Ricky Cheng is a co-founder of Casablanca which was established in 1993 and specialises in the design, manufacture, distribution and retail of bedding products in the high-end and premium markets. Mr Cheng now oversees the product design and development, marketing and branding activities, as well as the expansion of the sales network. Casablanca started from humble beginnings with a limited portfolio comprising just three patterns of bed linens, and now launches about 200 new bedding designs and patterns each year. The company was listed (stock code 2223) in November 2012.

Keeping in mind the belief to provide customers with high quality products at reasonable prices, Mr Cheng adheres to three principal philosophies in product development: contemporary, functional and innovation. Mr Cheng devotes considerable effort to new product development by introducing new materials, such as special fibres for bedding products, to create the “Milk Protein Quilt” and the “Soybean Quilt,” which offer specific properties such as far infrared, anti-bacteria, breathable and sweat wicking.

Mr Cheng’s commitment to quality has contributed to the company’s accreditation with ISO9001 certification since 2007. Its emphasis on quality also extends to the sourcing of raw materials so that Casablanca is authorised to use the “Cotton USA Mark” and “Woolmark” logos. Casablanca has been a Shenzhen Top Brand since 2009, a Hong Kong Top Brand since 2012, a Metro Radio U CHOICE living brand – Quality Bedding Product in 2012 and a Guangdong Famous Trademark in 2013.

Mr Cheng has also built an extensive sales network for Casablanca, a total of 382 points of sale as at 31 December 2012, covering 82 cities in well-developed areas across Greater China, and is now one of the market leaders in Hong Kong’s bedding textile market. According to Euromonitor’s research in 2012, Casa Calvin ranked No 1 in the Hong Kong premium bedding products market and among the top five brands in that market segment in the Mainland, while Casablanca ranked No 2 in the Hong Kong high-end bedding products market and among the top 10 brands in that market segment in the Mainland. They captured a 30.6 per cent and 19.5 per cent market share in the respective markets in 2011 in Hong Kong.

Mr Cheng is a frequent speaker at forums to promote the “Hong Kong Brand” about which he is very enthusiastic. He is also eager to offer his insights into bedding products and the home textiles trade and to nurture talent in the industry by organising internship programmes, scholarships and design competitions.

Judges' Comments:

- Establishes sales network across different regions

- Willingness to take on challenges

- Succeeds in brand development

- Develops products with new materials

Emily Cheung, the second generation of the family business, returned in 2001 to this leader of toys and electronic products manufacturing. Under her leadership, Tsuen Lee Group grew exponentially from 2,000 staff to over 15,000 today and merged with different business sectors. It is now one of the largest world-class manufacturers with certified ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, ICTI, GSV and GMP, etc.

Ms Cheung has strengthened the Group’s core business by extending the OEM networks serving many major global brands. Besides managing the company’s finance and investment, she also expanded the Group’s business with a Hong Kong-created cartoon “Ming the Minibus”, a popular local English education cartoon, which is being broadcast on NOW TV and in Korea and the Middle East. The Group has introduced its own designs, development and sourcing of consumer products for the retailing of the cartoon. The Group’s retail business has also expanded through the setting up of Bon Bear Creation Palace, a toy and children product specialty store in Hong Kong; Bonbonniere, a new chic fashion brand which focuses on children’s apparel and accessories; and Maisons which specialises in prestigious lifestyle brands.

She has also established an indoor playground (E Cube Club Playhouse) in Hong Kong. It is a safe and hygienic entertainment centre for families. Under her management, it has become one of the leading indoor playgrounds in Hong Kong and has recently expanded to the Mainland.

Ms Cheung believes that employees are valuable assets to successful enterprises and is keen to balance CSR and business growth. She understands the needs of employees and is concerned with their problems, hence she has implemented policies including the daycare centre, kindergarten, family dormitory, healthy working environment, environmentally friendly factory, in an endeavor to create a prosperous career path for staff. The Group has been certified with HKQAA-HSBC CSR Index (launched by the Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency and HSBC) and Gold Award of HSBC Living Business – People Caring Award and Gold Award in Green Achievement Award. She has created a harmonious working environment and led the Group to become a reputable and respected enterprise which upholds its core value: well-being for all stakeholders.

As the Vice-Chairperson of the Hong Kong Toys Council and Vice President of The Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong, she is committed to the sustainability of the Hong Kong toy industry.

