Chapter XXIII. Not an ounce to the competitor!
So it's really - the ways of God are unfathomable. At a difficult time in Chernivtsi there suddenly came the Japanese delegation from a very serious company "Fudzitaka." She was not interested in the sights of the city - they needed personally Lukyan Anatychuk. It turns out that the Japanese only visited the famous Physico-Technical Institute in St. Petersburg, where still there exists a little bit of thermoelectricity. There they were honestly told that on the issues that interest you better come to the Institute of thermoelectricity.
At a meeting in Chernivtsi several Japanese wary asked: "Are you such a great success, as we were told?" Instead of answering, Lukyan Ivanovic showed the result of the test, signed by Raymond Marlowe. More convincing document and better advertising it was impossible to imagine.
I want to emphasize the ability to PR, opened in Luchian Ivanovich quite unexpectedly. It also had the foresight to ask so Marlowe sign test results! Anatychuk himself explained the emergence of new and uneasy activities of the ex-Soviet man as follows: "During the first trip to the US I" sniffed "foreign life and realized - it is necessary to move. With this all started ..."
Cooperation with the Japanese began with the development of the air conditioner ... for a phone booth. It is not comfortable in the heat in a small room. However, until now no one in the world has thought to put air conditioning in a phone booth. As a result, there is another product that distinguishes this country from others. Also unusual was the development of the conditioner ... for the bathroom. Working on such developments, it was hard not to exclaim: "If we have only such problems..!"
And then there was the thermoelectric clothes. Known around the world, Japanese jackets, fitted with miniature thermoelectric air conditioners, opened a new and very promising market in light industry. Although the beginning of the "high-tech" jacket was put by development of jackets for police. After all, the people of this profession under the summer heat and humidity up such typical for Japan, should be in the form and in the literal and figurative sense of the word.
And on one particular order should be mentioned - this is the creation of a thermoelectric generator to power the ... police doll, that is mounted on the dangerous road sections. At this doll it is mounted the radar, and if transport, driving by, exceeds the speed, the doll raises his hand with his rod. The Japanese have shown that the psychological impact is very effective. Although the Europeans are amused by this doll, they reduce the speed too.
Several successful developments with the Japanese helped to create a joint venture with the sonorous name "Interted" which means "International Thermoelectric development." With its help the search for effective thermoelectricity tools for Japan was greatly accelerated. Anatychuk became a frequent guest in this country. Sometimes his trip lasted a long time. The Japanese side - the company "Fudzitaka" – was looking for all kinds of Japanese objects and Anatychuk conducted research and made conclusions about the prospects of a particular device.
Symbol of Japan - the holy Mount Fuji, so everything that begins with "Fuji" means in this country the greatest advantage. Naturally, the company "Fudzitaka" is among the important leaders. Its main product - vending machines, the use of which is highly developed in Japan. And they, too, have decided to have air conditioning. This has opened up the prospect of even more massive use of thermoelectricity in Japan.
There was found the place in the mountains for thermoelectric generators. Supply power lines there are sometimes difficult and expensive, so the thermoelectric generator, producing electricity from the hot springs (mainly for tourists), are shown in the best way. Lukyan Ivanovich did not hide the fact that he was pleased to see his products in such primitive places that are still famous except that here in the evening for a swim in the warm springs came the Japanese monkeys. Amusing spectacle of monkeys taking a hot bath, always attracts many tourists.
Now at the Institute of thermoelectricity for the Japanese it is created a special air conditioning. It would seem that they are everywhere. But there are huge flaws. They create in one place local cold, forcibly dispersed throughout the room. There is a nasty draft. As a consequence - the common cold, pneumonia in the summer heat. So there was a decision to combine air conditioning and ... chops blinds on the windows. Created on this principle conditioner does not produce any drafts. In addition, in the winter or cold autumn night the device successfully works as a heater. All in all, it was found about a hundred of various devices thermoelectricity included in the program of development for Japan.
- If someone had the impression that the way to cooperation with the Japanese was strewn only with roses - shares sore Anatychuk – I will say frankly - often there were thorns. And there was a need to make a lot of effort, poise and composure to continue the work.
One of these joint ventures is especially remembered by the obstacles that arose in the way of its implementation.
It is well known that the Japanese created a hi-tech and largely non-waste production in their country. It is convincingly demonstrated by the garbage disposal. The country has about 5,000 incinerators. The strange thing is - all located directly in the cities and even in their central part. A visit to such an enterprise is surprising - staff in white coats, the combustion process is controlled by the TV cameras, everything everywhere is clean.
