Aiwa of Japan opens new audio plant in Bekasi
Aiwa of Japan opens new audio plant in Bekasi
JAKARTA (JP): PT Aiwa Dharmala, a joint venture between Aiwa
Co Ltd of Japan and the Dharmala Group, opened its audiovisual
equipment factory in Bekasi, West Java, yesterday.
Dharmala Group president Suyanto Gondokusumo, who officially
opened the factory, said the new joint venture would export its
products to the United States, Europe and to Asian countries,
including Japan.
"We are now facing a tough economic climate. In this
situation, exports are very important. In line with governmental
wishes, the Dharmala Group will develop more value-added
exports," he said.
"To remain competitive, we've also selectively chosen our
business partner to ensure that both parties benefit from the
relationship," Suyanto said.
Aiwa Dharmala, established last March, is 40 percent owned by
PT Aster Dharma Industri, a subsidiary of the Dharmala Group, and
60 percent by Aiwa Singapore Ltd, a subsidiary of Japan's Aiwa Co
Ltd.
The factory has a capacity to produce 400,000 sets of
audiovisual equipment per year and it is expected to produce 2
million sets by 2000.
Suyanto added that the company, with paid-up capital of US$5
million, had invested US$10 million to further develop Aiwa
Dharmala.
He said the company would increase its total investment to $50
million by 2000.
The president of Japan's Aiwa Co Ltd, Yoshio Ishigaki, said
his company planned to make Indonesia its manufacturing base for
Aiwa products.
He said Indonesia not only had a substantial amount of human
resources, but also had manufacturers of audiovisual components
to support operations.
He said the establishment of Aiwa Dharmala's factory, Aiwa's
second factory in Indonesia, was part of its program to boost its
presence in Indonesia.
"Our first factory, located in Sukabumi, was opened in April
1996. Combined with our Japanese, Singaporean and Malaysian
factories and contracted partners in the Philippines, China and
Hong Kong, Aiwa has created a comprehensive production network in
the Asian region," he said.
The Dharmala Group, which was established in 1954 in Surabaya,
currently has 13 publicly listed companies, including one each in
Hong Kong and the Philippines.
The group focuses on financial services, agriculture, real
estate, electronics, heavy equipment, and consumer and retail
services.
Japan's Aiwa Co Ltd began as a microphone manufacturer in
1951. The company has since successfully targeted strategic
market areas to become a manufacturer of audio, visual and
computer peripheral products, such as mini component systems,
headphone stereos, VCRs, CD players, radios and cassette
recorders.
The company has diversified into data communications and home
appliances as well. (08)