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Study on metals and light engineering industries underway

The Industry Department has commissioned the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and a consulting firm, Arthur D Little, to conduct a techno-economic and market research study on Hong Kong's metals and light engineering industries (MLEI).

A contract for the study was signed today (Friday) by Assistant Director- General of Industry, Mr Sidney Chan, Branch Director (Material and Process) of HKPC, Dr S W Lui, and Manager of Arthur D Little, Mr Jeffrey MacCorkle.

Speaking at the contract-singing ceremony, Mr Chan said: "Increasing competition has made it necessary for Hong Kong's manufacturers to aggressively pursue measures for strengthening their capabilities, productivity and competitiveness."

Mr Chan said the objectives of the study were to identify the strength and weakness of Hong Kong's MLEI and to find out the local, regional and global trends affecting the industries.

"It also seeks to identify opportunities to expand markets internationally for Hong Kong's MLEI products and to leverage technology and product development for increased value added," he said.

Under this study, the Hong Kong MLEI which include 13 industries are categorised into four groups, namely existing MLEI product industries, other product industries, components industry and supporting industries.

The existing MLEI product manufacturing sector incorporates machinery and equipment (industry and office machinery), watches and clocks, jewellery, optical goods, metal products and mould and die making.

Other product industries are normally not classified as MLEI, but require strong support from the components industry. These include office automation equipment, photographic goods, electrical appliances, audio and video equipment.

The components industry produces precision components by various manufacturing processes such as metal cutting, forming, and casting fabrication supported by mould and die making, metal finishing, the treatment and basic metals.

The techno-economic and market research study features, among other things, an "international market analysis" and "international assessment of competitors".