Alfa Laval, a leading global provider of specialised products and engineering solutions based on its key technologies of heat transfer, separation and fluid handling, has opened a permanent sales office in Accra.
The move, the management of the company says, will enable them to serve the about 250 million-people market with the latest equipment, systems and services, which are dedicated to assisting customers in optimising the performance of their processes.
The solutions help them to heat, cool, separate and transport products in industries that produce food and beverages, chemicals and petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, starch, sugar and ethanol.
It will also enable the company to bring its quality products and services to the doorsteps of buyers in Ghana, and other West African countries.
The Swedish based company said the new West-African office located in Accra would focus on Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast and Senegal.
Senior officials of the company explained that the office would provide technical expertise, reactivity and local presence. Customer service, such as commissioning, troubleshooting, standard maintenance and training, will also be available locally, they stated.
The office, according to them, would be supported by a back office based in France, and a network of West African channel partners.
Inaugurating the Alfa Laval West Africa office in Accra, the President of Alfa Laval France, North and West Africa, Maryne Lemvik, said the company’s decision to expand to Ghana and the West African sub-region was influenced by the recent economic growth.
In recent years, West Africa has outperformed the rest of Africa economically. The GDP of the region is rising steadily: 7.1 for West Africa in 2014, compared to 6.3 in 2013.
As a technologies firm, we are committed to the economic growth and development of Ghana and the whole of West Africa, she stated.
The Regional Business Manager for Alfa Laval West Africa, Cyril Massard, noted; “The standards of living and energy costs are rising, and, on the other hand, industries must deal with aging equipment and tight work spaces. These trends and challenges require the experience and knowhow that Alfa Laval can now offer locally.”
Alfa Laval’s wide range of solutions for the oil and gas industry will address the needs of the region’s growing offshore exploration and production sector, he assured the business community.
“Alfa Laval equipments and processes for food and beverages will serve the local demand for processed food. Alfa Laval’s marine and diesel range will also contribute to electricity production.”
The Ambassador of France to Ghana, H.E Frederic Clavier, commended the company, which posted annual sales of about 3.7 billion Euros in 2014, for expanding to Ghana and other West African countries.
He said: “Ghana is very good place for business. It is a country where you can find the best trained people to work with.”
Mr. Clavier stressed that the coming of Alfa Laval would further drive the uptake of technology in Ghana and the sub-region, and, therefore, urged businesses, governments, and individuals to do business with the company.
Picture caption: President of Alfa Laval France, North and West Africa, Maryne Lemvik being interviewed by journalists after the inauguration
African Eye News.com
