Company Overview - Zhongkunhang (ZKH.US) is the first listed online procurement platform for industrial non-production materials (MRO) in China, leading the industry in product lines and SKU numbers [1] - The company has established a competitive moat through its logistics infrastructure, customized product services, and digital operating system, while actively expanding into overseas markets and developing AI applications to attract customers [1] - Long-term, the company is expected to maintain steady revenue growth and gradually achieve profitability due to its strong operational capabilities [1] Industry Insights - The industrial goods e-commerce sector is experiencing significant growth, driven by structural changes in the industry and the demand for digital transformation [2] - According to Zhaoshang Consulting, the digital MRO procurement market in China is projected to reach approximately 400 billion yuan in 2024, with an expected CAGR of 10.6% until it surpasses 600 billion yuan by 2029 [2] - The current penetration rate of digital MRO procurement services in China is about 9.5%, which is relatively low compared to over 15% in the US during the same period [2] - The report indicates that there is potential for multiple leading platforms in China's digital MRO market to achieve annual revenues exceeding 10 billion yuan [2] Competitive Advantages - Zhongkunhang possesses three core advantages: 1) A comprehensive warehousing and distribution system that significantly enhances procurement efficiency, addressing customer inventory management challenges through front warehouses [2] 2) Customized services that meet the needs of large clients [2] 3) Digital capabilities that allow the company to extend its business from e-commerce to a comprehensive service platform, linking upstream and downstream production, procurement, and inventory systems for agile demand allocation [2] - The company has developed over ten AI applications, including AI recommendation engines and price comparison assistants, covering the entire MRO e-commerce process from inquiry to after-sales maintenance [2] - Currently, Zhongkunhang is using AI applications as a customer acquisition tool, with expectations for increased R&D investment in the future [2]

Core Viewpoint - Deutsche Bank maintains an optimistic outlook for Zhenkunhang (ZKH.US) in the second half of the year, keeping a "Buy" rating with a target price of $4.5, citing the company's long-term growth potential driven by the digital transformation of China's MRO procurement services [1][2] Group 1: Financial Performance - The company's Q1 2025 performance met expectations, with GMV growth expected to accelerate quarter by quarter [1] - Revenue from the U.S. business doubled month-on-month in Q1, with further acceleration anticipated in the second half [2] Group 2: AI and Technology Integration - AI technology has significantly enhanced customer service efficiency, with a 60.4% increase in the average order handling capacity per customer service team member in Q1 [1] - The AI product recommendation engine has provided purchasing demand analysis and product pool management services to over 200 clients since its launch in September 2024, generating additional revenue exceeding RMB 34 million [1] - The company plans to expand the coverage of the AI product recommendation engine to 14,000 clients by 2025 to further unlock its value [1] Group 3: Product and Market Expansion - As of the end of March, Zhenkunhang's U.S. independent site has launched over 500 SKUs across various categories, including PPE, hand tools, power tools, packaging materials, and HVAC systems [1] - The company aims to launch a mobile application in the second half of the year and increase the SKU count to 1,500 to enhance product coverage and user experience [1] - Zhenkunhang is strengthening its global supply chain by expanding its quality supplier network in Southeast Asia to address potential geopolitical uncertainties [1] Group 4: Private Label Strategy - In Q1 2025, the transaction volume of private label products grew approximately 40% year-on-year, accounting for 8.7% of the company's total GMV [2] - Deutsche Bank views the development of private label products as a core strategy for the company this year, with significant growth potential as the current share is still far from the long-term target of 30% [2]

Core Insights - The company, Zhenkunhang, reported a strong performance in Q1 2025, with revenue reaching 1.94 billion RMB, a year-on-year increase of 4% [1] - The gross merchandise volume (GMV) for its proprietary brand exceeded 190 million RMB, growing approximately 40% [1] - The total number of active customers surpassed 60,000, marking a 30.3% year-on-year increase [1] - The company achieved significant improvements in profitability, with gross margin at 17.2% and substantial reductions in operating and net losses [1] - Operating cash flow improved by over 50%, decreasing from 220 million RMB to 97 million RMB year-on-year [1] Financial Performance - Revenue for Q1 2025 was 1.94 billion RMB, reflecting a 4% increase compared to the previous year [1] - The gross margin stood at 17.2%, with operating losses reduced by 37.7% and net losses reduced by 26.6% year-on-year [1] - The company achieved monthly profitability in March across operating profit, net profit, and adjusted net profit [1] Domestic Business Growth - The company serves both large and small enterprises, with significant growth in sales and customer numbers in the MRO procurement sector [3] - Sales in sectors such as new energy vehicles, electronics, and pharmaceuticals grew over 20% year-on-year [3] - The GBB platform experienced explosive growth after a strategic partnership with Tmall, with sales increasing by over 260% quarter-on-quarter [3] International Expansion - The company has made significant progress in the U.S. market, with sales and customer numbers doubling month-on-month since January 2025 [2][4] - The U.S. independent site has launched over 500 SKUs, with plans to expand to over 1,500 SKUs by the end of the year [4] - The company is actively recruiting quality suppliers in Southeast Asia to enhance its overseas supply chain capabilities [4] AI and Technology Development - The company has developed over 10 AI applications aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and customer service [6][7] - The "AI Material Manager" and "AI Product Recommendation Brain" tools have shown significant value in improving order processing and customer insights [7] - The "AI Smart Workbench" has increased order processing efficiency by 60.4% in Q1 2025 [7] Future Outlook - The company aims to continue enhancing its product offerings, supply chain capabilities, and AI technology to drive sustainable growth [2][8] - Management expresses confidence in restoring growth in the second half of the year following structural adjustments in its business [3][8]