Page 29 - Sphere No.13 (Dec 2004)

early 80s, establishing its toys manufacturing

operations in southern China. The combination of

management expertise from Hong Kong, low produc-

tion costs in the Mainland and an established worldwide

network give the company a competitive edge that

overseas competitors find difficult to match.

PMW can utilise HHR’s knowledge, business

network and manufacturing capabilities in the Mainland

while Global Brands Group brings a great deal of experience

to PMW, having worked with WBCP in Europe for more than

12 years.

Leveraging on HHR’s hard-won expertise, PMW specialises

in opening the door for foreign companies wanting to

establish business connections in China – and for Chinese

companies looking to reach world markets.

“PMW amalgamates what HHR has accumulated as

a platform,” explains Ricky Ip, PMW’s General Manager –

Trading and Sourcing. “It is a vehicle that consolidates

HHR’s expertise in China and enables us to diversify

into areas beyond the manufacture of toys and

premium products.”

PMW provides local and overseas retailers advice and

assistance on a wide range of business needs to help

up-and-coming or experienced retailers to stay ahead not only

in the booming China market but in the rest of the world

as well. Its global sourcing & trading expertise helps

businesses through every stage of the cycle, turning concepts

into actual products and then bringing them to the

global marketplace.

Clients can also work with PMW to keep up with the latest

trends, news, consumer behaviour and market-sensitive

information pertaining to China. PMW’s team of professionals

in product development, manufacturing and sourcing can lay

the groundwork for companies to implement trouble-free

manufacturing services in the Mainland and, when the prod-

ucts are ready, assist in providing sales and marketing services.

For example, the tie-up with Warner Bros. establishes

a powerful formula for the way their branded products are

presented to consumers in the region in the future.

Merchandise is mainly targeted at the young and young-at-

heart, with lines for infants, the 8-14 age group, and

14 and above. Branded products are already being sold

through the “store in store” concept at selected outlets. The

first flagship “Warner Bros. Studio Store” – a speciality shop

that focuses on the total Warner Bros.

experience – is due to open in Shanghai in

2005, with many more to follow.

“This is an ongoing project,” says Ip. “In

future, we expect to have several hundred

point-of-sale stores in Hong Kong, China,

and Macau.”

The venture is off to a flying start. In July

2004, 15,000 visitors from more than 80

countries attended the Hong Kong

Licensing Show, held simultaneously with the

Summer Sourcing Show. A highlight of the

event was the first Premier Asian Licensing

Awards in which Warner Bros. was judged

“Best Licensing Agency of the Year” for its

Harry Potter promotion merchandise.

“Chinese consumers have awakened to

Western brands,” notes Ip. “Warner Bros.

entertainment is widely available in China and is shown on

terrestrial TV, so more and more Chinese consumers are

buying the branded items.”

“This is only the beginning,” Ip adds.

“We have a strong vision and we are ready

to talk to anyone who is looking for

a stepping-stone into China or a bridge

between China and the rest of the world, or

to source or sell products in any part of

the world.”

TO INTERNATIONAL TRADE