FHKI 2023 Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong & Industrialist of the Year Award

Prestigious Honour conferred on Xinyi Glass’s Dr Lee Yin-yee

 

 

　　The Federation of Hong Kong Industries (“FHKI”) proudly presented the 2023 Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong (“YIAH”) and the Industrialist of the Year (“IOY”) Award today (17th November). The Award presentation ceremony was graced by the presence of our Guest of Honour, Michael Wong, the Acting Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government. Dr Lee Yin-yee, Chairman and Executive Director of Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited, was honoured with the prestigious IOY Award. Additionally, six outstanding young industrialists were recognised with the 2023 YIAH and they are (in alphabetical order): Calvin Chan Wai-pong, Chief Executive Officer of Optimix (Hong Kong) Limited; Dr Felix Chow Bok-hin, Executive Chairman of Niche-Tech Semiconductor Materials Limited; Tony Lam Wai-fung, Chief Executive Officer of Hanson Precision Technology Limited; Jeffrey Tan Shaw-ying, Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Luen Thai Group Limited; Vivian Mak Tang Wai-man, Executive Director of Wai Yuen Tong Medicine Holdings Limited, and Simon Yeung Chun-kin, Executive Director of Biel Crystal Holdings Limited.

 

　　Michael Wong, the Acting Financial Secretary of the SAR Government, thanked FHKI for continuously encouraging young people to join the industrial sector and commended the outstanding leaders who have made significant contributions to the industry. He congratulated the award recipients and said, "Your innovative thinking, forward-looking vision, and unwavering spirit are important forces driving the development of new industrialization and advancing societal progress for Hong Kong.” Highlighting the Government's commitment, he emphasised that favorable conditions will be continually created for the industry, spanning scientific research and infrastructure. He hopes FHKI and all present to unite efforts, bolstering the Hong Kong industry and driving it towards new heights of success.

 

　　Steve Chuang, Chairman of FHKI, extended his heartfelt congratulations to IOY and YIAH Awardees.  In his speech, Chairman Chuang highlighted that the 2023 Policy Address had identified I&T and new Industrialisation as the cornerstone for Hong Kong's future development, emphasising the huge demand for talent in these areas. The Industrialist Awards serve to identify and recognise our talent, enriching Hong Kong's talent pool. Chairman Chuang further stated, "Hong Kong must attract, retain, and nurture talent, as well as acknowledge and encourage them. The IOY and YIAH winners are exceptional industrialists who have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields. They have inspiring stories to share about their entrepreneurial and business endeavours, as well as valuable experience and wisdom to pass on. These Awards not only pay tribute to all of such industrialists for their outstanding achievements but also recognise the spectrum of diversity amongst Hong Kong's entrepreneurs, who have made and will continue to make significant contributions to the future development of I&T in both to our motherland and Hong Kong."

 

Dr Lee Yin-yee, the winner of the 2023 IOY Award, expressed his appreciation, stating, "Receiving the 'Industrialist of the Year Award 2023' further propels my commitment to guide the Xinyi Group towards even greater achievements. Our steadfast dedication to pioneering innovative advancements, aligning with national development strategies, and realising our aspirations remains unwavering. Our aim is to elevate 'Xinyi' to a globally recognised brand. At the same time, we acknowledge our responsibility to contribute positively to society. With an attitude of gratitude and unwavering dedication, we strive to build a brighter and better tomorrow."

 

Dr Lee Yin-yee established Xinyi Glass in Shenzhen in 1988, focusing on manufacturing automotive glass. Under his leadership, Xinyi Glass gradually expanded its business and went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2005. Over the course of nearly four decades, Xinyi Group has grown into a global leading integrated glass manufacturer. The group is dedicated to producing high-quality float glass, automotive glass, energy-saving architectural glass, and more. With 13 major production bases worldwide and a workforce of around 30,000, Xinyi Group's sales network covers over 160 countries and regions.

 

The Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong were established by FHKI in 1988 to recognise young industrialists between the ages of 21 and 45 who have achieved outstanding success in their respective industries. In 2002, FHKI introduced the Industrialist of the Year Award, which has no age restrictions and is presented annually to industrialists who have made significant contributions to Hong Kong's industries, economy, and community. Both the IOY and YIAH recipients undergo a rigorous assessment by the judging panel. Including this year's awardees, a total of 23 IOY recipients and 257 YIAH recipients have been recognised.

