"Gucci's current value is seriously undervalued, and it is difficult to get worse. Buying this company, even if I really can't do it well, you replace it with someone else to run it, it will still be profitable," Sophia After saying that, he hesitated and then said: "If you don't want to, there is actually another plan. I will use the money you gave me to buy 10% of Gucci's shares. As long as you can support me, the Gucci family should Be willing to let go of control and let me run it. In a few years, if Gucci's situation improves, you can consider buying more shares."
Simon was noncommittal and said, "What about the red wine business you originally planned?"
"The latter plan just now was originally intended to be used in the red wine business," Sofia said: "My goal is Latour, which is one of the five traditional famous chateaux in Bordeaux and the only one for sale. The other Château Lafite and Mouton are in the hands of the Rothschild family, Château Haut-Bion is in the hands of the Dillon family, and Château Margaux is owned by Félix Boutin, the company that controlled Château Latour in previous years. There are two companies, the Pearson Group, which holds 75% of the shares, and Harvey & Sons, which holds 25%. They are both British companies. The Pearson Group's main business is education and first edition, and they only invested in Latour for investment. The original operation of the winery has been handled by Harvey & Sons, which is engaged in the red wine trade. Some time ago, Harvey & Sons sought to sell its shares, and my initial idea was to take over the 25% stake and the operating rights of Latour."
Simon listened quietly, and finally understood why the woman suddenly told him that she wanted to do something last time, and also offered such 'tempting' conditions: "What happened next?"
Sofia said with a sense of disappointment in her tone: "I almost reached an agreement with Harvey and Sons, but another British company, United Leon Group, suddenly stepped in and took away the business."
Simon looked at Sophia's expression and said, "You were snatched away so easily, why didn't you fight for it?"
"Union Group is a comprehensive liquor, food and fast food company with strong strength. Moreover, their asking price is also very high, and they are still seeking to acquire shares of Pearson Group. It is said that they will give Pearson Group 75% of the shares. The offer has reached 100 million pounds, and if it can be sold, it will definitely be higher." Sofia said, and then explained: "Château Latour is very precious, but it is not worth such a high price. In 1976 Felix Boutin bought Chateau Margaux for only US$16 million. In my opinion, the actual price of Chateau Latour should be about US$100 million, which was roughly negotiated by Harvey & Sons. The price is $25 million."
100 million pounds, based on the current ratio of 1 to 1.6 US dollars to pounds, is 160 million US dollars.
Sofia's ex-husband's family is a wine merchant, and Simon does not doubt the woman's judgment in this regard.
Although Simon was very interested when he heard the name of Chateau Latour. Even if it is not profitable to buy such a French national treasure winery, it is much better as a collection than those famous paintings and antiques. However, since Sofia said that Chateau Latour was not worth such a high price, he would not take advantage of it.
At some point, Jennifer stood quietly by the bedroom door holding a few pieces of clothes.
Simon raised his head and noticed the figure of the female assistant. He glanced at his watch and said, "It's almost time. We'll talk after dinner with representatives of the Gucci family."
After saying that, he stood up, took the clothes from Jennifer, and turned to the bathroom.
In order to entertain representatives of the Gucci family, dinner was specially chosen at an Italian restaurant near the Kendall Hotel.
The founder of Gucci, Guccio Gucci, has three sons in total. It is now the third generation, and the family is very large. In addition, Gucci company shares are not managed uniformly through trusts or the like. , but was evenly distributed to all family members, which resulted in a turbulent situation that lasted for many years.
By now, most family members understand that the continuation of the fight will only lead to the collapse of the Gucci company. Therefore, when Sofia began to intervene in the mediation, the three families confirmed that Simon Westeros, the newly rising young tycoon, was standing behind the woman, and they quickly reached an agreement.
In fact, Sofia has basically gained Simon's approval by being able to persuade the three companies that were originally at loggerheads to send representatives to Melbourne to negotiate the acquisition at the same time. Otherwise, if Sofia mentioned this matter on the phone, Simon would not agree to her bringing the Gucci family to Australia.
