TELEPHONE maker HB International Holdings will launch a computer-operated telephone early next year hoping that with other new products it will increase turnover by 20 per cent.
Callers dial from the keyboard of a personal computer. A modem is built into the handset. Functions include answering machine, fax and directory.
'This is going to be well-received in the market,' said managing director Malcolm Paton.
An original-design manufacturer concentrating on overseas markets, HB is optimistic about sales and dismisses the impact of local competition.
'We've thrown in about three to five per cent of turnover in research and development, which is quite unusual in Hong Kong.
'The designs being ours, we have more effective control of costs and a bigger profit margin than our competitors, who rely solely on OEM [original equipment manufacturing] businesses,' Mr Paton said.
The product line of cord and cordless telephones has an average price of US$22 but with higher-priced new products streaming out, HB expects to see the average price raised to between $30 and $40.