LG opens Air Conditioning Academy in Jeddah

LG Electronics enjoys a leading, 28.4 per cent share of the Kingdom's air conditioner market.

Hassan Shaker, CEO of H.G Ibrahim Shaker Company, welcomed a host of dignitaries at the new Academy, including Mr. K. H. Kim, President of LG Electronics' Middle East and Africa Operations, visiting from Dubai; Mr. C.K Cho, General Manager of LG Electronics Saudi Arabia; and Mr. Sol Bou-Nacklie, VP Marketing and Sales of H.G Ibrahim Shaker Company.

LG produced 11 million units worldwide in 2004 and aims to make a total of more than 12 million units in 2005. The global and regional digital leader is a ranked as one of the leading companies for both residential and commercial A/Cs in Saudi Arabia, and the commercial sector in Kingdom has been earmarked for major growth going forward. LG is predicting 30 per cent growth in its business this year in the Saudi markets.

K. H. Kim, President of LG Electronics Middle East and Africa Operations, said: "Quality training has played its part in LG's success in the regional market. The company's first Air Conditioner Academy in the capital, Riyadh, has trained several hundreds specialist to date, and similar academies for installers and contractors are run in Dubai as well."

"LG air conditioners have maintained the number one position in the world for the fifth consecutive year. LG surpassed the 10 million A/C units barriers in sales worldwide in 2004 and its success can be attributed to quality, cost leadership and differentiated marketing activities," Kim added.

C. K Cho, General Manager of LG Electronics Saudi Arabia, said: "The air conditioner business is heavily influenced by the local construction industry, and large orders are won and lost based on price and quality competitiveness. The new academy will demonstrate the competitive strengths of LG products, and it is part of our number one position for both service technology and installation."

"The main objective of the academy is to upgrade the knowledge and technical skills of people in a variety of business sectors, especially service technicians and engineers. It also plays an important in increasing awareness of the LG air conditioner business among contractors, consultants, and end users," explained Hassan Shaker, CEO of H.G Ibrahim Shaker Company.

He added: "The academy includes comprehensive training facilities, full-time trainers, and complete showcase of products to study and demonstrate installation and commissioning. The new Jeddah Academy will form part of a growing chain of LG training centres in Saudi Arabia and the region, and it will also benefit school-leavers and graduates."

LG air conditioners score highly in the Saudi Arabia market thanks to their simple installation, quiet operation and low energy consumption. LG's Mr. C.K Cho also attributes LG's local success to the efficient use of overseas production bases, region-specific marketing strategies, the development of class-leading core technologies, and ownership core parts businesses.