HKPC Introduces Innovative Design Methodology to Local SMEs

At the TRIZ International Dissemination Seminar organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today (4 November 2005), local product designers and manufacturers were urged to adopt the TRIZ methodology to generate innovative products and solutions.

TRIZ, the Russian acronym for "The Theory of Inventive Problem Solving", was developed from the study of more than two million successful patents in the world. Presenting the TRIZ concept and its applications in international corporations, as well as successful cases in Hong Kong, the Seminar aimed to enhance the innovative capabilities of local small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Speaking at the opening of the Seminar, Mr Joseph Poon, General Manager (CEPA Business Development & IP) of HKPC, said, “TRIZ is a proven method for companies to systematically enhance their innovative potential, achieving breakthroughs in product design and generating new intellectual property. Over the past 10 years, many multinational corporations and SMEs throughout Europe and the USA have been adopting TRIZ to increase their creativity.”

On the application of TRIZ in Hong Kong, Mr Poon said, “Innovation and creativity have become critical success factors for corporations to stay competitive. The TRIZ methodology is particularly useful for local SMEs involved in technology, design and engineering. It can also speed up manufacturers’ migration from Original Equipment Manufacturing (OEM) to Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and Original Brand Manufacturing (OBM).”

Other speakers at the Seminar included Mr Darrell Mann, Director of Ideal Final Result Consultants Ltd; Mr Matthew Driver, Director of Network China Ltd; Mr Chan Wai, Consultant (CEPA Business Development & IP) of HKPC; as well as the representatives of ASAT Ltd and Starlight International Holdings Ltd, both being participants of a TRIZ pilot company scheme.

With funding support from the Innovation and Technology Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government, the Seminar is part of the project entitled “Development of a Breakthrough Methodology for Innovation Driven Product Design for Local Industries”. Other programmes include the TRIZ Dissemination Seminar in Shenzhen (5 November), a series of workshops in Hong Kong (18 and 19 November) and Shenzhen (3 December), and a pilot company scheme.

For further details on the TRIZ project, please contact HKPC’s Ms Janice Yip at tel. (852) 2788 5471 or email: jankcyip@hkpc.org.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Ms Betty Lee
General Manager
Corporate Communications and Events
Tel: (852) 2788 5895
Fax: (852) 2788 5056
E-mail: justina@hkpc.org

4 November 2005