 

Profiles and acceptance speeches of the IOY and YIAH awardees can be found in the Appendix.

 

Photo 1: FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang

 

Photo 2: Michael Wong, the Acting Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, honoured the ceremony with his presence as the Guest of Honour.

Photo 3: The 2023 IOY Award was conferred on Dr Lee Yin-yee, Chairman and Executive Director of Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited.

 

 

Photo 4: Michael Wong, the Acting Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government (right 4) and FHKI Chairman Steve Chuang (right 4) posed for a group photo with the winners of 2023 YIAH.

 

• Dr Lee Yin-yee, Chairman and Executive Director of Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited (right 3)

• Calvin Chan Wai-pong, Chief Executive Officer of Optimix (Hong Kong) Limited (left 3)
• Dr Felix Chow Bok-hin, Executive Chairman of Niche-Tech Semiconductor Materials Limited (right 2)
• Tony Lam Wai-fung, Chief Executive Officer of Hanson Precision Technology Limited (left 2) 
• Jeffrey Tan Shaw-ying, Group Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Luen Thai Group Limited (right 1)
• Simon Yeung Chun-kin, Executive Director of Biel Crystal Holdings Limited (left 1)

*Vivian Mak Tang Wai-man, Executive Director of Wai Yuen Tong Medicine Holdings Limited, was unable to attend the ceremony.

 

Photo 5: Onstage, guests of the ceremony, award winners, and FHKI leadership team came together for a commemorative group photo.

 

*Please visit here for higher resolution photos.

Media Enquiries:

Tel: 2732 3156 / 2732 3154
E-mail: media@fhki.org.hk 

 

Appendix: Awardees of 2023 “Industrialist of the Year Award” and “Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong”

Industrialist of the Year Award

Dr Lee Yin-yee Chairman and Executive Director, Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited

With his exceptional foresight and visionary approach, Dr Lee Yin-yee identified a significant business opportunity and established Xinyi Glass in Shenzhen, focusing on manufacturing automotive glass, in 1988. Under Dr Lee's leadership, Xinyi Glass experienced gradual and steady business growth. In February 2005, Xinyi Glass successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Over the course of nearly four decades, Xinyi Group has become a world-leading integrated glass manufacturer, specialising in high-quality float glass, automotive glass, energy-saving glass, architectural glass, and more. Xinyi Group subsequently spun off three companies for separate listings, namely Xinyi Solar, Xinyi Energy, and Xinyi Electric Storage. Both Xinyi Glass and Xinyi Solar were included as constituent stocks of the Hang Seng Index. With 13 major production bases and a dedicated workforce of approximately 30,000 employees, Xinyi Group's sales network extends across more than 160 countries and regions worldwide.

Acceptance speech:
"Receiving the 'Industrialist of the Year Award 2023' further propels my commitment to guide the Xinyi Group towards even greater achievements. Our steadfast dedication to pioneering innovative advancements, aligning with national development strategies, and realising our aspirations remains unwavering. Our aim is to elevate 'Xinyi' to a globally recognised brand. At the same time, we acknowledge our responsibility to contribute positively to society. With an attitude of gratitude and unwavering dedication, we strive to build a brighter and better tomorrow."

 

Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong (In alphabetical order)

Mr Chan Wai-pong, Calvin CEO, Optimix (Hong Kong) Limited

Established in 2000, Optimix Group is a comprehensive dry mortar enterprise that integrates product research and development, production, sales, and services. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Optimix has sales centres in Macau, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Zhuhai Its primary production bases are in Dongguan and Zhuhai, where all dry mortar products are subjected to stringent quality controls. Mr Calvin Chan, who possesses a Bachelor's degree in Management and Marketing from Northeastern University in the U.S. and an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) degree from Tsinghua University, brings his vast market and business experience to the family enterprise. He leads Optimix in developing green technologies and smart manufacturing. The new Zhuhai production base of Optimix incorporates modern, low-carbon, and smart manufacturing concepts in line with the principles of "Industry 4.0". This enables the delivery of dry mortar products with low carbon emissions to customers.

