Castle Peak Ceramic Company, Tuen Mun 1927-1950s
Nahaha Lau (NL): Castle Peak Ceramic Company (CPCC) was founded in 1927 by Mr. Lee Tak Luen, Mr. Choi Yin Bo and Mr. Tong Chin Wan. The factory was established near Shek Pai Tau and Tuen Mun San Hui. It was one of the biggest factories in the New Territories back then, and many Tuen Mun residents worked there to support their families.
The main entrance of CPCC c1930s. Courtesy: Nora Yeung and Tuen Mun Old Photos Facebook page
This photo, believed to have been taken in the 1940s, shows the entrance of the Castle Peak Ceramic Company.
Courtesy: Mr Siu Chi Wah and Tuen Mun Old Photos Facebook page
It is said that in the factory, there were two big downdraft kilns easily two-storeys tall. And there were rails connecting the factory buildings to jetties at the mouth of Tuen Mun River to ship the products.
From the CPCC advertisement in the founding commemorative booklet of China Nanyang Economic Association published in 1947, we learn that the company specialized in producing red bricks, floor tiles, hollow bricks, firebricks, fire cement, mosaic ceramic tile, glazed door bricks, and glazed coloured ceramic tiles.
1947 Castle Peak Ceramic Company (1940) Ltd advert
CPCC had a sales office in 32 Connaught Road Central, which can be seen in the following picture (signboard in the top-left corner, and on the left column of the building).
Courtesy: almok @ uwants.com (source 1)
CPCC eventually closed down in 1950s due to reduced demand and intense competition. The factory was sold and turned into Tai Hing Cotton Mill, another famous factory in Tuen Mun.
a) Castle Peak Ceramic Company Ltd established 18th May 1928, dissolved 24th November 1950
b) Castle Peak Ceramic Company (1940) Ltd established 19th October 1940, dissolved 21st December 1971.
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