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…After asking Ernst to take me to Nanjing one time (if possible) enabling me to see the Viscose plant of the Lenzing Group (with high recommendations of my dad), precisely Lenzing Nanjing Fibers Co., Ldt. (LNF). He therefore called me on Tuesday evening that we’ll have a trip there from Wednesday till Friday. Actually this plant started its production last year and is a joint-venture with Nanjing Chemical Fibre Co., Ldt. in which the Lenzing holds 70%. The chinese government has set up several regulations for Foreign Direct Investments (only Joint-Ventures are allowed as a market entry mode for non-chinese companies, in which the concerned chinese company has to the hold majority of the shares, usually at least 51%) in some fields. The Viscose field, the Lenzing Group is operating in, originally wasn’t constrained by such regulations. A Joint Venture nevertheless was considered, as market knowledge and governmental application schedules were already given by the experience of the chinese JV-partner.
So we left Shanghai Wednesday afternoon, after getting our work done, with the new company car (Audi Q7 – very comfortable ;)) and of course Ernst’s personal driver, Mr. Zhao, who safely brought us to the Sofitel Hotel which is located quite in the middle of the way to Nanjing and the Viscose plant. I have to admit that I was fairly impressed by the luxurious lodging style because I haven’t had the opportunity to live that big so far.
The next day I was introduced to the staff here in Nanjing. After getting home, Ernst invited me on a golf course (9 holes) which is next to the hotel and can be played at during evening-time thanks to the floodlights (I don’t know whether I have previously mentionend that it gets dark at about 7 p.m. in this geographical area – pretty weird to me in the first days, but you get used to it. What’s next is, that the day/night-times approximately stay the same the whole year, as a result time-switches can be avoided). This created a great atmosphere as you probably can tell by the taken pictures.
Following that we went to Nanjing for having dinner at a bar called “Blue Marlin” (Source on Nanjing Now). This bar is situated at a place called 1912, which is quite similiar to the xintiandi of Shanghai – Chinese archithecture but mainly Western entertainment. Fortunately there was a live-band playing and I have to admit respectfully that these philippino-guys delivered an astonishing performance.
So the evening was mainly dedicated to white Erdinger beer, steaks, great music and getting to know the hostess of this bar. Her name’s Dia, also from the Philippines, and she happend to speak German a few words. Her official job description was “Customer Relation Manager”. With her looks and Jägermeister deliveries for us its admittedely easy to “relate” to customers ;).
On Friday we checked out of the Sofitel and went to the plant one more time. Being there I was shown around to get to know the production process. Due to knowing the plants in Austria (Lenzing, Heiligenkreuz) I’m quite familiar with that topic and not too “green” anymore.
On Friday evening I found my way to Bund 18, precisely to ‘Bar Rouge’ (Source on Smart Shanghai). I fortunately happened to meet some French guys in front of the elevator just before going up to the club, who invited me to have a sit at their place which was perfectly situated on the terrace viewing to the (old) Bund (Wai Tan). This night was pretty funny as I wasn’t on my own and got to know some nice people from France who departured to Hongkong after that. Finally I went home at 4 a.m. not to be too wasted on the next day, because Ernst invited me on a golf course with Peter and the General Manager of Berry Textile, Simon Sung, who showed quite proficient golf skills to us even-starters.
I have to admit that I was playing horrible, I guess due to the lack of practice in the last time. But there happened to be at least one illuminated moment, as I put the ball one meter next to hole on a Par 3 (138 meters long) and therefore achieved my first Birdie in my dusky golf carrier. This of course was topped by a direct chip-in from Simon also achieving a Birdie. Congratulations in this place ;)
In conclusion I experienced a funny day with nice weather and some lovely people at a very inviting and luxurious golf course.
