Chinese-owned white good manufacturer, Haier, announced that it is taking its air conditioning business back from its distributors and licensees in Australia and New Zealand.
In the restructuring move, Haier is moving its domestic and commercial air conditioning business into its own subsidiary, Fisher & Paykel, well known for its cooking products.
The first products released through the new distribution arrangements will be its Hi-Wall split systems. Tony Hirst, Haier’s national sales manager in the regional, will manage the new business with his sales team.
Tony Hirst stated:
“Our decision to restructure the distribution of our air conditioning business has allowed us to independently assess the market and how our product range and support processes fit with current and future demand.
“As a result, we will be upgrading the existing product range available in the Australian market and expanding into commercial and industrial categories to offer a complete, feature-packed and competitively priced new range.”
He continued:
“The first step is to introduce a new Hi-Wall Split System range which will include an upgraded ‘Classic Series’, previously known as the ‘EG Series’, and two additional ranges, the ‘Premier series’ and the ‘Elite series’, offering greater energy efficiency and a larger feature set."
The move to distribute its products through its own businesses allows Haier to react more swiftly to customers’ demands and requirements.