The new interim chairman of Wahaha, who was appointed to the
post by French food giant Danone last week, can expect a hostile
reception when he shows up to work here, says a spokesman for the
Chinese company.
Emmanuel Faber, who replaced Zong Qinghou -- founder and
chairman of Wahaha Group, hasn't yet shown up for work since he was
appointed last Thursday, leaving Chinese employees feeling uneasy
and furious, Wahaha's spokesman Shan Qining told Xinhua on
Monday.
Shan said employees at Wahaha's three major production plants
signed a petition supporting their former president the day after
Zong resigned.
Shan says employees have been in a hostile mood since learning
of the appointment of Faber and are demanding a clear declaration
from Danone about the future of Wahaha and their jobs.
Calls made by Xinhua to Danone were not immediately returned.
Faber is president of Danone's Asia-Pacific region and was Vice
Chairman of Wahaha before being elevated to interim president.
In his letter of resignation, Zong requested that all staff keep
their jobs. Danone promised in a statement that Chinese employees
will not be affected by the board room struggles.
The feud between Danone and Wahaha, China's drink giant, began
last year but was made public in April.
Danone has accused Hangzhou-based Wahaha of violating their 1996
agreement by illegally setting up companies outside their joint
venture. Danone is demanding a 51-percent stake in the
companies.
Wahaha says the joint venture agreement was never approved by
China's trademark office and so is invalid and unenforceable.
Wahaha and Danone have built 39 joint ventures since 1996, with
Danone holding a 51-percent stake.
Danone has filed a lawsuit in the United States against the
companies it says are using the Wahaha name to sell products
outside the scope of the original joint venture agreement.
(Xinhua News Agency June 12, 2007)