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Leading Japanese glass products manufacturer Isuzu Glass Co. Ltd. officially announced today (December 19) the opening of its new factory in Hong Kong. The company plans to further expand its operations here next year.
Located in Yuen Long Industrial Estate, the new manufacturing plant has been established to provide optical products and services to both Japanese and local customers operating in Guangdong Province.
Operated by Hong Kong subsidiary, Isuzu Glass (HK) Co. Ltd., the 37,000 sq ft factory is equipped with advanced machinery for the processing of high-end coating of UV, UV/IR and AR for lenses. In addition to the final processing of lens products manufactured in Japan, the factory will also be responsible for the quality inspection of these products. These are primarily used for LCD projectors.
ˇ§Most of our customers assemble their products in Guangdong," the Director and General Manager of Isuzu Glass, Mr Masatsugu Yamane, said. "Therefore, it is crucial for us to operate near our customers in order to provide responsive, cost-effective services and to meet their requirements.ˇ¨
"We compared different locations for setting up our factory. We decided to choose Hong Kong for several reasons. The city offered a more stable and reliable supply of electricity and water than other locations on the Mainland. Moreover, the manpower supply is also more stable in Hong Kong,ˇ¨ Mr Yamane said.
At present, the new facility employs 12 staff. It manufactures 100,000 items per month. According to Mr Yamane, the company would increase its investment in 2006 to double its capacity. The Isuzu Glass Group as a whole also plans to use Hong Kong as a base for future expansion of their sales and production activities in Asia.
The Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr John Rutherford, welcomed Isuzu Glass's commitment to Hong Kong during a courtesy visit to the new facility.
ˇ§We are very encouraged by Isuzu Glass's endorsement of the competitive advantages to operate high value-added manufacturing in Hong Kong," Mr Rutherord said. "Our well-established infrastructure and skilled workforce offer an important platform for businesses that require precise manufacturing and flawless processing of fine products. Our sophisticated transportation and logistics system also allows companies to deliver products to the Mainland and other Asian markets rapidly and efficiently. We wish the company every success in their operation here.ˇ¨
Based in Osaka, Isuzu Glass Co. Ltd. has been manufacturing glass products for 100 years, and has become a major producer of optical products. For more information, please visit the website at www.isuzuglass.co.jp.
Invest Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government department charged with encouraging and facilitating inward investment into the city by providing all the support needed to establish a business presence here. For more information, please visit the website at www.investhk.gov.hk.
Ends/Monday, December 19, 2005
Issued at HKT 12:31
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