Waste from waste incineration briquetted in original bricks that are used to create artificial islands in the ocean. It is unused from waste incineration only heat. Anatychuk was invited in such a plant. Generate electricity from waste heat using thermoelectric looked tempting. The establishment of such generators on all waste incineration plants in Japan could give as much energy as it produces nuclear power plant units.
After preliminary negotiations the preparations for the establishment of thermoelectric began. It was expected the serious and expensive work. Anatychuk returned to the Institute, tested the computer-aided design and was convinced - this is real. Then there were the modelling study. All turned out good. Again flew to Japan have to sign a contract. And then the unexpected happened - the Japanese side decided, since the contract was considerable, insure themselves and to participate in negotiations to hire a lawyer. Previously, there was no such thing.
At the first meeting Lukyan Ivanovich expressed his dissatisfaction with the fact that he was not warned about this. After all, there were created unequal conditions for the parties and, therefore, there is every reason to terminate the negotiations.
The Japanese did not expect such a turn of events. Terminate the negotiations and, therefore, stop the very interesting for the Japanese side contract, was not in their plans. Having waited for a pause, thus emphasizing the complexity of the situation created by them, Anatychuk said:
- I have a very deep respect for you, so, despite the difficulty of the situation, I'm ready to hire a Ukrainian lawyer to continue negotiations.
Japanese face brightened. This meant that the partners should also be in negotiations to meet.
- Probably, it is necessary to move the start of negotiations until the coming Ukrainian lawyer?
- The lawyer is here, - said Anatychuk and opened his "diplomat". There he always had the institute forms with seals and in one of them he wrote: "I, Director of the Institute of Thermoelectricity, Anatychuk Lukyan Ivanovich, hires as the lawyer Ukrainian citizen Anatychuk Lukyan Ivanovic to negotiate with the Japanese and acknowledge his signature."
This document he handed over to the Japanese.
They were too surprised, but receiving the confirmation of the Japanese lawyer that it is possible, became even happy, because negotiations can continue immediately ... Japanese lawyer handed them the proposed option of the contract. In subtle remarks the Ukrainian side thanked and asked for two days to read the document.
The contract was not in our favor. Two days of continuous consultation with the institute lawyers, exchange faxing yielded results: the third day Lukyan Ivanovich was ready to fight. He handed the Japanese side more than 50 objections, where it was noted that the contract violated Japanese laws and regulations, and offered another option contract. Now a Japanese lawyer asked for two days to review.
While the Japanese side worked with documents, Lukyan Ivanovich acquainted with the sights of Tokyo. It was not over – he was exhausted and needed the rest.
Two days later a Japanese lawyer was forced to admit all comments to contract , and recommended to sign the proposed Lukyan Ivanovich option contract. Since then the company "Fudzitaka" never invited to negotiate a Japanese lawyer, and he has since annually sends New Year greetings to Chernivtsi, which, of course, received in response to the greeting and the assurance of the highest respect and fond memories of the joint work.
After the completion of legal formalities the work started. Physicists from Chernivtsi had to work day and night, because prudent and circumspect Japanese have placed the same order in the United States. In established under the agreement time it was brought to Japan from Chernivtsi the thermoelectric generator unit 1 kW - a kind of "brick". From such bricks one could assemble the generator of any capacity. Previous test generator at the Institute of thermoelectricity was successful. Anatychuk was confident that he will win the Americans. It should be noted that self-confidence and his team never failed him.
The test began. However, the Japanese suddenly started not from that to which the Ukrainian developers are accustomed to, that is not from the main (and most importantly, that is the definition of performance). The Japanese took the mic (very accurate, laser-count), and began to check the size of ... fixing bolts and nuts of thermoelectric generator. Alas, it was our standard fasteners, rude, stamped, which do not qualify for accuracy. The Japanese have shown that those parts are not very exact match in size, and rejected the generator, even not running it.
Director of Academic Institute was uneasy feeling, consisting of surprise and indignation at the same time, and tried to prove that the inaccuracies fasteners did not affect the parameters of the generator ... But on those kind of reasonable arguments customers politely, but in a tone that blows objections answered: " This Japanese style - quality in everything! And it must be respected. " Of course, they knew that the documents on the generator did not mention precision fasteners, so kindly (pressure thrust Ukrainian) agreed to pay the fare Japan - Chernivtsi back and forth, if the contracting partner will bring the generator exactly fulfilled with good bolts and nuts.
