ProcurementExpress.com Logo
Start Free Trial
ProcurementExpress.com Logo
Book a Demo
April 25, 2024

China’s 24-hour R&D Machine

On this episode of the Gross Profit Podcast, James Kennedy sits down with Dr. Jens Wilhelm Meyer, Commercial Plant Manager at VHIT – Vacuum Hydraulics Italy. They delve into the fascinating and often complex experiences of being acquired by a Chinese company.
The Gross Profit Podcast
The Gross Profit Podcast
China's 24-hour R&D Machine
Loading
/
Download File
Play in new window
  • 33 mins
  • 2024-04-25
Subscribe on

Show Notes

Show Notes

This week James Kennedy meets Dr. Jens Wilhelm Meyer, Commercial Plant Manager at VHIT – Vacuum Hydraulics Italy. They delve into the fascinating and often complex experiences of being acquired by a Chinese company.

Jens, with a profound 25-year tenure in the automotive and mobility sector, shares his invaluable insights into Chinese business culture and essential strategies for gaining a competitive edge. Having navigated the challenges and opportunities of cross-cultural business following VHIT’s acquisition, Jens’s experiences offer a rare glimpse into the mechanics of international corporate integration.

What You’ll Learn:

  • Understanding Chinese Business Culture: Insights into the unique aspects of Chinese corporate practices and how they influence global business strategies.
  • Navigating Cross-Cultural Acquisitions: Practical advice on managing and thriving in a business environment shaped by diverse cultural and operational norms.
  • Strategic Advantages in Global Markets: How to leverage international opportunities to foster growth and innovation in your own business.

Episode Highlights:

  • “Jens, could you walk us through the initial phases of integration after VHIT was acquired? What were the key challenges and how were they addressed?”
  • “In your extensive career, how have you seen Chinese business practices evolve, and what current trends should global businesses be aware of?”
  • “What strategies have proven most effective for you in maintaining operational excellence across different cultural contexts?”
  • “Looking forward, how do you see the role of international collaborations shaping the future of the mobility sector?”

About Dr. Jens Wilhelm Meyer: Dr. Meyer is not only the Commercial Plant Manager at VHIT S.P.A. but also a member of the Board of Directors. His career spans significant roles, including a postgraduate assistant professorship at the University of St.Gallen and leading the task force for Brexit for Bosch’s mobility sector. His expertise in strategy, innovation, and cross-cultural leadership has been pivotal in steering VHIT through its post-acquisition phase and beyond.

This podcast is tagged under:

The Gross Profit Podcast

More Episodes

Merushka Chetty

Luca Aversa – Beyond Budgeting: Italian CFO’s Method

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Luca Aversa, corporate finance advisor and fractional CFO based in Northern Italy, to explore why banking relationships, timing, and disciplined financial strategy can be a true superpower for growing businesses. From Luca’s early career inside major Italian banks to advising SMEs across manufacturing, construction, real estate, and distribution, this episode dives into how founders can secure funding, choose the right financial partners, and move beyond rigid budgeting toward more adaptive, strategic finance models.

Drawing parallels between karate and CFO decision-making, Luca explains why timing matters more than force, how scenario planning builds lender confidence, and why concepts like Beyond Budgeting, North Star metrics, and OKRs are reshaping modern finance leadership.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Patrick McCarthy – How This Fractional CFO Navigated a $111M Acquisition

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Patrick McCarthy, founder of My Startup Consulting, to explore what it really takes to be a fractional CFO for early-stage startups – where chaos is constant and clarity is priceless. Patrick shares how his love of metal music and the “rules of the mosh pit” mirror startup leadership, why he left M&A for the unpredictable world of startups, and what founders must do to operationalize budgets so forecasts become reality. They also dig into fundraising realities, making tough cost-cutting decisions, EOS Rocks alignment, and Patrick’s firsthand experience helping guide a major acquisition exit.

Listen Now »
Merushka Chetty

Vincent Biscaye – Why Food Startups Fail (Finance Secrets)

In this episode, James Kennedy sits down with Vincent Biscaye, founder of Two Step Advisors and former commodities trader who walked away from a high-flying career to help entrepreneurs build real, sustainable businesses in CPG (especially food & beverage). Vincent shares how growing up across multiple countries shaped his leadership style, why finance in CPG is uniquely brutal (and why so many brands get blindsided), and what founders must understand about working capital, distributor deductions, promotions, and inventory accounting. They also unpack the fundraising reality for beverage brands, the pivot Vincent made from building a cold-pressed juice brand to launching his advisory firm, and the exact stage where fractional finance support becomes a game-changer.

Listen Now »