FRANCHISE-PARTNERS
18.2.2020 22:02:10 CET | Business Wire | Press release
Independent Franchise Partners, LLP (“Franchise Partners”) today launches a website to outline the overlooked value in Kirin Holdings Company, Limited (“Kirin” or “the Company”) (TSE: 2503) and to call for a reversal of its diversification strategy.
Franchise Partners has held a position in Kirin since September 2014 based on its view of the fundamentally attractive collection of beer assets in Japan, Australia, Myanmar and the Philippines. The value of these assets is obscured by substantial non-core holdings in the pharmaceutical, bio-pharmaceutical, and skincare industries.
Over the past 5 years, Franchise Partners has engaged with the Company’s management and board to encourage them to take practical steps to close the significant conglomerate and capital allocation discounts that are reflected in Kirin’s valuation.
To this end, Franchise Partners has submitted proposals for shareholder consideration at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting for Shareholders. These proposals aim to strengthen Kirin’s corporate governance practices, to better align management compensation with shareholder value creation, and to unlock value via disposing of the stakes in non-core assets and returning proceeds to shareholders via share buyback.
Franchise Partners notes that Kirin has proposed substantial changes to its board for consideration at its upcoming AGM. Franchise Partners is encouraged that Kirin appears to acknowledge the need to overhaul its board. While the Company’s four candidates appear to meet the technical standard for independence, three of them are financially affiliated with Kirin. Shareholders have reason to question whether these candidates will be allowed to offer genuine oversight of Kirin management or to ask fundamental questions about the current strategy and capital allocation priorities.
Franchise Partners believes there are clear paths available to create a more valuable and sustainable Kirin that will serve the long-term interests of all of its stakeholders. Franchise Partners encourages fellow shareholders to present their concerns about the Company’s conglomerate “bridging strategy” directly to Kirin management.
A full presentation is available at www.abetterkirin.com .
***
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200218005125/en/
About Business Wire
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Mouser Electronics Explores How Artificial Intelligence Shapes Everyday Technologies and Experiences7.4.2026 17:11:00 CEST | Press release
Mouser Electronics, Inc., the authorized global distributor with the newest electronic components and industrial automation products, today announced the first 2026 installment of its Empowering Innovation Together (EIT) technology series, Engineering AI for Daily Life. This installment explores how artificial intelligence is increasingly embedded in everyday products and services, from assisted search and messaging tools to healthcare wearables that monitor personal well-being. As AI capabilities expand across consumer and connected devices, engineers continue to design systems that make these technologies more useful, intuitive, and trustworthy in real-world applications. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407524737/en/ This installment of Empowering Innovation Together explores how AI is increasingly embedded in everyday products and services, from assisted search and messaging tools to healthcare wearables
Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Concludes in Madinah with Landmark Achievements in Pilgrim Services7.4.2026 16:38:00 CEST | Press release
Under the generous patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Governor of the Madinah Region, the third edition of the Umrah, Hajj, and Ziyarah Forum concluded its activities, marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's mission to enhance the experience for the "Guests of Allah." This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407456369/en/ Umrah and Ziyarah Forum Concludes in Madinah with Landmark Achievements in Pilgrim Services (Photo: AETOSWire) The final harvest of the forum resulted in exceptional numbers and a massive turnout, with more than 50,000 visitors flocking to the accompanying exhibition, which attracted over 150 exhibitors from global and local companies across an area exceeding 11,000 square meters. To enrich the knowledge aspect, the three days of the forum featured more than 160 speakers and trainers who contributed to discussions across 25 main sessions and 40 workshop
Poland's Galaxy Systemy Informatyczne Becomes First Private Enterprise to Buy Quantum Computer from IQM7.4.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
IQM will deliver and install the 54-qubit quantum computer at Galaxy in the fourth quarter of 2026. The deployment builds Galaxy’s quantum capabilities, supporting talent development and innovation across sectors, while reinforcing Poland’s growing quantum ecosystem. This will be another Radiance 54-qubit computer deployed this time in Poland by IQM, following installations at LRZ in Germany, VTT in Finland, CINECA in Italy, and CESGA in Spain, underscoring the company’s leading market position. IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in superconducting quantum computing, today announced a commercial milestone to deploy a hybrid integrated quantum computer at GalaxySystemy Informatyczne Sp. z o.o., marking its first deployment in a private enterprise worldwide. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260407351934/en/ IQM Radiance quantum computer Galaxy has been implementing innovations in security, digitisation, and h
Variational AI Releases Enki 4: Major Update to Foundation Model for Small-Molecule Drug Discovery7.4.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
Variational AI introduces Enki™ 4: an improved algorithm and architecture designed to scale, expanding the pre-trained target coverage from 592 to 760 and now applicable to proximity-based therapeutics and novel payloads for antibody drug conjugates Variational AI today announced the release of Enki™ 4, a major update to its generative AI platform for small-molecule drug discovery. The release of the fourth generation of Enki™ delivers significant improvements in algorithmic performance and target coverage through platform architecture design, as well as extending its application to degraders, PROTACs, glues, and novel payload design for antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) and related modalities. “Enki 4 is a massive step forward for our platform,” said Ali Saberali, Co-Founder & Head of Platform at Variational AI. “We’ve re-architected Enki and improved the underlying algorithms to expand target and modality coverage, while operating faster to deliver even better performance for our partn
Textron Aviation Receives First Military Order for Cessna SkyCourier, Launching the Aircraft Into Global Defense Market7.4.2026 15:00:00 CEST | Press release
Belgium selects SkyCourier fleet to boost special operations airlift for troop transport, logistics, casevac and crisis response Textron Aviation Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, today announced Belgium has selected the Cessna SkyCourier as its newest special mission aircraft, awarding an order for five multirole aircraft to support the nation’s Special Operations Forces. The selection launches the SkyCourier into the global defense market for the first time and strengthens Belgium’s airlift capability through a rugged, flexible platform built for demanding missions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260309292194/en/ A new ally in the air: An artist’s rendering shows a Cessna SkyCourier configured for military operations, including a special operations paint scheme and mission equipment. The aircraft was selected by Belgium Special Operations Forces. Belgium’s SkyCourier fleet will enable rapid movement
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom