Ela Motors opens new facility

 By GYNNIE KERO

ELA MOTORS has invested in a million kina facility to boost Hino trucks and services in Papua New Guinea, chief executive officer and director David Purcell said.

Speaking during the opening of the new Badili Hino Truck shop last Thursday, Purcell said there was an absence of such dedicated services and parts operations for customers and business partners.

“This is all part of an investment plan as most of you know we’ve been in business in PNG for more than 50 years now.

“Can you imagine what would happen if we had no road transport and trucks,” Purcell asked.

“We have consolidated plans to do the same sort of thing in the key markets of Lae and Mt Hagen. 

“We’ve been part of five years of very strong growth in Papua New Guinea and part of that growth is supporting our Hino truck customers, which without doubt, are the backbone of building roads and construction in this country.”

Ela Motors had increased its workforce in the past five years from about 750 to the 1,100 workers.”

Purcell said most of the increase was in the parts and service business, which was attributed to the company’s focus on developing the Hino business. 

“We had increased our parts holding significantly in the past few years, so the level of parts supplied by us to our customers had improved significantly. 

“We had introduced the concept called the Ela academy,” he said. 

Purcell said the academy was an initiative that focused on developing young trade apprentices in the business and providing them with a solid core set of standards, values and education. 

Works Minister Francis Awesa praised Ela Motors for the investment, saying that the automotive distributor had set high standards in the country in terms of its products and services.

He urged companies, including those in the automotive industry, not to charge high price for their services and products.

“The economy of PNG is set to grow in the next few years and this is promising for the business community, government and people,” Awesa said. 

“People have shown confidence and loyalty to Ela Motors, Boroko Motors and other automotive companies. 

“You should not take this for granted and please don’t charge customers exorbitant fees.”