Haier assembly plant to begin rollout soon

The production of laptops at Haier Electrical Appliances Ltd’s plant at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt is imminent as critical components of the assembly line are currently being installed at the site.

At a simple ceremony yesterday at the company’s operations, businessman Brian James, the Chinese firm’s local partner, said Haier is working to have operations from its new base up and running within another two months.

Two local employees of Haier in the computer assembly line at the Chinese company’s plant at Industrial Site, Ruimveldt yesterday. (Anjuli Persaud photo)

The company has already installed equipment at the base, which will include a showroom on the lower floor of Haier products assembled here. The plant will also assemble television sets and other appliances, James said. It is capable of assembling 200 laptops per day, a company official stated.

James said the venture is moving forward and the US$2 million investment in the plant is not just about computers as the company will focus on assembling other appliances in the coming months. He added that Haier is among the largest appliance manufacturing companies globally.

James said the investment by Haier is a demonstration of the company’s faith in the business environment here and it will bring foreign exchange to the country. He said it will also give an indication to the world that Guyana can compete globally in terms of technology.

Haier’s Latin America representative, Zhou Yu (left) and an official of the Chinese embassy examine a computer in the assembly line at the company’s Industrial Site, Ruimveldt plant.

He said the venture could mean substantial savings on products for consumers. Haier is targeting the Caribbean market as well as the country’s neighbours and the existing business agreement between Guyana and Brazil will aid the entity.

As regards its human resource capacity, James said Haier is not “too concerned” as there is a skilled labour force of locals. He said that when Haier was awarded the contract for the government’s One Laptop Per Family (OLPF) project last year, the Chinese company had sent a group of technicians to train locals. The Guyanese performed well, he said, adding that they achieved more than 92% of what was expected of them.

A section of Haier’s computer assembly plant at its Industrial Site, Ruimveldt location

Chinese Ambassador Yu Wenzhe noted in brief comments that Haier setting up a base here comes at a critical time when the two countries celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations. He said the arrangement signifies the strong relations which exist between the two countries.

James had told Stabroek News in February that the company will set up the plant for laptops and computers here and plans to establish an industrial park within in five years in an investment pegged at US$10 million.
Last year, Haier won a US$7.56 million contract for the supply of 27,000 netbooks for the OLPF project. Among the terms of the contract, is an 18-month warranty period and the company has set up the location for this purpose as well as the sale of Haier products.