Fisher & Paykel
EXPANDING YOUR HORIZONS
| The Southland Export Forum on August 1 at the White Heron, held
very interesting and informative evening with Fisher & Paykel
General Manager, Chris Staynes who shared the history of plant and
how they have built up their staff and products during their large
growth span over the past 20 years. |
 |
Fisher & Paykel now have over 300 staff in the dishdrawer
dept alone, and last year expanded their factory base twice to more
than 2000 feet. He explained the development and growth of products
from Shacklock Ranges to a wider range of appliances with their
biggest seller being the dishdrawer.
The dishdrawer had interesting beginnings… after a decision to
redesign their current dishwasher, which needed more features,
market research had found that the consumer felt guilty for running
a partial load and wasting resources, there was an innovative
design team established and they focussed on this issue. A number
of solutions were offered but none feasible, until one day…. two
young people on the team wheeled in an old wooden filing cabinet
with two drawers which they had sat dish baskets in and so the
dishdrawer concept was born. A great idea! But how would it ever
work? The design team took on the challenge and succeeded, Fisher
& Paykel had a world first!
Chris elaborated on how market research for their products was
carried out and how they entered the export market with its global
challenges, sharing the advantages and issues they faced. There was
a lot to be learnt from mistakes made and correct procedures to
follow, exporters attending this presentation were enlightened on
how to do this successfully.
You can never stand still in this game, the innovation continues
with all design teams working on exciting, innovative and
aspirational products, watch out for their brilliant new product
scheduled for launching later this year.
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