Home>News Center>China
       
 

Hisense mulls over Kelon purchase
By Hu Yuanyuan (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-03 05:54

Hisense, one of China's leading white goods manufacturers, intends to buy a stake in Kelon, a once-renowned refrigerator maker that is now in deep trouble, an insider at Hisense told China Daily.

A sales assistant on a Hisense stand at a recent high-tech fair in Beijing. Hisense, one of China's leading white goods manufacturers, intends to buy a stake in Kelon. [newsphoto]
"We plan to buy part of Kelon, but the price has not yet been decided," said Zhu Shuqin, manager of brand marketing at Hisense.

According to Shanghai Securities News, Hisense has offered 1.1 billion yuan (US$136 million) to acquire about a quarter of Kelon's shares that are owned by Greencool. This is a good price, experts say.

Greencool, Kelon's largest shareholder, has a 26.43 per cent stake in Kelon, with a total of 262 million shares.

According to Kelon's financial report for the first quarter of this year, each share is worth 2.89 yuan (36 US cents). This means Greencool has 757 million yuan (US$93.4 million) worth of Kelon shares, much lower than Hisense's bidding price.

A top manager at Hisense said there were various reasons for the high price.

"Hisense wants to make breakthroughs in refrigerator and air conditioning manufacturing, both are Kelon's strong points," he was quoted by Shanghai Securities News as saying. "Besides, Kelon is a household name and enjoys good quality assets."

Strong support from the local government where Kelon in based in Shunde, experts say, is also an important factor in attracting buyers to Kelon.
Page: 12



Four killed in Guangdong building collapse
Traffic accident in Harbin
The Guanling cattle market
  Today's Top News     Top China News
 

CNOOC likely to drop bid for Unocal - sources

 

   
 

China's yuan hits 4th straight high

 

   
 

N. Korean envoy: No progress at nuke talks

 

   
 

China, Russia to launch military drill

 

   
 

Discovery astronauts prepare for repairs

 

   
 

US says could seek China textile deal

 

   
  China proposes new draft at nuke talks
   
  China's yuan sets another mark
   
  US says could seek China textile deal
   
  China's economy sends slowdown signals
   
  Stronger RMB boosts steel sector
   
  No new cases in pig disease outbreak
   
 
  Go to Another Section  
 
 
  Story Tools  
   
  Related Stories  
   
Kelon feels the cold as competition heats up
   
High quote blocking Hisense-BSH dispute
   
High quote blocking Hisense-BSH dispute
   
Firms switch on to energy-saving items
   
Hisense taps into US digital TV market
   
Hisense: Bigger aim in South Africa
   
Chinese Hisense to invest more in South Africa
  News Talk  
  It is time to prepare for Beijing - 2008  
Advertisement