By Paul Hayes

SYDNEY, NSW: Whitegoods supplier, Haier, officially kicked off its Australian business arm yesterday with the grand opening of its first Australian showroom.

Haier vice-chairman, Wu Kesong, and director of ASEAN and South Asian Division, Shi Zhiyuan, were on hand at the Fisher & Paykel head office in Lidcombe for the opening.

The Chinese company took the first step in its Australasian expansion in June last year when it purchased a 20 per cent cornerstone stake in Fisher & Paykel.

Wu said that this investment was an “important part of Haier’s global brand building strategy”.

As part of a strategic co-operation agreement between the two companies, Fisher & Paykel has been responsible for the distribution of Haier whitegoods in Australia since April this year.

“There is no doubt this is a mutually beneficial relationship,” said Fisher & Paykel chief operating officer, Mike Church.