每经记者｜王佳飞 每经编辑｜魏官红 按照惯例，每年9月苹果会发布新款iPhone，每年年中便是iPhone新机的关键备货期，对代工巨头富士康科技集团（以下简称富士康）来说尤其如此。 8月20日，《每日经济新闻》记者实地探访富士康郑州经开区厂区，结合多个招工中介提供的信息来看：此次用工季在7月初启动时，初始时薪曾达30元，如 今因大规模用工接近收尾，时薪回落至26.5元，但可以叠加500元满月补助，今年待遇整体超往年。 值得一提的是，一名自称是富士康员工的人士表示："从我这里了解到的信息是，今年iPhone的初始订单没有减少。" 时薪从30元峰值降至26.5元 在富士康郑州经开区招募中心，记者看到，虽然没有大规模排队的情形，但仍有求职者拖着行李箱陆续前来，街边停满了共享自行车。 上文提到的自称是富士康员工的人士介绍，6月15日至今，自己已经为富士康经开区厂区招了800余人，他说："小时工大概每天工作10小时，每月7000多 元，干满3个月大概能挣2万多元。"据其透露，富士康工资每月分两次发放，7号发上个月基础部分的工资，15号发剩余金额。 该人士介绍，经开区厂区是中加工环节，港区厂区是后加工环节，前后衔接来做苹 ...

Core Viewpoint - Recent reports of foreign objects found in Ying's baby rice cereal have raised questions about its contract manufacturing model and R&D investment levels [1][2][3] Group 1: Company Operations and Production - Ying's customer service clarified that all rice cereal products are produced in their own factory in Changsha, Hunan, and denied any contract manufacturing claims [2][3] - The company has been the market leader in China's infant food sector for the past two years and plans to list on the North Exchange in 2024 [1][2] - In 2024, 55.1% of Ying's product procurement will be from contract manufacturers, raising concerns about potential food safety and quality risks [4][6] Group 2: Financial Performance and R&D Investment - Ying's revenue for 2022, 2023, and projected 2024 is reported as 12.96 billion, 17.58 billion, and 19.74 billion respectively, with net profits of 1.17 billion, 2.19 billion, and 2.1 billion [6][8] - R&D investment from 2022 to 2024 has been less than 1% of revenue, with a significant increase in 2024 to approximately 1714.83 million, raising questions about the rationale behind this increase [6][8] - The company has faced scrutiny regarding the effectiveness of its R&D efforts and the conversion of R&D projects into revenue [8][9] Group 3: Market Context and Challenges - The infant food market in China is projected to reach approximately 559.1 billion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.9% from 2019 to 2024 [6] - Despite being a market leader, Ying faces challenges such as declining birth rates and the need for precise nutritional requirements in its product offerings [10][11] - The company has been criticized for its reliance on contract manufacturing, which may expose it to quality control issues [3][4]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the recent food safety crisis faced by the popular brand Ma Liu Ji, particularly concerning its sour and spicy noodles sold at Costco, which were reported to be moldy, leading to a nationwide recall and a significant trust crisis for the brand [4][5]. Group 1: Trust Crisis Triggered by Product Issues - The sour and spicy noodles from Ma Liu Ji were recalled due to reports of mold, with Costco taking immediate action to remove the product from its shelves [4][5]. - The contract manufacturer, Akwan Food, acknowledged the issue, attributing it to insufficient sanitation during production, affecting two specific batches produced on June 16 and 18, 2025 [5][7]. - Despite the recall and compensation efforts, consumer trust remains severely damaged, exacerbated by previous controversies involving the brand's founders [5][10]. Group 2: Compensation and Consumer Response - Akwan Food stated that consumers could return the affected products for a full refund, with potential compensation up to 1,000 yuan based on Chinese food safety laws [7][8]. - However, the execution of these compensation policies has been inconsistent, with some consumers reporting difficulties in obtaining refunds for products outside the specified batches [7][8]. - The brand's online sales have significantly declined, with recent data showing a drastic drop in live-stream sales and overall revenue [9][10]. Group 3: Dependency on Contract Manufacturing - Ma Liu Ji's business model heavily relies on contract manufacturing, with Akwan Food being a key supplier for its popular products, which raises concerns about quality control [11][12]. - The article highlights that the brand's rapid growth was facilitated by leveraging social media and influencer marketing, but this model has also exposed vulnerabilities in product quality management [12][18]. - Akwan Food's financial struggles and limited profit margins from contract manufacturing have further complicated the situation, as the company faces challenges in maintaining quality standards [13][14]. Group 4: Long-term Implications for Brand Strategy - The article suggests that the reliance on contract manufacturing may hinder long-term brand sustainability, as seen in the case of other brands that have faced similar issues [18]. - To regain consumer trust and ensure product quality, brands may need to consider transitioning away from a heavy reliance on contract manufacturers and invest in their own production capabilities [18]. - The case of Ma Liu Ji serves as a cautionary tale for emerging brands that prioritize short-term gains through low-cost manufacturing at the expense of quality and consumer trust [18].