1. About the brand
CAMEL: From classic household product to cultural symbol
WHAT:
Founded in 1940, CAMEL is a Hong Kong vacuum flask brand, the “only cold plus heat insulated vacuum flask factory” in Hong Kong.
WHY:
The founding family, the Leungs, was running their import-export business between Malaysia & Hong Kong, and found there was no steady supply of water bottles/vacuum flasks despite factories producing glass accessories.
He named his company ‘Camel’ to reflect the flask’s function and the tenacity required to start a business.
HOW:
The flask is made of two layers of glass surface. After combining the two they extract the air in between to finish with a vacuum that is both heat and cold insulated.
WHAT’S GOING ON NOW:
From 2020 onwards they have revived their brand to more energetic & green designs, developed an online platform and dropped annual colours to entice younger buyers.
2. About the founders
Leung Cho-Qing (梁祖卿) & his descendants
Leung Cho-Qing (梁祖卿) & his descendants
Vision
「一味靠滾、勝在好膽」(direct trans: ‘Keep rolling and win with guts’)
Running a business is like surviving in a desert. Motto to encourage self and team to endure the thick and thin together and never give up.
3. Challenges and opportunity
Practicality, War, and Market Changes
Challenge
In the early days vacuum flasks were mostly in cylinder shape, which were prone to depression.
In addition to design, Hong Kong underwent Japanese occupation which halted the factory production.
In the late 90s, Hong Kong went from production to commercial oriented economy, leaving factories closing or relocating.Solution
Leung invented a “pit route” (『碌坑』) design to prevent the flask from depressing.
The factory also revived production not long after Hong Kong was regained by the British.
Despite factory owners moving to China, they remained their production line in Hong Kong, and expanded their business range to studios and hospitality.
4. Brand Development Timeline
1940
Leung Cho-Qing created the brand
Japanese occupation of Hong Kong during WWII
1947
First post-war design – “147” launched and became CAMEL’s classic
1950s
Began producing stainless steel products
Launched first factory complex called “Camel Estate”
1980s
Launched second complex and moved into new factory in Kowloon Bay
2017
Kowloon Bay factory rebuilt as hotel to run as a new business stream
5. The Future
Future: Preserve brand heritage and diversify business
Insist on keeping the production line in Hong Kong, preserving craftsmanship and hope to pass legacy to future generations.
Relate to younger buyers by reviving design, merging brand icons with other businesses.