Fisher & Paykel expansion continues

12 March 2014
Media Statement

Fisher & Paykel expansion continues

Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ plans for expansion announced in February last year are continuing to ramp up. Investment over the last 12 months is benefiting the brand both in New Zealand and internationally.

“As we move towards our 80th anniversary, our growth in research and development is continuing to accelerate with 80 new engineering roles already in place in Dunedin and Auckland. We’ll be looking to recruit additional roles to support the continued expansion of our research and development operations in both cities over the next two years, entrenching New Zealand as Fisher & Paykel’s research and development hub.

“To support our growth strategy, we’ve just signed off plans with Haier to redevelop an existing facility on our East Tamaki site to accommodate our growing Auckland based research and development team. This new state-of-the-art facility will contain our product development and industrial design teams and includes a full suite of quality and standards testing laboratories. This purpose built facility underlines our long-term commitment to Research and Development in New Zealand.

“As announced last week, we’re also currently working with Dunedin City Council on plans to expand our Dunedin site. The expanded site would include upgraded facilities to accommodate our growing research and development team in the city. The East Tamaki facility will be up and running by mid-2014, and we expect to firm up a date for Dunedin in the next couple of months,” says Fisher & Paykel Chief Executive Stuart Broadhurst.

2013 has been a momentous year for Fisher & Paykel with the successful roll-out of 70 new products including the first front loader washing machine incorporating SmartDrive technology. The front loader has attracted phenomenal interest, and underpins Fisher & Paykel’s market leadership position in laundry appliances in Australia. Demand for the new award winning OB60 wall oven has exceeded expectations and has attracted huge interest across all markets.

Mr Broadhurst says that new products and product upgrades across, kitchen, laundry and refrigeration will continue to be rolled out in 2014 both in New Zealand and across Fisher & Paykel’s international markets. As a direct result of our increased investment in research and development, consumers can expect to see more new products in the coming years.

“We’ll continue to focus on developing the Fisher & Paykel, Elba and DCS brands in New Zealand, Australia and North America, as well as boosting our presence in the emerging markets of China and India. Design of the new Fisher & Paykel products for these markets will remain firmly entrenched in New Zealand. Plans to celebrate our 80th year will be announced in the near future with a focus on our proud heritage but also our exciting future.

“I recently returned from China, where we signed off our strategic plan with the wider Group. Our relationship has never been stronger and their continued support of the Fisher & Paykel brand enabled us to achieve positive growth last year and we look forward to accelerating that further during 2014.

“Demand within the Haier Group and third party customers for our motor design capability continues to increase and we believe we’re only scratching the surface of what can be achieved in this area. We’re excited about the possibilities for our direct drive motor business over the next few years.

We continue to build momentum and remain focused on securing Fisher & Paykel’s position as the world’s leading premium appliance company.”

-Ends-

© Scoop Media