THE HKPC's Productivity Award was won by Broadway Industrial Co Ltd, a company that believes ''productivity improvement can be attained by upgrading technology and machinery, development of its employees' abilities, and improvement in management.'' This would ''improve quality, minimise cost and waste''. Being an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) supplier, the company ''is aware that a key factor for success is its commitment to help customers''.
Broadway Industrial was established in Hong Kong in 1982. It employs 70 local staff at its 40,000 sq ft factory in Kwun Tong. The firm's production facilities are located in China, occupying floor space of 200,000 sq ft and employing 3,000 workers. The firm specialises in OEM sub-contracting and assembly of plastic and metal items.
Its products are exported to Germany, France, Japan and the US. Based on its specialised technology in tooling, injection moulding and metal stamping, the company is one of the biggest OEM mould makers in Hong Kong with one of the largest capacities in the region. The judges said: ''Although the company's production operations have been shifted to the three factories in China, it has established a strong team of project engineers at its Hong Kong head office. ''Broadway's team works on engineering proposals, mould design, mould-making, production operations, quality control and production scheduling, etc, to ensure fulfilment of the customer's quality and delivery requirements.
The panel was ''impressed by the company's consistent efforts in meeting special requests from customers. ''Strategic strength is high as the company has mastered basic technology in stamping and expanded into assembly. The company, which emphasises teamwork, performs very well,'' said the judges. Another HKPC Productivity Award went to Renley Watch Manufacturing Co Ltd, which believes that ''in this industry, product development and design of quality watches are the most critical factors for productivity improvement.
''Every function of the company should aim to support the manufacturing and marketing of quality watches. To accomplish this, teamwork on the part of all employees is crucial.'' Established in Hong Kong in 1983, Renley employs 100 people in its 20,000 sqft factory in Cheung Sha Wan. However, in 1991, it set up an assembly plant and acquired a watch company in Switzerland. The company specialises in the production of complete analogue and mechanical watches.
The products are mainly for export to Europe, the Far East and North America. Manufacturing operations include the design and assembly of complete watches. Renley has enjoyed high profitability and steady growth through productivity improvement and specialisation in quality watch-making. The company has upgraded its capability in product development and design through extensive use of computer-aided design (CAD). The firm emphasises technological application, skill development and training opportunities for its employees.