Page 32 - Sphere No.8 (Mar 2003)

SPHERE
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M A N U F A C T U R I N G
H UTCHISON HARBOUR RING (HHR) HAS BEEN
producing digital cameras and video game controllers
under its toy manufacturing division for some years,
and Hutchison has been quick to identify a potentially huge
new market for its products. Accordingly, the subsidiary i.Tech
Dynamic Limited was established to research, manufacture and
market electronics, ODM toys and other items.
A glance at some of the products being produced by the
company’s Technology Division is to step into a futuristic world
of next-generation consumer electronics. Hands-free MP3
players, Bluetooth headsets and mobile phone chargers are some
examples of accessories already being produced for some of the
world’s biggest telecommunications brand names. Along with
these are gadgets like the 360° camera module for mobile
phones and various other futuristic products that are at
advanced stages of development.
Unsurprisingly, Hutchison has been able to introduce names
such as Motorola and NEC to HHR’s production capabilities, and
the future for the Technology Division already looks assured.
The Technology Division boasts a closely integrated supply
chain that enables the company to manufacture innovative
products from conception to completion.
The story often begins in one of the handful of world-class
R&D houses and university institutes dotted around countries
such as the US, Japan and Israel. HHR has established
partnerships with a number of these organisations, enabling the
company to provide valuable support for the initial development
of the product prototype.
“It’s not unusual for a designer to approach a tele-
communications business with a great idea, only for him to then
be sent to us,” says Deputy Chairman Lewis Luk. “These
companies need something they can sell, not just ideas. We
develop ideas on behalf of designers and turn them into actual
consumer products.”
SHAPING THE FUTURE
certification. Mr Luk, however, sees
this certification as a mere prerequisite
to the more advanced Total Quality
Management model used by the
company and sponsored by the Hong
Kong Government.The company is also
working towards full international
accreditation for its laboratories.
HHR’s management standards and
capabilities are the envy of many
manufacturers and it is one of the few
Asia. All testing equipment, for example,
meets very strict internal quality assurance
standards designed to harmonise with
the standards of external customers.
The company also utilises sophisticated
manufacturing equipment - such as
coating systems and service mount
technologies - along with a range of
advanced factory software.
The 6-Sigma system is one such
technique, ensuring that the product and
component defect rates always approach
zero. Another is the Enterprise Resource
Planning system, which integrates HHR
and customer inventory control, reducing
risk for all parties. Traditional quality
control practices are also strictly followed,
with all HHR factories holding ISO9000