Scalextric improvers race to top award

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Feb 13, 2006

Joint venture between Cambridge technology consultancy and Hong Kong manufacturer named one of three winners of the first UK Cathay Pacific Awards that recognise UK success in Hong Kong and China.

Sgai Tech, a joint venture between Scientific Generics the Cambridge based technology consultancy and Automatic Manufacturing (AML) a Hong Kong based manufacturer, was named one of three winners of the first UK Cathay Pacific Awards, a scheme designed to recognise and reward UK business dynamism and success in Hong Kong and China.

The joint venture was awarded the Business Wings Award for innovation, creativity and dynamism in developing its business successfully in Hong Kong and China, beating 33 other applicants from various sectors ranging across manufacturing, retail and academia.

Sgai Tech demonstrated to the judging panel its innovation, creativity and dynamism in developing its business successfully in Hong Kong and China.

Sgai Tech was established to forge partnerships between the UK and Hong Kong and China to create, develop and manufacture innovative, high-quality products in an efficient and rapid manner.

The concept for Sgai came when Scientific Generics was asked to develop an enhanced version of the Scalextric slot car racing system on behalf of Hornby.

As a result of the partnership, Scalextric Sport Digital was unveiled at the 2004 London Toy Fair and Sgai Tech was launched in 2005.

Despite being a relatively new venture, the judging panel agreed that Sgai Tech demonstrates the spirit of innovation and creativity between British and Chinese companies that the Business Wings Award was designed to recognise.

Chitty Cheung, General Manager Europe, Cathay Pacific Airways, London, said: ''Despite being a relatively new venture, the judges agreed that Sgai Tech clearly demonstrates the spirit of innovation and creativity between British and Chinese based companies that the Business Wings Award was designed to recognise".

"The company also displays strong potential for future success via its innovative business model and is therefore a worthy winner of the 2005 Business Wings Award".

"Overall, it is encouraging to see so many UK organisations successfully taking full advantage of the new business opportunities emerging as a result of the expanding Chinese market".

As part of the prize, two members of staff from the joint venture will be invited to be the guests of Cathay Pacific for a one-week trip to Hong Kong and China from 28th March 2006.

As part of the trip, the winners will take part in a private business masterclass in the Centre for Overseas Academic and Cultural Exchanges at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

This two-day session is designed to develop and enhance winners' local market knowledge and will provide invaluable insights into China's commercial environment from local experts and business leaders.

Winners will then be flown to Hong Kong to enjoy the Hong Kong Rugby Sevens - one of Hong Kong's premier sporting events.