Building a Conglomerate in Another World - Chapter 67 - A New Customer

The late summer sun cast a warm glow over Hudson as Matthew Hesh sat at his desk, reviewing the latest sales reports and operational updates for Hesh Motors. The success of the company’s automobiles was undeniable, and the recent partnership with Harold Pritchard’s taxi service had brought further validation to Matthew’s vision for the future.

His assistant, Robert, knocked on the door and entered, his expression serious. “Mr. Hesh, there’s a General Nathaniel Warner from the Army here to see you. He didn’t make an appointment, but he says it’s an urgent matter.”

Matthew raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A general? Did he say what this is about?”

“No, sir,” Robert replied. “But he insisted it was important.”

Matthew straightened his tie and stood. “Send him in.”

Moments later, General Nathaniel Warner entered the office, his uniform immaculate and his presence commanding. He was a tall man in his late fifties, with a square jaw and piercing blue eyes that seemed to assess everything in the room. Matthew stepped forward to greet him.

“General Warner,” Matthew said, extending his hand. “It’s an honor to have you here. What can I do for you?”

The general shook his hand firmly. “Mr. Hesh, thank you for seeing me on short notice. I’ve been following the success of your automobiles, and I believe they could serve a critical role in modernizing the Army’s logistics.”

Matthew gestured to a chair. “Please, have a seat. I’d like to hear more.”

General Warner sat, folding his hands on the desk. “As you’re aware, the Army currently relies heavily on horse-drawn wagons for transporting supplies, troops, and equipment. While dependable, they’re slow, limited in capacity, and increasingly impractical in the face of modern military challenges. The rise of your automobiles presents an opportunity to revolutionize how we handle logistics.”

Matthew leaned forward, his interest piqued. “You’re suggesting the Army adopt automobiles for logistical purposes?”

“Precisely,” Warner replied. “Your pickup trucks and SUVs, in particular, could be adapted for military use. They offer greater speed, range, and capacity than wagons, and their potential for versatility is immense. With proper modifications, they could serve as troop carriers, supply vehicles, and even mobile command units.”

Matthew nodded thoughtfully. “It’s an intriguing idea. Have you considered the challenges? Military vehicles would need to handle rough terrain, heavy loads, and harsh conditions. They’d also require maintenance capabilities in remote locations.”

The general smiled faintly. “We’re aware of the challenges, Mr. Hesh, and that’s why we’re coming to you. Your company has demonstrated a commitment to innovation and quality. We believe Hesh Motors is capable of producing vehicles that meet our requirements.”

Matthew reached for a notepad and pen. “Let’s outline the specifics. What exactly would the Army need from these vehicles?”

General Warner leaned back slightly, considering his response. “First and foremost, durability. Military vehicles must be rugged enough to handle rough terrain, including mud, sand, and rocky landscapes. Reinforced suspension systems and durable tires are a must.”

Matthew jotted down notes. “Understood. What about load capacity?”

“We’d need trucks capable of carrying up to 2,000 pounds of supplies or equipment,” Warner said. “For troop carriers, the vehicles should be able to transport at least eight soldiers with their gear.”

Matthew nodded. “What about range and fuel efficiency?”

“The vehicles must have a range of at least 200 miles on a single tank of fuel,” Warner replied. “Fuel efficiency is important, but reliability in the field takes priority.”

“And what about modifications?” Matthew asked. “Would you require features like armor plating or specialized equipment mounts?”

“For now, we’re focused on utility,” Warner said. “Armor and weapon mounts could be considered for future iterations, but the immediate need is for logistics and transport.”

Matthew set down his pen and folded his hands on the desk. “I appreciate your thoroughness, General. I believe Hesh Motors can meet these requirements. Now let’s discuss logistics on our end. How many vehicles are you looking to procure, and what’s your timeline?”

General Warner’s expression turned serious. “We’d start with an initial order of 500 vehicles to conduct field testing across various units. If the results are favorable, we’d look at a larger contract for several thousand vehicles. As for the timeline, we’d need the first batch within six months.”

Matthew leaned back, considering the scale of the request. “That’s an ambitious timeline, but it’s feasible. We’d need to allocate a dedicated production line for military vehicles and hire additional workers. There would also be costs associated with modifying the vehicles to meet your specifications.”

“We’re prepared to invest in this partnership,” Warner said. “The Army has allocated funds for modernization, and we’re willing to pay a premium for quality and reliability.”

Matthew’s mind raced with possibilities. This contract could open a new market for Hesh Motors, solidifying its reputation as a leader in innovation and expanding its influence beyond the civilian sector.

“There’s one more thing to consider,” Matthew said. “Maintenance and training. Your soldiers would need to know how to operate and maintain these vehicles effectively.”

“We’ve considered that,” Warner replied. “We’d propose a partnership with your driving schools to train our personnel. Additionally, we’d like to work with your engineers to develop a simplified maintenance guide and supply kits for field repairs.”

Matthew smiled. “That’s a smart approach. I’ll have my team collaborate with yours to ensure the training programs and maintenance guides are tailored to your needs.”

The general extended his hand. “So, do we have a deal?”

Matthew shook his hand firmly. “We do. I’ll begin assembling a team to handle this project immediately. I’ll also arrange for a demonstration of our vehicles in the coming weeks, so your team can see what we’re capable of.”

As General Warner left the office, Amber entered, a curious look on her face. “A general? That’s not something you see every day. What did he want?”

Matthew grinned. “The Army wants to modernize its logistics with automobiles. They’re placing an initial order for 500 vehicles and considering a larger contract if the tests go well.”

Amber’s eyes widened. “That’s incredible. It could be a huge opportunity for Hesh Motors.”

“It is,” Matthew said, already reaching for his notebook. “But it’s also a challenge. We’ll need to meet their specifications, deliver on time, and prove that our vehicles can handle military conditions. If we pull this off, it’ll cement our place in history.”

Amber smiled. “I have no doubt you’ll make it happen.”

Matthew nodded, his expression determined. “Failure isn’t an option. Let’s get to work.”