The takeover of Hitachi’s consumer and appliance business by Beko Australia, will kick off from October 1st according to sources with all staff with the exception of former General Manager Gaurav Sethi who has chosen to leave the business.
According to sources Harvey Norman management who have recently expanded the brands refrigerators to 80 stores in Australia, insisted that certain management who have been successfully running the Hitachi consumer business in Australia stay.
Among the people who will stay with the business is Michael Richardson who will head up sales and Marketing Manager Mark Beard.
According to a Harvey Norman source Director and head of electrical David Ackery played a key role in the retaining of key Hitachi staff.
Back in 2020 Arçelik the owners of Beko and Hitachi Global Life Solutions, signed a share purchase agreement to establish a new joint venture company.
As part of the transaction, Hitachi GLS establish a new company into which they transfer its global home appliances business outside of Japan.
Arçelik acquired 60% ownership in the new company.
Neither party commented.
ChannelNews understands that the negotiations were conducted by Beko CEO John Brown who is currently on holiday in Europe.
He is expected to be on the Beko stand at IFA 2023 in Berlin.
