Core Viewpoint - The sudden resignation of Zhang Liandong as chairman of Yanghe Co. marks a significant leadership change amid declining performance and market challenges, with Gu Yu appointed as the new leader to navigate the company through its current crisis [1][4][15]. Group 1: Leadership Change - Zhang Liandong resigned from all positions at Yanghe on July 1, 2023, after four and a half years of leadership, citing "work adjustment" as the reason [1][4]. - Gu Yu, the new chairman, is a 47-year-old local government official with a similar career trajectory to Zhang, indicating a preference for leadership with strong local government ties [4][11]. - The leadership change comes as Yanghe's revenue ranking has dropped from third to fifth in the industry, and its stock price has significantly declined [1][4]. Group 2: Performance Overview - Under Zhang's leadership, Yanghe's revenue reached over 30 billion yuan in 2022, becoming the third company to cross the 30 billion yuan mark in the industry [5]. - However, in 2024, Yanghe faced a revenue decline of 12.83% to 28.876 billion yuan and a net profit drop of 33.37% to 6.673 billion yuan, with a record quarterly loss of 1.905 billion yuan [6][8]. - The first quarter of 2025 continued the downward trend, with revenue falling by 31.92% and net profit decreasing by 39.93%, the largest decline among leading liquor companies [7][12]. Group 3: Market Challenges - Yanghe's main products are suffering from a price collapse in the mid-range and sub-premium segments, which are experiencing the most severe demand drop [9]. - High inventory levels are a significant issue, with stock reaching 19.733 billion yuan by the end of 2024, accounting for nearly 30% of total assets, and inventory turnover days approaching 900 [9][10]. - The company has implemented quota controls on its products to manage inventory, revealing serious channel crises [10]. Group 4: Strategic Initiatives - Yanghe has announced a three-year dividend plan, promising annual cash dividends of no less than 70% of net profit, aiming to restore investor confidence [10]. - The new chairman, Gu Yu, faces the challenge of reversing the trend of declining revenue and maintaining strategic continuity, particularly with the "dual brand strategy" and high-end product launches [12][15]. - The company must also address the significant gap in incentives for current management compared to previous executives, which could impact motivation and performance [10]. Group 5: Industry Context - The leadership transition at Yanghe reflects broader challenges in the Chinese liquor industry, which is shifting from a growth phase to a more competitive environment focused on existing market share [15][16]. - The industry is facing pressures from changing consumer demographics, particularly the rise of Generation Z, and the need for traditional brands to adapt to new market dynamics [15][16]. - Yanghe's experience may serve as a case study for the industry, highlighting the vulnerabilities of mid-range liquor brands during economic fluctuations [15][16].