F&P factory in US looks to expand

Fisher & Paykel's workforce of 35 at its new washing machine factory in Ohio is set to rise to 115 by the end of the year.

At the opening ceremony, human resources manager Kevin Pullar said the plant could have three to four times as many jobs if sales took off.

The factory began making washing machines three weeks ago and executives are considering adding 2787 sq m to produce clothes dryers and electric appliance motors for another manufacturer, Whirlpool.

The US$31 million ($48.6 million) project included dismantling a plant in Queensland and moving it to the US in four months.