[Exclusive Interview] Pasión Hong Kong-made anti-epidemic supplies, about $100, a box of masks guaranteed not to raise the price

With the outbreak of COVID-19, high-quality anti-epidemic supplies are hard to find on the market. In particular, there is still no sufficient supply of masks. People who want to buy them have to buy expensive products. Therefore, in order to alleviate the shortage of anti-epidemic supplies, many local companies or brands have recently joined the ranks of producing masks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other anti-epidemic supplies. One of them, Minghui International Holdings Limited, has launched Pasión brand anti-epidemic products. This time ezone.hk invited the company’s vice president and executive director Tommy Ching and marketing director Tracy So for an interview. Both of them admitted that Pasión’s anti-epidemic products are made for Hong Kong.

• Recently, many local companies or brands have joined the ranks of producing masks, alcohol hand rubs and other anti-epidemic supplies.
• One of the local companies is Minghui International Holdings Limited, which launched Pasión brand of anti-epidemic products
• Pasion's anti-epidemic products include three-layer non-woven masks, alcohol hand sanitizer, all-round cleaning and sterilization spray, sterilization and disinfection hand spray, and alcohol disinfection wipes

Launching anti-epidemic supplies for Hong Kong people

Minghui International Holdings Co., Ltd. is originally a local company focusing on travel supplies. It mainly launches hotel supplies, aviation supplies, body care products and other products. Tommy admitted that the COVID-19 epidemic has definitely affected their tourism-led company. , causing a huge business impact, but at the same time, this is also an opportunity for them to switch to the production of Pasión masks, alcohol hand sanitizer and other anti-epidemic supplies, and fight the epidemic together with the people of Hong Kong. Tommy explained: "The original idea of switching to making anti-epidemic products was because the company had been manufacturing hand sanitizers for other brands, but the quantity was relatively small. It was not until the Lunar New Year period at the end of January and early February that we saw Hong Kong has a relatively large demand for anti-epidemic supplies such as masks and alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Whether it is ordinary citizens or other companies preparing to resume work, there is a strong demand for related products, so I thought that since the company already has a production line, it can provide Hong Kong with By producing these products, we try our best to be socially responsible and help more Hong Kong people tide over adversity."

Minghui International Holdings Limited is originally a local enterprise focusing on travel supplies. It mainly launches hotel supplies, aviation supplies, travel supplies, body care products and other products.

Tommy Ching, Vice President and Executive Director of Minghui International Holdings Limited.

What is the most challenging aspect of mask production?

In fact, many local companies or brands have recently joined the ranks of producing anti-epidemic supplies. However, you may know from watching the news that the production process is not as easy as imagined. For example, raw materials, product research and development, etc. have encountered different difficulties. Even Pasión, which has its own production line, No exception. Tracy believes that mask production is the most challenging for the company. Tracy mentioned: "The current Pasión epidemic prevention products include three-layer non-woven masks, alcohol hand sanitizer, all-round cleaning and sterilization spray, sterilization and disinfection hand spray and alcohol disinfection wipes. However, during the entire product development process, mask production This aspect is more challenging for us. Because both raw materials and even specifications are relatively new to us, mechanical research and development is a very big challenge, so we have studied for a long time and also made compatibility, Stability testing and obtaining SGS certification ensure that the product meets the relevant epidemic prevention standards so that we can confidently launch the product on the market."

For the company, mask research and development is a big problem, and similarly, finding raw materials is not easy. Tommy mentioned: "I believe that sourcing raw materials is a problem faced by every mask manufacturer. Most of the raw materials come from domestic sources. Unfortunately, domestic raw materials are also quite scarce." In view of this, Pasión mask raw materials We are not just looking for domestic channels, we will also look for products from Taiwan and Turkey. For now, Pasión has enough raw materials to produce the number of masks that can meet the needs of the public.

Tracy So, Marketing Director of Minghui International Holdings Limited.

Tracy mentioned that during the entire product development process, mask production is more challenging.

Don’t want to make money from masks

For a series of Pasión anti-epidemic products, what everyone is most concerned about is the launch time and price of the masks. Tommy: "The first batch of masks will be put on the shelves in chain department stores (editor's note: there are branches in Shatin and Tai Po, please check for details yourself). Each box will be sold for about HK$100, and they will be sold no later than the second month of April. Launching this week."

He understands that the current price of masks is high because of rising raw material costs and high market demand. Therefore, it is common to buy a box of masks for HK$150 to HK$200. However, he bluntly said that he does not want to make money from masks because: " We want to really help people, and because of our position as a listed company, we should assume social responsibility. For example, our hotel customers, the employees among whom all need masks to go to work, so when the relevant customers asked whether they would produce masks At that time, we felt that we had the ability to do it, so we decided to try to produce it ourselves.”

Tommy said that the Pasion masks will be launched no later than the second week of April, and each box will cost about HK$100.

Ensure retailers do not raise prices

Although Tommy made it clear that each box of Pasión masks is priced at about HK$100 per box, many people may worry that the price of the masks will be raised by retailers before they are sold, so in the end they will end up with "expensive products". In view of this, Tommy assures everyone that Pasión masks will not be jacked up by retailers. "We have communicated with wholesalers and retailers and proposed that the masks launched this time are based on stable prices and meeting the needs of the public. Therefore, we can assure you that there will be no price increase." In addition, Tommy announced that in the next 1 An event will be held within 2 weeks to distribute Pasión epidemic prevention supplies to grassroots and disadvantaged groups. The number of masks temporarily planned to be donated is 10,000.

Tommy assures everyone that Pasión masks will not be marked up by retailers.

There is room for continuation of the product line of epidemic prevention supplies

Tommy bluntly said that this pneumonia epidemic is a once-in-a-century event for people all over the world, and there will never be another such opportunity in this life. He initially only thought that the demand for Pasión anti-epidemic supplies might decrease after the epidemic is over, and then the company's business development would be reinvested in hotels and airlines, but he now believes that there is room for continuation of this product line. "Frankly speaking, I don't think the epidemic will end so soon, because the outbreak is very serious in Europe and the United States now, and the second wave of confirmed cases in Hong Kong is high, so I think the demand for this type of products is relatively large. As for you saying that after the epidemic is controlled, we If our products will continue to circulate in the market, I can answer you yes, and I will even transfer this demand to the hotel business. After all, under this epidemic, everyone's hygiene awareness has been greatly enhanced. When people go to hotels in the future, they will most They may be concerned about whether the hotel is clean and disinfected enough, so now some hotel customers are asking us if we can manufacture or sell small disinfection products and put them in each room for guests to use. This means that the Pasión brand will definitely continue. of."

Tommy mentioned that after the epidemic is controlled, Pasión products will still be in circulation.

Good health is important

In the current critical period of the epidemic, Tommy also has something to share with the people of Hong Kong, among which "good health" is crucial. Tommy: "The most important thing is of course good health. Everyone remember to wash your hands frequently, disinfect your hands and clothes more often, and unite to fight against the epidemic." In addition, he also advised everyone to exercise self-discipline and reduce social gatherings and contacts. He hopes After the epidemic is over, Hong Kong's economy and people's livelihood will regain their former glory.

Tommy reminds everyone to wash their hands frequently and disinfect their hands and clothes more frequently to unite and fight against the epidemic.

 Pasión currently produces 5 models of anti-epidemic products.