Walton to produce 4m compressors annually

Economic Correspondent:  Taking the challenge of producing highest standard compressors, the country’s electronics giant Walton is going to set up an ultra-modern factory of compressor for refrigerators at the premises of Walton Hi-Tech Industries Ltd (WHIL), the outskirts of capital Dhaka, marking a milestone not only for the company but also for Bangladesh.

According to Walton authority, the new unit will manufacture four million (40 lakh) compressors annually with ultra-hybrid quality. Of which, about 2.5 million compressors will be exported to the developed countries like Europe and America after catering to the local demand.

It was learnt that the working performance, durability and precision of the Walton brand compressors will be more than the general compressors, they said. In addition, the produced compressors would consume a little bit power and also be environment-friendly.

The industry insiders think that this initiative of Walton would be a milestone for the country’s present industrialization process. Besides, the quality of Walton brand refrigerators made up with its own produced compressors would be increased in large extent.

At present, some 100 engineers have been staying in Europe for the last one and half month for taking higher trainings on the ultra-modern technology of compressor and also for bringing the imported machineries into Bangladesh, the company officials informed.

Meanwhile, the construction work of the new ultra-modern factory has been already completed at WHIL in Chandra, they said adding, the installation process of the imported machines started from October this year with a target of going into the experimental operation in the middle of next year.

Ashraful Ambia, executive director of sourcing engineering of Walton Group and in-charge of the project, said, “In Bangladesh, it is the first initiative for manufacturing compressors of fridges.”

At present, Japan produces the highest standard refrigerator’s compressors in Asia, he said adding: till now, Walton is using Japan made compressors in its fridges.

“We are going to manufacture European technology based compressors adopting the world’s latest technology,” he said.

Thus, the compressors which will be made at Walton factory would be more standard quality, efficient, durable and energy-efficient compared to those compressors, Ambia claimed.

And, Bangladesh would be able to take the place of the highest standard compressors producing country in Asia, he expressed the hope.

It was learnt that more than 200 vessels are required for bringing the imported machineries from Europe to Bangladesh. Also, some special vessels are rented to bring some heavy weight machines into the country.

Uday Hakim, operative director of Walton Group, informed that some multinational companies have already expressed their interest to procure Walton brand compressors.

The compressor unit of WHIL will create employment opportunity for total of 2000 persons, including more than 300 engineers, he said adding, this initiative will also create skill manpower in this sector.

Walton has greatly focused on the research and development for making its dream of producing world-class standard compressors true, Hakim said.

“Now, customers of Walton brand refrigerator are enjoying 8 years warranty for compressors. But, the warranty period for the produced compressors in Walton factory would be 10 years,” he noted.

Engineer Mir Muzahidul Islam, chief of R&D department of the compressor project, said, “We are going to set up a fully production plant of compressor rather than an assembling unit. Walton is assuring of the production of world-class compressors as it has necessary experts and adopted the world’s latest technology for its compressors’ unit.”

Usually, manufacturers are needed to produce different types of compressors for different countries considering weather and electricity supply situation of the related countries, he said adding but, Walton is going to manufacture compressors applying such a technology that its compressors would ensure smooth performance in any conditions.

“Thus, Walton is hundred percent optimistic about making its strong foot in the world market as it is assuring of manufacturing world-class compressors,”  
 
“If Bangladesh current trend of manufacturing high technology based products continues, it will be able to step up in the list of developed countries very soon,” Islam believes.

Initially, the company will start its manufacturing process through producing induction technology based compressors. Later, it will produce inverter technology based compressors, he informed.

It was learnt that Walton is setting up its new compressor unit on about 16 lakh square feet of land.  A 4-storied building has already been eructed at its WHIL premises. The company has already completed the design of its compressor.  Walton’s compressor unit will be a composite factory through combining steel, zinc, aluminum, copper casting, foundry, testing and metal processing system.

risingbd/DHAKA/Nov 11, 2015/Akram Hossain/Augustin Sujan