Chinese hardware giant opens first space in Sydney
Chinese building materials and homewares company China Lesso Group Holdings opened its first exhibition space in Australia on Thursday, as it makes a push into the local market.
Lesso Home opened a 30,000sqm centre in Greenacre in Sydney’s west, reportedly investing at least $20 million, with more than 60 tenants, focusing on trade buyers including home builders and interior designers.
As first revealed by The Australian last year, the Hong Kong-listed manufacturer of hardware, building materials and electrical equipment is expanding into the local market after warning of challenging conditions in China.
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The group is planning to open another outlet in Australia in early 2018, focused on lighting and furnishings, and has plans for other home building offerings in the future.
The expansion has prompted comparisons with Wesfarmers-owned Bunnings, although the new centre will have a slightly different model.
The new Lesso Home at Mayvic St, Greenacre, which the group leased earlier this year, is just blocks from a Bunnings outlet. “Our offering in Sydney is a trade-focused outlet, rather than a consumer-focused outlet, that brings more choice to Australian businesses,” says Victor Lin, vice-president of China Lesso Group.
“China Lesso Group products are already widely available in Australia from a number of outlets and Lesso Home is bringing all these products under one roof.”
The group planned to expand further in Australia as part of a larger global strategy over the next five years, he said.
Last year, China Lesso bought the St Hilliers Estate in the western suburb of Auburn and a major block of land in the outer suburb of Huntingwood East, which will serve as a longer-term distribution hub.
Dr Lin says the group is “currently working on plans” for its Auburn site. Melbourne is also “high on the list” for further locations in Australia.
The push into Australia also comes after US-based eCommerce giant Amazon announced plans to open here.
The move into Australia could be driven by hopes of diversifying from manufacturing into eCommerce, after it set up the Lesso Mall platform in China in 2015. China Lesso says its local launch will offer more choice and competitive prices to Australian consumers and businesses.
“Lesso Home is inspired by the array of premium Chinese design and manufacturing products. We believe China has much to offer Australian businesses, assisting them to compete and deliver the best performances for their customers,” Dr Lin says. “Sydney is just the first step and China Lesso is looking to open more locations across North America, the Middle East and Asia.”
– with Ben Wilmot
This article originally appeared on www.theaustralian.com.au/property.
