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MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1991
GOVT CAMPAIGN SHIFTS QUALITY PERCEPTION
OF
THE GOVERNMENT'S QUALITY AWARENESS CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED IN MARCH LAST YEAR HAS BROUGHT ABOUT A NOTICEABLE SHIFT IN THE PERCEPTION QUALITY AMONG LOCAL MANUFACTURERS, ACTING DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF INDUSTRY, MR WILFRED WONG, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF A QUALITY MANAGEMENT SEMINAR, MR WONG SAID THE CAMPAIGN EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND QUALITY MANAGEMENT AS A VITAL INGREDIENT FOR CONTINUING BUSINESS SUCCESS.
HE SAID THE VITAL ISSUES OF QUALITY MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN MANUFACTURING MUST BE ADDRESSED.
"OUR TRADITIONAL OVERSEAS MARKETS HAVE BECOME MORE
MORE AFFLUENT. OUR CUSTOMERS MORE DISCERNING REGARDING THE QUALITY OF PRODUCTS THEY ARE PREPARED TO BUY. MANDATORY HEALTH AND SAFETY REQUIREMENTS HÅVE BECOME MORE STRINGENT," HE SAID.
AT THE SAME TIME, HE SAID, LAND AND LABOUR COSTS CONTINUED To RISE LEADING TO AN INCREASE IN THE COST OF PRODUCING GOODS IN HONG
KONG.
"AS A CONSEQUENCE, MANY
MANUFACTURING
OPERATIONS HAVE MOVED. INTO AREAS OF LOWER LAND AND LABOUR COSTS, PARTICULARLY SOUTH CHINA.
"HOWEVER THE MAJORITY OF MANUFACTURERS AND WILL CONTINUE TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE HERE.
REMAIN IN HONG KONd
"THE KEY TO THEIR CONTINUED SUCCESS WILL BE THE INCREASED ATTENTION PAID TO IMPROVING THE TECHNOLOGY APPLIED IN THEIR MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCTS," HE SAID.
MR WONG SAID DURING THE LAST 20 YEARS, QUALITY HAD EVOLVED FROM A NARROW TECHNICAL DISCIPLINE WHOSE MANDATE WAS TO DETECT MANUFACTURING PROBLEMS, TO A BROADER FIELD ENCOMPASSING ALL THE STAFF FROM TOP MANAGEMENT TO THE FACTORY FLOOR AND ALL STAGES OF THE MANUFACTURING OPERATION FROM DESIGN TO MARKETING.
"AS WE MOVE INTO THE QUALITY CONScious 1990'S, QUALITY NEEDS TO
BE RE-DEFINED AND LINKED DIRECTLY TO PROFITABILITY.
"IT MUST BE INCLUDED IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS WERE TO MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVE EDGE IN THE WORLD MARKET.
IF WE
"COMPANIES NEED TO DEVELOP MODERN QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS BASED HEAVILY ON THE COMMITMENT OF THEIR TOP MANAGEMENT AND FULLY
MOTIVATED EMPLOYEES.
"THE PRODUCTION OF WELL-DESIGNED PRODUCTS, BUILT FROM QUALITY MATERIALS, ARE LIKELY TO BE PRE-REQUISITES FOR FUTURE MANUFACTURING SUCCESS IN HONG KONG," HE SAID.
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