Bangkok--Jun 30--Electrolux Thailand
Invests THB 425m in a new laundry systems factory in Rayong
Electrolux Thailand today announced approval for an investment of 425 million baht to start the construction of a manufacturing facility in Rayong, south east of Bangkok. The new facility is expected to create jobs for at least 230 Thai people.
According to Mr. Ettore Gregorini, President Electrolux Laundry Systems (ELS), this investment supports Electrolux’s growth strategy and will allow Electrolux Laundry Systems to better respond to market change and capture a cost competitive advantage.
Mr. Ettore said, “The Asean market is an emerging market with promising growth potential. We want to take advantage of this potential growth by establishing a manufacturing base in Asia to capture a cost competitive advantage.”
“Thailand will be Electrolux Laundry System’s regional hub for South East Asia. It has a stable government and central geographical location within South East Asia as well as being attractive for foreign investment policies. It also offers a high quality and available workforce. Not to mention, that Thailand is the best developed supplier base in South East Asia for appliances and automotive industries,” continued Mr. Ettore.
“This new factory will give Electrolux Laundry Systems a firm business foothold in the SEA market allowing us to quickly respond to market changes,” said Mr. Ettore.
The full completion of the whole transfer of the European factories to Thailand will take 20 months including the ramp-up phase. “We are scheduled for commissioning in year 2007”, added Mr. Ettore.
This 11,000 m? factory building will have a production capacity of 6,800 units per year in the initial stage and 17,000 units per year when completed. The factory will primarily produce mini washers and dryers, extended spin washers, mid size dryers and secondary locally developed machines. The 2,000 m? office building will have training facilities, showroom, venues, lockers and canteen.
ELS is a world leader in professional laundry systems with a main focus on out-of-home solutions for apartment house laundries, hotels, healthcare institutions, coin-operated laundrettes, dry cleaners, commercial operations and more. ELS is renowned for its innovative approach and had total sales of US$300 million in 2004 and employs 1,440 people. Their current manufacturing plants are located in Denmark, Sweden and France.
The Electrolux Group is the world's largest producer of powered appliances for kitchen, cleaning and outdoor use, such as refrigerators, washing machines, cookers, vacuum cleaners, chainsaws, lawn mowers, and garden tractors. Every year, customers in more than 150 countries buy more than 55 million Electrolux Group products for both consumer and professional use sold under famous brands such as AEG, Electrolux, Zanussi, Frigidaire, Eureka and Husqvarna. In 2004, Electrolux had sales of SEK 121 billion and 72,000 employees.
For more press information please contact:
Pannawat Khlongnakrob / Rungnapa Charnwiset
Spark Communications
Tel: 0 2653 2717-9
Fax: 0 2653 2720
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
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