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights a significant food safety incident involving the brand "Ma Liu Ji," which exposes governance shortcomings in China's new consumption sector, particularly in the area of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) production [2][11]. Group 1: Incident Overview - The incident began with reports of moldy and discolored "Ma Liu Ji" spicy noodles, leading to their removal from Costco stores due to quality concerns [2]. - The OEM factory, Sichuan Bai Jia A Kuan Food Industry Co., Ltd., acknowledged production deficiencies in sanitation, resulting in potential bacterial contamination [4]. - The brand's delayed response to the crisis, relying on consumer complaints and external pressures, indicates a failure in proactive governance [4][5]. Group 2: Governance Issues - The shared OEM model among multiple brands creates vulnerabilities, as issues in one brand can lead to widespread distrust across all brands using the same production line [5][10]. - Brand oversight is often limited to contractual agreements and random inspections, lacking real-time data and accountability mechanisms [5][9]. - The lack of transparency in production processes complicates the ability to trace responsibility when issues arise, leading to a "blind box" scenario for consumers [5][10]. Group 3: Broader Implications - The article draws parallels with other brands like "Lai Yi Fen," which have faced similar food safety controversies due to governance failures in their OEM practices [7]. - The reliance on a "light asset" model prioritizes marketing over production oversight, resulting in a lack of governance capabilities within many consumer brands [10][11]. - The article emphasizes that food safety should not solely rely on the integrity of companies but must be integrated into a robust governance framework [11][12]. Group 4: Recommendations for Improvement - Brands should clarify their responsibilities within the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework, including supply chain management and compliance protocols [12]. - Establishing "ESG co-governance agreements" with OEM partners can enhance accountability and oversight [12]. - Implementing technology for real-time production data visibility can improve monitoring and governance of OEM practices [12].

Core Viewpoint - The recent food safety incident involving the popular spicy sour noodle brand "Ma Liu Ji" has raised significant concerns about the brand and its supplier, Bai Jia A Kuan, highlighting the challenges in regaining consumer trust in the food industry [1][2][14]. Company Overview - Bai Jia A Kuan, established in December 2016, provides OEM services for well-known brands like Ma Liu Ji and Li Zi Qi, and has launched its own products such as red oil noodles [1][9]. - The company has seen a significant increase in sales, with Ma Liu Ji becoming its largest customer in 2022, purchasing goods worth 50.34 million, which rose to 174 million in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 245.7% [6][11]. Incident Details - Consumers reported moldy spicy sour noodles purchased from Costco, leading to immediate refunds and product recalls by both Costco and Ma Liu Ji [1][2]. - Bai Jia A Kuan acknowledged that the issue stemmed from two specific production batches due to inadequate sanitation during production, resulting in contamination [7][14]. Market Context - The convenience food market in China reached 673.6 billion in 2023, with expectations to exceed one trillion by 2026, indicating a robust growth potential despite the recent incident [14][17]. - Bai Jia A Kuan's market share in the convenience food sector was only 2.1% in 2021, and its revenue of 1.364 billion in 2024 is significantly lower than industry giants like Uni-President and Master Kong [17][18]. Financial Performance - Bai Jia A Kuan's revenue from 2021 to 2024 showed minimal growth, with figures of 12.14 billion, 12.46 billion, 13.03 billion, and 13.64 billion respectively, while net profits declined [11][13]. - The company's gross margin remains relatively low at 26.88% in 2023, indicating challenges in profitability compared to more successful brands [11][18]. Strategic Initiatives - Bai Jia A Kuan is attempting to enhance its brand presence through various marketing strategies, including sponsoring TV shows and engaging in campus activities to attract younger consumers [18][19]. - The company is also expanding its international market presence, with sales in Europe increasing by over 50% in early 2024 [18][19]. Product Development - Bai Jia A Kuan's investment in research and development has been minimal, with R&D expenses constituting less than 0.6% of total revenue from 2018 to 2021, which may hinder its ability to innovate [18][19]. - The launch of new products like the potato mud noodles has shown promising sales, indicating potential for future growth if the company can maintain product quality [19][20].

