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Chris Davis

owner-operator award

ROME WAS NOT  built in a day, and this observation is true of the Chevalier Group.

Chow Yei-ching, the group's founder, chairman and managing director,  said his company had grown organically over more than three decades, developing in areas where there had been a public need and a customer demand.

The winner of the Owner-Operator Award said the company had  diversified into a wide range of related businesses by selecting products and services that had a close synergy.

Over the past 35 years, under Dr Chow's leadership, the Chevalier Group has developed  from a small lift agent employing 10 people to an international corporation comprising two publicly listed companies with  more than 200 subsidiaries and 5,000 employees worldwide.

Dr Chow attributed  the company's success to the strong foundation of training and career development it offered its staff.

'A company is only as good as its people, and we are lucky that we have very good people.'

He said technology and globalisation had  dramatically changed the way business was conducted, compared with how things were done when he set up his business 30 years ago.

'Today it is vitally important that employees are given every opportunity to improve and equip themselves with the tools that make them feel they can move forward professionally and socially.'

He said the company had a strong management structure, and was active in areas that included lifts and escalators, pipe rehabilitation, environmental engineering, construction, civil engineering, electrical and mechanical engineering, communications and IT products and services.

Dr Chow said he would like to see a greater diversification and globalisation of the business, and that he was dedicated to developing it in Hong Kong and exploring opportunities overseas.

The Chevalier Group was the first company to import fax machines into Hong Kong. It also introduced to the city first-generation mobile phones.

'I recall that it took two people to move a fax machine when they were installed in offices,' Dr Chow said.

In recent years, the Chevalier Group has been active in developing property investment opportunities and expanding its portfolio in Hong Kong, China, Southeast Asia and North America.

The lift and escalator division (LED) was established in 1970, the group's first major department, and its services remain Chevalier's core business.

The division has evolved to become the sole agent of Toshiba lifts and escalators in Hong Kong, Macau and Singapore.

More than 10,000 sets of lifts and escalators have been supplied and fitted in  commercial, industrial and residential developments in the three cities.

Dr Chow said there were more than 7,000 lifts and escalators under the LED's maintenance service.

'Success is derived from our constant pursuit of excellence and customer satisfaction, which is a common goal of all Chevalier staff,' said Dr Chow, who is Hong Kong's honorary consul for Bahrain.

'In addition, a sensitivity to market needs and the importance we attach to establishing strong and benefiting partnerships have helped us to maintain a high standard of service throughout the years.'

Areas in the Chevalier portfolio that give Dr Chow particular  satisfaction are the company's participation in the government's housing schemes and  developing the company's environmental and technology services.

Chevalier (Envirotech), which was set up in 1983, was one of the first companies in Hong Kong to offer dedicated environmental services.

The company specialises in water treatment, waste-water treatment and waste treatment and disposal.

Chevalier Envirotech won a contract from the Drainage Services Department to upgrade seven preliminary treatment works under its Strategic Sewage Disposal Scheme. Valued at $930 million, the contract is the largest of its type awarded in Hong Kong.

The company is involved in projects for both the public and private sector.

These include commercial, industrial, residential and retail projects, the development and redevelopment of public housing estates and the construction of schools.

The group's  Chevalier Culture & Education Foundation is dedicated to  fostering cultural, academic, artistic and educational exchanges between the mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau through social, cultural and artistic events, seminars and  charity activities.

The 70-year-old Dr Chow said he worked about 14 or 15 hours a day, including dinners and official engagements.

'At my age, I don't believe it is wise to push myself too much,' he said.

Dr Chow gave up flying his light aircraft earlier this year, saying it had become too difficult to arrange a takeoff slot at Chek Lap Kok, and access to the military airbase at Sek Kong was limited.

He has also reluctantly given up riding his beloved Harley Davidson motorbike.

Quick facts

The Chevalier Group, set up by Chow Yei-ching,  has grown from a small lift fitting company with 10 employees into a diverse organisation of 200 subsidiaries employing more than 5,000 staff.

Established in 1970, the Lift and Escalator Division  was the group's first major department and today its services remain the core business of Chevalier.

In Hong Kong the company provides 24-hour maintenance  for more than 7,000 lifts and elevators.

Through his company charities, Dr Chow strives to cultivate new talents and enrich educational opportunities by sponsoring facilities, granting scholarships and financing educational bodies.

The Chevalier  Group was one of the first Hong Kong enterprises to set up a dedicated environmental business to handle waste and contaminated water.

Judge's comment

'Dr Chow is a visionary businessman. He has provided strong leadership for his company's continuous growth through the past 35 years. He is also extremely active in promoting Hong Kong internationally. He is a well-known philanthropist and has given generously to various charities and educational institutions'

Alan Wong

Trade Development Council deputy executive director



Art of giving a lift to business perfected over three decades