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Product Magazines: Product Trends |
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PRODUCTS manufactured using recycled materials have a broad appeal. Concern about the environment is widespread and many customers will opt to pay more for recycled products because they want to contribute towards the preservation of the natural environment.
CW Chan, general manager of Topclass Paper Products Co Ltd, recognises this phenomenon and his company seeks to utilise recycled paper in the manufacture of its range of paper bags, envelopes, rope, gift boxes and even belts. "The recycled paper comes from the US, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and New Zealand," Chan says. It is used, sometimes in combination with virgin paper, to manufacture the products in the two 2,000-square-foot factories belonging to the Swallow and Pan Yu company in China. Each plant employs 300 workers.
Topclass produces paper rope in 15 different colours and four different gauges of thickness. These are principally used to make the handles for carrier bags and for wrapping packages. The handles are strong and will support a considerable weight. Prices for paper rope vary according to gauge and the quality of paper used in manufacture. They are available upon request from the company.
The company also makes belts in a wide variety of colours and colour combinations. Prices range from US$0.50 to US$1.40 FOB Hong Kong.
Alternative applications are up to the buyers' imagination, Chan says.
Topclass's major markets are Europe and the US but Chan says he is seeking marketing opportunities worldwide. The minimum order value Topclass accepts is US$5,000 and deliveries arrive 45 days after order confirmation.
Written by Roger Cave
HOT food is a luxury to many long-distance drivers. They must stop at a cafe or restaurant and pay a premium price for service, environment and preparation. In some parts of the world, roadside food is expensive; in others, none is available at all.
Lap Fung Trading Co markets the 12V DC portable stove, which was designed with such travellers in mind. The stove is made of durable polypropylene from Japan, PTC from Hong Kong and aluminium from South Korea. It looks like a tool kit or lunch box and runs off electricity from the cigar lighter port on the dashboard of the car or truck.
An element in the base of the stove then heats the unit to 300 degree F (150 degree C or Gas Mark 2), which is sufficient to heat pre-prepared food and cook certain simple dishes. Hot dogs will cook in about five minutes, rice in 30 and canned food in about 20, provided good surface contact is made with the base of the stove. Baby food jars or bottles warm up in 3-5 minutes. The stove has a capacity of 1.14 litres.
Executive manager Anita Pang believes the product will appeal to "long-distance lorry drivers, holiday makers, sportsmen, hill walkers, picnickers and families with young children".
As the stove draws 150 Watts from the battery of the vehicle, it is important that the engine is kept running at frequent intervals to avoid draining the battery. The stove uses what Lap Fung calls a "PTC Thermistor Ceramic" base to store and distribute heat.
Lap Fung has been in the marketing field since 1969, specialising in electronic products and auto accessories. The company holds an ISO 9002 award.
The company's one million-square-foot, 3,000-worker factory in Shenzhen, China, produces 20,000 units each month. Marketing efforts have been successful in the US and Europe. Lap Fung will focus its attention on these markets with the 12V stove. It is also looking to expand to other potential markets worldwide.
Minimum order size is 500 pieces, delivery takes 45-60 days after final order confirmation and the unit price is US$13.50.
Written by Roger Cave
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