Bastille's Story: Wo Lee Steel Company Attracts Young Generation to Enter the Industry via Automatic and Innovative Technologies

Founded in 1954, Wo Lee Steel Company Limited has a history of over 70 years and has participated in the construction of numerous landmark projects in Hong Kong. In an interview with Bastille Post, Mr. Matthew Lai, the CEO of Wo Lee Steel Company Limited, stated that the company is actively driving transformation, attracting young talent by introducing automatic and innovative technologies, aiming to continuously inject new vitality into Hong Kong's construction industry.

The company has participated in the construction of many well-known landmark projects in Hong Kong, including Kai Tak Sports Park (supplying approximately 9,500 tons of structural steel), the Expansion Project of the LegCo Complex, SOGO Kai Tak, General Post Office, United Christian Hospital, Kai Chuen Court, the Hong Kong Excelsior Hotel Redevelopment Project, and Lyric Theatre Complex of West Kowloon Cultural District, etc.

Mr. Matthew Lai, the CEO of Wo Lee Steel Company Limited, Photo by Bastille Post

One-Stop Engineering Service: Subsidiary Company Responsible for MTR Train Car Welding

Starting from steel trading, the company has gradually evolved into a one-stop engineering service provider, offering integrated services that span processing, design, welding, and installation. Mr. Matthew Lai said that the company has continuously strengthened its processing capabilities. Since the 2000s, it has transitioned from simple cutting to intermediate processing. Around 2015, it took a further step by venturing into full-scale deep processing and manufacturing.

He stated that Wo Lee Steel Company has now evolved into a comprehensive enterprise with a business portfolio spanning steel trading, automated processing, robotic welding, and the design and manufacturing of MiMEP (Mechanical-Electrical Assembly Components) and other specialized products, such as debris flow protection nets, etc. Additionally, the company operates a subsidiary engineering company that undertakes specialized projects, including welding and maintenance of MTR train cars.

The plant of Wo Lee Steel Company in Fanling

In Mr. Lai's view, the core of the company's transformation lies in providing "one-stop" service. This end-to-end solution encompasses initial steel sourcing, cutting, processing, welding, and surface treatment, to final delivery to the construction site. Furthermore, the company also actively collaborates with clients on design, manufacturing, and installation to ensure seamless project execution.

The core of the company's transformation lies in providing "one-stop" service.

Investing in Automated Production and Testing to Help Clients Avoid Project Delays

To continuously improve service efficiency and quality, the company has actively invested in automated production and testing in recent years. Since 2018, Wo Lee Steel Company has established its self-testing center at the plant in Fanling, introducing automated equipment to produce and test testing rods, significantly reducing related process time from half a day to about one hour, effectively ensuring the stability and reliability of the data. Mr. Lai emphasized that the internal simulation testing can identify potential material problems in time, helping clients avoid project delays and cost overruns, which he called a core part of the company's service value.

Since 2018, Wo Lee Steel Company has established its self-testing center at the plant in Fanling, introducing automated equipment to produce and test testing rods.

Insisting on "Made in Hong Kong", Retaining the 400,000 sq ft Plant in Fanling

To reduce costs, some processing operations have been relocated to Shenzhen, Huizhou, and Dongguan, but Wo Lee Steel Company still remains committed to the operations of its processing and distribution center in Fanling, covering over 400,000 sq ft. Mr. Lai explained the reason for his persistence that the base in Hong Kong has its irreplaceable strategic advantages: firstly, it can promptly respond to urgent local needs; secondly, it can strictly adhere to local engineering standards to meet clients' specific requirements for the quality of "Made in Hong Kong"; and thirdly, for large or unusually shaped components, local processing can significantly save the logistics costs and reduce losses.

Mr. Lai also pointed out that maintaining the base in Hong Kong is key to the company's talent strategy. Facing the aging workforce problem in the traditional steel industry, that the average age of welders exceeds 55, Wo Lee Steel Company adapts the resolution of promoting automatic and innovative technologies. Mr. Lai said the company's welding procedures are now nearly 100% mechanized (with some manual operations). The processes, such as drilling and edge planing, fully utilize robots and automated dust collection equipment, which not only improve efficiency, safety, and cleanliness, but also effectively solve the challenges of high temperatures, rain, and working at heights. Simultaneously, the company also actively collaborates with construction service providers such as Hilti to adopt robots for on-site welding, improving the working environment of construction projects.

Wo Lee Steel Company actively promotes the application of automatic and innovative technologies.

The Average Age of the Company's Welding Workers has Dropped to Approximately 30 Years Old

Mr. Lai stated that automation not only improves precision and quality stability of project construction, but also liberates workers from dirty and dangerous working environments, transforming them into technicians operating equipment. Currently, the average age of the company's welding workers has dropped to approximately 30 years old, with the youngest being in their 20s, far below the industry average, effectively attracting young talent to enter the industry.

Facing market competition, Mr. Lai emphasized that "steel is merely a means; the core is serving the construction and engineering industry". He believed that if the company had merely engaged in steel trading, it would have had difficulty competing with other enterprises around the world in terms of cost. Therefore, Wo Lee Steel Company chose to extend the service coverage, combining processing, design, and technical services to transform into a comprehensive solutions provider. Regarding ESG and green development, the company has obtained relevant certifications from the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) and the Construction Industry Council (CIC), actively supplying green steel. Nevertheless, since its cost is still high at present, its market acceptance will still take time.

Mr. Lai stated that the company will continue to deepen its automation initiatives over the next two to three years.

Looking to the future, Mr. Lai stated that the company will continue to deepen its automation initiatives over the next two to three years. Plans include developing more advanced welding robotic technology and collaborating with Mainland research teams to introduce cutting-edge innovations. Simultaneously, the company will also focus on innovative product development, such as working with local teams to improve the design of debris flow protection nets and creating new products like coated steel with rust-proof and antibacterial functions, etc.

Simultaneously, the company will also focus on innovative product development, such as working with local teams to improve the design of debris flow protection nets.

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — A strike delayed flights at Kenya's main airport Monday as workers demanded better pay and working conditions.

Kenya Airways, the east African country's main airline, issued a travel advisory, urging customers to check their flight status before heading to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi. The statement also said air traffic control operation delays were affecting departures and arrivals and flight schedules would have to be adjusted.

“Passengers are advised not to proceed to the airport without a confirmed flight status,” the airline said.

Thousands of stranded passengers could be seen sitting outside the airport. Some families told The Associated Press their relatives were stuck inside terminals.

A passenger who declined to give their name and details said they had been “waiting at the airport for six hours,” hoping to finally board a plane.

Trent Bryski, a Canadian passenger, said no information had been given yet his visa had expired.

“Actually we are not supposed to be out here because our visa says we have left, so they gave us a special letter, and we don’t know when we are leaving again,” he said.

The Kenya Airports Authority said it took contingency measures to minimize disruptions as it attempted to resolve the ongoing strike, stressing its openness to constructive dialogue.

Airport workers issued a strike notice last week after authorities failed to implement part of an agreement with the union. The agreement demanded better labor conditions and increased pay and benefits.

The airport is a major transport hub for regional and international travel.

Passengers wait for their delayed flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Passengers eat as they wait for their delayed flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Passengers wait for their delayed flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

Passengers wait for their delayed flights at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga)

FILE - People wait outside the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga, file)