About Us - Lee Kum Kee Group

LEE KUM KEE GROUP

Lee Kum Kee was established in 1888 by the Lee Kum Kee family with a 135-year of legacy which was passed on to the sixth generations.

Adhering to the “Constant Entrepreneurship” spirit, Lee Kum Kee Group started with the sauce business and later expanded into the Traditional Chinese Medicine industry (“TCM”). Through venturing into Chinese herbal medicine plantation management and sales, the Group solidified its leading position in TCM industry. Nonetheless, Lee Kum Kee Group never rests on its laurels. We seize opportunities, breakthrough and innovate, and diversify our portfolio to include property and venture capital investments, that span across the globe.

To achieve its 1000-year business vision, a new governance framework was established in 2022, with the Lee Kum Kee Group overseeing the Group’s overall portfolio management and Mr. Sammy Lee was appointed as the Group’s Executive Chairman.

Driven by the mission of delivering health and happiness, the Group actively engages in philanthropic projects, to co-create a healthier and happier world with the community, fostering continuous development for both the company and the world.

1888

Mr. Lee Kum Sheung, founder of Lee Kum Kee, invented oyster sauce in Nanshui, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China. He established Lee Kum Kee to produce oyster sauce and shrimp paste.

1902

Lee Kum Kee Sauce relocated to Macao, China and expanded its sales network to Guangdong and Hong Kong, China.

1920

The second generation, Mr. Lee Shiu Nan and his brother, took over the business. Lee Kum Kee began to export oyster sauce to the United States through local importers.

1932

Lee Kum Kee Sauce relocated its headquarters to Hong Kong, China, and opened a branch at 262 Queen’s Road, Central to meet the growing demand of its overseas markets.

1972

Mr. Lee Man Tat, the third generation, took the helm as Chairman of Lee Kum Kee Group, setting the future strategic development of the Company.

1980

The fourth generation of the Lee Family graduated from studies abroad and joined Lee Kum Kee. Eddy, David, Charlie and Sammy took turns as Chairman of Lee Kum Kee Sauce.

1988

The headquarters of Lee Kum Kee Sauce was relocated to Tai Po, Hong Kong, China. A new company logo was launched to symbolise the company’s mission of building a cultural bridge between the East and the West with its sauces and condiments.

1992

Mr. Lee Man Tat, Chairman of Lee Kum Kee Group, signed a joint venture agreement with Prof. Zhao Yunhong, the then Principal of the First Military Medical University, to establish Guangdong Nanfang Lee Kum Kee Health Products Co. Ltd. (later renamed as Infinitus (China) Co. Ltd., or “Infinitus”) and enter the Chinese herbal medicine industry.

1992

LKK Health Products Group was founded and Mr. Sammy Lee became Chairman.

1996

Lee Kum Kee Sauce established a production base in Qibao, Xinhui, Guangdong Province, China to expand its business in Mainland China.

2002

Adopting the “helicopter mindset”, the Lee family established the Family Council to operate under the concept of “Prevention is Better than Cure”, laying out long-term succession plans to ensure family inheritance and continuity.

2005

Infinitus’ production base in Xinhui, Guangdong, China, commenced into operation.

2007

Mr. Sammy Lee published the book – Power of Si Li Ji Ren, to advocate the core value and management philosophy of Health Products Group.

2009

With the launch of the “Mission Upgrading and Global Branding” strategy, the name, business and products of Infinitus were all aligned as “Infinitus”. Infinitus also announced its entry into the first batch of overseas markets.

2009

Acquired several floors of a commercial building located at Zhujiang New Town in the CBD of Guangzhou, China. The property was named Infinitus Centre which became the headquarters of Infinitus (China).

2010

Acquired a Grade-A office building in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong, China as its headquarters in Hong Kong and named it Infinitus Plaza.

2012

Mr. Sammy Lee published two books on corporate culture, namely Power of Si Li Ji Ren (Latest Edition) and Autopilot Leadership Model.

2014

The construction of “Lee Man Tat Bridge” in the hometown, Xinhui, Guangdong, China, was completed. The bridge enhances local transportation infrastructure and alleviates traffic congestion in the area.

2014

The second production base of Infinitus in Yingkou, Liaoning, China, came into operation.

2015

Tianfangjian (China) Pharmacy Company Limited was established to further boost the sustainable development of Traditional Chinese Medicine industry.

2015

Infinitus Property Investment (Hong Kong) Limited was established to venture into property investment.

2015

Acquired Shanghai Corporate Avenue 3, a landmark commercial building, and renamed it as Infinitus Tower.

2016

Donated to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to establish the Lee Kum Sheung Center for Health and Happiness in an effort to actively enhance the health and happiness of people worldwide.

2016

Autopilot Leadership Lab was formed to provide corporate culture consultancy services.

2016

The English version of Autopilot Leadership Model was officially published.

2017

The acquisition of the iconic building at 20 Fenchurch Street in London, known as the “Walkie Talkie”, marked the expansion of the company’s property portfolio into overseas financial centers.

2017

Infinitus Bridge, located in Xinhui, Guangdong, China, was opened to traffic; Lee Kum Kee Avenue and Infinitus Avenue were inaugurated.

2017

Happiness Capital Limited was established to engage in venture capital investment.

2018

Project Heha was debuted.

2019

Purchased the property portfolio at 23-39 Eastcheap in London.

2021

The Owners Council was founded by the family to operate under the motto “Family, family first; Business, business first”. It sets a favourable ground to support development of the Lee family and the business and acts as a bridge of communications between both sides.

2021

Infinitus Property Investment was officially renamed as “H Properties Limited”. The new name symbolizes its commitment to creating a place of happiness and health for tenants and customers.

2021

Mr. Sammy Lee published We are Greater than I to encourage others to adopt the change in mindset that leads to a happier life.

2021

Guangzhou Infinitus Plaza, located in Baiyun district, Guangzhou, China, was officially opened. It is also the new headquarters of Infinitus Global, the Global Research Centre, and the Global Customer Experience Centre, embarking on a new venture for the Company.

2022

To realise the business’s vision and revamp its governance structure, Lee Kum Kee Group consolidated its governance of the entire group portfolio. Mr. Sammy Lee was appointed as Executive Chairman of the Group.

2022

Lee Kum Kee Group and the Lee Family donated HK$20 million to support COVID fight in Hong Kong.

2022

Zheng Gan Hui (Jiangmen Xinhui) Dried Tangerine Peel Co. Ltd was founded to develop and sell tangerine products.

2023

Lee Kum Kee Sauce’s ninth foray into space with 15 types of sauces selected to be served as the condiments for astronauts on “Shenzhou-17”.

2023

Guangzhou Infinitus Plaza received Luban Prize, the highest architectural honour in China.

2023

Happiness Capital was certified B Corp by non-profit B Lab in recognition of meeting high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability.

2023

Lee Kum Kee Group celebrated its 135th anniversary.

MILESTONES