Although Simon looked down on Sofia during private discussions, at the dinner table, he had begun to discuss various issues of concern to each other very formally with representatives of the Gucci family. Simon did some homework in advance, and the dinner was a feast for the guests and the host.
At about ten o'clock in the evening, Melbourne time, the dinner ended. Although the deal had not been finalized yet, the dinner conversation was over and everyone understood that the matter was a done deal.
Back in the hotel suite, Sofia still looked at Simon with the same look.
The woman was not surprised that Simon had done some homework in advance, nor did she mind Simon's change in attitude before and after the meal. What surprised her was Simon's fluent Italian.
The Gucci family comes from Italy, and not many people can speak English. Sofia can use Italian proficiently. Corsica, where she grew up, is closer to Italy than France. She originally wanted to help Simon cook at the dinner table. Translator, but unexpectedly found that this little man was more proficient in Italian than himself.
And, this clearly endears Simon to the Gucci family at the dinner table.
Entering the room, this time I did not stop in the living room, but came to the study.
Simon gestured to Sophia, who had a strange expression on her face, and sat down across from the desk. She took out a folder from the filing cabinet next to her and opened it. Just as she was about to say something, the phone on the desk rang. The American side will probably be on the phone with him at this time tomorrow, signaling Sophia to wait. Simon picked up the phone, and today's call was from Nancy Brill.
Simon was talking to Nancy in a low voice. Jennifer brought a pot of coffee in and poured a cup for Simon and Sophia respectively. Then she did not leave. She quietly sat on the sofa next to her and read a document, pretending to be herself. A small water onion that does not exist but is obviously very eye-catching.
"Okay, Nancy, you can mortgage, but the maximum is 5%... You are not allowed to bargain with me. Daenerys Entertainment's price of 2 billion US dollars is already underestimated. It is impossible for me to agree to 10%... This has nothing to do with risk. If Citibank cannot Accept it and forget it.”
Just after hanging up the phone with Nancy, Amy called again and talked about firing Ron MacMillan.
Ron MacMillan's ability in production can only be considered mediocre. Without opportunities such as "Run Lola Run", he would have been an unknown marginal producer throughout his life.
It was originally because of the cooperative relationship in "Run Lola Run" that Simon kept him in the company. Simon has been less trusting since Ron MacMillan cheated on him about the casting of Scream last year.
As Daenerys Entertainment continues to grow and develop, Simon has to value loyalty more than the ability of executives. He can allow executives to have different opinions than himself, but will not tolerate them deliberately deceiving him.
Coupled with Ron MacMillan's personal style that can easily cause trouble for Daenerys Entertainment, taking advantage of this audit to fire him will also take Simon's worries away.
After hanging up the phone, he noticed Jennifer sitting quietly in the corner. Simon just curled his lips, looked at Sophia across the desk, and joked: "I'm a little doubtful now, are you two French women working together?" You want to trick me."
According to the information I have read, Nancy Brill immigrated to the United States after college. Brill is a standard French surname.
Sofia is naturally French.
In the phone call just now, Nancy insisted that there was no risk in Simon's mortgage of Daenerys Entertainment shares, but Simon still did not agree. What he wanted was zero risk. After being pestered by Nancy, she finally relented and was only willing to mortgage 5%. Simon also felt a little disadvantaged.
Of course, he also knows that with the increase in personal debt, it is impossible for banks to blindly allow him to obtain funds just through credit guarantees. Providing mortgages is inevitable.
When Sophia heard what Simon said, her expression was a little confused, and she defended herself: "Boss, I didn't cheat you."
Simon smiled and said: "The company recently joined a French female executive. I will introduce it to you when I have time. You two, well, are quite similar in some aspects."
Sofia nodded and waited for Simon to get to the point.
Simon stopped talking nonsense, opened the folder in his hand and said: "I recently asked someone to collect some information about the LVMH Group. Speaking of which, your idea is very correct, but you have not really dealt with it alone. The company, this is what worries me the most.”
