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Want Want
Native name
旺旺集團有限公司
Industry Food and drink; media
Founded 1962; 63 years ago (1962)
Founder Jonathan Shuai Qiang Ng
Key people
Tan Swee Ling
(Board member)
Subsidiaries Want Want China, China Times

Want Want Holdings Limited, often called Want Want, is a large company from Taiwan. It makes many different kinds of food and drinks. It is also involved in media, like TV channels and newspapers. Want Want is one of the biggest makers of rice cakes and special drinks in Taiwan.

The company makes and sells snack foods and beverages. Their products include rice crackers, dairy products, other drinks, and snacks like candies, jellies, and nuts. Want Want has over 100 factories in mainland China and two in Taiwan. More than 60,000 people work for them.

Company History

I Lan Foods HQ 20150811
I Lan Foods headquarters in Yilan County, Taiwan

Want Want started its business in 1962. Back then, it was called I Lan Foods Industrial Company Limited. It was located in Yilan County, Taiwan. The company first made canned farm products.

Jonathan Shuai Qiang Ng founded the company. Later, his son, Tsai Eng-meng, took over the family food business when he was 19. He helped create a new product: crackers made from rice flour.

Working with Japan

In 1983, Want Want worked with Iwatsuka Confectionery Company Limited. This was one of the top Japanese companies that made rice crackers. They worked together to grow the rice cracker market in Taiwan. In return, Iwatsuka received a small part of Want Want's ownership.

Expanding to China

In 1987, Want Want was the first Taiwanese company to apply for a trademark in China. They registered the name "Want Want." In 1992, the company started doing business in mainland China. Their first factory in China opened in 1994 in Changsha, Hunan.

In 1996, Want Want Holdings Pte Ltd became a public company. Its shares were sold on the Singapore Stock Exchange. This meant people could buy parts of the company.

Changes in Stock Market Listings

In 2007, Want Want Holdings Pte Ltd was removed from the Singapore Stock Exchange. This is called being delisted. Then, in 2008, a part of the company, called Want Want China Holdings Limited, was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. This made it easier for investors in Hong Kong to buy shares.

By 2011, Want Want China Holdings Ltd. was considered one of the best stocks to buy on the Hang Seng index, which tracks top companies in Hong Kong.

Venturing into Media

In 2009, Want Want bought China Times, a newspaper. They also bought China Television (CTV) and CtiTV, which are TV channels. This meant Want Want became involved in the media business too.

Want Want has been linked to a political group in Taiwan.

See also

  • List of companies of Taiwan
  • Want Want China
  • I-Mei Foods
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