Operations move to Thailand.
In February, Electrolux announced that the manager of its Orange refrigeration plant in New South Wales would be relocated to run the company’s expanded Thailand manufacturing operations in Rayong. Mark O’Kane was promoted to the position of general manager of Thailand operations after the company’s local refrigeration production ceases on 15 April.
In his new role, O’Kane assumes responsibility for the Electrolux washer and refrigeration plants in Rayong which manufacture products for the Australian retail market. He will also finalise the successful transition of large refrigeration and freezer production from Orange to Rayong which commenced last year.
In April, the Australian consumer electronics industry said farewell to the Electrolux refrigeration at Orange in central west NSW, which is closing after Electrolux moved all its manufacturing overseas.
Factory general manager, Mark O’Kane said not only will the closure be a blow for the town of Orange, but also for Australian manufacturers seeking to compete globally. The closure means the end of more than 70 years of whitegoods production in the town and the end of an era for Australian manufacturing.
210 of the 300 employees at the factory will have their last day tomorrow while 90 will stay on for up to eight months decommissioning the plant.
One month later, the company recruited Australasian Asset Management Pty Ltd (AAM) to facilitate the sale of the machinery and equipment associated with the operation and administration of the former site.
AAM will be running advertisements over the next three days. The principal activity will be conducted on May 23 and 24 when the public will have access to view the items for sale.
In a ‘no reserve tender sale’, a large number of items from the facility including specialised plastics injection moulding plant, workshop and office equipment through to second hand recent release fridges and microwave ovens will be offered.
The second of three stages, this sale is the largest in the clearance of goods from the site. Tenders close on May 27 at 5.00pm.