December 11th, 2023. Four o'clock in the morning.
"Ma, I'm going out," Michael whispered, careful not to wake his mother fully. Myra, still half-asleep, mumbled a vague acknowledgment.
Michael quietly grabbed his backpack, which he had packed the night before with essentials for the day. He had planned to visit the warehouse locations he had shortlisted. It was important to start early to beat the traffic and cover all the sites in one day.
He checked his phone one last time, ensuring he had the addresses and contact details of the real estate agents. Then, he stepped out of the house, locking the door gently behind him.
The streets were still dark, the city not yet awake. Michael decided to walk to the main road to catch a bus. As he walked, he went over his plan for the day. First, he would visit the warehouse in Batangas, then move on to Cavite, Laguna, Bulacan, and finally Pampanga. It was going to be a long day, but Michael felt a mix of excitement and determination.
At the bus stop, he waited for a few minutes before boarding the first bus heading towards Batangas. Settling into his seat, Michael gazed out of the window, lost in thoughts about his future business, the looming competition, and the uncertainties that lay ahead.
The journey to Batangas was smooth, and he arrived just as the sun was rising. Michael texted the real estate agent to inform him of his arrival and headed to the first warehouse location.
[Oh…you commuted?] Lara replied though Michael could imagine her exclaiming.
[Is there a problem with it?] Michael returned a reply with a question.
[I could have arranged transportation for you. I thought you had your own vehicle…but that's okay. I'll send you what tricycle you should ride to get here quickly. It's not far from the bus stop.]
Michael appreciated Lara's concern but preferred his independence. He received her instructions, hopped onto the recommended tricycle, and soon arrived at the warehouse.
As Michael stepped out of the tricycle, he was immediately struck by the sight of the Batangas warehouse. The structure stood imposingly, its large facade a mix of modern and industrial design elements. The building was relatively new, its grayish exterior walls accented with blue trims giving it a professional yet robust look.
The warehouse was surrounded by a spacious concrete yard, offering ample space for loading and unloading goods. A high metal fence encircled the property, providing security and privacy. The entrance gate was wide, allowing easy access for trucks and other large vehicles.
From the outside, the warehouse appeared to be in excellent condition. The metal roofing was intact and gleaming under the morning sun, suggesting it was well-maintained. Several large shutter doors lined one side of the building, hinting at the expansive storage space inside.
The location itself was strategically situated, with main roads nearby, making it easily accessible from different parts of the city. The area was bustling with activity, indicating a thriving industrial zone, yet it was not overly congested, which would be beneficial for transportation and logistics.
Standing by the entrance was a woman in her mid-twenties, dressed formally in a black blazer and slacks. She had an air of professionalism about her. This had to be Lara, the real estate agent Michael had been corresponding with. She greeted him with a warm, businesslike smile.
"Mr. Reyes, I presume? I'm Lara. Welcome to the warehouse. Shall we take a look inside?" she said, extending a hand for a handshake.
Michael nodded, returning the handshake. "Yes, I'm Michael. Thank you for meeting me here so early."
Lara led Michael through the wide entrance gate into the warehouse. As they stepped inside, he was greeted by the vast open space of the main storage area. The interior was well-lit, with high ceilings and a series of skylights that allowed natural light to flood in. The floor was concrete, sturdy, and level, ideal for heavy machinery and storage racks.
"As you can see, the warehouse is equipped to handle large-scale operations. It's been recently updated with energy-efficient lighting and has a state-of-the-art security system," Lara explained, walking him through the space.
Michael nodded, taking in the details. He asked about the electrical capacity, water supply, and any potential issues with zoning or environmental regulations. Lara provided thorough answers, showing her knowledge and experience in the field.
Then—he pulled out a list of his own, a requirement needed to sustain and operate the high-tech machinery needed to produce the solar panels. After all, he can't just bring them out from the virtual world and place them as it is, it would damage them. This was the list he came up with.
Climate Control System: An advanced HVAC system capable of maintaining precise temperature and humidity levels to ensure optimal operation of the machinery. This system should also include high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filtration to maintain a cleanroom environment, free from dust and contaminants.
Vibration Dampening: Install vibration-dampening materials and structures to minimize the transmission of external and internal vibrations, which could interfere with the precision of the nanoscale fabrication processes.
