Rampant copyright infringement has not reduced Longford Industrial's devotion to original design manufacturing, according to founder Dennis Chan Sui-pun. 'It's always frustrating to find our designs being copied locally and overseas, but what has been driving us all these years is our desire to let others know that Hong Kong's manufacturers are capable of producing quality designs and products,' he said. Since it was founded 10 years ago, Longford has built a reputation as a designer and manufacturer of clocks, watches and lifestyle household products targeting consumers aged 20 to 50. With Europe, Japan and North America as its main markets, the company makes more than 99 per cent of its sales from production based on its own designs. 'Producing other people's proven design involves lower risk, but their profit margins are much lower,' said the 40-year-old entrepreneur. Mr Chan, who won an Outstanding Hong Kong Young Person Award in 1995 and was chosen by the Hong Kong Artists Guild as 1997's Artist of the Year, said profit was never the be-all and end-all of his business. 'It has to do with my personal goal of balancing profitability and satisfaction from coming up with original products,' he said. 'Many of my business partners have told me I act and look more like a designer than a businessman, while my designer friends told me vice-versa. 'I believe a successful product should have excellence in both marketing and design elements. This is what I call applied art.' Mr Chan said the emphasis of original design in his business is shown by the fact that nine out of the 16 employees in his Hong Kong head-office are designers, with the remainder being marketing and administration staff. More than 10 examples of the company's designs will be showcased at the Design Hall of the Heritage Museum, including the handover watch, an official SAR Government souvenir in 1997. One of the company's latest projects is the design of the 100-foot official Government millennium countdown clock tower at Victoria Park.