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Workplace WondersOffices Supplies
Enhancing the operational efficiency and aesthetic appeal of workplaces is a winning formula for office supplies - just ask Asian manufacturers. AllDo Home Fashion (HK) Industries Co Ltd, for example, creates tasteful desktop items that project images of success and sophistication. "Most of them are in genuine or synthetic leather, such as PVC or PU. They can be ordered separately or as matching sets," advises Marketing Director Lily Sun. Hot sellers in the series include file holder model ADC4803-2 (27x18x18.5cm) with two compartments, and letter rack model ADC3514 (18x8.3x11.3cm). Another favourite product is the retro-style padded photo frame model ADB2437 (23.3x18.5x1.8cm). Other items sport more decorative elements, such as the scallop edges of memo-pad holder model ADC3513 (12x12.5x5cm), and contrasting triangle motifs on the sides of penholder with clock model ADC3017 (8x3.6x10.5cm). Ornate letter knife model ADC5201consists of a stainless steel blade, transparent-plastic handle and leather sheath. The desktop range also includes desk pads. "Black and brown are the most common colours for these items, but we can do different colours and sizes depending on the requirements and markets," Ms Sun advises. "We focus on quality and have a strong technology team." Technical tools, meanwhile, are the forte of Taiwan-based Golden Mechanical Industry Co Ltd, from which one firm favourite is rotary paper trimmer model LV-32. "It can trim up to 10 sheets of A4 or smaller sizes at one time, more than most other trimmers do," claims Sales Representative Joanne Lin. "Besides, this one has an elegant design." The trimmer comprises a steel rolling blade, stainless-steel table and replaceable cutting head. The young at heart will favour the company's portable car-shaped paper trimmer model LCH-20, which is designed for A5 paper or smaller sheets. "It has a handle and built-in pencil box below a transparent cutting table," explains Ms Lin, noting the ABS/acrylic model measures 28x14.5x4.5cm. Packing a punch Adding flair to documents, cards, photos and covers are Golden Mechanical's corner punches. "Each of them creates one of four rounded-corner effects - large rounded, small rounded, extra-small rounded or lip-shaped," Ms Lin says. The triangular device features two coloured sides, which can be in red, green, blue, black or orange. "When the coloured sides are pressed, a stainless-steel blade will be lowered to cut up to four sheets," Ms Lin explains. "The punches are especially good for crafts and handwork, and people often use them to make lovely cards," she says. Golden Mechanical's main markets are Europe and the US. "Besides supplying our own designs, we also work on an OEM basis," Ms Lin notes. Money matters in any business, and Zhejiang Nanxing Electronic Technology Co Ltd of the Chinese mainland finds strong demand for its currency counters and counterfeit detectors. "All businesses that handle cash can use our machines," maintains Manager Anne Zhang. One of them, banknote counter model NX-220B, tallies at a speed beyond 1,000 sheets a minute while checking for counterfeits. "Its hopper-stacker holds 160 new banknotes or 130 old ones, while an exterior display shows the count results to customers," Ms Zhang says. "Using ultraviolet light, this machine also does a basic check on any currency for fakes. Additionally, it can check US dollar and euro notes using magnetic technology while counting." Suitable for offices, banks, theatres or big stores, the counter (250x240x170mm) has a unit price of US$72 FOB Ningbo. "Our best markets include Bulgaria, Algeria, Panama, Korea, India and Indonesia, which have modestly valued currencies that require careful counting," Ms Zhang says. Up to the minute Time counts for plenty at Nito Int'l Ltd, a Hong Kong supplier of versatile work-time recorders such as model NT-7100T. "This calculating time recorder tabulates and reports on each employee's total working hours, overtime, tardiness and more," says Marketing Manager Ivy Wan, adding that workers simply need to insert cards when arriving or leaving. "Easy to program and operate, it saves management's time and cuts costs by making precise calculations. It is a compact, efficient solution to time-recording needs," Ms Wan maintains. Measuring 187x213x130mm, the device boasts password-protected controls. Another smash hit is fingerprint-reading model TA-920, a time-attendance and door-lock control system. "If linked to locks, the system can open selected doors as authorised employees gain clearance by placing fingers on a 16x16mm scan area. "This is especially useful to companies with restricted areas where not all staff members are allowed," explains Ms Wan. The system data downloads onto USB flash drives, so there is no need for a long cable to connect to a computer. In addition, the gadget (180x140x45mm) has multilingual capabilities - English, German, French, Spanish, Korean and Chinese - and is encased in ABS with an oil-spray finish. "We keep improving our products by adding special features," says Ms Wan. "For example, some of our time recorders have red and green lights that indicate if workers arrive late or leave early." Nito also produces laminators, binding machines and heavy-duty shredders. The vast array of stylish and functional office supplies available from Asia are truly workplace wonders that ensure smooth business operations every day. TEXT BY JOHN CAIRNS FAST FACTS
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