 Acceptance Speech:

"Firstly, I am profoundly grateful and humbled to receive the 'Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong' presented by FHKI. This is a significant acknowledgement and motivation for both me and Optimix to contribute further to the industry and society. Looking forward, Optimix and I will persist in researching and developing sustainable building materials whilst continually learning. I am convinced that our industry and society have immense potential to achieve greater success if we collaborate and utilise the advantage of 'strong support from the Motherland and close connections to the world'."

 

Dr Chow Bok-hin, Felix Executive Chairman, Niche-Tech Semiconductor Materials Limited

Niche-Tech is a technology company specialising in the research and development, manufacture, and sale of semiconductor packaging materials. Inspired by his family business, Dr Felix Chow co-founded Niche-Tech alongside his father, Prof Stephen Chow, in 2006. They invested in a factory in Shantou, Guangdong, and established a research and development centre. The company’s headquarter is now located in the Hong Kong Science Park, with branch offices in Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiwan and other locations. Responsible for the company’s overall management, strategic planning, and business development, Dr Chow brings nearly 20 years of experience in the semiconductor packaging materials industry to the role. Under his leadership, the company to went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange’s GEM board in 2018, becoming the largest bonding wire manufacturer in Hong Kong and the second-largest domestic brand supplier in the Mainland market.

Acceptance speech:
“I would like to express my profound gratitude to FHKI for bestowing this award upon me. It serves not only as a personal accomplishment but also as recognition of my team’s contributions to the semiconductor advanced materials sector and society at large. My gratitude extends to my colleagues who’ve worked alongside me over the years. Looking ahead, we will continue to propel technological innovation in the field of new materials. We also plan to foster further cooperation with Hong Kong research institutions and universities to bolster the competitiveness of domestic products.”

 

Mr Lam Wai-fung, Tony Chief Executive Officer, Hanson Precision Technology Limited

Mr Tony Lam is distinguished by an exemplary academic background and over two decades of experience in the watchmaking industry. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Honolulu University in the U.S. and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Systems from La Trobe University in Australia. One of Mr Lam's notable achievements lies in the field of revolutionary innovation in watchmaking. He dedicated eight years to surpassing Swiss watchmaking industry standards, successfully applying for over ten patents in the process. This has allowed him to exclusively penetrate the high-end market and set new technological standards. His automated production technology has significantly reduced labour costs by up to 70%, while simultaneously enhancing product quality to match that of Swiss high-end watches. This innovation has not only transformed the company's competitiveness but also elevated the entire Hong Kong industry's standards. Moreover, Mr Lam is deeply committed to ESG contributions. He actively participates in sustainable development projects with the aim of reducing the company’s carbon footprint.

Acceptance speech:
"I'd like to express my heartfelt gratitude to FHKI for honouring me with the 'Young Industrialists Awards of Hong Kong'. This award is a testament to the recognition of my efforts, my family's support, and my colleagues' dedication. Developing new technologies presents a challenging journey, often marked by repeated failures. Yet, after eight years of persistent effort, our company has successfully transitioned from traditional watchmaking to automatic processing. Looking ahead, Hanson will continue to uphold the principles of integrity and trustworthiness to lead the industry's development."

 

Mr Tan Shaw-ying, Jeffrey Group Deputy CEO, Luen Tai Group Limited

Established in 1965, Luen Thai Group provides manufacturing and supply chain services for a plethora of international clothing and luxury bag brands. Mr Jeffrey Tan joined the Group in 2004 and was appointed as the Group Deputy CEO in 2021. During his tenure, he has exhibited remarkable leadership in managing the merchandising team that serviced the company’s largest customer and implemented system developments within the apparel merchandising division. He also successfully spearheaded the reorganisation of the manufacturing business in Dongguan. Since 2008, Mr Tan has capitalised on Luen Thai’s supply chain capabilities, significantly aiding the development of Skechers in Mainland China. Under his stewardship, Luen Thai’s Mainland retail business has continually expanded, incorporating prestigious international brands such as LeSportsac into its portfolio. In recent years, Mr Tan led numerous significant initiatives within Luen Thai, including the establishment of the Dongguan Innovation and Technology Campus and the development of logistics centres in Taicang and Tianjin. He has also been at the forefront of planning and construction of the Taicang Skechers Asia-Pacific Logistics Centre. This leading centre of Asia has enhanced operational efficiency and supply chain capabilities while achieving logistic coverage throughout China.

