Zhejiang Wufangzhai Industry (SH:603237) Guan Cha Zhe Wang·2025-09-28 11:25Core Viewpoint - Wufangzhai, a Chinese traditional food company, is planning to list its shares in Hong Kong to enhance its international presence and diversify its capital platform, amid challenges in domestic growth and market competition [1][2]. Group 1: Company Overview - Wufangzhai was founded in 1921 and is known for its glutinous rice products, being recognized as a "Chinese Time-honored Brand" and one of the "Top 100 Catering Enterprises in China" [1]. - The company has established production bases in Jiaxing and Chengdu, along with a nationwide marketing network that includes 496 stores as of June 30, 2025 [1]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Wufangzhai's market capitalization is currently below 3.5 billion yuan, having decreased nearly 30% since its initial public offering [2]. - The company reported a revenue growth of 7.04% and a net profit growth of 19.74% in 2023, but experienced declines in both revenue and net profit in 2022 and 2024 [2]. - In 2024, Wufangzhai's revenue was 2.251 billion yuan, down 14.57% year-on-year, with a net profit of 142 million yuan, also down 14.24% [2]. Group 3: Business Strategy - The company is pursuing an "A+H" dual-platform listing strategy to address growth bottlenecks and enhance its international strategy [2]. - Wufangzhai has expanded its international footprint by establishing subsidiaries in countries such as Singapore, Japan, the UK, France, and Australia, with a focus on exporting its glutinous rice products [3]. Group 4: Market Challenges - The glutinous rice product market is highly competitive, with brands like Liuyishou and Qianji entering the space, leading to a decline in Wufangzhai's core product revenue [2]. - The company's overseas revenue was only 15.47 million yuan in 2024, accounting for just 0.7% of total revenue, and further decreased to 6.27 million yuan in the first half of 2025 [3]. Group 5: Quality Control and Compliance - Wufangzhai faces challenges in maintaining product quality, as evidenced by a recent incident involving a batch of mooncakes that were recalled in South Korea due to contamination [5]. - The company operates with a model that includes outsourcing approximately 16.43% of its glutinous rice products, which raises quality control concerns [5]. Group 6: Strategic Moves - Wufangzhai has initiated a share buyback of 200,000 shares, representing 0.10% of its total share capital, as a move to manage its market value amid low stock prices [6]. - The upcoming Hong Kong listing is seen as a potential opportunity for value re-evaluation and to boost investor confidence, especially given the underperformance in the A-share market [6].