A History of the Wong Family Textile Business – Part One: Life in Shanghai
Eleanor Wong has written A History of the Wong Family Textile Business, a detailed account of her family’s business history in Shanghai, then in Hong Kong and finally Indonesia.
She was assisted in this project by her editor, Carey Vail.
Part Two: Life in Hong Kong continues the story with the arrival of TY Wong in Hong Kong from Shanghai, early in 1949. He was already running Peninsula Spinners, which he had set up in 1947, and Hong Kong Cotton Mills which had been established on 31 March 1948.
Other companies mentioned in the article in which the family were involved include Hong Kong Spinners, Leighton Textiles, May Bell Garments and Hong Kong Knitters.
Various international and HK events are also covered including the Korean War 1950-1953, the Shek Kip Mei fire on December 25th 1953 which in part at least resulted in public housing Hong Kong and the Leftist riots in 1967.
Hong Kong Spinners closed in 1979 after a presence of thirty years.
Finally the article provides details of the Wong’s expansion in Indonesia with their company Tyfountex.
Many thanks to Eleanor for researching and writing her family’s story.
HK Spinners, Castle Peak Road, Cheung Sha Wan
HK Spinners The Main Gates
HK Spinners The male domitory and welfare building
This article was first posted on 20th June 2015.
Download the second part of the Wong family history in pdf format: Part Two Life in Hong Kong
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This is most interesting! I’m writing a dissertation on Hong Kong textile workers. Does anyone know of any textile factories or companies active in Hong Kong before World War II?
Thank you!
Hello Hannah
Please excuse the delay in replying. Regarding your enquiry about information regarding textile manufacturing in Hong Kong pre-WW2 I will contact you directly.
Best wishes
Hugh Farmer
I have lost family members who are probably in China. My great grandfather ran away from some arranged marriage. Our surname is Wong, So while I was doing some research I stumbled on this.?
At present Time Tyfountex Indonesia is on the Verge of bankruptcy. Salary of more than 3000 workers has not been paid since April 2020. Offering workers to resign with 1 month salary for compensation, . It is expecting to escape from giving retirement pansion fund for retired workers. The workers are still struggling to obtain what they deserve from the factory.
More info can be obtained from local online publication..
Has Tyfountex gone bankrupt or is it still running? Who owns this company?