From Printing to People: How Morning Light Is Leading With Purpose

Dongguan Morning Light Printing, part of Morning Light Intelligent Printing Group Limited, has long been known for delivering cutting-edge print solutions to world-renowned brands like Hallmark and the LEGO Group. But behind its production excellence is another success story – one rooted in ethics, care, and long-term vision.

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In a recent case study, Morning Light shared since becoming a member of the Ethical Supply Chain Program (ESCP ) how they have embraced not just compliance, but transformation.
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Tackling Workforce Challenges With Smart Support

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Like many large manufacturers, Morning Light faced difficulties with employee retention and navigating complex compliance requirements. But for HR Manager Man Huang, who has been with the company since 2005, a turning point came during an audit.

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“I first heard about ESCP during an audit,” recalls Miss Huang. “As I began to understand more about how membership could not only reduce supply chain risks and save on costs, but also help us to address labor challenges and establish a positive social image, I knew it was something we had to be part of.”

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ESCP’s broad support – including certifications accepted by 98% of global brands and access to retention-boosting initiatives – offered both structure and flexibility.

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“The ESCP team has been a strong pillar of support throughout our journey,” says Miss Huang. “They’ve helped establish the framework for us to successfully implement several initiatives aimed at making life better for our workforce."

Creating a Family-Friendly Factory

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One standout initiative was Morning Light’s summer childcare program –an answer to the seasonal employee turnover caused by lack of childcare during school holidays.

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“There was a huge amount of annual leave being taken during the summer holidays, as well as a lot of parents leaving their jobs permanently, because of their need to take care of the children,” says Miss Huang.

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ESCP guided the team through every step of establishing a safe, dedicated childcare space. Since 2019, up to 65 children have participated each summer (excluding 2020), giving workers peace of mind –and giving Morning Light real retention gains.

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“This solution was perfect for us,” says Miss Huang. “There’s no doubt that we’ve really strengthened the sense of belonging and morale within the factory. Turnover rates have fallen and training costs have also come down thanks to fewer new hires.”

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The initiative didn’t just resonate internally. Local government took notice, business leaders toured the facility, and a local TV spotlight soon followed. In 2023, the factory was awarded the Family Friendly Factory Award by the town’s Women’s Association.
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Progress That Doesn’t Stop after Audit

ESCP’s support continues beyond audits –and their 'Progress Visits' have become a valuable part of Morning Light’s ongoing improvement strategy.

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“This support is very important to us,” explains Miss Huang. “The ESCP team often discovers issues that we weren’t aware of ourselves.”

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One such example? Targeted training for over 100 managers, designed to meet the evolving expectations of a major global client.

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“At first, there was some resistance to the idea of this training,” she admits. “But during the sessions, it soon became clear to everyone that the training was really useful and there’s no doubt that this kind of support from ESCP is key to reducing our business risks.”

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Balancing Growth with Responsibility

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Morning Light's journey with ESCP showcases what’s possible when a business treats social responsibility as an enabler –not an obstacle –to success.

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“Collaborating with ESCP has had a positive impact for us across so many areas. They’ve been brilliant for us in supporting the balance between achieving long-term economic growth and fulfilling social responsibility goals.”