Core Viewpoint - The incident involving moldy products from Ma Liu Ji has highlighted weaknesses in the company's supply chain management and raised questions about the balance between efficiency and quality control in the contract manufacturing model [1][14]. Group 1: Incident Details - On July 28, 2023, Sichuan Bai Jia A Kuan Food Industry Co., Ltd. issued a recall for certain batches of Ma Liu Ji's 270g spicy sour noodles due to reports of mold and discoloration [5][9]. - The affected batches were produced on June 16 and June 18, 2025, with the primary cause identified as insufficient sanitation during production, leading to potential bacterial contamination [8][12]. - A Kuan Food has initiated a recall process and will cover all return costs while providing economic compensation to affected consumers [7][8]. Group 2: Company Responses - Both A Kuan Food and Ma Liu Ji have issued apologies and are actively working on product recalls and consumer communication [6][8]. - Ma Liu Ji plans to enhance its supply chain management, including improving on-site supervision and establishing a quality risk warning mechanism [8][15]. Group 3: Business Model Insights - Ma Liu Ji has heavily relied on contract manufacturing, with A Kuan Food being its largest supplier, purchasing amounts increasing from 50.35 million yuan in 2022 to 174 million yuan in 2023, a growth of 245.65% [12]. - The incident underscores the challenges of maintaining quality control in a contract manufacturing model, which is common in the food industry for rapid expansion [14][15]. Group 4: Industry Implications - The mold incident serves as a stress test for Ma Liu Ji's supply chain management and reflects deeper contradictions within the contract manufacturing model in the food industry [14]. - The need for strict quality control measures is emphasized, as any lapse can lead to significant brand damage and consumer trust issues [14][15].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the rising trend of cycling, particularly folding bicycles, driven by increased health awareness and environmental consciousness. It highlights the ongoing IPO process of Dahon Technology (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. and raises concerns about its high dividend payouts amidst production capacity challenges and reliance on outsourcing [1][3][4]. Group 1: Company Overview - Dahon Technology is accelerating its IPO process in Hong Kong, having submitted its application to the China Securities Regulatory Commission and updated its prospectus [1]. - The company has a highly concentrated ownership structure, with founder Han Dewei controlling 90.16% of the shares, raising concerns about potential asset transfer through high dividend payouts [3][4]. Group 2: Financial Performance - Dahon Technology has distributed over 61.5 million yuan in dividends from December 2022 to April 2025, including a recent 20 million yuan payout [3]. - The company's cash and cash equivalents decreased from approximately 102 million yuan at the end of 2024 to about 59.02 million yuan by April 2025, indicating cash flow pressure due to high dividend payments [7]. Group 3: Production Capacity and Outsourcing - Dahon Technology's production capacity is heavily reliant on outsourcing, with only 90,000 units produced at its factory in Huizhou, while actual sales reached 175,200 units in the first three quarters of 2024 [4][14]. - The company plans to expand its production capacity by 200,000 units through IPO fundraising, but the new factory is not expected to be operational until 2027 [10][11]. Group 4: Market Dynamics - The global folding bicycle market has seen significant growth, with a market size increasing from 8.3 billion yuan in 2018 to 16.8 billion yuan in 2023, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 15.2% [11]. - Dahon Technology holds a 26.3% market share in the highly concentrated Chinese folding bicycle market, which is dominated by five major companies [14]. Group 5: Challenges and Risks - The company faces challenges in maintaining quality control due to its reliance on five independent OEM suppliers, leading to increased outsourcing costs and quality complaints [13][16]. - Dahon Technology's R&D spending has been significantly lower than its dividend payouts, raising concerns about its long-term competitiveness [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - Whirlpool's impressive interim performance forecast masks underlying structural concerns, with a projected net profit increase of 559% to 205 million yuan and a non-recurring net profit growth of 857% [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - The company reported a significant reliance on related party transactions for its revenue, with 73.52% of its income coming from the parent company and other affiliates [2][3] - Accounts receivable have surged to 1.67 billion yuan, ten times the net profit for the same year, indicating severe cash flow erosion [1][4] - In 2024, accounts receivable accounted for 45.79% of total revenue, up from 26.85% in 2022, highlighting deteriorating cash flow capabilities [5] Group 2: Business Model and Strategy - Since the acquisition by Galanz in 2021, Whirlpool has shifted to a model heavily reliant on OEM orders from its parent company, leading to a loss of brand value and market influence [3][11] - The company's sales expenses have decreased