The URA announced in October last year that the factory building of the Hong Kong-made water heater brand “Berlin Brand”, which was established for half a century, was also affected. The father and founder of Hong Kong-made water heaters, Guo Hengda, revealed in an exclusive interview with “Yahoo News” earlier that due to the difficulty in finding a suitable place to set up a factory, he once planned to end the brand. However, Berlin brand said today (21st) that it will find a new place to continue its business. Guo pointed out that the products produced by the brand are the necessities of Hong Kong people’s life, not “dispensable business”. In addition, considering the feelings of employees, after discussion, he decided to try to find another place to set up a factory, but admitted that the scale of operation needs to be reduced, ” It’s almost impossible to build a homecoming scale.”
Reporter: Lu Peiyao
“Employees, like me, want to make it to the last moment of their lives”
Guo Hengda said in an interview with “Yahoo News” that he once considered ending the brand due to the impact of the reconstruction. “From the perspective of the operator, it is difficult to find a new place in the current economic environment, and it will end.” However, after discussing with the company, it is believed that what the brand produces is the necessities of Hong Kong people’s life, “it is not a dispensable business”, and the feelings of employees need to be considered, “If it is not rebuilding, they will have to retire. The employees, like me, seem to have never done anything in their previous lives, and they want to make it to the last moment of their lives.”
Guo revealed that the URA will take back the site no later than 2027, or there may be enough time to try to find another suitable place. However, the factory building of Berlin Brand, which was originally located in Xinbao Industrial and Commercial Center, Ma Tau Kok Road, has a factory building of 50,000 square feet. Guo admitted that the scale of operation will need to be reduced in the future.
“Berlin Brand” was founded in 1967. It was the first to use stainless steel that can withstand high water pressure as the inner tank. It is famous for its safety and durability, and has been certified by the “Hong Kong Safety” mark. The brand factory was initially set up in San Po Kong, and moved to Xin Po Industrial and Commercial Center, Ma Tau Kok Road, To Kwa Wan in 1981. At present, the company has a factory building of 50,000 square feet, divided into 3 floors. The first floor of the factory is in charge of production, including cutting, welding, grinding, and assembly, and the other floor is a warehouse for storing finished products.
For half a century, Berlin brand has insisted on “Hong Kong people use Hong Kong products”, and has not engaged in mass production and export. It has silently made tailor-made water heaters for customers, attracting many restaurants, barbershops, and high-end residences. From 1973 to 1976, the Government Supplies Office purchased 50 to 100 gallon water heaters from Berlin brand to the Shek Kong Military Department.
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Reconstruction of To Kwa Wan｜The half-century factory building of the first Hong Kong-made water heater is not maintained. The Berlin brand plans to close down
