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In the Bulletin
From the Chairman
Messages
CH Tung
Donald Tsang
Chau Tak Hay
Jing Shuping
Jiang Enzhu
Yu Xiaosong
Robin Chan
Chan Wing Kee
Henry Tang
Peter Woo
Christopher Cheng
Lily Chiang
Anthony Nightingale
James Tien
Eden Woon
Cover Story
HKGCC: Helping Business Since
1861
The Chamber: The Beginnings
Challenges in Our Third Century
Special Feature
Chamber Chairmen & Directors
Chamber Members
Founding Members: Then
& Now
Chamber's Oldest
Members
1861-1899
1900-1909
1910-1919
1920-1929
1930-1939
1940-1949
1950-1961
April 2001 -- 140th Anniversary Special Edition
With 70 years' experience in the paint industry, the Camelpaint organization, a subsidiary of the National Lacquer and Paint Products Company Limited (NLPP), has grown from a modest beginning to its present size and magnitude. Established in Hong Kong in 1932, central offices and factories were setup in Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand in the early 1960s, and Donguan, Shanghai and Beijing in China in the '90s. Progressing steadily since inception, Camelpaint has built up a reputation in decorative, architectural, industrial and specialty coatings. Its popular brand 'Camel' has become well established in Hong Kong, China & South East Asia despite local and foreign competition. With the very latest manufacturing facilities for top quality products, professional technical teams for research and developments and customer oriented marketing & sales teams for quality services, Camelpaint continues to be one of the leading paint manufacturers in the region. Innovation has been the key to Camelpaint's success, with continual development of new products and manufacturing technology. Moreover, we are continually reviewing and upgrading logistics, marketing, distribution, industrial safety and not least environmental protection practices. In these ways, we have become established as one of the most forward thinking companies in the industry. Understanding the markets' and clients' requirements, and providing quality products and services to them have always been Camelpaint's goal. Teamwork and a climate of co-operation with customers, suppliers and employees have ensured continual market expansion throughout the company's history. With the company direction coupled with competitive quality products and services, the group has facilitated an outstanding level of customer satisfaction at all times. In the years ahead, innovation, solidity and reliability will remain the cornerstones of the Camelpaint's philosophy. With our strong commitment to the industry and customers, we look forward to become one of the first class paint manufacturers in the world, and let more and more customers benefit from our quality products and services.
Year joined, 1940 Sime Darby Hong Kong Limited Sime Darby Hong Kong Ltd is involved in the trading, services and property industries.
Year joined, 1940 Established in 1940, Winkler Ltd specialises in the trade of building materials and fixtures, particularly faucets and showers.
Joined 1946 H. Cheong-Leen & Co. (Hong Kong) LtdFounded at the end of 1945, the company joined the HKGCC under the name H. Cheong-Leen & Company in 1946. "We started off as importers of sundry goods, such as fountain pens, stationery, et cetera," said the founder and general manager of the company, Hilton Cheong-Leen. "We then expanded our import lines to include Swiss watches, acting as sole import distributors in the Far East for several well-known Swiss watch brands." Mr Cheong-Leen was for many years Chairman of the Hong Kong Watch Importers Association and is Honorary Life President of the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd. In 1961, the company was registered with the HKGCC as H. Cheong-Leen & Co. (Hong Kong) Ltd. Following the Korean War, the company branched out in the export field to include Chinese handicraft products, such as lacquerware, ivory carvings, traditional furniture, screens, porcelain and Chinese food products. In the 1960s and '70s, the company developed its export lines to the United States. These included Walt Disney character items, including Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, and Snoopy character items, such as Charlie Brown, which were all made in Hong Kong either in vinyl or plush. In recent years, the company has been consolidating on specialized lines, mainly in decorative products such as brassware, and Chinese contemporary furniture, among other products. "I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Chamber on its 140th anniversary and look forward to stable growth and new challenges as a long-standing member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce," Mr Cheong-Leen said.
