FPA to take over Australian distribution of Haier

F&P Appliances to take over Australian distribution of Haier products

By Jess Jones

March 15 (BusinessWire) - Fisher & Paykel Appliances Holdings, the white ware manufacturer who introduced Chinese Company Haier as a 20% stake holder last year, announced today that it will take over the sales, marketing and customer care service in Australia for Haier from April 1.

Haier Group, the number 2 appliance brand in the world, signed a co-operation agreement with FPA in July last year and became a part in FPA’s recapitalization plan. The relationship helped bolster FPA’s equity capital, helping it avoid falling into the hands of creditors.

The agreement gave FPA the marketing and distribution rights for Haier products in Australia and New Zealand and Haier gained the same rights for FPA in China. FPA has been responsible for the sales of Haier in New Zealand since November 2009. Its shares fell 1.6% to 64c on the NZX today.

Richard Bowe, former general manager of FPA in the UK and Europe, was named manager of Haier Australia.

Haier Australia will have its own sales team and be separately managed from the Australian FPA brand. FPA will use Haier’s existing Australian distribution network.

Haier’s current air-conditioning business in Australia will continue to be managed by Seely International.

(BusinessWire)

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