In the dynamic and rapidly evolving business landscape of Greater China, companies face a myriad of challenges and opportunities. As the region continues to assert itself as a global economic powerhouse, the need for specialized, insightful, and adaptable business strategies has never been more critical.  &nbsp;YCP Group and Shenkuo have recently announced their business integration, marking a significant milestone that will enable both firms to offer enhanced services and capabilities across various industries. This integration will particularly benefit business transformation, supply chain, and logistics for B2B and B2C companies operating in the dynamic Greater China region.&nbsp;YCP Solidiance Managing Partner and Greater China Regional Manager Naoki Arai, along with YCP Shenkuo Partner Craig Morin and Director Fred Chan, discuss how the integration will boost YCP Group's overall business capabilities. They also explore the exciting changes in the Greater China region in recent years, highlighting new insights and opportunities for global business.&nbsp;<hr><img src="/uploads/Shenkuo_QC_1_1_ddaf962e22.jpg" alt="Shenkuo QC1 (1).jpg" width="2000" height="1048">Can you give us an overview of YCP’s services in the Greater China region?&nbsp; Naoki Arai, Managing Partner: In Greater China, our business covers both the consumer&nbsp;<s> </s>and industrial sectors. For the consumer sector, we cover consumer goods, retail, and F&amp;B, where we provide support for strategy, strategy execution, business and digital transformation, and PMO. For the industrial sector, we have manufacturing, automotive/EV, automotive aftermarket, chemicals and energy clients. For these clients, most of them were focusing on go-to-market strategy to wisely invest in the China market.&nbsp;As the China economy slows down, our clients’ issues have changed from topline growth to bottom-line growth or profitable growth, and have supported a lot of transformational changes recently.&nbsp;How do you foresee the integration with Shenkuo impacting YCP’s position in Greater China?&nbsp; Their specific capability on the operational side is one of the advantages of the integration with Shenkuo. As our Greater China team is focused on the business/digital transformation side, we needed a deeper capability on company operations, such as supply chain area. Another intention is to increase B2C clientele, and the integration can increase our Western clients. In addition, with the economic downtrend in China, we see a big trend of Chinese companies going overseas. With Shenkuo’s French capability, we will have a broader regional coverage in Europe too.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/Shenkuo_QC_2_1_bc4031cb67.jpg" alt="Shenkuo QC2 (1).jpg" width="2000" height="1048">Can you share with us what the landscape is looking like for the markets (Greater China, SEA, South Korea, Australia) that you handle in terms of emerging trends or industries?  &nbsp;Craig Morin, YCP Shenkuo Partner: On the sourcing and supplier side—more and more focus on both sustainability and traceability. A lot of that is regulation-driven, so we’re working with clients to see how they improve the visibility of not just their tier 1 suppliers, but tier 2 and 3, and how they are optimizing their processes.&nbsp;&nbsp;On the supply chain side, there’s a lot of work being done on visibility and improvements with demand forecasting. So, we’re very excited to be working with YCP and its AI partners on improvements to demand forecasting, planning and automating replenishment as this removes both labor and uncertainty from the supply chain planning process.&nbsp;&nbsp;What are the key challenges that you see clients facing when it comes to supply chain strategy in Greater China, and how can YCP Shenkuo help address them?  &nbsp;One of the key challenges is cost optimization versus sustainability, visibility, resilience, and “China Plus N.” Previously everything was focused on the cost, and now there’s many more variables that companies are factoring into their overall supply chain construction. It’s really working with them to say, “Here’s how you can prioritize the secondary or alternative objectives,” and still do it with a low-cost base and achieve similar results, but with a more resilient and sustainable supply chain.  &nbsp;How has this integration with YCP been beneficial for you and the Shenkuo team and clients? &nbsp;A large portion of our work has been done in Hong Kong and China, historically, but now clients have increased their focus for both consumer growth and sourcing to SEA and elsewhere. We’ve been working on with the YCP team to make sure that everybody in Southeast Asia, Japan and India knows our service offerings and can help us engage with clients there.&nbsp;&nbsp;In addition, when talking to clients in those markets, we can now communicate our enhanced delivery capabilities. Instead of staffing out of HK or SH, we can provide local resources e.g., “Here’s a manager in Singapore that could help us with these specific projects,” or “an analyst in Jakarta that could help us with these items.” That’s where we see a lot of benefits on both sides.  &nbsp;What makes YCP Shenkuo a unique choice for clients compared to other consulting firms?  &nbsp;In addition to providing strategy services, we have a deep and hands-on implementation approach so clients can count on us to not just provide a report but actually see it through so they realize the benefits. On the sustainability side, we try to take a process optimization “lean” approach. In addition just focusing on optimizing costs or throughput we factor in electricity or carbon footprint as a waste that needs to be eliminated. Reducing these in addition to the traditional factors will also likely drive down cost as there are costs associated with them. By leveraging these savings to invest further into the business or to drive other sustainability gains, we can assist companies in creating a blueprint that would allow them to reduce their carbon footprint. This is an approach we’re well suited to with our optimization tools for internal business processes, business transformation, and the supply chain. &nbsp; <img src="/uploads/Shenkuo_QC_3_1_560531895a.jpg" alt="Shenkuo QC3 (1).jpg" width="2000" height="1048">What strategies does Shenkuo employ that distinguish it from competitors, and how can these strategies be adapted to meet the unique challenges and opportunities in the Greater China market?&nbsp;&nbsp;Fred Chan, YCP Shenkuo Director: Shenkuo’s strategy is to provide end-to-end business solutions to our clients; for example, we supported a high-jewelry brand’s finance shared service center to streamline their accounting processes and work prioritization system, redesigned their reporting structure, and, most critically, led them through the changes during the implementation stage. Our relationships with clients often go beyond a single phase, as we bring our deep experience in operations excellence and project implementation change management to the table to ensure we chart the path to sustainable success together.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Our willingness to invest in such long-term relationships and become their trusted advisors sets us apart in the challenging business environment in the Greater China market.&nbsp;How can YCP's established relationships and deep understanding of Asian markets be utilized to create synergies and drive growth for clients operating in both Greater China and EU industries?&nbsp;&nbsp;The synergies are clear—Shenkuo is always ready to support our clients’ ambitions to expand beyond their existing region into Southeast Asia. With YCP’s relationships, knowledge, and presence of resources across Asia, we have the potential to enhance our current offerings and significantly expand our client base, driving growth in the Greater China and EU industries.&nbsp;<hr>For more information on the integration and YCP Group, visit: <a target="" rel="" href="https://ycp.com/newsroom/ycp-holdings-introduces-ycp-shenkuo-formerly-known-as-shenkuo">YCP Holdings Introduces YCP Shenkuo, Formerly Known as Shenkuo</a>