Year joined, 1946 Fortis Bank Fortis Bank has operated in Hong Kong and Mainland China for almost 100 under a variety of names. Originally known as Banque Sino-Belge, the Asian arm of Generale Bank, the bank first opened in Shanghai in 1902.In 1935, Belgian Bank, as the bank was then known, commenced operations in Hong Kong, primarily providing customers with trade financing services. Its famous Cantonese name "Wah Pei" (standing for China-Belgium) and logo first appeared at this time. The name Fortis was adopted in the SAR in May 2000, when the bank's operations, including Belgian Bank and MeesPierson, were integrated and rebranded. In November 1999, the bank embarked also on its retail branch upgrade programme in Hong Kong. This consumer banking initiative, which remains ongoing, includes branch refurbishments, relocations to larger and more convenient premises, as well as new staff recruitment and training. Over the years, the bank has developed a strong reputation for its skill-based businesses, which enables it to offer consumer, commercial and corporate clients a "total relationship" approach. Two examples of this are the highly regarded provision of trade financing to small and medium enterprises, and the Bank's financial markets operation, ranked No.3 in Hong Kong by Euromoney's 1999 Foreign Exchange Poll. "Solid Partners, Flexible Solutions" is a commitment that sets Fortis apart. Celebrating its centenary in China next year, Fortis looks forward to the next century of growth and development as a strong and reliable financial services partner.
Year joined, 1946 Desco (HK) Ltd When the firm was founded in 1889 the only business in which it was involved was the raw-silk trade. In the course of time it has broadened its areas of activity to the sales of raw materials, marketing of consumer articles and own production. With around 620 employees worldwide, its office in Hong Kong is concentrated mainly on the importation of high-grade consumer articles such as Swiss watches, and on the export of toys.
Year joined, 1946 Indo China Trading Company Limited The company is part of the Denis Freres Group, which has been active in Asia since 1862. ICTI was established in Hong Kong more than 55 years ago to fulfil a financial role within the group and has since evolved into a trading and distribution concern.
Year joined, 1946 Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited (formerly known as The Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Co Ltd) was founded on November 5, 1923, by Messrs Lau Tak Po, and Lau King Cho and a consortium of businessmen. At the beginning, the company successfully obtained a franchise to operate three cross-harbour ferry routes between Hong Kong Island and the Kowloon Peninsula. The company's fleet of vessels continued to grow until the outbreak of the Pacific War in 1941.Ferry services were resumed in 1946 after the end of the war and the company decided to convert the entire fleet from steam to diesel. Then, the company prospered in the 1950s and '60s as the economy bloomed. In anticipation of the opening of the cross-harbour tunnel, the company began to diversify in the early '70s into other businesses, such as property investment, travel agency services, supermarkets, shipyards and floating restaurants. In 1983, it also started to operate a resort hotel on Lantau Island. Following the government's decision not to renew the company's ferry franchise in 1999, the passenger ferry business was subsequently discontinued. On the other hand, the wholesale and retail operations were suspended due to fierce competition. In the new millennium, the company will focus on property development and investment, in particular the development of commercial and residential complexes.
Year joined, 1946 Manulife (International) LimitedCanadian-based Manulife Financial commenced operations in Hong Kong in 1897. In 1984, the company established a subsidiary, Manulife (International) Limited (MIL), which today is one of the largest life insurance companies in Hong Kong. MIL also operates in Macau, and is the majority stakeholder in China ’s first joint venture life insurance company, Manulife-Sinochem Life Insurance Company Ltd.During 1999, The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company, the parent company of MIL, successfully completed the transition from a mutual company owned by policyholders to a stock company and became the wholly-owned operating insurance company, Manulife Financial Corporation, the ultimate parent company, were listed on the New York, Toronto, Hong Kong and Philippines stock exchanges. Year joined, 1946 Mee Tak Company Limited Mee Tak Co was established in 1930 and has extensive experience in the business of wholesale, retail and distribution of versatile products to local factories and manufacturers.
Year joined, 1947 CGU International Insurance plc CGU (combination of Commercial Union and General Accident) -- with over 300 years of history -- operates in over 60 countries with a staff 52,000 people. The company has been operating in Hong Kong since 1882 and provides a wide range of insurance services.
Year joined, 1947 Caltex Oil HK Limited Founded in 1936 as a joint venture between Chevron and Texaco, Caltex has grown to become a leading oil company with petroleum refining facilities and marketing operations in over 60 countries in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa. In Hong Kong, Caltex is engaged in the marketing of petroleum products to domestic, commercial and industrial customers.
