By Craig Zammit

SYDNEY: LG Electronics has announced the launch of a fully-owned subsidiary of LG Electronics in New Zealand, with the company claiming to have made significant in-roads into the New Zealand market over the past 12 months.

“Completing LG’s offering across the Asia Pacific Region, LG is proud to bring its range of innovative, stylish, premium appliances to New Zealand consumers via our valued retail outlet partnerships,” said LG Electronics Australia managing director, Daniel Shin.

“The presence of LG Electronics in New Zealand will no doubt raise the bar in terms of competitiveness in everything from product design and integration, to sales, service and support.”

Announcing the opening of the LG Electronics New Zealand operation at a gala dinner held at Langham Hotel, Auckland, Shin was joined by 150 guests including New Zealand retailers and VIP visitors; LG Electronics Pacific and South East Asia Region president, KR Kim; Embassy of the Republic of Korea representative, Joon-Gyu Lee; General Consul from the Korean Consulate, Joonhyung Kang; Consul from the Korean Consulate, Yunsung Kim; LM Rankine Trading Co Ltd CEO, Michael Park; and Korean Trade Association representative, Kang-Tuk Yoon.

According to Shin, the goal for LG New Zealand will be to duplicate the success of LG Electronics in Australia, which went from relative obscurity to market leader in seven categories, including plasma televisions, LCD televisions, home theatre and DVD recorders, microwaves, front load washers and side-by-side refrigeration, within one decade.

“The entrepreneurial spirit of LG is alive and well in New Zealand and is evidenced by the partnerships already well underway with major retailers in New Zealand,” said Shin.

“Our leadership in consumer electronic solutions makes LG as important and relevant in New Zealand as it has been in Australia for the last ten years,” he said.

“Coupled with the technical superiority of its products, LG’s consumer insights have always been its point of differentiation and this trend will continue as LG invests more heavily in research and development specific to the New Zealand market,” said LG Electronics New Zealand general manager, Gerald Chun.

LG products will be available in selected retail stores across New Zealand.