Made in Hong Kong Bold Innovation Going Beyond to Launch “Blind Box”

As Hong Kong’s industrial landscape undergoes a seismic shift, with factories “heading north” in pursuit of cost efficiencies, the once-unique sight of “Made in Hong Kong” goods on every street corner has become a rare and nostalgic scene. Yet defying the trend, the long-established local brand endures: “Red A” (Star Industrial 
Co., Ltd), a 76-year-old local manufacturer with factory still standing at the industrial heart of San Po Kong, steadfastly adhering to the original spirit of Hong Kong manufacturing. 
 

Starting with the production of toothbrushes, Red A has built a “plastic kingdom” of over 1,700 products over the years, all intricately woven into the everyday lives of Hongkongers – from the water buckets during the “water rationing” period, to the household items like plastic stools and grocery carts. The company later expanded into dining, healthcare and logistics realms – plastic baskets used by restaurants, teapots at dai-pai-dong, medicine bottles for hospitals, and crates used in logistics. Some might describe “there's always a ‘Red A’ product right by your side”.

Despite having a solid business foundation, Jessica Leung, Business Development Director and the third-generation descendant of the company, would not settle for past successes. “Over a decade ago, we began boldly experimenting, including the launch of our own online store, as distributor of brands, venturing into premiums, and 
unveiling a one-stop smart kitchen solution. Moving forward, we will continue diversifying and rejuvenating our products, improving service quality and expanding our corporate client base, while strictly upholding product quality rooted in Hong Kong’s manufacturing and brand strengths.”

Bold Attempts in Product Rejuvenation

15 years ago, before e-commerce took off, Red A took the bold step of launching its own online shop, and Jessica still remembered the team’s excitement upon receiving the first order on e-shop. They plan to enhance the online store’s functions by the end of 2025, such as allowing business clients to obtain quotations online to improve convenient procurement experience to companies.

The brand is also continuously making new attempts to attract the younger generation that they previously couldn’t reach, including crossover with cartoon brands. Celebrating their 75th anniversary last year, they embarked on another new endeavour by entering the gifts and collectibles market.

“We never imagined premiums or souvenirs in our wheelhouse, but curiosity won out. In just six months, we debuted our blind box series, featuring mini stools, lamp shades, water buckets, etc, which were unexpectedly popular and sold out quickly. These petite wonders may look simple, but their meticulous details and craftsmanship are impeccable, a testament to our team’s ingenuity and devotion.”Looking ahead, Red A eyes on stationery collection by using unused pattern designs from the past to further strengthen brand identity.

All Red A products carry the Hong Kong barcode “489” provided by GS1 HK. Jessica affirms, “ GS1 HK is integral to our business. Whether products are shelved in local or overseas retail stores, barcodes are required to facilitate sales and inventory management. Food service companies also use ezTRADE platform, to send orders to us digitally, which not only promotes sustainable development but also greatly improves transaction efficiency.”

Despite commanding over 90% of catering market share in Hong Kong, challenges have been lurking underneath – like competitors’ low-price strategies and the growing local production costs. Jessica acknowledged these are common issues faced by many businesses but emphasized that Red A remains committed to its brand values—safety, specifications, and quality, and never engages in the “price wars”. Even for the products they distribute, they insist on compliance with international safety standards.

She added, “We were merely manufacturer before, but now we put ‘service-first’ at the core, acting as a ‘problem solver’ to help our corporate clients resolve their challenges and providing comprehensive solutions that extend beyond our products.”

Red A has also been actively pursued sustainability in recent years: switching to more energy-efficient motors in production, repurposing leftover dyes from colouring processes onto non-food products to reduce, while always prioritizing product safety as the primary principle. The company is also exploring eco-friendly raw materials, like coffee grounds and potato scraps, hoping to launch 
new green products with carbon reduction at source in the future.

Witnessing Great Eras: Taking HK Brand Advantages Global

Red A products have journeyed alongside Hong Kong through pivotal moments: the water buckets that every household needs in the water-strapped 60s; the rush production of plastic chicken cages during the 1997 bird flu (avian influenza) outbreak; the garbage bins supplied for the makeshift hospitals during the recent pandemic – all marking the city‘s resilient history. While Hong Kong and Macau remain as Red A’s core markets, they also have presence overseas like Singapore. Jessica believes local brands are competitive, “Hong Kong people value efficiency and strict quality standards; even chefs operating restaurants in Vietnam still reaches for Red A products, because of the guaranteed quality.”

Renowned for durability, there’s a saying about Red A’s products - “paying 10 more dollars gets you 25 years of use”. Jessica chuckles at the irony: the product's exceptional durability can sometimes impact its business as customers buy less frequently. For the path ahead, Red A will continue its adventurer’s spirit, taking market pulses and seizing every opportunity to pioneer into new sectors and new avenues.