Yanghe(SZ:002304) Jing Ji Guan Cha Wang·2025-07-03 07:06Core Viewpoint - Zhang Liandong, the chairman of Yanghe Co., Ltd., resigned from his positions, citing "work adjustment" as the reason, despite his term not ending until April 2027 [2][3]. Company Performance - Under Zhang's leadership since February 2021, Yanghe's revenue grew significantly, reaching over 30 billion yuan in 2022 and peaking at 33.126 billion yuan in 2023 [3]. - However, in 2024, Yanghe became the only company among the top five A-share liquor firms to experience a decline in both revenue and profit, with net profit dropping to 6.666 billion yuan, lower than the 7.513 billion yuan recorded in 2021 [4]. - The company attributed its performance decline to strategic adjustments and intense market competition, particularly in the mid-range and premium segments [4]. Market Position - Yanghe has maintained the third position in industry revenue since 2010, but in 2024, it fell to fifth place in both revenue and net profit among A-share liquor companies [4]. - The liquor industry has shifted to a phase of inventory surplus and price inversion, impacting Yanghe's sales, especially in its mid to high-end products [4]. Strategic Initiatives - Zhang previously acknowledged Yanghe's weakness in the high-end market and proposed a strategy of "dual famous liquors, multiple brands, and diverse categories" to enhance brand value [5]. - Despite increasing marketing expenditures, Yanghe's revenue from mid to high-end products declined by 14.79% in 2024, indicating inefficiencies in marketing investments [5]. Employee Incentives - Yanghe implemented its first employee stock ownership plan in August 2021, aiming to motivate management and core personnel, with a total investment of 1 billion yuan [7][8]. - The stock was purchased at 103.73 yuan per share, significantly below the market price at the time, but the stock price has since fallen, leading to potential losses for employees [8][9]. Leadership Transition - Following Zhang's resignation, Gu Yu has been appointed as the new party secretary of Jiangsu Yanghe Distillery Co., Ltd., with speculation about his potential role as chairman [10]. - Industry experts suggest that the new chairman should focus on developing high-value products and enhancing market responsiveness [10].