The Transformation and Remaking of Grandion Group

The Business Journey of a Supply‑Chain Platform Integrator

In an era dominated by digital frenzy and ever‑shifting technology, how can SMEs spot new opportunities? If you ask Alan Cheung Yick Lun, Chief Operating Officer of Grandion Group International Holdings Ltd., he would say the answer lies in building cross‑border collaboration, developing business ecosystems, and driving digital transformation. Cheung is a seasoned industrialist who has steered the company through numerous challenges, including the 2003 SARS outbreak and the 2008 global financial crisis. Over the years he has transformed the firm from a daily‑wear manufacturer into a comprehensive apparel supply‑chain enterprise. In addition to Hong Kong and mainland China, its products are sold in Europe, Japan, Southeast Asia, and beyond. For this work, Zhang received the “Hong Kong Young Industrialist Award” and “Capital of the Year Entrepreneur Award” in 2011, and the “Asia‑Pacific Excellence Entrepreneur Award” in 2012.

In 2013, Grandion Group faced production difficulties. Cheung had to decide whether to relocate the factories in southern China or to seek other opportunities to sustain future growth. Seeing the trend of personalized production, e‑commerce, customer experience, and digital technology becoming increasingly widespread, he understood the importance of close communication with all stakeholders to secure their support. He consulted suppliers, customers, employees, and other business partners to reassess the company’s core competitive advantages and value for future strategy. Using design thinking and a people‑centric approach, he reshaped Grandion’s business model and established cross‑sector and stakeholder collaboration. This echoed his long‑standing belief that with shared values one can both make money and contribute positively to society. Since 2014, Cheung has also served as chairman of the Community Forum (Sham Shui Po) of the Social Enterprise Private Summit and as a director of the Social Entrepreneurship Forum.

Building a Creative Center with Design Thinking

With Grandion’s repositioning, the company launched a new industry project, TML (To Make Locally) Square, bringing together talented designers, skilled fashion workers, digital technology, smart manufacturing, business support, fashion brands, e‑commerce, low‑carbon production, licensing services, and customers seeking personalized products. The project now operates as a creative center, featuring shared‑space facilities and an online‑offline experience hub. Design thinking has been indispensable in building this innovative business ecosystem and creating benefits for stakeholders.

Cheung’s enthusiasm for using design thinking to solve problems and uncover opportunities did not stop with the success of the TML project. In 2017, when the founder of his mentee from Longevity Design House, Lawrence Lui, sought his help, he once again demonstrated the power of design thinking. Lei’s business designs and remodels homes for the elderly and installs rehabilitation equipment. Facing operational and growth challenges, he turned to Cheung for assistance. As a supporter of social enterprises and innovation, Cheung firmly believes that actively engaging in community affairs to solve social problems, with design thinking as an indispensable tool, is essential.

Capturing New Business Opportunities by Meeting Social Needs

He believes that an aging population presents huge challenges to society but also creates many business opportunities, and the potential for development extends beyond Hong Kong to the Greater Bay Area and elsewhere. Design thinking can greatly improve quality of life and reduce accidents. It involves building empathy from the residents’ perspective and fostering cross‑sector collaboration among designers, technologists, industrialists, and social entrepreneurs. As a result, Grandion and Longevity Design House formed a joint venture, creating a platform that combines technology, healthcare, home renovation, furniture, and the daily needs of the elderly. This is the first time an SME and a social enterprise have partnered to develop an innovative business model targeting the elderly market to address a significant social issue.

Grandion has taken the lead in exploring how to leverage Hong Kong’s strengths in professional services, intellectual property, information, and capital mobility to revive local industry. By harnessing the latest electronic technology and platform‑driven business models, Grandion has successfully generated economic benefits and delivered positive social impact for all stakeholders. Perhaps it is time for us to learn and apply design thinking to cultivate more competitive advantages, enabling Hong Kong to continue prospering.

Article/Photo Source: Hong Kong Design Centre – “Unleash! Empowered by Design Thinking”