Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Haier to buy chunk of F&P?

The NZ Herald reports Chinese whiteware maker, Haier, may take a 20% stake in Fisher & Paykel.

F & P announced just over a year ago it was closing whiteware manufacturing in New Zealand and Australia and moving production to Thailand, Mexico and Italy.

That would be a different twist: A Chinese manufacturer owning production facilities in Thailand, North America and Europe. A potentially smart move for Haier if protectionist impulses rise to the fore in those markets.
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5 comments:

  1. Something they learnt from Fonterra, perhaps?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anon: I'm assuming you're referring to building behind tarrif walls. It's a good strategy for the company. Sucks for New Zealand.

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  3. I think this is how it works.
    Fonterra buys in to a local company.
    Establishes higher profile for the local brand name.
    Sells NZ product under that brand name alongside local product.
    Increases market for dairy products.
    Sells more NZ product into that market.
    How would that suck for New Zealand?

    ReplyDelete
  4. On re-reading your comment I may have misunderstood you.
    Haier using the F&P brand name, a la Fonterra in China, will not be to NZ's advantage, agreed.

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  5. It sucks for NZ if it is China doing what you describe via F & P here in NZ. Great for China.

    ReplyDelete

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