers also had guests to pick up today, so they couldn't spare the time.
Zhang Xupeng didn't say anything, waving at the three people behind him,
"Let's go, we'll head in first. Today, we'll eat Boss Tan out of house and home."
Li Yanning subtly glanced at Tan Jincheng.
In just one year, she really hadn't expected Boss Tan to achieve so much.
She remembered worrying that Jinpeng Trading wouldn't survive when she first joined.
However, in just a year and a half, Jinpeng Trading not only developed well, but Boss Tan also opened two more companies himself and became a star enterprise in the district, often appearing in newspapers.
If, when Jinpeng Trading was just starting, Li Yanning had other thoughts about the handsome and capable Tan Jincheng, now she wouldn't even dare to think them.
The disparity between people, invisibly, can stifle unrealistic thoughts.
(End of Chapter)