On November 14, 2025, SML Group, a globally renowned RFID company, announced that FountainVest and CPE had officially become its new shareholders. This significant collaboration marks a crucial step in SML Group's growth, injecting strong momentum into the further expansion of its global business.
Founded in 2008, FountainVest has long focused on investments in consumer goods, industrial, business services, and healthcare. Its portfolio includes US-listed Amer Sports Inc., New Zealand pet food manufacturer Ziwi, and in July of this year, it agreed to acquire a stake in Milan-based EuroGroup Laminations SpA. This acquisition of SML will further expand its presence in the intersection of consumer goods and industrial sectors, strengthening its investment footprint in technology-driven companies. CPE, an asset management company focused on the Chinese market, invests in technology, industrial, consumer, healthcare, and infrastructure sectors, including the Swedish Oatly Group and Dulwich College International. By participating in the acquisition of SML, CPE is expected to leverage the latter's global network to deepen its influence in the convergence of consumer goods and technology.
Currently, the SML Group is accelerating innovation in RFID, digital product identification, factory maintenance solutions, and digital identity recognition technologies. Leveraging its outstanding label and packaging manufacturing capabilities, the company focuses on enhancing business competitiveness, driving innovation, and digital transformation, striving to become a flexible, efficient, and customer-oriented global enterprise. Even in the face of a complex economic environment, SML continues to expand its global business footprint through measures such as building new production facilities, deepening partnerships with key clients, and advancing sustainable development projects. The InfuseRFID project, factory maintenance solutions, and the upcoming DPP project are all important components of this strategy.
SML Group CEO Ignatius K.C. Lau highly praised this collaboration. He stated that the company's steady growth over the past two years has validated the correctness of its strategy and the team's execution capabilities. The investments from FountainVest and CPE are both recognition of the company's forty years of achievements and strong support for the next stage of development. Going forward, SML will continue to focus on innovation, strengthen leadership development, and increase investment in talent. SML's newly appointed Chairman, Rishi Padal, also emphasized that the creativity and dedication of its employees are the company's greatest strength. In this new phase of development, the company will continue to focus on talent development, technological innovation, and corporate flexibility, precisely addressing customer needs in the digital age.
Behind this investment lies the investors' strong confidence in SML's long-term prospects. FountainVest and CPE possess extensive experience and resources in global and regional markets, and highly value entrepreneurship, innovation, and long-term value creation. Andrew Huang, Managing Director of FountainVest, stated that he has been following SML's development for many years, recognizing its transformation potential and corporate values, and looks forward to growing together with the management team. Hemeng Dong, General Manager of CPE, pledged full support for SML in optimizing its products and digital solutions, helping the company meet the growing market demand for various technological solutions and explore new opportunities in the labeling, packaging, and software sectors.
Currently, the SML Group has established comprehensive manufacturing bases and business networks in more than 20 countries, leveraging its deep technological expertise and flexible service capabilities to provide customers with full lifecycle services from product concept design and packaging design to digital integration and data analysis. The addition of this new shareholder will further strengthen SML's technological R&D capabilities and global market presence, propelling it to continue its leading position in brand identity and digital intelligence.
