Firm strives to be lean, clean, green and energy efficient

WKK Technology believes that the impact of a manufacturer's carbon footprint can be reduced if it uses less packaging, bundles as many shipments into as few vessels as possible, transports less and travels shorter distances to get to market. It was for these reasons that the company won an award in the Environmental Performance category at the Hong Kong Awards for Industries.

In 2002, WKK adopted mass production of lead-free soldering. Last year, the company signed a licence agreement with Japan-based Nihon Superior Company to manufacture and sell the lead-free solder, SN100C(R), on the mainland.

The company's eco-philosophy starts with the procurement of raw materials where it tries to stress using fewer inputs, less energy, recycling and going green wherever possible. WKK tries to be lean, clean, green and energy efficient in its manufacturing by stressing the conservation of natural resources.

Chairman Senta Wong says: 'WKK's management puts great emphasis on operating our business in an environmentally friendly way. The principle and philosophy is that as a global citizen we have to contribute our efforts for the benefit of the society and the earth.'

Another green initiative undertaken was the WKK Technology Park in Changping, Dongguan, built in early 2000. 'We installed solar panels on the rooftops of a workers dormitory to supply hot water and electricity for lighting for the 6,000 employees, underground waste water treatment systems to treat used water for the whole plant, buildings were designed for using more nature light, an energy efficient system for lighting and air conditioning, and extensive landscaping was done in the park and the nearby areas.'

Its second manufacturing facility will come online at the WKK Ganzhou Technology Park in late next year or early-2012. Wong is upbeat as the new facility has been designed with the 'most advanced environmentally friendly' technologies, including solar power 'to be installed on the top of a manufacturing building to supply electricity for all lighting and water heating, a glass panel wall which allows using natural sunlight in daytime for manufacturing areas, a centralised waste treatment system [and] air filtration systems'.

WKK also tries to stress to its suppliers the importance of green designed products, and seeks to develop a supply chain using 'green materials ... for manufacturing', Wong says. To that end, it engages in training and sharing information with suppliers 'to enhance awareness in environmental protection and restricted use of the hazardous substance'.