娃哈哈回应宗馥莉被诉：“家事与公司业务无关”

Core Viewpoint - The recent lawsuit against Wahaha Group's chairwoman, Zong Fuli, over inheritance disputes has raised market concerns, although the company claims it is an internal family matter unrelated to its operations [1][3]. Group 1: Inheritance Dispute - Zong Fuli is being sued in Hong Kong by her half-siblings, Zong Jichang, Zong Jieli, and Zong Jisheng, who are seeking to freeze approximately $1.8 billion in assets held in a HSBC account and claim $2.1 billion in trust rights promised by their late father, Zong Qinghou [1][2]. - The plaintiffs allege that Zong Qinghou instructed subordinates to establish a trust through HSBC, with an account balance projected to be around $1.8 billion by early 2024 [2]. - Zong Fuli's legal representatives have questioned the validity of the evidence presented by the plaintiffs, asserting that they are unaware of any instructions from Zong Qinghou regarding the trust [3]. Group 2: Company Operations and Management - Wahaha has shut down 18 production lines this year, with five of these factories having shareholders who are also plaintiffs in the inheritance case [3][5]. - The company stated that the closures are part of a strategy to enhance market responsiveness and optimize production and sales structures, and that these factories are undergoing legal liquidation processes [3]. - Following Zong Qinghou's death, Zong Jichang has appeared in the board of several related companies, indicating a potential shift in management dynamics within Wahaha [4]. Group 3: Company Performance and Future Outlook - Despite the controversies surrounding management and operational issues, Wahaha's sales performance remains robust, with projected revenues for 2024 expected to reach around 70 billion yuan, an increase of approximately 20 billion yuan from the previous year [5][6]. - Zong Fuli has set a sales target exceeding 100 billion yuan for 2025, indicating a significant growth ambition for the company [5].