Thornton and PKU Founder Group have entered into a strategic alliance

06/11/2009

Thornton and Peking University Founder Group have entered into a strategic alliance for the investment banking and financial advisory services between China and the United States.   
 
Peking University Founder Group (“Founder Group”) was established by Peking University in 1986.  Founder Group has grown to become a household brand name and one of China’s largest conglomerates since its establishment more than 20 years ago with only RMB 400,000  in start-up capital.  Founders revenue reached US$6.2 billion in 2008, it employs over 30,000 employees and has a presence in each of China's
23 provinces and 5 autonomous regions, as well as in Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and the United States, the Founder Group has acquired or built over 30 affiliated companies, including China's second largest personal computer company and 5 publicly-held companies
listed in Shenzhen, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Malaysia. 

Founder Group is organized along four business groups: Information Technology, Securities Brokerage, Health Care and Pharmaceutical, and Other Businesses.  Information Technology includes China’s second largest personal computer company, one of China’s largest software companies,   and leading businesses in IT solutions and consumer electronics manufacturing.  Other businesses include several major pharmaceutical companies as well as two Chinese securities brokerage and investment banking firms: Founder Securities and Sun Securities.  Recently, Founder Securities formed a domestic Chinese investment banking joint venture with Credit Suisse.  Founder Group is also the lead developer of the Peking University International Hospital in Beijing and operates the South China Mall, the largest shopping mall in Asia.

Founder Group’s unique status is underscored by its close relationships with Peking University and the Chinese Central Government.