Clean Lines

Bathroom Accessories

Better Success Industrial Ltd gives a design twist to its modern stainless steel bathroom accessories by adding little blue feet

Stainless steel continues to surge in popularity, melding sophistication with durability to create a minimalist bathroom accessories look, while plastic and ceramic offer highly affordable alternatives in fashionable and fanciful styles

Manufacturers of stainless steel products are expanding into bathroom accessories, with the popular metal adding shine to sales. For example, some 20% of Better Success Industrial Ltd's stainless steel exports are now bathroom accessories.

"We started in this category about a year ago, and now offer 5-6 styles of bathroom sets as well as individual items," explains Sales Manager Eric Kwong. "These include items in brushed or polished stainless steel, with colour coatings and with ABS bodies or accents."

Mr Kwong notes that 95% of this business comprises open items, although the company also accepts OEM orders. "Most buyers request our four- or five-piece sets comprising toothbrush holder, cup, soap dish, dispenser and toilet brush and holder, and we are hoping to further expand our product range and markets," he notes.

He adds that customers are attracted by the quality look and easy cleaning of stainless steel. "We offer a number of different styles including our popular stainless steel set model QRS505 that comes complete with coloured, ABS feet."

The company's average price for a four-piece stainless steel set is US$15 FOB Hong Kong, or US$18 with toilet brush and holder. Europe is the company's biggest market, with the US an important destination for the toilet brush holders.

Kin Kei Hardware Industries Ltd also incorporates stainless steel into its huge range of steel, brass, zinc alloy, chrome, ceramic, plastic and glass bathroom accessories and fittings.

"We offer thousands of items and stainless steel continues to take the place of brass as it is rust-resistant and offers a clean look," notes General Manager Ken Leung. "Among our most popular products are six-piece matching sets combining paper holder, paper ring, double hooks, glass holder, soap holder and towel ring in brushed or polished stainless steel."

Catering to OEM customers seeking mid-market products, Kin Kei's main markets are Europe, the US and South America, although the company is actively seeking new markets.

"We are very interested in the Eastern European zone, and are targeting these markets through exhibitions, export agents and advertising," notes Mr Leung.

Meanwhile, bathroom accessories specialist Wai Lun Offset Printing Ltd offers about 10 types of products, of which 60% comes in sets, 20% is shower curtains, and 20% is in the form of bathroom mats and hooks.

"Our most popular products are bathroom sets in polyresin and plastic, and ceramic," notes Sales Manager Tony Tse. "Four- or five-piece bathroom sets are more popular than individual items, and customers favour round designs." On average, a four-piece plastic set costs US$2.20 FOB Hong Kong, while a ceramic set is priced at US$2.60.

The company relies on trade fairs, the Internet and advertising to market its products to major destinations such as South and Central America and the US, with other markets include France, Italy, Spain and Australia.

"However, wherever we export, good design leads the trend," Mr Tse says. "And for ceramic accessories, simple designs prove the most attractive."

Appealing to a different market segment is Botat Int'l Ltd, which targets the continuing trend for fun bathroom accessories that can double as ideal gifts and premiums.

"We produce about 10 items of bathroom accessories in a wide range of appealing animal and figure styles," explains Marketing Manager Yamma Hui. "Some 40% of our open items are bathroom accessories and our most popular range is Dommy Duck, which we launched in 2004."

This playful, yellow plastic duck features in items including a towel hook, towel ring, toothbrush clip, toothbrush bar stand, liquid soap container and sponge, liquid soap bottle, soap holder, duck in soap, cup stand, nail brush, mirror, bath plug, doorstop, and mother-and-baby squeaky bath toys.

"We have also expanded this range into desktop accessories," notes Ms Hui. "In addition, our Pose range, launched two years ago, is in high demand." This series of cute plastic figures in different poses is available in a variety of bathroom items and colours.

Other fanciful ranges include Jimmy Frog, Goo Goo Piggy, Moo Moo Cow, My Dog, Berry Bear and My Body. "We will also be adding other animal designs in 2008," adds Ms Hui.

Noting the dual appeal of the company's products, she adds, "Bathroom sets are popular with retailers, and single items - particularly the large soap dispenser that can take a big logo - appeal to the premiums market." The company's customers include companies such as Mannings in Hong Kong, Rejoice and several toothpaste brands.

"Our average unit price range is US$0.25-1.20 FOB Hong Kong for orders of between 3,000-5,000 pieces," notes Ms Hui. "Europe is our biggest market for bathroom accessories and the US, along with Japan and Australia."

