INDUSTRY AND TRADE
88
Hong Kong Productivity Council
The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) was established by statute in 1967 to promote increased productivity of industry in Hong Kong. It is financed by an annual government subvention and by fees earned from its services. The council consists of a chairman and 22 members appointed by the Governor. Its membership is drawn from the management, labour, academic and professional fields and from related government departments.
HKPC has about 500 staff members with expertise in a wide range of disciplines. It provides a variety of training programmes, industrial and management consultancies and technical support services, using resources available in its 10 operational divisions: Computer Services, Electronics Services, Engineering Services, Chemical and Metallurgy, Manufacturing Engineering, Textiles and Apparel, Industrial Consultancy, Training, En- vironmental Management and Information Services.
Its facilities include two training centres (in Mong Kok and Central District); electronics data processing facilities; microprocessor application, industrial chemistry, metal finishing, heat treatment, die casting and environmental control laboratories; a computer-aided design service centre and computer-aided manufacturing workshop; a technical reference library, and an on-line information retrieval service.
In 1990, satisfactory progress was made in implementing the second-year plan of productivity-enhancement services endorsed by the Industry Development Board. The - surface mount technology laboratory, radio frequency and digital communication lab- oratory and photo-chemical machining laboratory commenced operation with steady demand from industry for consultancy and practical training services. Installation and commissioning of the sheet metal processing laboratory were completed during the year.
There was sustained demand from industries for HKPC's consultancy and technical support services. In 1989-90, HKPC undertook over 1 000 consultancy projects, including feasibility studies, production management, new plant projects, environmental manage- ment, quality management, product development and industrial automation services.
HKPC organised some 517 training programmes for 13 220 participants, covering management and supervisory techniques, advanced programming and electronic data processing, and a range of technology programmes for various industries. There was sustained demand for in-plant courses and 77 programmes were organised during the year to meet the specific training needs of individual companies.
HKPC also ran exhibitions on automation technology, computer software and clothing technology. Ten overseas study missions were organised for local industrialists to gain first-hand information on the latest technology in various areas, including hot metal working, textiles dyeing and finishing, garment manufacturing automation, clothing manufacturing, electroplating, dies and moulds manufacturing, environmental manage- ment, tape automated bonding and on such management techniques as Total Quality Control and Just-In-Time.
In line with its long-term policy to corporatise and eventually privatise industry support activities, HKPC established in 1990 three wholly-owned subsidiary limited liability companies respectively engaged in the business of industrial design, provision of heat treatment services and demonstration of advanced clothing manufacturing technologies.
Construction of the council's new headquarters in Kowloon Tong was completed in late 1990.