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.