Judges' Comments:

- Values human capital demonstrates superb leadership

- Brilliant market sense

- Commits to betterment of the community

In 2000, Norman Lee joined his family business Lee & Man Group which was principally engaged in handbag manufacturing. To strengthen and reinforce the profitability and efficiency of Lee & Man, he decided to develop new business prospects.

Supported by ample market research, Mr Lee developed a Chloromethanes (“CMS”) manufacturing business and set up Lee & Man Chemical Company Ltd (Lee & Man) in 2006. CMS is an organic compound that is primarily used for producing air conditioning refrigerants, adhesives and pharmaceutical solvents. Currently the Company achieved a 15 per cent market share in the PRC.

As the Managing Director of Lee & Man, Mr Lee is responsible for its corporate strategic planning and daily operations. The Company strives to become a low cost producer by vertically integrating the upstream CMS products and downstream products such as eco-friendly refrigerants, engineering plastics, non-stick surfactants and synthetic resins for anti-corrosive coatings. The Company will focus on the production of the afore-mentioned chemicals, to further enhance the Company’s competitiveness.

Appreciating the importance of innovation, Mr Lee aims to invest at least three per cent of the Company’s turnover into R&D, and Lee & Man Research Institute has been set up in 2013. Lee & Man has already obtained 15 patents, including the world’s first technology – conversion of Carbon Tetrachloride, an ozone depleting substance, into Chloroform.

Mr Lee puts production safety and environmental protection as top priorities. Lee & Man successfully developed an energy saving process, which consumes 10 per cent less electricity than the industry standard. The Company is one of the first to obtain Safety Management Standardisation Grade II in Jiangsu, and was recognised by the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Association with the “Award of National Science and Technology Progress” in 2009. It is also accredited with ISO14000, and identified as a “Demonstration Project from Ministry of Environmental Protection of the PRC” and a “Model Enterprise of Safety Standardisation” in Jiangsu.

Mr Lee is a Member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Jiangxi, and a Court Member of the Hong Kong Baptist University. He has also established an education fund which grants scholarships and internships to outstanding students in Jiangsu. Mr Lee is the Vice President of the Hong Kong Rangers Football Club, which has supported the Youth Soccer Sport Programme since 2002. He also sponsors IVE scholarships for budding young players aspiring for a career in soccer.

Judges' Comments:

- Knowledgeable on the industry

- Entrepreneurial

- Promotes business transformation

Daisy Mok is responsible for the company’s business development. She joined the company in 2001 and worked in the Sales & Marketing Department. At that time most high-end watch manufacturers relied on the resources and materials imported from Japan and Switzerland since they lacked confidence in locally produced watch hands and materials. Recognising such problem, Ms Mok started to consider designing and producing in-house watch hands and materials for watch manufacturers.

Through consistent R&D, Ms Mok has built up the business of producing high-end watch hands and accessories, and Biu Chun has now shifted the focus to the invention and continued development of watch hand technology, and developed its own brand Biu Chun. She has also led the company to achieve numerous international standards, such as ISO14000, SA8000, as well as comply with the two EU directives RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive) and REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals).

To achieve sustainable business growth, Ms Mok has put a lot of resources into R&D to develop automation equipment and machinery to improve quality and productivity. In 2012, Ms Mok introduced ERP systems to enhance operational efficiency. Today, Biu Chun’s clientele covers the markets around the globe.

Ms Mok has also undertaken charity work through the Biu Chun Watch Hands Foundation of which she has been a Director since 2010. The Foundation provides financial assistance to young footballers from underprivileged families to receive secondary and tertiary education, makes donations to local universities and associations as well as the needy in the Mainland, and rendered financial support to school-building and renovation projects, medical services enhancement and scholarships in the Mainland.

Ms Mok is the Deputy President of St John Ambulance Brigade – Dental Care and Chairman of Xinhui Shuangshui Association in Hong Kong. She has taken up various positions in Xinhui, Jiangmen, such as being a Member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in Xinhui, Jiangmen, as well as the Honorary Principal of Qiaomei School, Director of Huaqiao Secondary School, and Deputy Chairman of the Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs in Xinhui, Jiangmen. Ms Mok is also an Honorary Citizen of Jiangmen.

