Chunlan: What are the reasons for former kings?
Chunlan, once a dominant force in China's air conditioning industry, is now facing a critical turning point. Experts suggest that the core issue lies in its outdated profit model, which has failed to evolve alongside changing market dynamics. While management reforms like MBO (Management Buyout) could potentially spark change, they are only part of the solution. The real challenge lies in rethinking the company’s business strategy and revenue generation.
The former king of Chunlan finds itself in a vulnerable position today. It has lost trust among its distribution channels and is struggling with diversification. The internal system is weak, and the future remains uncertain. Once a symbol of national pride, Chunlan now stands at a crossroads, waiting for what may come next.
As a carrier of the brand, Chunlan (600854.SH) recently announced a major loss forecast for 2007. If it fails to turn a profit in the first half of 2008 or if the parent company, Chunlan Group, doesn't implement an effective restructuring plan, the company could face delisting from the domestic stock market.
A once-great national brand, why has Chunlan fallen from grace?
In the early days, Chunlan was built on the vision of Tao Jianxing, who took over the Taizhou Air Conditioning Equipment Factory in 1985. Under his leadership, the factory transformed into a profitable enterprise and eventually grew into one of China’s most respected companies. By 2000, Chunlan had achieved sales of 18.5 billion yuan and was among the top performers in the home appliance sector.
In 1994, Chunlan became the largest air conditioning producer in China and one of the top seven globally, becoming a symbol of Chinese innovation. Its success came from identifying market gaps, such as introducing a more versatile three-horse window air conditioner when imported models were too big or too small for common use. Combined with strong branding, quality, and advertising, Chunlan quickly dominated the market.
Chunlan also invested heavily in brand building, including sponsoring the Chunlan Go Tournament, which helped establish its name internationally. However, despite these efforts, the company began to lose momentum.
One key factor was its reliance on distribution channels. In the late 1990s, Chunlan faced a crisis when it failed to honor promised rebates to distributors, allowing competitors like Gree to take advantage and steal market share. This led to a decline in its dominance, forcing Chunlan to rebuild its own network and pursue diversification.
Diversification, however, proved to be a double-edged sword. From refrigerators to motorcycles and even automobiles, Chunlan spread itself too thin. Many of these ventures failed to generate significant returns, and by 2006, some of them were barely contributing to the company’s revenue. This lack of focus weakened its core business.
Another issue was the company’s internal structure. Despite early attempts at reform, such as the MBO program, the incentive system remained weak. Senior executives’ salaries were low compared to industry standards, leading to talent drain and a lack of motivation.
Experts argue that the root cause of Chunlan’s decline lies in its outdated profit model and failure to adapt strategically. While management changes could help, without a fundamental shift in how the company operates, its future remains uncertain. As the past decade shows, the cost of not evolving can be steep.
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