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Ireland-based houseware company, Kitchenware Products Limited, announced today (April 14) the company's expansion in Hong Kong.  The group will operate under the company's new trading name - The Four Corners Company. The team has been increased to strengthen the company's sourcing, logistics and quality control functions.    

The Four Corners Company is one of the market leaders in the Irish and British houseware markets.  The company designs, identifies, sources and delivers a range of products, including cutlery, cookware, knives, tools, lighting and tableware to its retail partners, using its well-recognised brand "Gourmet's Pride".

"We are very excited about the opening of The Four Corners Company and the establishment of a strong team in Hong Kong.  The city's strategic location, availability of first-class logistics support and established infrastructure make Hong Kong the ideal choice for setting up our important base in the region," the Managing Director of Four Corners, Mr Dermot Ferris, said.

"The houseware market is fluid and fast changing. Four Corners recognises and understands the increasing demand for quality and contemporary products. Our recently expanded sourcing, logistics and factory audit team, which operates from Hong Kong, will ensure that we are close to the pulse of manufacturing and product development. The team will also be responsible for ensuring that we are always compliant with required product standards and adhere to agreed production schedules," Mr Ferris said.  

Supported by the Gowan Group and ACT Venture Capital, The Four Corners Company has established offices in Asia and Europe.  

In a meeting with Mr Ferris, the Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong, Mr Mark Michelson, welcomed Four Corners decision to use Hong Kong as a base to oversee important functions for the company.  

Mr Michelson said that for more than a decade, Hong Kong had been serving as the important regional sourcing and logistics hub for international companies from a variety of sectors.  "We enjoy a strategic location as part of China and in the heart of Asia, strong experience and understanding of the manufacturing scene in the Mainland, as well as a mature logistics and transportation network connected to the rest of the world. These attributes continue to be recognised by leading companies like Kitchenware and attract them to invest in Hong Kong.  We wish the company all the best, and we look forward to welcoming further expansion of their operations and team here," Mr Michelson said.

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/Thursday, April 14, 2005

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