3 Mar 2014

F&P centre expanded in Dunedin

9:12 pm on 3 March 2014

Fisher and Paykel Appliances is expanding its design centre in Dunedin to accommodate 73 more staff.

Fisher and Paykel site manager Richard Butler, left, with Dave Cull.

Fisher and Paykel site manager Richard Butler, left, with Dave Cull. Photo: RNZ

The appliance maker owned by Chinese company Haier designs all its products in Dunedin and Auckland, but manufactures them overseas.

The Dunedin operation has about 135 designers based at the Wall Street mall complex in the central city, owned by the Dunedin City Council.

The council has announced it is investing up to $2.3 million to give Fisher and Paykel a third more space, and the company is putting in a similar amount.

Mayor Dave Cull said on Monday the development is exactly what the South Island city needs and is in line with the council's economic strategy to grow more hi-tech industries and jobs.

"They're not just jobs, they're exactly the kind of jobs creating high quality, high value IP (intellectual property) that we recognise we need to create in this city."