Tom Tailor’s majority shareholder looks to invest in Europe

Chinese investment firm Fosun is looking to increase its investments in Germany. “We are looking for good investment opportunities in Germany and Europe. In Germany, we have more teams that are actively involved in exploring new opportunities,” said Fosun senior vice president Kang Lan to Handelsblatt.

The company is particularly eyeing the insurance sector. The Chinese company already holds a majority stake in run-off platform Frankfurter Lebensversicherung AG, and is looking for further opportunities. According to Kang, Fosun is different than other investment firms: “ We are not the type of investors who leave after a certain period of time. Our involvement is geared towards the long term.” Companies that have been acquired or are partially owned have to be supported, he said. Fosun’s portfolio includes German clothing brand Tom Tailor.

The executive director and senior vice president says China’s new business policies have not impacted Fosun. The Chinese government has signalled plans to curb Chinese firms’ investment in overseas assets to prevent firms spending too much abroad. “The state supports the flow of capital into the right projects,” said Kahn.

Fosun is well positioned with its acquisitions and stakes. The company has assets in the real estate, pharmaceutical and steel sectors, operates mines and has made a name for itself in the leisure sector with the takeover of the French holiday club operator Club Méditerranée and Cirque du Soleil. The firm is also active in the insurance and banking sector.