Wherever the market, Hong Kong manufacturers are adding affordable style, function and fun to a small household room that is now quickly becoming synonymous with relaxation.

TEXT BY SANDRA JENNER

FAST FACTS

Better Success Industrial Ltd Unit 206, Mirror Tower 61 Mody Rd Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Hong Kong Tel: 852-2311-0191 Fax: 852-2728-5559 Email: better19@netvigator.com Web: www.better19.com.hk	Year Established: 1997 Major Product Categories: stainless steel products Brands & Certificates: - Minimum Order: 2,000 pieces Monthly Production Capacity: 150,000 pieces Delivery Time: 35 days Factory Size & Location: 28,000 square metres; Guangdong Workforce: 200
Botat Int'l Ltd Flat 9, 14/F Leader Ind Centre 57-59 Au Pui Wan St Fo Tan, New Territories Hong Kong Tel: 852-2690-5191 Fax: 852-2693-2361 Email: info@botat.com.hk Web: www.botat.com.hk	Year Established: 1978 Major Product Categories: plastic gifts & premiums Brands & Certificates: Dommy Duck, Jimmy Frog, Mr Pose, Goo Goo Piggy, Moo Moo cow Minimum Order: 3,000 pieces Monthly Production Capacity: - Delivery Time: 30-40 days Factory Size & Location: 2,000 square metres; Dongguan Workforce: 100
Hong Sheng Mfg Ltd Rm 1101 Shiu Lam Bldg 23 Luard Rd Wanchai Hong Kong Tel: 852-6273-4234 Fax: 852-8343-4280 Email: hs2@hongshengware.com Web: www.hongshengware.com	Year Established: 1996 Major Product Categories: wire products & stainless steel products Brands & Certificates: - Minimum Order: one TEU for wire products & 5,000 pieces for stainless steel products Monthly Production Capacity: 100,000 pieces wire products, 50,000 pieces stainless steel products Delivery Time: 35 days Factory Size & Location: 200,000 square feet; Jiangmen Workforce: 120
Kin Kei Hardware Industries Ltd Rm 704 Eastern Centre 1065 King's Rd Tai Koo Hong Kong Tel: 852-2561-6788 Fax: 852-2563-9115 Email: info@hardware.com.hk Web: www.hardware.com.hk	Year Established: 1973 Major Product Categories: bathroom accessories Brands & Certificates: Volar Minimum Order: - Monthly Production Capacity: - Delivery Time: 45 days Factory Size & Location: Zhongshan, Zheijiang Workforce: -
Plastmetic (HK) Mfy Ltd Unit 12, 18/F, Rear Blk Wah Fat Ind Bldg 10-14 Kung Yip St Kwai Chung, New Territories Hong Kong Tel: 852-2420-2168 Fax: 852-2489-2025 Email: info@plastmetic.com Web: www.plastmetic.com	Year Established: 1977 Major Product Categories: babycare products & bathroom accessories Brands & Certificates: Getty (Baby) & Sofee Home (Bathroom); BRC Certificate, ISO 9001 Minimum Order: 5,000 pieces per set Monthly Production Capacity: 80 containers Delivery Time: 30-45 days Factory Size & Location: 20,000 square metres; Dongguan Workforce: 250
Union Luxe Development Ltd Flat 6A, 7/F Thriving Ind Centre 26-38 Sha Tsui Rd Tsuen Wan, New Territories Hong Kong Tel: 852-2389-8848 Fax: 852-2763-5056 Email: info@unionluxe.com Web: www.unionluxe.com	Year Established: 1989 Major Product Categories: stainless steel stamping, furniture, kitchen appliances, bathroom accessories, cosmetic mirrors Brands & Certificates: ISO 9001 Minimum Order: 5,000 pieces Monthly Production Capacity: - Delivery Time: 25-45 days Factory Size & Location: 8,500 square metres; Dongguan Workforce: 800
Wai Lun Offset Printing Ltd Flat A2, 12/F Yip Fung Ind Bldg 28-36 Kwai Fung Crescent Kwai Chung, New Territories Hong Kong Tel: 852-2424-9049 Fax: 852-2487-0267 Email: wailunop@biznetvigator.com	Year Established: 1993 Major Product Categories: household & home decoration products Brands & Certificates: - Minimum Order: one TEU Monthly Production Capacity: - Delivery Time: 60 days Factory Size & Location: 6,000 square metres Workforce: 200

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