Judges' Comments:

- Confident

- Demonstrates superb leadership

- Passionate about the industry

Sunny Tan joined Luen Thai Holdings Ltd in 1999 after working in Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) as a financial analyst upon graduation from Stanford University with a MS degree. In his first few years at Luen Thai, Mr Tan established and led the corporate business development team with the primary objective of sourcing and executing merger and acquisition to establish strategic partnerships. Mr Tan also played an instrumental role in leading the initial public offering of Luen Thai in 2004 and the subsequent secondary offering, financially positioning Luen Thai for further strategic expansion.

Being the Group’s CFO and Executive Director (Footwear and Accessories), Mr Tan develops and executes business strategies, and oversees the footwear and accessories manufacturing business. In his early years, Mr Tan led Luen Thai to make several acquisitions and partnerships that spearheaded the expansion and development of Luen Thai’s footwear and accessories manufacturing business. Since he joined the company, Luen Thai’s revenue grew from US$330 million in 2000 to close on US$1 billion in 2012, while revenue of the footwear and accessories business has grown substantially and now accounts for over 25 per cent of the total business. Luen Thai has grown from a woven & knit apparel manufacturing company into a group of manufacturing companies in multiple product categories that supplies global brands and retailers around the world - including adidas, Coach, Dillard’s, Limited Brands, Ralph Lauren, Targus, and UNIQLO.

Mr Tan is devoted to the development of the textile and apparel industry in Hong Kong. He is the Executive Vice President of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Textile and Vice-Chairman of Group 12 (Knit garments and other goods) of the Federation of Hong Kong Industries. He also actively participates in many charity and community activities by being a Director at the Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Sun Yat-Sen Education and Charity Foundation, and Tan Siu Lin Family Charity Foundation; and Ambassador of Charity and Permanent Honorary Chairman of Quanzhou City. He is also Chairman of the Entrepreneurs’ Organisation Hong Kong Chapter and Advisory Board Member at the Centre of Family Business at the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Judges' comments:

- Successful in business development

- A triumphant entrepreneur

- Pragmatic and energetic

Ben Yeung joined Fujikon Industrial Holdings Ltd in 2002 and left for further study in 2005. After getting a MBA degree from Yale University, he returned to the Company in 2007. He now oversees business development and implements corporate strategies of the Company, which is engaged in the design, manufacture and sale of electro-acoustic products.

At the time he rejoined Fujikon, it was competing primarily in the ferocious mobile phone and gaming headsets markets and had been stagnating in new technologies development. Nevertheless, through market research and observation, he realised the audio market was undergoing a revolution – headphones and headsets would become status symbols rather than just audio products, and the emergence of new technologies that enable smart devices would soon transform and drive the next audio revolution.

Understanding that fragmentation in wireless technologies would only hinder adoption in a “connected” world, he relentlessly pursued new technologies for headphones and headsets and narrowed the company’s focus on Bluetooth, a multipurpose wireless protocol whose audio transmission potential was still untapped. Mr Yeung’s foresight eventually opened a new pathway for the company and propelled Fujikon to become one of the foremost manufacturers of Bluetooth headphones and headsets.

Seeing that smart devices could bring about an upheaval in the audio industry, Mr Yeung also spearheaded the R&D team to research on the new technologies of smart devices such as near-field communication (NFC), multi-touch, wireless-charging, as well as biometric, proximity and gyroscopic sensors, and to apply such technologies to the smarter headphones and headsets. He has gradually transformed Fujikon into an innovative, technology-focused enterprise and a leading electro-acoustic manufacturer. In 2013, Fujikon has received “Grand Award” of HKEIA Award for Outstanding Innovation and Technology Products.  The gross profit of Fujikon rose from HK$183 million in 2010-11 to HK$325 million in 2012-13, representing an increase of 77 per cent.

Mr Yeung and his staff actively participate in CSR initiatives, including “Strive for Success,” the Tuen Mun District Self-Enhancement Training Programme and Award Scheme (2011-12), and the company received the “Caring Company” certificate in 2013 and the “Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award 2013” from The Mirror magazine. Mr Yeung is currently an advisor at the Yan Chai Hospital Board Office, and he is also a member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Sihui.

Judges' Comments:

- Commits to uplifting the technology level of the Company

- Great vision in market trend

- Innovative