MOTOROLA Semiconductors Hong Kong Ltd, winner of this year's Governor's Award for Industry: Environmental Performance is no stranger to public recognition. In 1989, the company's successes in the technical sphere were recognised by it winning the prestigious Governor's Award for Industry in Machinery/Equipment Design. The next year, the company was again honoured with the Governor's Award in the Productivity category.
Now, with last night's presentation of the Environmental award, one may wonder: What's next for Motorola? Apart from getting on with what it does best - manufacturing leading-edge electronics parts and equipment - Motorola's stated mission is ''to become the premier environmentally-conscious company in Hong Kong, a leader in innovative environmental protection, practices and policies, consistent with its own corporate philosophy and the government's guidelines.'' Motorola's environmental policy is quite simple. It intends to conduct all its operations in a responsible manner, free from recognised hazards; respect the environment, health and safety of its employees, customers, suppliers and community neighbours; and comply with all applicable environmental, safety and industrial hygiene laws of Hong Kong. As part of its manufacturing processes, Motorola Hong Kong has electroplating operations at its headquarters in Silicon Harbour Centre, Taipo, and at its Kwai Fongplant in Kwai Chung.
These operations discharge water from rinse points on the plater. The water contains high concentrations of heavy metal and has a low pH value (acidic). Motorola therefore faces a continuous challenge to upgrade its waste water treatment processes in conjunction with set government standards for effluents discharged into drainage and sewage systems, and inland and coastal waters.
Targeted to achieve levels below the standard's minimum, a pilot test system was installed in the company's Kwai Fong plant in April this year. The system recycles waste water and produces de-ionised quality re-usable water. The success of this scheme hasbrought benefits that include: reduction of chemical costs by 35 per cent; capital investment pay-back time lowered to 18 months; a 60 per cent reduction in space required for waste treatment; annual water consumption savings of $360,000; improved electroplating and maintenance efficiency.
From relatively humble beginnings 60-odd years ago, Motorola Inc of the United States is today a world leader in the design and manufacture of electronic components and equipment. The parent company founded Motorola Semiconductors Hong Kong Ltd in 1957 and currently the local units employ around 1,600 people, including 950 engineers, professionals and support staff. During its early years in the territory, Motorola was faced with many challenges, not the least of which was to train its employees to performtasks with which they were totally unfamiliar.
But its patience and efforts in this respect have paid dividends. From the outset, business expanded at such a phenomenal rate that in 1982 Motorola acquired the huge Profit Industrial plant in Kwai Fong. This complex incorporates the most modern factory concepts for the manufacture of microprocessor products and, in addition, houses a test centre, engineering laboratories and the firm's regional Hong Kong and China sales offices.