ESG解读｜员工持股两度因业绩受阻，来伊份再度回购欲重启员工持股计划

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by Laiyifen, a leading snack company in China, particularly regarding its employee stock ownership plans and financial performance, while also highlighting the competitive landscape in the snack industry. Group 1: Employee Stock Ownership Plans - Laiyifen completed a share buyback plan, repurchasing 2.9054 million shares for a total of 30.2236 million yuan, intended for an employee stock ownership plan [1] - The company faced setbacks with its employee stock ownership plans, having previously failed to meet performance targets in 2022 and terminating its second plan in 2024 due to poor financial results [2][3] - The second plan's performance criteria were adjusted to a 3% revenue increase or a 20% net profit increase, but the company reported a 15.25% decline in revenue and a net loss of 75.27 million yuan for the year [2] Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2024, Laiyifen's revenue was 3.37 billion yuan, down 15.25% year-on-year, and it reported a net loss of 7.527 million yuan, marking a second consecutive year of declining revenue and profit [2] - The company's first quarter of 2024 saw revenue of 1.048 billion yuan, a decrease of 1.23%, and a net profit of 12.43 million yuan, down nearly 80% year-on-year [2] - Laiyifen's gross margin for 2024 was reported at 38.82%, the highest in the industry, exceeding the average by nearly 8 percentage points [6][7] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The snack industry is witnessing a rise in volume snack brands, with companies like Mingming Hen Mang achieving significant growth, reporting 39.344 billion yuan in revenue and a net profit of 0.913 billion yuan in 2024 [5] - Laiyifen's management indicated that they would maintain strategic focus and not enter the volume snack market, despite the competitive pressure [6] - Other companies in the industry, such as Three Squirrels and Salted Fish, have successfully implemented employee stock ownership plans, while others like Good Idea and Qiaqia Foods have faced challenges [3][5] Group 4: Quality Control and Safety Issues - Laiyifen faced a food safety crisis when a consumer reported finding a foreign object in a product, prompting the company to initiate an internal investigation [10] - The company utilizes an outsourcing model for production, which poses challenges for quality control, necessitating a robust quality management system [11] - Laiyifen has implemented a comprehensive quality control system, including supplier selection and regular inspections, to mitigate risks associated with its outsourcing strategy [11]