Dr Lily Chiang (right), presents Helmut Widdek with the Best Managed SME Silver Award at the HK SME 2000 Award.

They arrive before most of their employees at around 7:45 a.m. and spend a good part of the day on the shop floor monitoring, teaching and encouraging their labourers. Showing staff that they, the bosses, are willing to put in the extra mile has won them the loyalty of their 750 employees, all of whom willingly put 110 per cent effort into their job.

Their management philosophy has also won Emper Industrial Limited the Hong Kong SME Award 2000 Best Managed SME Silver Award.

While Mr Widdek feels there is no personal gain to be had from the award, its reward is primarily for his staff in recognition of their hard work.

"Our strength is in our people and this award makes everyone feel proud to be part of the team," he said.

He instils this team spirit by involving employees in all aspects of the business. For example, for the SME awards party, he brought in three workers from his mainland factory. And for April's Asia Pacific Leather Fair in Hong Kong, he brought in a factory worker from the mainland, not necessarily to man the booth, but to see for himself how the business operates at the customer end.

"For them, the trip is more than money, because for many Chinese from the provinces in China it is not possible for them to come to Hong Kong. But by bringing them here, letting them share in the celebrations and sales aspect of the business, we make them understand that everyone is part of the team," Mr Widdek said.

His 750-plus employees, over 160 of which have worked for the company for over 10 years, have helped Emper's woven leather products become highly sought after among fashion houses in Germany, Italy and Japan, which he points out are unyielding on their demands for quality products.

Mr Widdek said he feels mainland Chinese workers are the best in the world. But their diligence is not only driven by money, he insists.

A mainland Chinese labourer's performance is determined by two factors: wages and security, he said.

"Of course everyone wants money, but if you give them job security with small, gradual promotional steps that they can achieve, then you have already achieved a lot in boosting their commitment to their job," he said.

"Our strength is in our people, and our people produce absolutely the top standards, achieving a 0.5 per cent average rejection rate -- not even 1 per cent," he said. "That's why my people also get bonuses. Everyone got one month's bonus [for Chinese New Year]. I gave it personally and said a few words of encouragement."

Ingrid Sonja Widdek, director of the company, who likes to spend time in the weaving room, says motivating workers to produce quality products is what their business philosophy is all about.

"You cannot force someone to do something that they don't want to do," she said. "You have to make them want to do it."

To this end, Emper's best weavers are now in charge of producing the company's new line of 3 mm hand-woven leather products, destined to end up in design houses around the world.

Another new line Emper anticipates its skilled workforce will be able to make a success is its knitted leather goods (left), from bags to tops.