折掉近千亿，中国防水大王，大破防

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by Dongfang Yuhong, a leading waterproofing company in China, following a significant decline in its performance and market value since the downturn in the real estate sector. It questions whether the company can regain its former glory amidst these difficulties [4]. Group 1: Company Background and Achievements - Dongfang Yuhong, founded by Li Weiguo 30 years ago, quickly became a leader in the waterproofing industry, selling enough waterproofing materials to circle the Earth 400 times [10]. - The company achieved remarkable growth from 2008 to 2021, with revenue increasing from 712 million to 31.93 billion, a 44-fold increase, and net profit rising from 44.12 million to 4.205 billion, a 95-fold increase [68]. Group 2: Recent Performance and Challenges - In 2024, Dongfang Yuhong reported a net profit of only 108 million, a staggering 95.24% decrease year-on-year [11]. - The company's stock price plummeted from over 60 to around 25, leading to significant losses for employees involved in the employee stock ownership plan [21][22]. - The company faced a massive 73.41 billion in accounts receivable in 2024, indicating financial strain and difficulties in collecting payments from clients, particularly struggling real estate companies [89]. Group 3: Employee Stock Ownership Plan - In 2021, Li Weiguo initiated an employee stock ownership plan, promising to cover losses and ensure a minimum annual return of 8% [15][16]. - A total of 1,411 employees invested 13.77 billion, leveraging to reach 27.59 billion, but the subsequent stock price crash led to significant financial distress for these employees [17][20]. Group 4: Li Weiguo's Strategies for Recovery - To manage the financial crisis, Li Weiguo employed several strategies, including high levels of stock pledging, significant stock sales, and aggressive dividend payouts [25][28][33]. - In 2024, he sold 40.53 million shares for 650 million and planned to sell an additional 46.38 million shares for 550 million in 2025 [29][31]. Group 5: Future Outlook and Strategic Shifts - Dongfang Yuhong is attempting to pivot its business strategy by focusing on consumer needs, expanding into non-waterproof products, and enhancing its global presence [94][96][100]. - The company has initiated overseas projects, including a production base in Malaysia and a logistics base in Canada, aiming to establish itself as a global brand [98][99].