Year joined, 1947 Fonson & Company Limited Fonson & Company Limited is primarily involved in the trading of various merchandise.
Year joined, 1947 Wheelock and Company Limited Wheelock, founded in Shanghai in 1857, is a major investor in Asia. Besides owning Lane Crawford, it is the controlling shareholder of Wharf. The group is a leading property owner with major portfolios in Hong Kong, Singapore and China; the existing sole cable television and optical fibre broadband multimedia service provider in video, voice and data; and the founding container terminal operator in Hong Kong. It owns and operates Hong Kong landmarks such as the ÒStarÓ Ferry and the Hongkong Tramways, and also operates two of Hong Kong's three cross-harbour tunnels.Wharf, the group's principal associate, introduced the container terminal concept to Hong Kong early 1970s. Its subsidiary, Modern Terminals Limited, is the founding operator at the Kwai Chung Container Terminals and currently owns and operates five berths. The company is also expanding operations to other ports in Southern China. Over the past five years, Wharf has built the only optical fibre broadband network in Hong Kong. It owns the platform for providing multimedia services through a broadband information superhighway delivering data, video and voice, fully exploiting high-growth convergence and bundling opportunities. In November 1999, the IPO of i-CABLE provided a useful currency of this business unit for the future. New T&T, licensed in 1995, was one of the first companies to introduce competition into Hong Kong's fixed line telecommunication market and is now the second largest telecom operator.
Year joined, 1947 Foo Hang Jewellery Limited Established in 1947, Foo Hang Jewellery is a manufacturer and exporter of jewellery such as pearls, polished diamonds, jade and precious and semi-precious stones to the U.S.A., Europe, Middle East and Asia. It is a voting and executive member of the Diamond Importers Association and a voting member of the Hong Kong Diamond Bourse.
Year joined, 1947 Founded in Yokohama, Japan in 1865, Siber Hegner has grown to become one of the world's leading international trading and marketing groups. The Hong Kong office was set up in 1947 to oversee the group's core activities of trading and marketing of raw & industrial materials, technological and consumer goods in the region. The group is based in Zurich, Switzerland.
Year joined 1947 The company is in the services and trading business and also acts as and estate agent. Year joined, 1948 Burkill, A R & Sons (HK) Limited Founded in 1853 in Shanghai, Burkill, A R & Sons (HK) Ltd, moved its operations to the former colony after leaving China in 1949 during the communist takeover. The company's primary business is in trading industrial chemicals Ð pharmaceutical products, medical devices, dyes, pigments, colouring matter, paints, and inks among others. Managing Director for the Company Richard B H Ong, said that as the company is involved in the marketing, distribution and wholesale of many of its products, it has managed to stave off fierce competition over the years. "Our policy is to give the best services and best quality products. This is the motto that we integrate into our daily operations and it has helped us build up and keep our satisfied customers," he said.
Gee Chang Company Limited Gee Chang Co Ltd is a typical Hong Kong trading company trading a wide range of merchandise.
Year joined, 1948 Tonley & Company Limited Tonley & Co Ltd is a trader of knitted and woven clothing, clothing accessories, footwear, travel goods & handbags, fish & seafood, gift & premiums, Christmas decorations, artificial flowers & plants, toys, games, sporting goods, plastic products, base metals & articles of base metal, cosmetics, toiletries and perfumery.Year joined, 1948 The Wing On Company Limited The principal activities of the group are in the operation of department stores, property investment, restaurant operation, mortgage servicing and share and other investments. The Wing On Department Stores Group, established in 1907, is one of the largest and best known retailers in Hong Kong.
Although The Kader Group has diversified its businesses, its core operations still comprise of the manufacture of plastic products. The company's manufacturing facility in Dongguan, PRC, is one of the most comprehensive in the Far East. From the design of a product to the manufacture of tools to the decoration of a product, its employees are among the most experiences in their profession. Kader's manufacturing operations are divided into two major categories, ODM manufacturing and manufacturing of precision model railroads. Its ODM customers have included large companies such as Mattel, Hasbro and Panasonic, while its own Bachmann and Liliput series model railroads are renowned for their its quality throughout the United States and Europe.
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