非洲“尿不湿之王”，冲刺IPO!

Core Viewpoint - Leshu Shih, a leading company focused on hygiene products in emerging markets like Africa and Latin America, has submitted its IPO application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, aiming to expand its market presence and capitalize on the growing demand for hygiene products in these regions [1][3]. Company Overview - Leshu Shih primarily develops, manufactures, and sells baby and female hygiene products, including diapers, pull-ups, sanitary pads, and wet wipes, with most of its revenue generated from the African market [1][3]. - The company was established as a division of Senda Group in 2009 and became independent in 2022, focusing on emerging markets [3]. Product and Market Positioning - Leshu Shih offers various hygiene products under different brands, with its core brand Softcare positioned as a mid-to-high-end brand targeting consumers seeking quality products [5]. - According to Frost & Sullivan, Leshu Shih ranks first in the African baby diaper market with a market share of 20.3% and first in the sanitary pad market with a share of 15.6% based on sales volume [5][8]. Financial Performance - The company has experienced rapid growth in sales and revenue, with baby diaper and sanitary pad sales projected to reach 4.123 billion and 1.634 billion units, respectively, in 2024, reflecting compound annual growth rates of 17.3% and 30.6% since 2022 [6]. - Revenue figures for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and the first four months of 2025 are approximately $320 million, $411 million, $454 million, and $161 million, respectively, with profits of $18.39 million, $64.68 million, $95.11 million, and $31.10 million [6]. Market Potential - Emerging markets like Africa and Latin America show significant growth potential for hygiene products due to population growth, economic development, urbanization, and increasing education levels [8]. - The newborn population in Africa is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 1.8% from 2020 to 2024, with a projected 48.2 million births in 2024, representing 36.5% of the global total [8]. Pricing Strategy - Leshu Shih adopts a low pricing strategy to quickly capture market share in Africa, with retail prices for baby diapers ranging from 9 to 20 cents per piece, which is lower than competitors [11][12]. - The company’s pricing for sanitary pads also reflects a similar strategy, with prices between 4.5 and 8.5 cents per piece, positioning it competitively against other market players [14][15]. Profit Margins - The company operates on a "low-margin, high-volume" model, with gross margins of 23.0%, 34.9%, 35.2%, and 33.6% for the years 2022, 2023, 2024, and the first four months of 2025, respectively [11][16]. - Comparatively, major competitors like Procter & Gamble and Hengan International report significantly higher gross margins, indicating potential challenges in profitability for Leshu Shih [17][18].