经参调查｜国有股东和职工权益涉嫌受损 娃哈哈“体外”迷局待解

Core Viewpoint - Following the death of former chairman Zong Qinghou, Wahaha Group has undergone significant changes, leading to concerns about its operational integrity and governance structure, with indications of a shift towards a "de-Wahaha" model [1][5][12]. Group 1: Corporate Changes and Governance Issues - Wahaha Group has initiated trademark transfer applications, halted production at multiple processing plants, and engaged in outsourcing production to competitors, raising questions about its brand and product quality [1][5]. - Former executives have indicated that the company is becoming increasingly disconnected from its original identity, with profits being redirected to external entities controlled by management [1][5]. - The group has faced criticism for governance issues, particularly regarding the management of profits and the operational status of its factories, with over 15 plants reported to have ceased operations since Zong's passing [5][10]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Structure - As of the end of 2022, the total assets of the entire "Wahaha system" amounted to 37.047 billion yuan, with revenues of 51.202 billion yuan and net profits of 4.767 billion yuan, while Wahaha Group itself had total assets of only 5.807 billion yuan and revenues of 1.403 billion yuan [11][12]. - The state-owned stake in Wahaha Group represents only 15.67% of the total assets of the "Wahaha system," with revenues and net profits contributing merely 2.74% and 0.39%, respectively [12]. Group 3: Trademark and Brand Management - There have been attempts to transfer the "Wahaha" trademark to companies outside of the group, which could significantly impact the brand's ownership and operational control [15][16]. - The management has sought to establish new brands, such as "Wah Xiaohai" and "Zong Xiaohai," indicating a potential move to further distance itself from the original Wahaha brand [16]. Group 4: Employee Relations and Rights - Employees have raised concerns about their rights and the legitimacy of stock buyback schemes initiated by the employee stockholding committee, which have been criticized for lacking proper governance and transparency [20][21]. - The management's control over the employee stockholding committee has led to significant consolidation of power, raising alarms about the protection of employee interests [21][22].