Once the day's news has been 'put to bed' and Hong Kong is sound asleep, a group of people work tirelessly to ensure readers have a paper to wake up to
Three hundred and forty-eight years at the South China Morning Post. That's the number of years 12 faithful workers in the Production department have chalked up. The figure rises to 353 years if the service of two of their sons is added.
Asked recently why they have stayed so long in the same jobs, the collective answer was: 'stability'. They also believe that their long years of service have added great value to the newspaper.
Johnny Yao Hun-kit, assistant production manager, who has spent 32 years at the Post, says change has been managed well by the department. 'Integration of new technology in the production department has always been step-by-step. This meant we were able to work in harmony through all the massive changes in the industry over the last three decades.'
Lo Siu-wing, printing supervisor, has the longest service with the company - 35 years. He admits there was a great deal of pressure when the Post began using computers in the 1960s. 'It was very scary. There were times when I felt my heart beating very fast. The Photons [first-generation computers] were very scary and I thought of leaving. But I had good bosses, who helped me through the different changes in machinery.'
Jason Leung Shiu-sang, production supervisor, is part of a husband-wife team. He and Winnie Lau, editorial typist, have been at the Post for 62 years. Jason has given 32 years to production and Winnie 30 to production and editorial. Leung says he has enjoyed the many changes, as 'a real challenge. They've kept the job fresh.'
Chan Kam-ting, press printer, is another one with 32 years of service. 'I'm never bored. I have respect for the job. The changes from manual to computerised work have been very interesting.' His son has been in the production department for two years.