Acceptance speech:
"I am deeply honoured to receive the 'Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong'. This award is a testament to not only my efforts but also the support of my family and the entire Luen Thai Group. In recent years, Luen Thai has been focused on the development of the Dongguan Innovation and Technology Campus, including an 'industrial advancement' in the Dongguan Industrial Park. We have expanded the total floor space from 240,000 square meters to 500,000 square meters, constructing a first-class industrial park in the Greater Bay Area. Additionally, Luen Thai has invested over RMB3 billion in developing the Skechers Asia-Pacific Logistics Centre in Taicang. The first phase, completed last year, has annual shipments exceeding 60 million pieces. The second phase is slated for completion in 2025. Moreover, Luen Thai is set to develop a logistics centre in Tianjin, effectively expanding our logistics coverage across all of China."

 

Mrs Mak Tang Wai-man, Vivian Executive Director, Wai Yuen Tong Medicine Holdings Limited

Founded in 1897, Wai Yuen Tong (WYT) is a venerable brand boasting a history spanning over 125 years. Adhering to its credo "Preparing Medicine with Dedication, Growing Strong with Reputation", WYT is committed to spreading the wisdom of the traditional Chinese medicine and catering to people’s healthcare needs. Mrs Vivian Mak Tang Wai-man joined WYT in 2016 and was appointed as an Executive Director in 2018. She is tasked with overseeing retail operations, managing sales channels, and formulating marketing strategies for both the Hong Kong and Macao markets of WYT. She is devoted to reforming the century-old traditional business by embracing innovation and modernisation, specifically through a meticulous revamp of product designs and communication strategies of WYT. She has successfully built a team for traditional Chinese medicine and developed Chinese medicine and health supplements, blasing a trail in the traditional Chinese medicine healthcare industry. Currently, WYT operates over 80 retail stores in Hong Kong and Macao, and nearly 30 stores in Mainland China. WYT employs nearly 84 Chinese medicine practitioners to provide consumers with one-stop traditional Chinese medicine outpatient services.

Acceptance speech:
“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to FHKI for awarding me the ‘Young Industrialist Awards of Hong Kong’. My team and I are deeply encouraged. Looking ahead, Wai Yuen Tong will uphold the principle of ‘Preparing medicine with dedication’, showcasing the ‘Made in Hong Kong’ traditional Chinese medicine products to the world and establishing Wai Yuen Tong as a globally influential brand.”

 

Mr Yeung Chun-kin, Simon Executive Director, Biel Crystal Holdings Limited

Since joining Biel Crystal in 2019, Mr Simon Yeung has been instrumental in propelling business development and group management, offering innovative solutions to boost operational efficiency. With his deep understanding of quantitative finance, big data analysis, and artificial intelligence, he has transformed the glass manufacturing process, optimised production line planning, and notably enhanced manufacturing efficiency. The innovative team led by Mr Yeung at Biel Crystal has successfully implemented the Industry 4.0 strategy, achieved a multitude of technological breakthroughs, and pioneered the industry’s first smart factory connected to 5G networks. His commitment to technological innovation has also led to six patented inventions, which include advancements in preparation and seamless lamination processes, injection mould structure, and colour film structure. Under Mr Yeung's leadership, Biel Crystal has actively collaborated with numerous esteemed universities and research institutions in Hong Kong and Mainland China, with the aim to identify and nurture promising companies or projects.

Acceptance speech:
"I am deeply grateful to FHKI for bestowing upon me this award! It signifies a massive recognition of my contributions. Transitioning from the finance industry to the manufacturing industry has endowed me with the ability to think outside the box and tackle problems from various perspectives. I firmly believe that repetitive and complex tasks should be supplanted by artificial intelligence, steering the company towards Industry 4.0. Despite the numerous challenges we encountered along the way, we have managed to overcome various obstacles with the unwavering support from my colleagues. I hope my journey can inspire more young individuals to immerse themselves in the Manufacturing sector, and push forward the new Industrialisation and Re-industrialisation in manufacturing with innovation and professional knowledge."