A family-owned New Zealand manufacturer, Fero, is setting up in Samoa and will be offering employment to skilled workers left jobless by the exit of Yazaki.
Photo: RNZI/ Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia
Today is Yazaki's last day of operation in Samoa, with its departure putting 700 people out of work.
Fero produce wiring units that fit into products such as parking meters and police cars.
The company aims to start manufacturing at the former Yazaki site in Vaitele.
Fero's general manager, Sam Fulton, said the company had a growth strategy for their Samoa operation which gets underway on the first of November.
"We're looking at an initial kick-off with between 50 and 70 staff. It's our goal to be employing 200 staff within 24 months. There's a bit of dependency on the amount of work that we can secure for the plant and we'll be looking towards the Australian market for that."
Another company, Samoa's Sleepwell International, has announced plans to start manufacturing beds and furniture at the Vaitele industrial site as well.
