AIA’s pension funds business is 2008’s Outstanding Enterprise. Photo: Edipresse CEO Barrie C Goodridge and Managing Director Roddy Yu with AIAPT Managing Director Peter Crewe (in centre)

Hong Kong Business kick-started the new year in grand fashion with the launch of its fourth annual High-Flyer Awards.

The awards event, held at the Armani Bar in Hong Kong’s Central district, formally recognised 29 of the city’s most outstanding companies for their performance over the past year and their contribution to the economy. Recipients of the Hong Kong Business High-Flyer Award were presented with special trophies acknowledging their achievements.

In a speech congratulating this year’s recipients, Edipresse Asia CEO and Hong Kong Business publisher Barrie C Goodridge noted, “2008 was a great year for all these companies, as it was, for the most part, for Hong Kong itself”.

Noting the current economic uncertainties, he said: “It’s cold out there, and I’m not just talking about the weather. But Hong Kong is a resilient place full of ambitious and talented people. As we have in the past, we will grab this economic cycle as an opportunity and turn it into profits for ourselves and our companies. That’s what we always do and that’s what I’m very confident we’ll do again.”

This year’s awardees represent a broad swathe of Hong Kong’s sophisticated business sector, from real estate, insurance and legal services, to education, transportation and logistics, to luxury retail and hospitality management, to name a few. Each company was profiled in Hong Kong Business Annual 2009, the magazine’s yearend edition, where they revealed business insights and management philosophies, how they succeeded in the past year and how they plan to survive the economic downturn.

This year’s Most Outstanding Enterprise was AIA Pension and Trustee Company, in recognition of its high quality of service and delivery of landmark MPF and pension products. The full list of High-Flyers in different categories is listed below.

Hong Kong High-Flyers 2008 

Most Outstanding Enterprise
AIA PENSION & TRUSTEE CO. LTD
Landmark MPF and pension products provider serving thousands of beneficiaries

Financial Planning
Altruist Financial Group Ltd
Life insurance-linked investment services for over twenty years, now expanding into healthcare-related products

Intelligent Transport Systems
Autotoll Limited
For ensuring efficient tolling services on Hong Kong’s motorways for over 10 years

Luxury Crystal Lighting
Blue Heaven Crystal Lighting Ltd
Leading supplier of European crystal lighting products and services for over 40 years, now venturing into distribution with mainland China

International Education
Canadian International School of Hong Kong
International primary and secondary institution that has inspired many of Hong Kong’s brightest talents

Financial Services & Investments
CASH Financial Services Group Limited
Pioneer in internet trading services, displaying management excellence in investment and management

Logistics
DB Schenker
Logistics and supply chain management services firm serving Greater China, with multi-sectoral expertise in projects of great complexity

Beauty and Skincare Group
EIG Global (HK) Ltd
Distributor of dermalogica skin care and wellness programs and provider and trainer for its own brand of spa servicees

Chinese Medicine
Eu Yan Sang (HK) Ltd
Promoter of the secrets of wellness through traditional Chinese medicine, and comprehensive supplier of Chinese medicines for over 130 years

Insurance-Health
Fortis Insurance Company (Asia) Ltd
Superior client services and wealth protection products for health insurance clients

Luxurious Beds
Hästens
Maker of beds for several generations, including beds fit for Swedish royalty

Property Development
Henderson Land Development
Committed veteran layer in the real estate industry with a roster of prestigious projects in the territory

Insurance-Life
HSBC Insurance (Asia-Pacific) Holdings Limited
Leading provider of life insurance and retirement planning products, serving the market for over 35 years

Private Jets
Jet Aviation Business Jets (Hong Kong) Ltd
For superior delivery of maintenance and support operations in the region for world-class private aircraft such as Bombardier and Cessna

Kitchen Systems & Design
Jia International
Established consultant group in kitchen design planning, creating and delivering custom-crafted top-of-the-line installations

Interior Design
Kadriden Design Group
Interior design group with an impressive portfolio of commercial, retail, and luxury residential projects

Boutique Hotel
Lan Kwai Fong Hotel @ Kau U Fong
A groundbreaking hotel in the heart of Central District that has taken boutique hospitality to the next level

Strategy and Marketing Consultancy
Numsight Consulting Ltd
For providing market insight and competitive positioning strategies that have contributed to the success of many brands

Lifestyle Concepts
Pacific Cigar Co. Ltd
Home to one of Hong Kong’s most exclusive clubs; and distributor of accessories needed to enjoy the perfect cigar

Commercial Real Estate Investments
REDEV Properties
Strategic advisory services for real estate investments in resource-rich Canada

Office Equipment & Document Solutions
Ricoh Hong Kong Limited
Veteran market leader in the field of office solutions for over 45 years

Executive Luggage
Rimowa Far East Ltd
Prestigious brand of lightweight, durable luxury luggage

Retail Chain
Sa Sa International Holdings LTD
Beauty products veteran in the field of skincare, makeup and perfume

Optical Technology
Schmidt Marketing - Leica Camera
Distributor and marketer of the most iconic of camera brands: Leica

Luxe Travel
Sky Shuttle Helicopters Limited
The ultimate in short-distance luxury travel services between Hong Kong and Macau

Professional AV Consultant
Sound Concepts Ltd
A leader in the delivery of end-to-end professional audio-video system solutions for homes and hotels

Law Firm
Thomas, Mayer & Associés
A French legal firm providing unique advantages to doing business in China

Innovative Technology
Ultra Active Technology Limited
Innovator in the field of sophisticated video conferencing and audiovisual solutions

American Upscale Casual Dining
Windy City International Ltd
Established US chain of American-style dining for Hong Kong and Greater China