Thirty years later, as the world's largest luxury goods group, LVMH's market value once exceeded the $100 billion mark. Although it is far from being comparable to technology giants such as Apple and Amazon, as a non-high-tech, non-monopoly industrial group, it is very rare to be able to develop to such a scale.
According to the information in my memory, during its heyday, LVMH owned more than 60 top luxury brands. In addition to Dior, LV, and Hermès, the ambitious LVMH also once acquired the Gucci Group that Sophia was recently interested in. shares.
In the original time and space, with the success of LVMH’s luxury goods portfolio operating model, many other companies began to follow suit, eventually forming LVMH, Kering, and Richemont. A three-legged situation.
Among them, Li Feng Group is mainly engaged in the jewelry and watch business, and Kaiyun Group’s model overlaps to a large extent with LVMH. Moreover, the main brand of Kaiyun Group happens to be Gucci.
Based on the information in the memory, the Gucci brand that supports Kaiyun Group will be worth at least tens of billions of dollars in many years.
Back to the present, LVMH just completed the merger two years ago. Bernard Arnault, the later head of LVMH, has not yet completely controlled the group's election. It has been going on for the past two years. The increase in LVMH shares was met with resistance from LVMH executives. Brands such as Hermès, which were previously merged by LVMH, are still independent.
As for the Kering Group and Li Feng Group, which later formed a three-legged alliance with LVMH, they have not yet been established.
Obviously, by entering the market now and acquiring Gucci, a luxury brand with a complete industrial chain, Simon will have the foundation to build a company similar to the later LVMH Group.
LVMH was actually founded on the basis of Dior.
Next, if it can be exaggerated according to the development model of LVMH in the original time and space, and relying on the resources of Hollywood, Simon has full hope of taking the place of LVMH and building a top luxury goods group.
…
…
In the phone call just now, Nancy insisted that there was no risk in Simon's mortgage of Daenerys Entertainment shares, but Simon still did not agree. What he wanted was zero risk. After being pestered by Nancy, she finally relented and was only willing to mortgage 5%. Simon also felt a little disadvantaged.
Of course, he also knows that with the increase in personal debt, it is impossible for banks to blindly allow him to obtain funds just through credit guarantees. Providing mortgages is inevitable.
When Sophia heard what Simon said, her expression was a little confused, and she defended herself: "Boss, I didn't cheat you."
Simon smiled and said: "The company recently joined a French female executive. I will introduce it to you when I have time. You two, well, are quite similar in some aspects."
Sofia nodded and waited for Simon to get to the point.
Simon stopped talking nonsense, opened the folder in his hand and said: "I recently asked someone to collect some information about the LVMH Group. Speaking of which, your idea is very correct, but you have not really dealt with it alone. The company, this is what worries me the most.”
Thirty years later, as the world's largest luxury goods group, LVMH's market value once exceeded the $100 billion mark. Although it is far from being comparable to technology giants such as Apple and Amazon, as a non-high-tech, non-monopoly industrial group, it is very rare to be able to develop to such a scale.
According to the information in my memory, during its heyday, LVMH owned more than 60 top luxury brands. In addition to Dior, LV, and Hermès, the ambitious LVMH also once acquired the Gucci Group that Sophia was recently interested in. shares.
In the original time and space, with the success of LVMH’s luxury goods portfolio operating model, many other companies began to follow suit, eventually forming LVMH, Kering, and Richemont. A three-legged situation.
Among them, Li Feng Group is mainly engaged in the jewelry and watch business, and Kaiyun Group’s model overlaps to a large extent with LVMH. Moreover, the main brand of Kaiyun Group happens to be Gucci.
Based on the information in the memory, the Gucci brand that supports Kaiyun Group will be worth at least tens of billions of dollars in many years.
Back to the present, LVMH just completed the merger two years ago. Bernard Arnault, the later head of LVMH, has not yet completely controlled the group's election. It has been going on for the past two years. The increase in LVMH shares was met with resistance from LVMH executives. Brands such as Hermès, which were previously merged by LVMH, are still independent.