Previous post: (http://maxxpowers.blogspot.com/2011/03/summit-cocktails-with-mr-berlingo.html).
Berlingo cancelled and urgently flew to Shanghai. Turns out a hedge-contract for Zinc with a Chinese resources broker was in a dangerous position, the uncertainty of the Japanese tsunami spoiled his fun and potential for profit in the millions. When it came to the minerals trade, finance and hedging, Berlingo was it. Rumour has it Berlingo profited billions for his company from speculation in what eventually saw winners and mostly losers during the ’97 Asian Financial Crisis – he was obviously a winner.
Maxx's phone rang early this morning: "Maxx, its Berlingo… come to my office, my PA will give you details, I’ll put you through to Claire now." The call came out of the blue, but via Claire Maxx knew exactly where to go – Aurora Place, better known as the “RBS” building.
The lift to the 32nd floor took a few seconds before the door sprung open, no time for slow lifts in this world I suppose. The office assistant Stephanie greeted me at the door, “this way Maxx, Mr Berlingo is expecting you.” Seems Berlingo has many assistants to take care of the finer details.
Inside Berlingo’s office a computer screen with flashing numbers on a desk near the window drew my eye towards a view over the Eastern suburbs. 200 years ago the view would have me looking over the high walls that enclosed the Domain as Governor Macquarie’s private gardens - apparently a popular place for thrill seeking lovers to make a hot summer night even steamier by frolicking behind the walls.
Back in the office a large, ornate wooden cabinet by the wall lead Maxx to have a closer look, full of coloured rocks at first glance. Mr Berlingo walked in the door and noticed the interest I took in what I learned to be his collection of minerals and ores. Quite striking in the cabinet was the raw gold nugget and sealed clear case with a silver metal inside. Mr Berlingo said, "if the magnesium inside that case was on the shelf it would react with water vapour in the air and end up as hydrogen gas.” Good reason to be in an air-tight container I suppose.
Berlingo continued, "my father brought home some iron ore when I was 8 years old. He was away a lot when I grew up and arrived back after 3 months away, on a mine as an engineer. My father said, son - this ore is creating the tallest buildings, transporting billions of people and even penetrating the chests of men in Vietnam as we speak."
Berlingo said he kept that ore on his bedside table for years and it's the same rusted looking stone in his cabinet today. In a roundabout way he said it lead him from studying finance and economics to focusing on the global commodities and minerals trade.Cutting to the chase, Berlingo pulled an envelope out of his pocket and said, “I need your help Maxx. I need someone in Sydney I can trust. Inside this envelope is something very important and, if you’re willing to help me out, very lucrative. I need you to deliver it for me.”
... to be continued
