A Visit to the Plant

Rosimport chose to authorize Mr. Stogov, a senior engineer of the Russia Trade Delegation in the U.K., to settle the matter. After some preliminaries the businessmen came to the point.

Stogov: Can I see the modified pump units?

Dodd: Yes, certainly. We have a few units ready for our French customers. We are not putting the final touch to the machines. Tomorrow we'll start packing them. Stogov: I am lucky to have come here today.

Dodd: Oh, we are very glad to have you with us. Here is a pair of safety glasses and a helmet for you. Shall we go straight to the workshop?

Stogov: Fine. Which way is it?

Dodd: This way, please. Watch the step.

In the Workshop

The two businessmen come up to Mr. Grey.

Grey: Morning, Mr. Dodd.

Dodd: Morning, Nick. Mr. Stogov, this is Mr. Grey. He will give you any help you require. He knows his job. Mr. Grey, this is Mr. Stogov from the Russian Trade Delegation.

Grey: How do you do? Stogov: How do you do?

Dodd: Mr. Grey, will you show Mr. Stogov a pump unit which hasn't been packed yet? I expect you'll be able to answer any questions Mr. Stogov may like to ask.

Grey: Glad to be of help.

Dodd: When you've finished, would you please bring Mr. Stogov to my office?

Grey: All right.

Dodd: On the way to' the Office you may show Mr. Stogov round the workshop. Would this be of interest to you, Mr. Stogov?

Stogov: That would be very nice.

Dodd: Will you excuse me now? I'm expecting a long distance call. See you later.

(After Mr. Stogov inspected the unit he was shown round the work­shop. Then he came back to Mr. Dodd' s office.)

Back in Mr. Dodd' s Office

Dodd: Oh, Mr. Stogov, you're back. Are you happy with what you've seen here? Stogov: Oh, yes. I consider your workshop technically very advanced.

Dodd: I'm glad your impression is favorable... We reequipped the workshop completely last year. As a matter of fact it's now the last word in technology. The level of automation has increased and the output is considerably higher.

Stogov: I wish I could see the whole plant. Would it be very difficult to arrange this?

Dodd: Unfortunately it can't be done today. Some repairs are being carried out in some of the workshops and so no visitors are allowed for safety reasons. The repairs will take only a few days. You are welcome to come any day after, the repairs have been finished.

Stogov: Fine. I look forward to coming back soon.

Dodd: And what do you think of the modified pump you've seen?

Stogov: The modifications seem reasonable. I don't think our customers will object to them.

Dodd: That's very encouraging. We'll send you a draft amendment for signature in a day or so.

Stogov: Good. I'll sign it as soon as I get approval for it.

Dodd: Fine.

Stogov: Good-bye and thank you for your hospitality.

Dodd: Good-bye. It's been very nice to meet you.

b). Say what you have learned about:

1). the reasons for the Buyers' visits to the Sellers' premises;

2). business relations between Rosimport and Sweet and Co;

3). the modification offered by the Sellers;

4). the reason why an amendment was necessary.

c) Think and answer:

1. Why do Buyers often visit Sellers' premises before (after) a con­tract is signed?

2. What clauses (статьи) of the contract are more liable to changes?

3. What is the procedure of making amendments to contracts?

Ex.7. Answer the following questions.

1. With what countries are our trading organizations doing busi­ness?

2. Are many contracts made every year?

3. Are the amendments often made to these contracts?

4. In what cases are the amendments, alterations and modifica­tions made?

5. Is there a lot of work done before a contract is concluded? Support your point.

Ex.8. Speak of a business matter taking into consideration some factors which are very important for the Buyers.

Suppose an American corporation is inviting a representative of the Buyers to the United States to make an amendment to the Contract. The amendment is to specify some spares the value of which was stipulated in the Contract.

The following factors are very important for the Buyers:

1. The trip is very expensive and there may be visa difficulties.

2. The deliveries are to start next quarter.

3. The Buyers cannot invite the Sellers' representatives to their business premises because they are under repair.

4. The Buyers cannot authorize any resident engineer to finalize the matter because the spares are very special.

There are a few possible decisions for the Buyers to make, for example:

1. To invite the comporation's representatives to come some time later and discuss the list at the Buyers' premises;

2. To ask the corporation to send the list of spares for the Buyers' approval;

3. To accept the invitation.

What decision would you make? Give your reasons.

Ex.9. Act out dialogue between the Buyers and the Sellers.

WRITTEN PRACTICE

Ex.10. Supply modal verbs or equivalents in the correct tense-forms.

1. We... to go to the plant with Mr. Brown this Monday, but the hasn't arrived in Moscow yet. We ... to go to the plant next week.

2. There is no stop near this building, you... to get off at the next stop.

3. These things are not duty-free. You ... to play duty on them.

4. If you don't leave now, you... not to come to the concert on time.

5. When ... the Sellers to deliver the goods?

6. We ... to reserve accommodation for Mr. Brown tomorrow.

7. As the Buyer ... not provide shipping facilities the Seller ... to deliver the goods on GIF terms.

Ex. 11. Translate into English.

1. -Ты сможешь пойти с нами в театр?

- К сожалению, нет. Мне придется задержаться на работе до 7 часов.

2. - Ты навестил вчера Анну?

- Нет, мне пришлось остаться дома писать письма.

- Ты собираешься пойти к ней сегодня?

- К сожалению, нет. Мне предстоит поехать в аэропорт встретить г-на Брауна.

3. - Кто должен ехать в командировку в Киев?

- Колосов должен был поехать туда, но он плохо себя чувствует, и придется мне поехать туда. - Когда ты едешь?

- Я смогу поехать только через пять дней.

* * *

1. Что он сказал?

2. Что он сказал Вам?

3. Вы собираетесь выступить (говорить) на конференции?

4. Он рассказал нам много интересного о Лондоне.

5. О чем Вы собираетесь говорить?

6. Он сказал Вам что-нибудь важное?

Ex. 12. Read the dialogue and write it down in a indirect form.

S., a senior engineer from a Russian trade organization, is vis­iting a plant of English subcontractors Remember: subcontractor ( субподрядчик), who are to deliver some instruments under a general contract signed by the Russian organization and "White and Co".

H. Mr. Sidorov, would you like to have a look around?

S. Yes, that'll be very interesting.

H. Which of the shops would you like to see first?

S. If you don't mind, let's start with the assembly shop. I wish I could also see your technical testing department.

H. Fine. Before we start the tour I think I should tell you we have reequipped our assembly shop this year. It almost doubled the out­put. So I can assure you the order Messrs. White and Co. have placed for you will get to you on time.

S. That's very encouraging, thank you.

H. Will you now follow me, please. I'll lead the way.

Ex.13. Read and translate the text. Give its main point in 2 or 3 sentences (in writing).

Following the signature of the above contract and the successful completion of the first technical meeting, we feel that it will help our expanding relationship with your organizations if your executives see the further development of the contract work, and the plant of the International Tool Inc. in the United States of America. The plant was put into operation last year and employs the same large-scale reactors as those which we are supplying to the Russia. This will be the first visit by a Soviet Delegation to the International Carbide plant using larg-scale reactors.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the International Tool Inc. I would like to extend an invitation through you to your executives to visit the premises in the United States of America and in the UK. We would also arrange for them to visit our subcontractors in France. We are prepared to make all the arrangements regarding the visas and flight reservations.

We hope this visit will be of significant help and great value in the continued work between us on the completion of the Plant and would also be of great assistance in promoting our trade relations.

We will be highly honored and delighted if you accept this invi­tation.