SMART MANUFACTURER PUTS THE CHILL ON EXPORTS
Published Tuesday, 24 October, 2006 at 12:41 PM
Minister for State Development, Employment and Industrial Relations
The Honourable John Mickel
New products and innovative manufacturing techniques are paying off for one of the household names of electrical appliances, Fisher and Paykel.
Minister for State Development John Mickel was on hand today to celebrate two new refrigerator models which will be rolling off the assembly line at Fisher and Paykel’s Cleveland manufacturing facility.
Congratulating Fisher and Paykel for its achievements, Mr Mickel said the manufacturer employs more than 500 Queenslanders – making it one of the State’s largest employers – and planned to take on more staff thanks to its new products.
“Fisher and Paykel is the only Australasian-owned appliance company in the local market, with one in every six refrigerators sold in Australia made at its Cleveland site,” Mr Mickel said.
“The new Active Smart Ice and Water upside down refrigerators incorporate cutting edge electronics technology and sophisticated design. The models save energy and space, and ensure chilled, filtered water and ice is on hand at all times.
“The fridges are fitted with sensors to constantly monitor temperatures to freeze or chill bottles, cans or room temperature items quickly for a set period of time.
“Fisher and Paykel believe the fridges are among the most advanced in the world predicting increase production by around 25%, which means 165,000 products will be manufactured in Cleveland next year.”
At the launch, Fisher and Paykel donated fridges painted with a wildlife theme for use in a new animal hospital soon to be opened by Australia Zoo’s fundraising arm Wildlife Warriors.
Member for Cleveland Phil Weightman said the Cleveland plant was established in 1990 with assistance from the Queensland Government, the company had embraced smart ways of doing business to become a Queensland manufacturing success story.
“In 2003, Fisher and Paykel celebrated the production of its one millionth refrigerator,” Mr Weightman said.
“Today the plant produces 190 different models and continues to adopt innovative manufacturing practices which enable it to produce, at its peak, a new fridge every 40 seconds.”
Mr Mickel said Queensland’s $15 billion manufacturing industry accounted for more 10% of the economy and was the State’s largest single provider of full-time jobs thanks to companies like Fisher and Paykel.
“The Queensland Government supports the industry with its Manufacturing Strategy, Making Queensland’s Future, which provides $26 million worth of assistance to companies until 2007.”
Mr Weightman said staff at Fisher and Paykel's 24/7 Customer Care Centre take calls from customers all over the world with trained personnel giving advice and booking in service calls. The call centre employs more than 150 people from the Brisbane area.
“With the production of new fridge models in Cleveland over coming months, staff numbers will be gradually increased to accommodate production growth,” he said.
“The growth is significant with the emergence of global production and low-wage competition from industrialising economies.”
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Media Contacts: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784
Minister for State Development John Mickel was on hand today to celebrate two new refrigerator models which will be rolling off the assembly line at Fisher and Paykel’s Cleveland manufacturing facility.
Congratulating Fisher and Paykel for its achievements, Mr Mickel said the manufacturer employs more than 500 Queenslanders – making it one of the State’s largest employers – and planned to take on more staff thanks to its new products.
“Fisher and Paykel is the only Australasian-owned appliance company in the local market, with one in every six refrigerators sold in Australia made at its Cleveland site,” Mr Mickel said.
“The new Active Smart Ice and Water upside down refrigerators incorporate cutting edge electronics technology and sophisticated design. The models save energy and space, and ensure chilled, filtered water and ice is on hand at all times.
“The fridges are fitted with sensors to constantly monitor temperatures to freeze or chill bottles, cans or room temperature items quickly for a set period of time.
“Fisher and Paykel believe the fridges are among the most advanced in the world predicting increase production by around 25%, which means 165,000 products will be manufactured in Cleveland next year.”
At the launch, Fisher and Paykel donated fridges painted with a wildlife theme for use in a new animal hospital soon to be opened by Australia Zoo’s fundraising arm Wildlife Warriors.
Member for Cleveland Phil Weightman said the Cleveland plant was established in 1990 with assistance from the Queensland Government, the company had embraced smart ways of doing business to become a Queensland manufacturing success story.
“In 2003, Fisher and Paykel celebrated the production of its one millionth refrigerator,” Mr Weightman said.
“Today the plant produces 190 different models and continues to adopt innovative manufacturing practices which enable it to produce, at its peak, a new fridge every 40 seconds.”
Mr Mickel said Queensland’s $15 billion manufacturing industry accounted for more 10% of the economy and was the State’s largest single provider of full-time jobs thanks to companies like Fisher and Paykel.
“The Queensland Government supports the industry with its Manufacturing Strategy, Making Queensland’s Future, which provides $26 million worth of assistance to companies until 2007.”
Mr Weightman said staff at Fisher and Paykel's 24/7 Customer Care Centre take calls from customers all over the world with trained personnel giving advice and booking in service calls. The call centre employs more than 150 people from the Brisbane area.
“With the production of new fridge models in Cleveland over coming months, staff numbers will be gradually increased to accommodate production growth,” he said.
“The growth is significant with the emergence of global production and low-wage competition from industrialising economies.”
____________________________________________________
Media Contacts: Chris Brown 3224 7349 or Elouise Campion 3224 6784