significantly, down 64.5% year-on-year, while net profit surged 148.72%, raising concerns about the sustainability of this growth [3][4] - The organizational structure has become extremely flat, with a significant reduction in management layers, which may impair strategic decision-making and operational efficiency [8][9] Group 3: Market Position and Challenges - Domestic sales have plummeted, with revenue from the Chinese market dropping 77.02% year-on-year, now constituting only 3.43% of total revenue [2][11] - The company faces increasing dependency on a few major clients, with the top five customers accounting for 90.59% of sales, raising risks if these relationships falter [2][15] - The operational challenges are compounded by a significant reduction in sales personnel and R&D staff, which may hinder future growth and innovation [12][11] Group 4: Corporate Governance and Financial Practices - The company has engaged in controversial dividend practices, distributing 744.69% of its net profit in dividends in 2023, raising concerns about potential profit extraction by the parent company [16] - The management's decision to forgo salaries and drastically cut costs has led to skepticism among investors regarding the long-term viability of such strategies [8][9]

Core Viewpoint - Roma's sudden suspension of operations for six months due to "market environment changes" and "business development needs" highlights the company's critical situation stemming from quality issues and supply chain problems, leading to a significant revenue decline and increased after-sales costs [1][3][6]. Group 1: Company Situation - Roma has announced a six-month suspension of operations starting July 7, affecting most employees while recalling only a limited number [1][3]. - The company is facing a severe crisis due to a product recall involving 491,745 units of its power banks, triggered by material issues that could lead to overheating and potential fire risks [3][6]. - The recall has led to major e-commerce platforms removing all Roma products, effectively cutting off the company's online sales channels, which are projected to account for 53% of the power bank market by 2025 [7][8]. Group 2: Market Dynamics - Roma has been a leading player in the power bank market for over a decade, but its reliance on low-cost production and a competitive pricing strategy has contributed to its current predicament [9][10]. - The global power bank market is dominated by several key players, with Xiaomi holding approximately 8% market share, while Roma's market position is under threat due to recent quality issues [8][9]. - The industry is experiencing a shift as consumers become more cautious about product safety, particularly in light of recent incidents involving Roma's products [4][5].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the challenges faced by Laiyifen, a leading snack company in China, particularly regarding its employee stock ownership plans and financial performance, while also highlighting the competitive landscape in the snack industry. Group 1: Employee Stock Ownership Plans - Laiyifen completed a share buyback plan, repurchasing 2.9054 million shares for a total of 30.2236 million yuan, intended for an employee stock ownership plan [1] - The company faced setbacks with its employee stock ownership plans, having previously failed to meet performance targets in 2022 and terminating its second plan in 2024 due to poor financial results [2][3] - The second plan's performance criteria were adjusted to a 3% revenue increase or a 20% net profit increase, but the company reported a 15.25% decline in revenue and a net loss of 75.27 million yuan for the year [2] Group 2: Financial Performance - In 2024, Laiyifen's revenue was 3.37 billion yuan, down 15.25% year-on-year, and it reported a net loss of 7.527 million yuan, marking a second consecutive year of declining revenue and profit [2] - The company's first quarter of 2024 saw revenue of 1.048 billion yuan, a decrease of 1.23%, and a net profit of 12.43 million yuan, down nearly 80% year-on-year [2] - Laiyifen's gross margin for 2024 was reported at 38.82%, the highest in the industry, exceeding the average by nearly 8 percentage points [6][7] Group 3: Competitive Landscape - The snack industry is witnessing a rise in volume snack brands, with companies like Mingming Hen Mang achieving significant growth, reporting 39.344 billion yuan in revenue and a net profit of 0.913 billion yuan in 2024 [5] - Laiyifen's management indicated that they would maintain strategic focus and not enter the volume snack market, despite the competitive pressure [6] - Other companies in the industry, such as Three Squirrels and Salted Fish, have successfully implemented employee stock ownership plans, while others like Good Idea and Qiaqia Foods have faced challenges [3][5] Group 4: Quality Control and Safety Issues - Laiyifen faced a food safety crisis when a consumer reported finding a foreign object in a product, prompting the company to initiate an internal investigation [10] - The company utilizes an outsourcing model for production, which poses challenges for quality control, necessitating a robust quality management system [11] - Laiyifen has implemented a comprehensive quality control system, including supplier selection and regular inspections, to mitigate risks associated with its outsourcing strategy [11]