Growing Global Coverage and Capabilities with YCP Shenkuo    

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Expanding YCP’s Greater China and Global Capabilities with YCP Shenkuo

YCP Shenkuo

The recent business integration of YCP Group and Shenkuo, and the subsequent formation of YCP Shenkuo, signifies a critical step forward for both firms. This integration, characterized by strengthened cross-border collaboration across industries and international markets, brings a wave of enhanced capabilities and service offerings. This is particularly good news for our clients operating in Europe’s dynamic business landscape, as they can expect a more robust support system.&nbsp;YCP Shenkuo Partner Laurent Fihey provides a nuanced perspective as one of Shenkuo’s co-founders, sharing further insight into the integration, how it is expected to bolster firm capabilities in Europe’s markets, and what to expect as YCP Shenkuo enters a new chapter with an expanded global presence across Asia, Europe, and beyond.&nbsp;For more context, could you highlight some key foundational ideas or concepts relevant to Shenkuo’s journey in the management consulting space thus far? How will these translate to our integration as YCP Shenkuo?&nbsp;&nbsp;When we founded Shenkuo, we kept several DNA pillars in mind that continue to ground our business decisions to this day:&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li>Global perspective: Our co-founders all come from international backgrounds. Thomas Pernin grew up with an expatriate childhood and pursued his master's degree in Hong Kong, while I spent 5 years working in China. Instead of setting up a traditional consulting firm, we chose to leverage our global experience and set up Shenkuo. After a year of operations, we were able to deliver projects to over 10 markets across the globe.&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Cross-functionality: We believe that consulting is all about expertise. Since our inception, we’ve focused on strengthening our services in several key industries: Consumer &amp; Retail, Automotive &amp; Aerospace, Supply Chain &amp; Logistics, … while maximizing our joint experience and knowledge of each market. Our cross-functional approach ensures that we can provide comprehensive solutions that address the multifaceted nature of our clients' challenges to deliver value that goes beyond conventional consulting.&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Flexibility: We take pride in the fact that our clients recognize us as very accessible people who are easy and enjoyable to work with. Our flexibility is not just about being available but also about adapting to our clients' unique needs and contexts.&nbsp;</li></ul>When starting M&amp;A discussions with YCP, we easily understood that these pillars would find some positive echo at the firm. YCP shares our commitment to a global perspective, cross-functional expertise, and client-focused flexibility. This alignment of core values ensures that our integration as YCP Shenkuo will be seamless and synergistic.&nbsp;<img src="/uploads/Shenkuo_QC_4_1_bd158a1231.jpg" alt="Shenkuo QC4 (1).jpg" width="2000" height="1048">Can you share some insights into how this integration came about? What are the key considerations that made this partnership particularly compelling for both firms?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;When we recognized that YCP would be a good fit that aligned with our DNA pillars, the synergies between YCP and Shenkuo were immediately clear and compelling. The areas in which our firms intersect are very organic, making the possibilities endless for how YCP Shenkuo can potentially unlock previously unrealized value through this partnership. These synergies include:&nbsp;Service lines – Shenkuo brings strong logistical capabilities to the fore, bolstering YCP’s current service offerings within that industry, specifically YCP’s supply chain division (YCP Consus) and its digital transformation division (DXD). Both firms, now YCP Shenkuo, complement each other well in key business areas relevant to the global market, such as Strategy and Business Transformation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Industry coverage – The combined strength of both firms as YCP Shenkuo, especially in terms of industry expertise and coverage is undoubtedly another factor of why this integration came about. Both Shenkuo and YCP possess their respective strengths in terms of their professionals and the industries they specialize in, which will ultimately translate to accelerating firm growth together across key verticals, such as Consumer Goods and Automotive &amp; Aerospace.