After a month Lukyan Ivanovich brought generator, made by "Japanese style" - fixing were carefully checked. There was a new procedure for the acceptance of the product. Bolts, nuts withstood rigorous test. The back cover was opened, and there Ukrainian physicist saw the pale Japanese. It turned out that in the case they saw the almost imperceptible to the naked eye peace of metal shavings. No, it could not bear the soul of Japanese engineers! Generator immediately returned. A proposal to clean it in place was seen as something terrible, like some stupid dream, leaves no hope for a happy continuation of the work ...
Anatychuk newly arrived home, cursing, and even blew the generator, just in case, wash everything in alcohol and even with a sterile sample returned to Tokyo. Again scrutiny. But now everything was better. When started the definition of performance, the thermoelectric survived the ordeal, and most importantly - it eclipsed American counterpart.
Now a set of generators pass many tests. After their completion one should expect an order for a large batch of the product.
Communication with the Japanese, said Lukyan Ivanovich, taught us a lot. The accuracy, thoroughness, unbearable nicety indeed play a very important role. They provide high reliability and image to the products. After harsh Japanese school Chernivtsi easily manage orders from Europe and the United States.
Serious acquaintance with Japan helped to understand the amazing phenomenon: why the world's only state that has suffered the horror of the atomic bombings, has grown into one of the leading countries with little or no natural resources. The reason for the success, according Anatychuk - a special spirit of the samurai and the incredible hard work.
When Lukyan Ivanovic, once again visited Japan, and was about to return at home, he was asked what he liked most and impressed. A little thought, he replied:
- Shinkansen - high-speed trains, encircling Japan and race it in the future at a speed of 350 kilometers per hour.
Japanese approvingly shook their heads, and he continued:
- In most struck me Shinkansen’scars. And not because they are quiet and have air conditioning, and not because in the comfortable chairs you can perfectly relax, I was stricken by the vestibule of the car design.
Japanese shook his head:
- We understand. In the vestibule, except toilets, any passenger can use the shower and international telephone. This is unlikely to see in today's high-speed trains in other countries.
- No, - said Anatychuk - in the vestibule there are more amazing things - luggage racks.
The Japanese were confused, not understanding him.
- Let me tell you - he smiled. - What have you done straight out of the roads, I understand. This can be done in another country. What wheels allow cars to race with incredible speed - also can be understood and available in our country. But here in the vestibule shelves - there is some incomprehensible!
- Yes, it's easier to do - surprised the Japanese.
- And so, not the case. For instance, we can not make the shelves in the vestibule, as you have, that each passenger to leave your luggage, and then came into the car and stayed there for hours, even sleep without experiencing any anxiety to preserve things in the vestibule. After the train constantly moving people come in and out at the stops ...
The Japanese did not understand. For them it is a common thing to live in a country where there is no theft. Yes, we can really lay in Ukraine a "Shinkansen", but to build a state in which no one is stealing ... It is much more difficult ...
Lukyan Ivanovic has a sense of humor, which is sometimes baffling companion, and usually facilitates good, warm relationships with people on different continents. Actually his ability with a touch of irony to look at themselves, their environment is to him the trust relationship from a variety of people. But when someone says that a more boring person than Lukyan Ivanovich, he has not yet met, this also has right.
Yet this is only part of the truth. He still inherent generosity, skill at the right time to reverse, so that the next time a person on the move favorable position it, and then flavor it all with a joke. Of course, Lukyan Ivanivich can suddenly turn everything upside down and make frowned opponent that until recently almost hated this sensible physics suddenly go out laughing and start with a clean slate.
Perhaps, not least than potential of physicist and engineer, it appeals to the Japanese his ability to say toasts. Just arrived in Japan, he was in a restaurant on a corporate party and drew attention to the fact that the Japanese before drinking, saying: "Toasto! Toasto!" And immediately tip over the glasses.
Lukyan Ivanovich remembered our anecdote, which ended with the words: "A talk?" And then he asked for the floor. He spoke about the tradition expanded toast milestone in our country and, without stopping, offered several options for what you can drink according the Ukrainian customs.
In Japan, his toasts always enjoyed a huge success. Special delight suddenly was summoned by Ukrainian toast "Not an ounce to the enemy!".
Seeing as after the translation of toast all jumped up from their seats and began to applaud showing their emotions, Anatychuk asked the interpreter to explain what so impressed the Japanese.
He said that the Japanese translate this toast was quite difficult, because their language has no generalized word "enemy." The Japanese then there is a strong specific language, and one word denotes an enemy attack you on the street, the second - the enemy is caring for your girl, the third ...
- So how do you translate my toast?
- You see, we have a corporate party, and I have translated your toast as "Not an ounce to the competitor!"