Sharp Indonesia to build new appliance plant

JAKARTA: Japanese electronics manufacturer Sharp Corporation plans to build a Rp 1.2 trillion (US$130.8 million) plant to increase its production of refrigerators and washing machines in Indonesia.

“The new production facility will be built in Karawang International Industrial City [KIIC] in Karawang, West Java,” Sharp Corporation said in a written statement on its website.

The investment will be done through its local subsidiary, PT Sharp Electronics Indonesia (SEID). “Domestic consumption has been growing steadily in the Indonesian market in concert with economic development, and further market expansion is expected in the future.

“With the construction of this new plant, Sharp will expand production capacity for refrigerators and washing machines, and will work to grow its business in the Indonesian market and further enhance the Sharp brand image,” the company said.

Construction of the new appliance plant is expected to be completed in 2013. The new plant will have a production capacity of 220,000 refrigerators per month and 140,000 washing machines per month. The company currently produces 600,000 refrigerators per year.