Yashili International Hong Kong IPO US$348m

Synopsis Yashili International launches IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Firm Client Role

Tian Yuan

 Issuer PRC counsel
Orrick [Lead partners: Edwin Luk and Allen Shyu] Issuer Hong Kong counsel
Conyers Dill & Pearman Issuer Offshore counsel
Clifford Chance Underwriters* Hong Kong counsel
Jingtian & Gongcheng Underwriters* PRC counsel
*Deal was underwritten by UBS Investment Bank, Bank of America Merrill Lynch and CITIC Securities

Yashili International Holdings’ latest business venture indicates the recovery of the Chinese infant-formula market since the 2008 Sanlu scandal, which resulted in the death of six babies and caused sickness in thousands. 

Yashili, the third-largest (by sales) Chinese infant-formula maker, has recently launched its US$348m IPO on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKSE). The US’s Carlyle Group partly owns Yashili and Tian Yuan is their long term advisor. Last year, the firm advised the company on its stake sale to Carlyle, which was advised by Han Yi.

Yashili was among 22 PRC baby formula companies out of 109 to fail the government test for tainted milk two years ago. Carlyle Group, which took over 17% of Yashili’s stake, has been working closely with the company on quality control and compliance issues. ALB

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