Made in Hong Kong

The term “Made in Hong Kong” used to mean something. An industrial capital in the 60s through to the 80s, Hong Kong used to be known for knocking out high-quality products (especially garments and electronics) at an unbeatable pace. But as the cost of running a factory here skyrocketed in comparison to that on the mainland, manufacturers began moving across the border. Nowadays it’s common to talk about how we import everything and make nothing ourselves anymore.

But that’s not entirely true. Some Hong Kong manufacturers insist on holding the fort here, and many have made a name for themselves internationally with products that still win the world over through their uniqueness and quality. Here are some homegrown brands Hong Kong can be truly proud of.

Wah Ngai Canvas

Thirty years ago—well before the red, white and blue-striped material become synonymous with Hong Kong among international travelers—Lee Wah was selling it in Sham Shui Po. Hailed as “the father of red-white-blue” by the local press, Lee was the original pioneer who came up with the idea of using the canvas to make travel bags—ones often used by Hong Kongers to transport necessities to their relatives on the mainland.

Today, the 85-year-old is a living embodiment of the resilience and creativity that has kept Hong Kong going over the dacades. Aside from retailing and wholesaling the red-white-blue canvas, he has also been a typewriter repairer and a maker of school bags, military bags, suitcases and travel bags for airlines such as Cathy Pacific. Many of these products have fallen out of demand over time, and these days there’s a scarce supply of accessories available from nearby factories, but Lee’s zeal still persists. “I keep making things from whatever ideas come to mind,” he says. From modest green shopping bags to coverings for baby pushchairs, Lee is happy to tailor-make articles for customers both foreign and local. His creations even still attract copycats.
214 Yee Kuk St., Shum Shui Po, 2748-7311.

Tak Chong Sum Kee Bamboo Steamer Company

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly when bamboo steamers were first invented. But Tak Chong Sum Kee is the last remaining bamboo steamer company in town. Piled up in its shop are 100 percent handmade giant steamers, the kind normally found in Chinese restaurants. The craft was brought over to Hong Kong from Guangzhou by manager Raymond Lam’s father in the 1950s. Eventually Lam, who can make a regular-sized steamer in 15 minutes, inherited the craft and company from his father. As rents rose and new manpower dwindled, production started moving to mainland China in the 1980s. But even today Lam still tailor-makes special orders for clients himself. The company’s major orders come from both local and overseas Chinese restaurants.