As a century-old brand originating from Jiaxing, Wufangzhai (603237) has evolved from a humble street vendor in 1921 to a publicly listed company leading industry standards in glutinous rice products. Recognized as a China Famous Trademark in 2004 and having its zongzi-making techniques inscribed as national intangible cultural heritage in 2011, the company went public on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2022, becoming the first listed zongzi specialty enterprise.
Wufangzhai has integrated corporate social responsibility (CSR) into its core business strategy. The company established food research institutes and a Zhejiang Postdoctoral Workstation to drive innovation, becoming the primary drafter of both national and international zongzi standards. In 2024, Wufangzhai released the Codex Alimentarius International Standard for Zongzi and published its ESG report under the "G.R.O.W." strategic framework, focusing on Green development, Responsibility, Open cooperation, and Win-win outcomes. The company achieved 'A' ESG ratings from Wind, China Securities Index, and EData.
**Rural Revitalization Through Industry Chains** Wufangzhai's "Zongzi+" industrial model has created multiple pathways for rural development. By implementing direct procurement from farmers and cooperatives, the company generated over 100 million yuan in farmer income in 2024. In Lishui County, Wufangzhai's bamboo leaf sourcing initiative created seasonal employment, while in Luotian County, its chestnut purchases provided stable income for local farmers. The company also partners with suppliers to allocate production tasks to rural households, having created jobs for 2,000+ local workers including 1,200 women and 23 persons with disabilities in Anji County.
**Green Transformation with Tangible Actions** Committed to environmental protection, Wufangzhai has obtained ISO14001 certification and provincial Green Factory recognition. The company invested 1.6592 million yuan in environmental initiatives in 2024, maintaining zero major pollution incidents. Innovations include water-saving production lines that reduced daily water consumption from 6,000-7,000 tons to 40-50 tons, and steam/heat recycling systems. Its eco-friendly packaging solutions feature bamboo-based materials that biodegrade within six months.
**Systematic Philanthropy Spanning Decades** Since 2003, Wufangzhai has donated over 25 million yuan in cash and materials. The company established the "Liufang Yishan" charitable fund and created 12 dedicated charity spaces across Jiaxing in 2024. Education initiatives include decade-long 4 million yuan scholarship programs at Jiaxing University and Jiaxing Nanhu University, along with 1 million yuan in research funding for Dulan County High School in Qinghai. Annual donations support underprivileged women, children, and elderly residents through holiday care packages and essential services.
Wufangzhai's CSR approach demonstrates how traditional brands can integrate cultural preservation, ecological protection, and social welfare into sustainable business growth. The company's practices offer a replicable model for heritage enterprises pursuing both commercial success and societal value creation.
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