Sunday, April 1, 2018

German-based refrigeration tech maker invests in Kenya service hub

A shopper looks at frozen products at a supermarket. Bitzer is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of refrigeration and air-conditioning technologies. PHOTO | AFP  A shopper looks at frozen products at a supermarket. Bitzer is the world’s largest independent manufacturer of refrigeration and air-conditioning technologies. PHOTO | AFP   
German refrigeration technologies maker Bitzer has invested in an authorised service centre in Nairobi, marking its first presence in Kenya.
The service centre is the first in Africa for Bitzer and has been opened 14 months after the German multinational, which manufactures refrigeration compressors, opened an office in Kenya in November 2016.
“Kenya is a strategically important growth region for Bitzer,” said Stefan Leitl, managing director of Bitzer Middle East.
“Our service centre allows us to offer our partners in Kenya a brand new, authorised range of services. Because we have a Bitzer team in the region, we can now respond much quicker to all requests.”
The service centre has been opened in conjunction with a local firm Repelectric Kenya, which is based in Ruaraka, Nairobi.
Repelectric has been dealing in repair of electric motors and related products in Kenya since 1980.
Bitzer has constructed the centre within Repelectric’s site in Nairobi and furnished it with required equipment and trained Repelectric staff.
Repelectric general manager Jack Wootton said his firm is well-acquainted with the requirements of local users and the opening of the centre will support users of Bitzer’s products, reducing downtime.
“Repair work will be quicker and using original Bitzer spare parts. The technical support from Bitzer means the services offered in Kenya will meet the global standards of quality,” said Mr Wootton.
Mr Leitl said the centre will also provide advice on all issues related to repairs, efficiency requirements and product piracy. Bitzer, which recorded Sh85 billion in sales in 2016, is headquartered in Sindelfingen, Germany.
The firm with 3,400 employees around the world also manufactures compressors that power air-conditioning systems in buildings including schools and hospitals as well as condensing units and pressure vessels. It also produces software to run its products.
Both the office and service centre in Kenya are structurally affiliated with and receive support from Bitzer Middle East.

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