Hisense officially opened a factory in Atlantis, in the Western Cape, yesterday.
The opening of the 25 200sqm factory marks the first phase of the brand's R350 million injection into the local economy. The establishment of the factory was done in partnership with the national and regional government. Western Cape premier Helen Zille and minister of economic development Ebrahim Patel were present at the opening ceremony.
"We look forward to the company expanding employment further and will provide support through co-ordinated government actions on skills, investment facilitation, industrial incentives and infrastructure provision," said Patel. "We also applaud the company's connection with the community and its corporate social investments, which are contributing in ensuring that the people of this area enjoy a great quality of life."
The plant will supply sub-Saharan Africa with leading-edge innovative flat-panel televisions and refrigeration units. These products will be manufactured by a local workforce of more than 300, which is set to have a profound effect on the economic and social morale of the Western Cape, said Hisense.
According to executive VP of the Hisense Group, Dr Lan Lin, the commitment sees Hisense becoming a positive role model for other Chinese companies wanting to work closely with South Africans. Hisense aims to take its local workforce up to 1 000 within the next three to five years, and there are already plans to expand the facility.
The Atlantis plant is Hisense's sixth manufacturing facility outside Chinese borders.
Yansang Rong, China's economic and commercial counsellor to SA, and Quingcheng Lu, VP of the China-Africa Development Fund, were also present to unveil the brand's110-inch LED flat-panel TV. According to Hisense, the TV is the largest ultra-high-definition LED TV commercially available.
Share
