From Innovation to Impact
Honoured with the Asia’s Most Inspiring Executives award by the ACES Awards, Mr. Luk Hok Keung, the Innovation and Applied Technology Director at Hong Kong’s Town Ray Holdings Limited, is being recognised for his transformational leadership and ability to navigate the complexities of today’s business environment. Mr. Luk is equipped with over 20 years of experience in procurement and product engineering, and his dedication to technological innovation has been instrumental in Town Ray’s success.
Town Ray, despite fierce competition, has grown over the years to become one of the world’s leaders in the electrothermic household appliances industry. Throughout the past two decades, Mr. Luk has leveraged the advantages of the company’s core technologies, successfully transformed the company from a narrow OEM business to become an advanced product developer, industrial designer and manufacturer with its own ODM products and R&D capability, specialising in mid-to-high-end products, with more than 100 patents, over 100 R&D professionals and a diverse range of product categories. Its cutting-edge products are most in demand for their impressive cost-performance value. Notably, many of its customers are reputable and internationally recognised brands. Its products are available worldwide, with Europe representing the largest market at 87.6% compared to elsewhere globally.
Amidst the business’ exponential growth, one of the most significant challenges Mr. Luk faced was the surge in the global shortage of semiconductors, which jeopardised the company's operation due to the unstable supply and soaring prices. Demonstrating exceptional foresight, Mr. Luk anticipated these market changes and implemented proactive measures to safeguard Town Ray’s supply chain. He diversified the supplier base and established strategic partnerships with various suppliers to ensure a consistent and stable supply of semiconductors at competitive prices, thereby maintaining profitability and operational resilience. Additionally, his tactical inventory management and collaborations with customers further mitigated the effects of supply shortage and rising costs, positioning the company as a leader in both adaptability and customer-centric innovation.
A a strong advocate for talent development, Mr. Luk nurtures his team through a dynamic combination of objective key results (OKRs), key performance indicators (KPIs), and continuous education subsidies. He fosters a high-performance culture where individual goals are aligned with the company’s broader objectives, empowering employees to contribute meaningfully to the company's success. Through regular feedback sessions and reviews of performance metrics, Mr. Luk ensures that his teams are constantly evolving and excelling in critical areas such as innovation, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. His commitment to continuous education has inspired a workforce that is not only highly skilled but also adaptable to the rapidly changing technological landscape.
Mr. Luk’s leadership also champions a culture of innovation and change. In response to employee resistance to change, he created an Insight Team, dedicated to exploring emerging technologies and new market trends. This initiative has not only helped employees understand the evolving market landscape but also positioned the company as a forward-thinking player in the industry. By showcasing successful transformations and creating opportunities for cross-departmental collaboration, Mr. Luk has built an agile and change-resilient organisation.
Moreover, Mr. Luk is deeply dedicated to maintaining ethical leadership. He leads by example, fostering a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability within Town Ray. Under his guidance, the company has implemented clear ethical guidelines and actively promoted diversity, equity, and inclusion. His emphasis on transparency and employee well-being has contributed to a collaborative and inclusive work environment, where the over 1000 employees across Hong Kong and China in Town Ray feel valued and motivated.
Mr. Luk’s ability to navigate external challenges, such as the trade barriers and increasing environmental concerns in Europe, further highlights his strategic acumen. He has spearheaded initiatives to diversify Town Ray’s customer base, develop sustainable product offerings, and ensure compliance with evolving environmental regulations. By investing in innovation and forging strong partnerships with stakeholders, Mr. Luk has positioned Town Ray as a competitive and sustainable leader in the global marketplace.
Mr. Luk’s outstanding leadership and dedication to fostering innovation make him a truly inspiring executive, deserving of the distinguished recognition at the ACES Awards. His ability to lead while nurturing talent and maintaining operational excellence is a testament to his remarkable influence on the company’s sustained growth and success.
