NEW China Light and Power chief Ross Sayers said yesterday he wanted to improve the company's reputation for service, possibly by setting and publishing service targets.
Mr Sayers, who became managing director and chief executive of the company four weeks ago, disappointed journalists in his first meeting with the Hongkong press by trying to escape his reputation as an axeman, won during his previous job with the New South Wales State Rail Authority.
Asked if he was going to provide a news bonanza by starting a Cathay Pacific-style strike, he said ''no, no, no''.
Asked if he was going to cut staff numbers by 33 per cent, as he did in Australia, he again said 'no', adding: ''I'd stack the Hongkong team against any in the world - no fears.'' He said some tightening of labour costs would be possible, but this would be ''incremental rather than in a step form''.
Mr Sayers confirmed that a price increase of unspecified size but below the rate of inflation was in the pipeline, and that the company was talking about ventures in Shandong province and elsewhere in China, and not just in the Pearl River delta as was previously rumoured.
It would be ''logical'' for such talks to include Exxon, its partner in electricity generation in Hongkong.
He ruled out China ventures unrelated to electricity, and said the company's position was strong because it could offer experience in nuclear, coal, oil, gas and hydro-power generation.