HKPC Builds Intelligent Production Line for Local Beverage Manufacturer Utilising “i4.0” Technologies to Achieve Advanced Manufacturing for the Development of High Value-added Industries in Hong Kong

(Hong Kong, 11 January 2022) The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is committed to assisting manufacturing industry to transform, upgrade and boost productivity, as well as tackling traditional manufacturers’ pain points with the adoption of advanced technologies. HKPC is delighted to announce the signing of a collaboration agreement today with local beverage manufacturer Transform (Hong Kong) Company Limited (Transform) to commission HKPC for the design and development of an intelligent production line. HKPC offers “one-stop” comprehensive technical support for optimising the production process, increasing the production capacity and quality to meet the huge market demand. HKPC meanwhile provides professional consultancy services for projects to apply the “Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme” of the Innovation and Technology Commission (ITC) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, encouraging enterprises to make good use of technologies for upgrading and transformation.

Transform is a local manufacturer of healthy alkaline drinking water. Since its establishment in Hong Kong in 2014, it has long been facing the problems of land shortage and high wage. Traditional production line mainly relies on employee’s experience in monitoring the quality and operating the system, which lacks forward-looking vision and data analysis, preventing products from expanding into other markets with high demand. HKPC understands the operational pain points of Transform and has tailor-made a highly automated and intelligent production line for the company. Through setting up a real-time data visualization system, the whole production process can be monitored to ensure the safety and traceability of products. Data can be used to analyse and establish predictive maintenance, and avoid losses caused by unexpected failures and shutdowns, making it more convenient for enterprises to control output.

Mr Edmond Lai, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC, said, “HKPC is committed to supporting the industries in terms of scientific R&D and technology, and helping local industries to enhance their productivity and competitiveness by utilising Industry 4.0 (i4.0) technologies. This collaboration with Transform symbolises a milestone of the beverage industry moving towards ‘advanced manufacturing’. It is hoped that the project will be a reference for the industry and enhance manufacturers’ confidence in setting up high value-added production lines in Hong Kong. Intelligent production lines also help optimise production procedures, ensure product quality, and increase market confidence in “Made in Hong Kong” products in the long run, assisting enterprises in tapping business opportunities. HKPC will continue to cooperate with the Government in strengthening the cooperation of ‘the Government, industry, academic and research sectors’ and promote the development of high value-added industries in Hong Kong in terms of talents, capital, technology and scientific research.”

Mr Albert Lok, Managing Director of Transform, said, “We have always been looking for smarter ways to increase productivity and expand the market. HKPC’s team has attentively listened to our business needs, then conducted evaluation and created plant layout. It is expected the intelligent production line will greatly enhance efficiency and production capacity, significantly increasing the outputs from 2,000 bottles of water to 14,000 bottles per hour, and saving plant land, manpower and production time. It can especially avoid waste of defective products caused by human error, which helps promote the sustainable development of the company and increase its profitability. We are very confident in this project. We also look forward to expand the brand into the Southeast Asian market for more business opportunities when it is officially put into operation in year end.”

This project is applying for the ITC of the HKSAR Government’s “Research and Development Cash Rebate Scheme” which encourages enterprises to make good use of technologies for upgrading and transformation.

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Mr Edmond Lai, Chief Digital Officer of HKPC (left), and Mr Albert Lok, Managing Director of Transform (HK) Co., Ltd. (right), signed a cooperation agreement in which HKPC will develop an intelligent production line for the company to optimise production process and productivity. The new intelligent production line is expected to enter production in late 2022.