&nbsp;Geographic position – Given that YCP’s network in Asia is particularly strong, especially in Japan, Greater China, and Southeast Asia, such presence would naturally bolster YCP Shenkuo’s presence. Likewise, Shenkuo’s experience in European markets and Greater China will prove invaluable to the Group’s overall mission of fully capitalizing on cross-border opportunities as YCP Shenkuo, activating both inbound and outbound flows and connecting further with global clients.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;How do you see the integration enhancing the local capabilities of both firms?&nbsp;&nbsp;First, from the perspective of YCP strengthening its network in Europe by building on what Shenkuo has already accomplished:YCP strengthens its foothold in Europe through this integration, with an additional office in Paris. We plan to operate as a unified team across Europe, collaboratively driving business development efforts. Through these efforts, it is our goal to bolster YCP’s position as a global brand and encourage European clients to work with us for their business needs in Asia. With this strengthened foothold, we are committed to fostering long-term partnerships and driving sustainable growth for our clients.&nbsp;Additionally, from the perspective of Shenkuo expanding further into Asia through YCP’s expansive presence within the region.&nbsp;Being part of YCP is a unique opportunity for us to better serve our clients in their business needs in Asia and beyond. With the integration, we can now offer our clients a broader range of services and insights, supported by YCP’s local expertise and strong relationships within the region. This collaboration will enable us to tap into new opportunities, enhance our service offerings, and deliver more comprehensive and strategic solutions for our clients.&nbsp;In the past few weeks, I’ve engaged in promising discussions with clients on the different market opportunities in Japan, Singapore, and India. These fruitful discussions would not have been possible without the integration into YCP.&nbsp; &nbsp;<img src="/uploads/Shenkuo_QC_4_2nd_1_fc0a54f53b.jpg" alt="Shenkuo QC4_2nd (1).jpg" width="2000" height="1048"> How will YCP Shenkuo's expertise in EU markets be leveraged to help clients involved in emerging Asian sectors (renewable energy, logistics, retail, etc.)?&nbsp;Although Asia is widely recognized as a leader and innovative pioneer in trending topics like data, smart technology, and e-commerce, Europe has unique 100+ years of experience across several industries. The Shenkuo team has had the unique opportunity to fully immerse ourselves as professionals and gain first-hand knowledge from Europe’s historically rich business landscape.&nbsp;We are firm believers in connecting people, sharing knowledge, and putting into action the best practices–a dynamic that we have fully embraced and implemented at Shenkuo for many years. We believe that consulting is about helping clients fully realize their potential and open their chakras. This is something that we hope to do for Asian players wanting to enter Europe’s markets, where the integration of Shenkuo into YCP and our operation as YCP Shenkuo will be the catalyst.&nbsp;How can YCP's established relationships and deep understanding of Asian markets be utilized to create synergies and drive growth for clients operating in both Greater China and EU industries?&nbsp;Relationships between Greater China and Europe have cooled down, and as a result, many international businesses are facing a great deal of pressure in Mainland China.&nbsp;Being a consulting firm deeply rooted in Asia, particularly in Greater China, is without any doubt, a key strength that YCP can leverage to transcend borders across Europe and Greater China. YCP’s strategic position and deep understanding of the market presents a unique value proposition to help businesses successfully navigate the situation and find the best windows to operate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;By leveraging our established relationships and comprehensive market insights, YCP can create significant synergies for clients operating in both regions. Our deep-rooted presence in Greater China allows us to provide nuanced and informed advice, helping European businesses mitigate risks and capitalize on opportunities. Similarly, our extensive network and expertise enable us to assist Chinese clients in expanding their footprint in Europe.&nbsp;<hr>For more information on the integration and YCP Group, visit: <a target="" rel="" href="https://ycp.com/newsroom/ycp-holdings-introduces-ycp-shenkuo-formerly-known-as-shenkuo">YCP Holdings Introduces YCP Shenkuo, Formerly Known as Shenkuo</a>

YCP has published a report on its recent integration with Shenkuo, forming a new entity called YCP Shenkuo, which will expand the firm’s capabilities in Europe and beyond. 

