In July 2020, the Government launched the New Industrialisation Funding Scheme (NIFS) to subsidise local manufacturers in setting up new smart production lines in Hong Kong. The NIFS involves awarding grants, with the Government topping up sums spent by companies on new equipment on a 1:2 basis.
Technology upgrade: With government support, a family-owned fruit and vegetable juice manufacturer has been able to replace manual production processes with smart machinery. Source: news.gov.hk
Established in 2010, Sam Chan’s company – a family-owned firm that produces fresh fruit and vegetable juices – is among the beneficiaries to date. As with many other traditional manufacturing enterprises in Hong Kong, heavy reliance on manpower and manual manufacturing processes limited the firm’s development in its early years.
After taking over the business in 2018, Mr Chan resolved to upgrade and transform its operations, and with the help of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, he set up a smart production line.
The whole production process is now done by machines, making it more hygienic. The company has also introduced a retort machine, which uses high-pressure steam to sterilise products.
Enhanced sterilisation: Juice manufacturer Sam Chan explained that his firm’s new sterilising equipment has extended the shelf life of its products. Source: news.gov.hk
“In the past, the shelf life of our products was only about 10 to 12 days, but with the new steriliser it can be extended to 90 days at most,” said Mr Chan.
In addition, the production line is equipped with smart sensors that enable data to be collected on aspects such as electricity and water consumption, for cost analysis.
Innovative solutions
Believing that innovation and technology (I&T) are the cornerstones of smart production, the HKPC actively assists enterprises in applying I&T solutions to address industry pain points. The technologies it helps companies to adopt correspond to the actual needs of different industries.
In the case of the food and beverage industry, focus on sterilisation has grown over the years. In working with Mr Chan’s company, the council’s priorities have been to extend the shelf life of products while avoiding the use of preservatives or additives in the sterilisation process.
Tailored solutions: Hong Kong Productivity Council Chief Digital Officer Edmond Lai says the council addresses industry pain points by helping enterprises to adopt the right innovation and technology applications for their needs. Source: news.gov.hk
The council’s Chief Digital Officer Edmond Lai explained that the application of I&T in manufacturing varies according to the characteristics of different products. He added that the council provides customised services to different sectors, with the overall aim of enhancing the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s manufacturing industry.
Policy support
The Chief Executive announced plans to enhance the NIFS in his 2023 Policy Address. From January 8 this year, applicants are able to carry out a maximum of three projects at any one time, accessing a maximum of $45 million in total funding.
Commissioner for Industry (Innovation & Technology) Ge Ming emphasised that the enhanced policy is designed to further promote the development of new industrialisation.
“The Government's target is to achieve a total of at least 130 smart production lines by 2027,” he said.
Strong impetus: Commissioner for Industry (Innovation & Technology) Ge Ming believes Hong Kong should apply its innovation and technology strengths for the benefit of industry, in order to boost the city’s economic development. Source: news.gov.hk
Mr Ge added that Hong Kong should apply its I&T strengths, and its scientific research capabilities, to promote new industrialisation, giving a new impetus to the city’s economic development.
As of mid-July, the New Industrialisation Vetting Committee had agreed to support 43 applications to the NIFS, delivering a total of 68 production lines in sectors ranging from food manufacturing and processing, to textiles and clothing, construction materials, medical devices, and more.
PARIS (AP) — Elouan Gardon was elated when he took bronze for the United States in the men’s 4000-meter individual pursuit at the Paris Paralympics. The 18-year-old cyclist rode in the C5 classification for athletes with limited to moderate movement in one arm or leg.
“We believed in our strategy going in,” Gardon said. “I was able to pull away and it worked out perfectly.”
The thing is, his strategy went much deeper than what happened on race day. It was part of a process that began right after the Paralympic flame was extinguished in Tokyo three years ago.
To gain an edge on the track, countries have been focusing on finding more sophisticated technologies. Ian Lawless, the director of U.S. Paralympics Cycling, has been overseeing a shift in the sport for the American team.
“We first work on trying to establish an even playing field,” Lawless said, noting the progress Team USA has made. “But now, the focus is about how we can actually work to gain a competitive advantage.”
One of the U.S. team's biggest cycling innovations has been its recent work on aerodynamics. Within its allotted budget, the U.S. has developed more cost-efficient aero designs. The team even had a technology and innovation grant approved by the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee last year.
These developments are possible because of how pro cycling rules are made by the Union Cycliste Internationale. It is a working relationship between the sanctioning body and the teams that allows for further innovation.
“We push the envelope,” Lawless said. “And the UCI amends. That’s how it works.”
The specific amount of breathing room for innovation depends on what type of bike is being run. According to Lawless, Paralympic handcycles have had the least amount of standardization compared to other bikes. This allowed them to perform testing that they believed “no one else was doing.”
American multisport star Oksana Masters, who is a double-leg amputee, competes in a handcycling class for the United States. She echoed the uniqueness of her category after claiming her ninth Paralympic gold, this time in the H5 road race.
“We went into the wind tunnel especially for the kneelers because it is such a unique bike,” Masters recalled. “Dialing in what we can and finding those tiny areas of gain is everything.”
Innovation specific to an athlete becomes the primary focus for more tested and standardized bicycles. Lawless noted that Team USA has worked on helmets, race suits and even the positioning of the athlete on the bike as ways to get an edge on the competition.
Innovation in the off-season is one thing, but it is another to put those innovations into action against the rest of the field such as powerhouse Britain, which has won the most overall cycling medals in each of the past four Paralympics.
“They are the gold standard,” said Lawless, adding that the two squads sometimes share notes. “It helps to have an almost unlimited budget.”
Britain's support for Paralympic cycling allows them to perform weekly aero testing, design more individualized bikes, pay full-time aerodynamicists and run their entire operation in-house, Lawless noted.
The United States looks for ways to elevate its program with less funding.
“We are still a top five team globally,” Lawless said. “U.S. Cycling is typically lean and mean, so we look at how we can approach it that way.”
The Americans are already looking forward to the next Paralympics on home soil in Los Angeles. Lawless hopes that the momentum and coverage that France saw this summer with the Games will be replicated in 2028. Another four years of innovation wouldn’t hurt, either.
“We have increased media and more awareness,” Lawless said. “We are hoping that we can leverage that for more support at home.”
Masters agreed.
“The world has got to watch out,” she said. “U.S. para cycling has a lot coming.”
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Jack Rachinsky is a student in the John Curley Center for Sports Journalism at Penn State.
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AP Paralympics: https://apnews.com/hub/paralympic-games
Great Britain's Sophie Unwin, right, and her pilot Jenny Holl pose with their gold medals after winning the Women's B Road Race during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Great Britain's Sophie Unwin and her pilot Jenny Holl celebrate after winning the Women's B Road Race during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
Elouan Gardon of the U.S. competes in the men's C4-5 road race during the 2024 Paralympics, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Clichy-sous-Bois, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)
