Smok Parent, IVP Technology, Considering Hong Kong IPO

Smok is one the most well-known and respected hardware manufacturers in the vaping industry. Now, Shenzhen IVPS Technology, the firm behind the brand Smok, is considering an initial public offering to raise at least $500 million in Hong Kong as soon as next year, people with knowledge of the matter said.

According to a Bloomberg report, the company is working with a consultant in preparation for a potential share sale, said sources who asked not to be identified as the information is private. The offering could raise between $500 million and $1 billion. Deliberations are at an early stage and details of the potential offering such as timing and size may change, the people said. IVPS didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

Smoore International Holding’s stock (HK: 6969), parent to the Vaporesso, FEELM and CCELL brands, grew by nearly 150 percent on its opening day of trading on the Hong Kong Exchange. However, after China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology proposed a draft regulation in March that would apply the same rules for the conventional tobacco industry to the e-cigarette sector, shares of several Chinese e-cigarette companies plunged and Smoore shares are down about 40 percent this year.

While rising regulatory scrutiny of the vaping industry could impact investor appetite for listings in the sector, according to the article. IVPS could be less affected because it makes the device rather than the e-cigarette liquid, one of the sources said. However, Smoore also produces hardware and shares still fell after the Chinese government’s regulatory announcement.