On 9 December 2011, Prof. Stefan Mecheels, Head of the Hohenstein Institute, opened the new test laboratory at the International Textile Testing and Service Centre in Hong Kong. It was an opportunity to tell the approximately 70 invited guests from all around the world about the work of the Hohenstein experts.

In his welcoming address, Prof. Stefan Mecheels laid out the objectives of the Hohenstein Institute. "Our aim is to provide test results fast and reliably, so that everyone involved in the textile industry can decide quickly how they stand regarding the quality of their products." With this aim, the Hohenstein Institute is offering something different from the textile testing laboratories that already exist in China.

"We want to offer testing systems that are intelligently designed to suit the particular product, and that give our customers real added value."

Following this welcome and the official opening of the premises by the Head of the Institute, Prof. Helmut Merkel of Prologue Asia Pacific Ltd. talked about trends in the Chinese economy and their effects on the textile industry. He presented economic data about China and told the guests about the Five Year Plan. Next, Dr. Manfred Hirning, Managing Director of Hohenstein Laboratories (HK) Limited, introduced the portfolio of services provided by his 14-person team.  

Work of the institute

He highlighted the need to expand capacity, especially regarding chemical and physical materials testing, by setting up a laboratory in a third location in addition to those in Germany and Hungary. Afterwards, Sales Manager Jörg Diekmann described the work of the Hohenstein Institute in other fields such as testing the fit and finish of garments, assessing how comfortable they are to wear and examining the effectiveness and safety of functional textile treatments.

He emphasised the importance of independent textile testing in improving and securing product quality. After the presentations, the guests had the opportunity to take part in guided tours of the laboratory, ask questions and make face-to-face contact with colleagues.

Just a few days before the official opening, Dr. Stefan Kapferer, Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology, had visited the test laboratory.

When he talked to Managing Director Dr. Manfred Hirning and Laboratory Head Dr. Christopher Au, he was interested not only in the services they offered but especially in the diverse client structure which will be catered for from Hong Kong in future.

Clientele

Along with Asian textile manufacturers, clients will also include importers and retail companies from Europe and North America.

As part of the new Science Park in Hong Kong, the Hohenstein Laboratory is centrally located and easy for customers to reach. The Science Park is also one of the biggest and most advanced technology centres in China and indeed in Asia. The laboratory aims not only to serve companies in Hong Kong but also to publicise its testing in the Asian production countries.