Haier sees huge opportunity in Thai market, ups investment

Haier Asia Co president and chief executive Yoshiaki Ito said that the group had been developing products based on a five-step strategy – brand building, diversification, internationalisation, global branding and networking.
At present, the group has eight research and development centres, 16 industrial parks, 29 factories, 64 trading companies, a 58,800-strong sales network and 70,000 staff around the world.
It claims that every product it produces becomes the best product based on research and innovative technology.
 And the company said that with continuous research and development, it was an example of success in building a win-win model of a combination of individuals and goals – a doctrine that drove staff to create value for customers.
Haier said Thailand was full of business opportunities and potential in many aspects, including research and the production and sale of home appliances.
With these great opportunities, Haier plans to establish Thailand as a hub for business-to-business and business-to-government deals in Asean, especially in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.
Haier has signed a contract with the Ministry of Science and Technology in Laos for its first national project there.
The project is slated to commence in October.
Yang Xiaolin, president of the Haier Group in Thailand, said the training centre for commercial air-conditioners – the first such centre in Asean – was established at the Haier factory in Kabin Buri district, Prachin Buri.
The factory is the production base for refrigerators, washing machines, air-conditioners and freezers to sell domestically and export to other Asean countries, as well as Australia, Japan, the EU and South America.
Haier plans to double its Asean sales from US$500 million (Bt4.6 billion) over the next five years.
It said the establishment of the training centre reflected its commitment to investing in Asean, especially for commercial air-conditioners.