The best move of his life (hktdc.com)


	Crown Worldwide chief Jim Thompson is proud to call Hong Kong home

American Jim Thompson used his entire savings of US$500 to set up a moving company that has since become a leading global logistics firm. Chairman and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong-based Crown Worldwide Group of Companies, he has called Hong Kong home for the past 30 years.

"I was 18 when I first set foot in Asia, where my dad was posted as a naval officer in Japan. After getting a university degree in aeronautical engineering, I really should have got a job with a company like Boeing. But after having seen the world, I wanted to soak in more of Asia. So I returned to Japan in 1963, to work for a moving company that later closed. The staff asked if I would form a company, even though I didn't know how to form one and had no money. But I took my US$500 savings and cashed in my return plane ticket home to set up a household packing business. We were lucky that the clients then were willing to pay in advance, which was enough to cover staff salary. Still, it was a hand-to-mouth existence.

By 1970, the company was growing steadily. It was around that time I took my wife to Hong Kong for a delayed honeymoon. It was my first introduction to Hong Kong and I was drawn to it. I opened a branch office in 1970. Eight years later, the office grew to the point that it was time to shift the base to Hong Kong, where it was easier to operate.

I moved to Hong Kong at a time I consider the boom years. China was then just starting to open up. Hong Kong was always busy. There were fewer buildings, of course, but it was always an exciting place. It was like a breath of fresh air moving here, where people spoke English and it was easy to do business. I got into the logistics business at an opportune time. We had no real competitors back then, and multinational companies and medium-size firms were just beginning to realise they needed to be in Hong Kong. But it wasn't until 1989, when we acquired a major UK company that had businesses with Commonwealth countries, that we, in a sense, became a global business overnight.

Art delivery

As the removal business is seasonal work, we started branching out into records management. Again, we discovered a demand for professional services to manage documents. As we continued building our network, we found we were able to do more. Our Paris branch started handling art work for museums there, and these museums asked us why we did not do more fine art handling in other parts of the world. So we did. Going into the fine art delivery business requires a great deal of professionalism; if the work is damaged or lost, it's a tragedy to the world's culture.

There is no city like Hong Kong: the ease in which you can do business here, its open society. It has only got better. The recent abolition of wine and estate duties shows the government is progressive. My initial fear that Hong Kong's market-driven economy would be gradually eroded after the handover hasn't materialised. Compared to other cities where we also do business, in Hong Kong you don't have to contend with red tape, high taxes or corruption.

I feel strongly about giving something back to the community and have been fortunate enough to be involved in various efforts to promote Hong Kong abroad. One of the highlights has been working with the Hong Kong Government to stage the musical event "Harbourfest" to help the city get back on its feet after Sars. We had 60 days to line up a top-notch programme, and we succeeded in signing up high-profile acts, including the Rolling Stones.

Star service

But the highlight of my time here has been receiving the Gold Bauhinia Star. When I first found out about the award, I had to call them back later to make sure it wasn't a joke. But it is terrific to be recognised and feel appreciated.

One of Hong Kong's strongest qualities, which I hope will never change, is the opportunity it provides its people to build a better life. It is a place where people have come for many years and have been able to make something of their lives. For people with aspirations, whether it's an immigrant factory worker or someone who wants to make millions, Hong Kong allows that to happen. It's the Hong Kong people's can-do attitude, that kind of mentality, which sets the city apart from the rest."