Xin Lang Cai Jing·2026-01-15 06:18Core Viewpoint - The investment by Boss Electric in Yout Intelligent Kitchen signifies a strategic move into the commercial kitchen sector, particularly focusing on the development of smart cooking technology and the growing market for cooking robots [1][2][3]. Company Summary - Boss Electric announced a strategic investment of 100 million RMB in Yout Intelligent Kitchen to enhance collaboration in smart cooking technology [1]. - The investment reflects Boss Electric's intention to expand from consumer kitchen appliances to the B2B commercial kitchen equipment market [2]. - Yout Intelligent Kitchen, based in Zhuhai, specializes in providing automated solutions for the restaurant industry, targeting chains, school cafeterias, and central kitchens [2][8]. Financial Performance - Boss Electric's financial reports indicate a challenging growth environment, with a slight revenue increase of 0.10% to 11.213 billion RMB in 2024, while net profit decreased by 8.97% to 1.577 billion RMB [4]. - In the first half of 2025, revenue fell by 2.58% to 4.608 billion RMB, and net profit dropped by 6.28% to 712 million RMB [4][6]. - The company has faced declining sales across major product lines, with significant drops in revenue for several categories, including a 44.18% decline in ovens and a 45.24% decline in integrated stoves [6][7]. Market Trends - The cooking robot market is gaining traction as restaurants seek to standardize food production with fewer, more stable staff, making cooking robots a viable solution [2][14]. - The increasing chain restaurant rate in China is projected to reach 25% by 2025, driven by rising labor costs and a shortage of skilled workers [14]. - The value of cooking robots is being reassessed as they offer stable, controllable, and predictable production capabilities, addressing the challenges of high labor costs [14][18]. Competitive Landscape - The cooking robot market is becoming increasingly competitive, evolving from simple device comparisons to an ecosystem that integrates supply chains, scenarios, and data [19][22]. - Recent investments in cooking robot companies indicate a growing interest in the sector, with multiple firms securing funding to enhance their technological capabilities [11][13]. - The establishment of national standards for commercial smart cooking machines is expected to drive product standardization and quality improvement in the industry [21].