Core Points - Wu Qingliang, the founder of Wu Denan Holdings and the "Nippon" brand, passed away at the age of 98, leaving behind a personal wealth of $13 billion, ranking 182nd on the Forbes global billionaire list in 2025 [1][3] - Wu Qingliang transformed from a poor worker to a prominent figure in the paint industry, known as the "King of Paints in Asia" [3] - The partnership between Wu Qingliang's company and Nippon Paint, Japan's largest paint manufacturer, led to the establishment of a joint venture, Lisheng Group, with Wu's company holding 60% [5][6] - Lisheng Group expanded rapidly in Asia, establishing a strong presence in the Chinese market, which Wu deemed a wise investment decision [6][7] Company Overview - Lisheng Group is currently the fourth-largest paint manufacturer and service provider globally, with over 70 production bases in China and nearly 11,000 employees [7] - Nippon Paint Holdings reported a 4.3% year-on-year increase in sales to ¥852.43 billion (approximately $5.78 billion or ¥42 billion) in the first half of 2025, with a net profit growth of 34.4% [10] - Following Wu Qingliang's death, Nippon Paint's stock price dropped over 10%, with a total market value of ¥2.79 trillion (approximately ¥135 billion) [10] Market Insights - Goldman Sachs predicts a 20% compound annual growth rate for Nippon Paint's earnings per share from 2024 to 2027, despite the stock trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio compared to its peers [13] - The company's core decorative paint business is largely unaffected by tariffs and benefits from stable petrochemical raw material prices, with its "asset integrator" business model seen as a competitive advantage [13] Philanthropic Contributions - Wu Qingliang donated over ¥100 million to build infrastructure in his hometown, adhering to his mother's teachings about giving back to the community [14] - His commitment to his roots was evident as he frequently visited his hometown, emphasizing the importance of his Chinese heritage [14][15]