Hisense R72million investment in Atlantis

The Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies has hailed Hisense’s investment of R72 million into its refrigeration and television production lines at its factory based in Atlantis, Cape Town, as an “important achievement” and “another example of the fruits of South Africa’s successful partnership with the Republic of China”. He also said that the Hisense investment signified that South Africa remains an attractive investment destination across all sectors including advanced manufacturing.

Davies was speaking at the official launch of the expansion which was also attended by the Hisense Middle East-Africa President, Mr Jeyy Liu.

Hisense, a leading global company and a world leader of flat panel television, household appliances and mobile communication is expanding its plant in Atlantis, Western Cape and gears for the growth of the fast moving consumer goods sector on the African Continent.

“Everyone who is involved with this kind of a project needs to be extremely proud of what has been achieved here because this is an important investment which has injected R72 million into the economy and created 150 quality manufacturing job opportunities. Moreover, this investment brings Hisense’s total investment in this Atlantis plant to R440 million which is a significant investment,” said Davies.

He added that he learnt with pride and joy that the Atlantis Hisense plant has been rated the best-performing plant in the world outside China

“This means that the plant is performing better than others based in North America and the European Union member countries.  This is something we need to be proud of as a country and I congratulate Hisense South Africa for that accolade. This is part of our pitch as a country for manufacturing investment that if you come and invest in South Africa you will have a good experience,” added Davies.

He also said that the Hisense plant was an example of the commitment of government in general, and the Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) in particular, to supporting manufacturing in South Africa as a whole but specifically in Atlantis and in the fast moving consumer goods industry.

“As a department we are very happy that the first investment was supported by the dti through is Manufacturing and  Enhance Programme, as well as through the tariff rate dispensation that has supported the investment in the fridges,” said Davies.

In 2013, Hisense invested R350 million in a high-tech manufacturing facility in the Atlantis industrial area. The manufacturing development is a much needed boost to the local community of Atlantis, with more 500 people been employed on a permanent basis.

The President of Hisense Middle East-Africa Holdings, Mr Jerry Liu said the new manufacturing lines would not only create 150 new job opportunities but high-level skills development will be at the forefront of the company’s skill development programme.

“As we expand our presence in Southern Africa, Hisense remains committed to providing solutions that will enable growth and sustain economic development.  Hisense is keen to support government localisation programmes by partnering with South African manufacturers and logistics network to consolidate an integrated domestic supply chain,” said Liu.

Minister Davies the launch of multi-million rand Hisense television and refrigeration expansion at the Atlantis Industrial area outside Cape Town.

Enquiries:
Sidwell Medupe-Departmental Spokesperson
Tel: (012) 394 1650
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E-mail: MSMedupe@thedti.gov.za
Issued by: The Department of Trade and Industry
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