Airpac International chooses Chile as its industrial and commercial platformPublished: April 6, 2009
With a total investment of over US$ 1million, the arrival of the company in our country forms part of an internationalisation strategy to reach Latin American markets.
The French company Airpac International, specialist in geo-thermal and aero-thermal heat pumps, chose Chile to set up a manufacturing plant. The arrival of the company in our country is part of an internationalisation strategy in which Chile is viewed as a platform to reach markets in Latin America. With this project, Chile will also be used to provide parts for the company in Europe.
According to Sandrine Augrand, the Airpac Group's Marketing and International Development Manager, "we chose Chile as our industrial and commercial platform for South America because of its political and economic stability, its trade agreements with France, Europe and Mercosur, for the dynamism of its economy and its ability to help foreign investors via the Chilean Economic Development Agency (CORFO)."
"This led us to transfer to Chile the manufacturing of parts used for our factory in France, and part of our Research and Development processes, in addition to the assembly and manufacturing of equipment for distribution in Latin America. The location offers unparalleled prices, quality and technical service in those markets," added the executive.
Development in a new marketAirpac's project is the first initiative of its type concerning non-conventional renewable energy. Until now, the development of this type of energy has mainly been associated with the importation of equipment and its sale in Chile, or the development of prototypes without reaching a commercial scale. With this project, our country initiates a new industry related with the development of Renewable Energy, which extends from the design and manufacture of equipment to engineering services associated with the maintenance and operation of units.
"We hope this initiative will begin a dynamic auxiliary industry for non-conventional renewable energy. This is a prioritised government sector which is considered strategic for the sustainable development of the country," explained Mario Castillo, CORFO's Head of Investment and Development.
Through its InvestChile program, CORFO aims to consolidate the country as a platform for investment and technological innovation by attracting foreign companies in the process of internalisation. In the case of Airpac, CORFO is supporting the venture with financial incentives for project launch, human resources training, high technology specialised training, long-term real estate leases and fixed assets.
ProjectionsTotal investment for the project is estimated at over US$ 1million. This will be invested over a period of five years and will create 45 new jobs. The project involves Research and Development to improve technical solutions and the training of operatives, both in equipment manufacture and industrial processes.
"With the introduction of our products, Airpac will lead the way in renewable energy in Latin America. Research and development will maintain competitiveness, and our professionals will acquire the 'know how' from France. Via the transfer of parts to Chile, products can be supplied at better prices from Chile to the rest of the region," explained Oscar Coutasse, General Manager of Airpac Chile.
The company's annual sales projections are in the order of US$ 1.3 million at the beginning of the project, increasing to US$ 4 million in the long term and achieving exports of US$ 9 million by the seventh year.