WILLIAM Chan, who owns about 24.5 per cent of publicly listed Holian Investments, is considering injecting part of his privately-controlled assets into the manufacturing, trading and investment company. The stake of the single largest shareholder in the company could be raised to as much as 34.9 per cent after the conclusion of a proposed rights issue. Mr Chan also owns Wah Hing Group, which has two subsidiaries, Wah Hing Strategy Co and Wah Nam Holdings Co. The assets to be injected into Holian will come from Wah Nam, which owns a decoration mosaic plant and aluminium factory in Guangdong province, a pharmaceutical factory in Shanxi, a petrochemical company in Xian and an oil and gas company in Guangxi. Wah Nam also owns six property development, consultancy and management companies, mostly conducting business in China. The company might also go into road and bridge construction and is negotiating a project in Hangzhou. Following the asset injection, Holian is likely to undergo a name change. One option, subject to shareholder approval, is Wah Nam Investments. Mr Chan said Wah Hing Strategy could be listed separately in future. Core businesses of Wah Hing Strategy include real estate development, motor vehicle distribution, office furniture sales, financial services, and hotel, catering and power plant interests. Mr Chan founded the group in 1978 when he opened a shop selling furniture in Hong Kong, and in 1985 established a joint venture in Shekou in Shenzhen. Another firm, launched in 1981, was involved in the trading of tea, minerals, metals, petrochemicals and telecommunications systems in China. Thereafter, Wah Hing branched out into property, financial services, hotels, catering and motor distribution. In motor vehicle distribution, the group has acquired the sole dealership of Mercedes-Benz cars in Zhejiang province. Early last year, the group acquired 15-year-old Hang Fat Securities, a member of the Hong Kong stock exchange. Talks are under way with Shenzhen securities firms to enable Hang Fat to build a presence in the Chinese market. In property, Wah Hing has a land bank of 2,000 acres. nd is involved in projects in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Foshan, Changsha, Wuhan, Hangzhou and Fushun among others.