Reinforced Flooring: The flooring must be reinforced to support the heavy weight of the machinery, especially for the thermoelectric material fabricator and the environmental simulation chamber.
Advanced Power Supply and Backup: A reliable power supply with sufficient capacity and redundancy is essential. This includes uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and backup generators to prevent power fluctuations that could damage sensitive equipment.
Electromagnetic Shielding: To prevent interference with the sensitive electronics, the building should be fitted with materials that provide electromagnetic shielding.
Data Infrastructure: A high-speed, secure data network to support the AI-Integrated Manufacturing System and real-time analytics. This includes both wired and wireless networks with cybersecurity measures in place.
Specialized Containment Areas: Separate, controlled-access areas for the storage and handling of hazardous materials used in the manufacturing process, complete with spill containment systems.
Custom Utility Lines: Custom-designed utility lines for gases, chemicals, and vacuum lines required by the Nano-Photonic Imprinting Machine and other fabrication equipment.
Safety Systems: Comprehensive safety systems including fire suppression systems that are safe for electrical and chemical fires, emergency showers, and eye wash stations.
Lighting: Specialized lighting systems that provide consistent, shadow-free illumination, necessary for the precise work carried out by the machines.
Loading Docks and Material Handling: Upgraded loading docks with advanced material handling equipment to safely transport materials to and from the warehouse.
Secure Storage: Secure, climate-controlled storage for sensitive components such as the quantum dots and micro-inverters.
Maintenance Workshop: A well-equipped maintenance workshop for the upkeep and repair of high-tech machinery, including tools for calibrating and servicing.
Energy Monitoring Systems: Systems to monitor and manage energy usage throughout the facility, ensuring that the solar panel production is as energy-efficient as possible.
Waste Management Systems: Proper disposal and recycling systems for the byproducts and waste materials generated during manufacturing.
Soundproofing: Soundproofing measures to minimize the noise produced by the manufacturing equipment, for both the comfort of workers and to comply with local noise regulations.
Worker Amenities: Adequate facilities for workers, such as cleanrooms, break rooms, and restrooms that meet the high standards required for a facility dealing with advanced technologies.
Just looking at the list, Michael knew his seventeen million pesos was not enough for this renovation alone. He has to replicate the conditions of the laboratory in the Virtual World to produce solar panels. Yeah…this business is truly capital-intensive, but he is determined to see it through. Money is easy to earn in stock trading so he is not that worried.
"Assuming that I want to rent this," Michael began. "How much is the cash out?"
Turning to Lara, he asked, "I appreciate the tour. Can you tell me how much the cashout would be if I decide to rent this place?"
Lara, unaware of Michael's extensive renovation plans, replied, "Certainly, Mr. Reyes. The cashout for this warehouse includes the first month's rent and a security deposit. Given the size and location of this property, the total initial cashout would be 1,100,000 pesos. This covers the first month's rent at 550,000 pesos and an equal amount for the security deposit."
Michael nodded, taking mental notes. "And the lease terms, are they flexible?"
"The lease is typically for a minimum of one year, but we can negotiate the terms based on your requirements," Lara explained. "We're open to discussing longer lease terms which could potentially bring down the monthly rent."
"Thank you, Lara," Michael said. "I'll consider this and get back to you soon. I have a few more places to check out."
"Ahh…well, let's do this, sir," Lara suggested. "Once you've asked for their quotations, please send them to me so I can compare and make our terms competitive. We would really like to have you as a tenant."
Michael appreciated Lara's proactive approach. "I will definitely do that. Thanks for your assistance, Lara," he said as they concluded their visit.
"Oh—I haven't asked this before so I'll ask it now, why are you looking for a warehouse? Because you are young."
"Ah, I'm planning on setting this warehouse as the manufacturing center for my business."
"Business? Ah…your father or mother must have…" Lara began, trailing off as she looked at Michael quizzically.
Michael shook his head, smiling slightly. "No, it's not my parents. This is entirely my own venture. I'm actually a student and this is my first startup."
Lara's expression shifted from surprise to admiration. "Wow, that's quite impressive! Starting your own business at such a young age. I must say, I didn't expect that. You're doing something most people only dream of."
"Yeah…" Michael chuckled, but inwardly, he felt a twinge of irritation. Lara's assumption that he was another rich kid with generational wealth was off the mark. He was a self-starter, working from the ground up.