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Unlocking New Potential in Europe with YCP Shenkuo

JULY 2024--Shenkuo Business Partners Limited (“Shenkuo”), a boutique management consulting firm, now operates as YCP Shenkuo, following its integration into YCP Holdings (Global) Limited.<img src="/uploads/Shenkuo_Annc_LP_1_21365577c3.png" alt="Shenkuo Annc LP 1.png" width="2000" height="1048"> Through the integration, YCP Group strengthens its presence across Greater China and Europe, further expanding its global reach and network. This strategic move brings in Shenkuo's expertise in the following key consulting areas:&nbsp;<ul><li>Business transformation&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Strategy&nbsp;</li></ul><ul><li>Supply chain&nbsp;</li></ul>In line with the integration, we are also pleased to introduce the new YCP Shenkuo website: <a target="_blank" rel="" href="http://ycpshenkuo.com">ycpshenkuo.com</a>, which tells the story of the firm’s diverse history, from its founding in 2015 up until its integration into YCP Group. The revamped website also features YCP Shenkuo’s successful client projects, highlighting the firm’s strength and expertise across various fields, particularly in the industries of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Consumer &amp; Retail.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With YCP Group’s vision of becoming a leading professional firm across Asia, the integration of YCP Shenkuo further enhances the Group’s management services in the rapidly growing markets of Greater China and Europe. This expansion bolsters the Group’s network of highly seasoned professionals across the globe and extends its presence to 22 offices worldwide, including an additional location in Paris, France.&nbsp;<hr>For more information on the integration and YCP Group, visit: <a target="" rel="" href="https://ycp.com/newsroom/ycp-holdings-introduces-ycp-shenkuo-formerly-known-as-shenkuo">YCP Holdings Introduces YCP Shenkuo, Formerly Known as Shenkuo</a>

The integration of Shenkuo with the YCP Group marks the launch of YCP Shenkuo. 

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YCP Holdings Introduces YCP Shenkuo, Formerly Known as Shenkuo 

SINGAPORE, March 2024 - YCP Holdings (Global) Limited has executed the contract to acquire 100% of Shenkuo Business Partners Limited (“Shenkuo”), a boutique consulting firm providing its services in China and Europe, to make it a wholly owned subsidiary of YCP Holdings with the purpose to strengthen the Group’s core Management Services Division.&nbsp;Since its foundation in 2011, YCP Holdings has been expanding its business through aggressive mergers and acquisitions with the aim of becoming a world-class provider of strategic service offerings to global businesses.Following the business integration with Solidiance Asia Pacific Pte Ltd in 2018 and Auctus Advisors Private Limited in 2022, YCP Holdings now has a significant presence throughout Asia, and decided to further welcome Shenkuo.The firm believes that the integration with Shenkuo will bring further growth to our business in the Greater China region, and thus to the entire group. YCP and Shenkuo will continue to support the business growth of clients in the Asian market, which is rich in diversity and growth opportunities. <img src="https://ycp.com/storage/tLuqfoU6vmVKaPew8haJaYdsaVAzep1IPwokJ1qV.png">“This strategic integration marks the beginning of an invigorating chapter for all our stakeholders. At Shenkuo, we’ve always been passionate about delivering innovative strategies, high-impact business and digital transformations and optimized supply chains for our clients. Now, as we integrate into YCP's dynamic network, our expertise in these critical areas will be supercharged with an extended presence in Asia and Europe,” jointly declare Thomas Pernin and Laurent Fihey, co-founders and Senior Partners at Shenkuo.<a target="_blank" rel="" href="https://ycp.com/storage/2pgbEkyzqG4lnpdjkJh7p2OW32wBlNi1xfI3SGx8.png"><img src="https://ycp.com/storage/2pgbEkyzqG4lnpdjkJh7p2OW32wBlNi1xfI3SGx8.png" width="2000" height="1048"></a>“YCP Holdings has been actively seeking investment opportunities in order to achieve further growth in our core Management Services Division. In China, which is by far the largest economy in the fast-growing Asian region, Shenkuo has built a solid reputation having helped more than 50 global companies expand into China.” says Yuki Ishida, Director and Group CEO of YCP Holdings (Global) Limited. “Through the business integration with Shenkuo, we intend to expand our business network in China and achieve further growth for the Group.”

YCP Holdings Announces the Acquisition of Shenkuo Business Partners Limited | YCP

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Expanding YCP’s Greater China and Global Capabilities with YCP Shenkuo