Coronavirus: can Hong Kong firm regain trade war losses by turning Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity?

Hong Kong electronics firm, which has a manufacturing operations in Guangdong province, says it has already secured a 10 per cent increase in orders

The firm has restored 60 per cent of its production capacity by offering increased wages and ensuring a supply of face masks while others battle against restrictions

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Once they return to the production lines, workers are still required to pass a temperature check, while they also must wear a face mask and use hand sanitiser.

Published: 2:00pm, 26 Feb 2020Updated: 9:02am, 28 Feb 2020

“If you manage a crisis well, you can get market share from your competitors” may be seen as a blunt assessment, but one Hong Kong electronics manufacturer with production facilities in Dongguan, in southern Guangdong province, is hoping that its rapid response to the coronavirus outbreak will help it make up ground lost as a result of China’s trade war with the United States.

Eric Wong, which is not his real name because his is not authorised to speak to the media, said he took advantage of the shorter four-day Lunar New year holiday in Hong Kong to make advance purchases of much-needed surgical masks and liaise with its customers. In contrast, its mainland rivals were forced to take an extended holiday after authorities implemented restrictions in an effort to combat the spread of the coronavirus.

Wong said his firm also ensured an adequate supply of raw materials and components, a shrewd move which is now paying off with supply chains across China stretched as companies slowly resume production amid the ongoing outbreak.

As a result, Wong’s firm has already secured a 10 per cent increase in orders over the next three months compared to the same period last year, although the year-earlier level was depressed by the effects of the US trade war.

Our customers were reassured by our fast reaction in notifying them about how we were handling the situation

Eric Wong

“If you manage a crisis well, you can get market share from your competitors,” said Wong. “Our customers were reassured by our fast reaction in notifying them about how we were handling the situation.