Chapter 6

The Hyenas of Capitalism - Chapter 6 (6/215)

I became incredibly busy. The rumor about the resources from the creative company had already spread throughout the industrial complex.

Thanks to this, I often heard people asking me to come and give them a quote as I passed through the complex, but I only had one body and the complex was too large. Still, wasn't this an opportunity?

I called the various clients who had received items from the previous owner and adjusted the unit prices, then signed supply contracts.

There were over 300 companies in the complex, and a lot of diverse waste materials were produced. I wanted to take it all, but my body was limited and I could only go to a certain number of places.

In the end, I focused on collecting from factories that mainly produced high-margin and expensive scrap metal, aluminum, and copper.

"Things have completely turned around."

The vice president, who originally suggested that I collect paper while he took the high-margin waste from the creative company, couldn't recover his lost image and, on the contrary, started collecting the paper I couldn't manage due to my busy schedule.

Of course, the creative company also hurriedly submitted quotes at even better prices than mine, but it was too late.

It was a matter of pride. For companies with revenues in the tens of millions, the cost of waste disposal or the money from selling trash was insignificant.

"Phew. It's really piling up."

I initially set the profit margin at 70% for the quotes. In just one week, I collected from over 50 companies, mainly targeting metal-related companies. On average, it was about 500 kg.

There weren't many companies like Samho Metal, which produced enough aluminum to be delivered immediately. Most of the waste was a mix of scrap metal and aluminum.

I gathered almost 25 tons, but only about 15 tons could be delivered directly. The remaining 10 tons required sorting.

"To really make money, I need to do the sorting. If I can just pick out 10% of the non-ferrous metals, I could double my earnings."

But I didn't have the time. I was already too busy to collect from all the companies, let alone do the sorting.

"Should I sell at a low price or hire employees to do the work?"

I thought about it but ultimately decided to sell everything at a low price.

I needed to pay the company for the waste, and my cash was drying up. I also thought it was important to maintain ongoing transactions with the current companies until I was firmly established.

In just two weeks, the net profit was 2.5 million won. It was excellent for a first transaction, considering the urgency and lack of sorting.

The winter of 1994 arrived. It had been four months since I set up Cheonhaja Resources in the Ansan Industrial Complex. Many things had changed in those four months.

Beyond simply buying and reselling waste, I hired three employees three and a half months ago to handle the sorting.

It seemed like things were starting to take shape. I would go out to collect the waste, and the employees would sort the items that needed processing.

Once the sorting was done, we would deliver to the target company, then buy more waste from other companies, sort it, and deliver it again. This routine had become my daily life, and my monthly net income had surpassed 10 million won.

This was the result of just six months since I decided to start a scrap business.

In front of the yard stood a new 5-ton grab truck.

Every time I went to collect waste, I had to load everything by hand. The grab truck was a game-changer.

I just had to drive up and use the grab to load the waste.

The business was going smoothly, and I was making money. When I had free time, just looking at the piles of scrap in the yard made me feel satisfied.

"I worked so hard as a laborer and only made 1.6 million won... No, that's not right. I also made money driving the boss's truck, so it wasn't 1.6 million."

I bought the 5-ton grab truck this time, but until recently, my bank account had over 20 million won.

I owned the land for my company, a 1-ton truck, and a 5-ton grab truck. Including the scrap in the yard, my assets were worth over 50 million won.

"It seems like things are stable in the Ansan Industrial Complex. Should I start looking at other places?"

I said that, but I couldn't leave just yet.

I could have an employee drive to collect the waste, but who knows what might happen while I'm away.

Since scrap is measured by weight, if someone steals 10 kg, it wouldn't be noticeable.

If someone stole 10 kg of copper and sold it to a local scrap yard, they could make 20,000 won.

I was worried. I needed someone trustworthy to leave in charge.

"Family is out of the question."

My father was already working, my mother couldn't possibly do this kind of work, and my younger sister was a middle school student. The only one left was my older brother.

"Tsk. I shouldn't have anything to do with that guy."

My brother was also out. No family members. Then, who?

"Maru. Kim Maru."

No matter how I thought about it, Maru was the best choice. He was a good person, had a sense of loyalty, and was the best among those I had worked with.

"Right. I'll try to convince Maru."

Kim Maru rubbed his sore shoulders and headed home.

"Another tough day."

In the past, I would have a drink with Sol after work. He started a scrap business and moved to Gyeonggi Province.

When we talk on the phone, he says things are going well, but I don't really believe it. Still, I envy him for being able to do things his way sometimes.

It's different for me, an orphan with no one to rely on. If I fail, I have nowhere to go. I'll end up moving from one boarding house to another, just like when I left the orphanage.

My goal is to save up for a deposit and find a house to live in without paying rent.

That's the most important thing.

"Hey, Maru! How about a bowl of makgeolli today?"

I was startled by the sudden voice.

"Sol? What are you doing here, brother?"

Sol was leaning against a wall near my house, waving at me.

"I came for a drink. How about some makgeolli?"

I smiled and said, "Sure, but you're buying."

"Let me say this again. Work with me. I'll make sure you get a good salary."

"Here we go again. We just met after a long time, can't we just enjoy the drink?"

I poured makgeolli into Maru's glass and said, "Why hide it? I'm doing really well. My monthly net income is over 10 million won."

Maru laughed, "If you're making so much money, why are you driving a 1-ton truck?"

"Damn. I'm reinvesting everything I earn. I bought a 5-ton grab truck and hired three employees."

Maru seemed a bit surprised.

"Three? Can you afford their salaries? By selling trash?"

"Are you saying you don't believe me when I say my monthly net income is over 10 million won? I'm serious. I see nothing but fools in this world. Companies, factories, and restaurants are all throwing away money. They just don't know it. Before I started my business, there was only one scrap yard in the nearby industrial complex. They were buying waste and selling it for a profit. They were making money on both ends. Does that make sense? It's absurd, but it's true. I jumped in, started buying waste, and now I'm making over 10 million won a month. Think about how much the previous scrap yard was making."

After a passionate speech, I spoke seriously.

"I really need someone I can trust. This scrap business is a goldmine. It's a golden age right now. The industry is in a transitional period, moving from a permit system to a registration system. New scrap yards are popping up, but people aren't entering the market because of the lack of information and social awareness. If we jump in now, we can easily push out the old players and establish ourselves. Trust me, okay?"

But despite my honest words, Maru still didn't believe me.

"Brother, if it's so profitable, why isn't everyone jumping in? I just can't understand how you can make money from trash."

Frustrated, I tried to explain again.

"That's because of the lack of information. No matter how many times I explain, you won't understand. Come work for my company for just one month. I don't show the purchase and sale prices to my employees, but I'll show you. Experience it for yourself. How about 1.5 million won a month? Is that enough?"

Maru's eyes widened. 1.5 million won was what he would earn if he worked every day for a month. Maybe I should have started with the salary.

"You can have Sundays off, and I'll let you work only during the day on Saturdays. Your main job will be driving the grab truck to collect waste from factories. Of course, you'll have to do other tasks too. But I'll give you the title of manager."

"Manager?"

In a scrap yard with fewer than five employees, the title of manager was a big deal. If needed, I could even give him a business card with the title of director.

"Think of it as a month of hard labor. I've already established relationships and set the collection dates, so you just need to go and collect the waste. Manager Kim, let's give it a try. They say you get three chances in life. Meeting me was your first chance, and joining my company will be your second. Trust me and follow me!"

"Um... I'll... I'll give it a try."

"Great! Good decision. Let's give it a shot!"