Story of a Big Player from Gangnam

Gun-Ho’s Bentley drove an expressway with Gun-Ho and Isehara Machines’ president in it. Isehara’s president said, “There are a lot of large buildings along the expressway now. It looked a lot more developed than the time when I visited here a few years ago.”

After he made a comment about the area, Isehara Machines’ president started dozing off in the car.

When it was around 3 pm, Gun-Ho’s group arrived at GH Machines in Baeseok agricultural and industrial park in Cheonan City.

As Gun-Ho entered the factory’s gate with Isehara Machines’ president in his car, the security guard in a uniform gave a military salute to them.

There was a banner hanging at the entrance welcoming Isehara Machines’ president, just like Jong-Suk Park told Gun-Ho that he would make it. Isehara Machines’ president smiled when he saw the banner. The banner said in a large font that “Welcome Isehara Machines’ President Shinichi Nishimura for his visit.”

At the entrance, President Jong-Suk Park and other executive officers of GH Machines were waiting for them.

“Welcome to GH Machines.”

Jong-Suk Park, who was wearing a uniform neatly, quickly came to Isehara Machines’ president and gave a deep bow to him. Isehara Machines’ president smiled and offered his hand to Jong-Suk Park for a handshake. It was not their first time to meet each other. They had met before.

“My factory is not big, and we have a limited number of workers here. I’m honored to have you here, sir.”

Gun-Ho giggled without showing it to others.

‘Jong-Suk grew up to be a true businessman now. He knows how to welcome his major client, and he knows what to say in a mannerly way. He is doing great as the president of his business.’

Jong-Suk Park introduced GH Machines’ plant managers to Isehara Machines’ president.

“Our factory has two plant managers. One is overseeing the production department for manufacturing machines for Dyeon Korea. The other plant manager focuses only on the work producing Isehara Machines’ camshafts and valves.”

The two plant managers gave a deep bow to Isehara Machines’ president.

Isehara Machines’ president said, “This plant manager looks familiar to me.”

“That’s right, sir. He used to work in Miura Machines in Japan as their plant manager. He is Plant Manager Yanagi Masatoshi.”

“Oh, is that right?”

Jong-Suk Park continued to speak in a calm voice, “You can tell that the entire Miura Machine moved to this place. We have their engineers and equipment all here. You will be able to meet with several other engineers from Miura Machines here too.”

As he listened to Jong-Suk Park’s explanation, Isehara Machines’ president nodded his head; he seemed to trust what Jong-Suk Park said and his work here for Isehara Machines’ products.

At that moment, the lady worker, who was handling general affairs around there and also did interpretation work, brought tea to the office. It was Ssanghwa-tea*. She also brought some snacks like walnut cookies on a plate, which were famous cookies in Cheonan City.

Jong-Suk Park smiled and said, “This tea is called Ssang-hwa tea. It’s very good for health. And, the cookies on the plate are walnut cookies. They are famous regional product of Cheonan City.”

As Gun-Ho was observing Jong-Suk Park and how he acted around his major client, he felt proud of Jong-Suk Park.

‘He is very good. Considering Isehara Machines’ president’s old age, he prepared a cup of warm Ssang-hwa tea along with walnut cookies. Excellent choice.’

Isehara Machines’ president took a sip of Ssang-hwa tea and took a bite of one of the walnut cookies, and then he nodded his head. Jong-Suk Park then introduced the lady who brought the tea and now who was sitting in the corner of the office quietly.

“She is one of our workers in the office. She studied in Japan.”

As the lady worker gave a bow to Isehara Machines’ president, Isehara Machines’ president extended his hand to her for a handshake with a smile.

“Which part in Japan did you study in?”

“I studied at the University of Tsukuba, sir.”

“Oh, is that right? It is a university located in Ibaraki. I’m glad to meet you, young lady.”

Jong-Suk Park then handed a document to Isehara Machines’ president. It was a PowerPoint document depicting the business of GH Machines.

“We haven’t prepared our company’s catalog yet, but this is a PowerPoint document describing GH Machines’ business.”

President Jong-Suk Park then started briefly explaining about GH Machines. The lady worker interpreted what Jong-Suk Park was saying, instead of Mr. Yoshitaka Matsui.

As Jong-Suk Park pulled out the PowerPoint document that he prepared, Gun-Ho smiled and thought, ‘Jong-Suk is doing great indeed. He prepared a PowerPoint document in preparation for Isehara Machines’ president’s visit to his company. Very well done, Jong-Suk Park.’

After giving the visitor a brief presentation about his company, Jong-Suk Park took Isehara Machines’ president to the production site. Isehara Machines’ president watched the process of building and assembling the machines for Dyeon Korea for a while, and he made a comment looking at the twin screws, “These are very well carved. Nice work.”

Isehara Machines’ president thought that the twin screws, that GH Machines purchased from West Moulding Company in Seattle, U.S., were made in GH Machines. Jong-Suk Park showed Isehara Machines’ president to the area where the workers were working on the machine parts for Isehara Machines. The workers there all stood up simultaneously when they saw Isehara Machines’ president coming into the work area and greeted him in the Japanese language. Isehara Machines’ president seemed to be surprised.

“It seems that there are several Japanese engineers here, as I was told.”

Isehara Machines’ president then talked with several Japanese engineers there, and he asked them, “So, you used to work in Miura Machines before, huh?”

“Yes, sir. All of the machines and equipment of Miura Machines were moved here, and we came along with them to work here as well, sir.”

Isehara Machines’ president seemed to be satisfied. He smiled broadly.

Gun-Ho asked Jong-Suk Park, “It will be soon dinnertime, and Isehara Machines’ president will probably have dinner here with us. Did you make a reservation with a restaurant here, by any chance?”

“As a matter of fact, I did. I made a reservation with Seungjiwon in Baekseok Town. They are providing a Korean traditional full course meal. The three Japanese engineers working here will join us for dinner as well.”

Gun-Ho then said to Isehara Machines’ president, “President Jong-Suk Park seemed to make a reservation with a restaurant for our dinner today already. It’s a bit early for dinner now, so, would you like to visit GH Mobile as well since you are in the area before dinner? It’s not far from here at all.”

“Oh, the company is around here? Sure then, I’d love to see GH Machines.”

Gun-Ho made a call to President Song right away and told him, “I’m heading to GH Mobile now with Isehara Machines’ president, which is GH Machines’ major client company. Will you be there?”

“Yes, sir. I will be here. I’m in the factory right now.”

As Gun-Ho was heading to GH Mobile with Isehara Machines’ president, while sitting in the car, Gun-Ho opened Paxnet with his smartphone. He wanted to check the stock market to see any changes with Dyeon Korea’s stock movement.

“Hmm, Dyeon Korea’s commodity channel index movement is above 100 constantly. Does this mean that those who keep buying Dyeon Korea’s stock, are still trying to buy it as many as they can?”

Note*

Ssanghwa-tea – A traditional Korean tea which is known to help recover from fatigue.