LG Electronics is strengthening its ultra‑premium built‑in strategy in the U.S. with a new SKS Technicurean Center in Boston,LG Electronics said it recently opened the “SKS Technicurean Center” in Boston, Massachusetts, together with premium appliance retailer Yale Appliance. This is the fourth SKS customer experience space LG Electronics has set up in the United States, following Napa Valley in California, New Jersey, and Chicago.
The New Battle for Your Living Room: Can Samsung and LG Beat China’s Robot Vacuums?
The classic “white goods” market—think refrigerators and washing machines—has a new, high-tech battleground: the robot vacuum.
For years, South Korean tech giants Samsung and LG dominated home appliances. However, a major shift is happening right under their noses. Chinese brands have quietly taken over the robot vacuum market, forcing the Korean legacy brands to play a fierce game of catch-up.
Here is a breakdown of how the battle lines are drawn between Chinese scale and Korean security.
The Current Landscape: China’s Dominance
According to data from market tracker International Data Corporation (IDC), the world’s top five household robot vacuum makers are now all Chinese companies, holding a combined global market share of 54.5%.
* Roborock leads the pack globally with a 17.7% market share, ranking number one in major markets like South Korea, the US, and Germany.
* Dreame and Ecovacs have similarly surged, successfully rebranding themselves from budget-friendly alternatives into premium, AI-driven powerhouses.
* The Supply Chain Advantage: Much of China’s dominance comes down to speed and infrastructure. With over 1 million registered robot-related companies domestically, Chinese manufacturers can source batteries, motors, and sensors locally, drastically shortening development cycles and cutting costs.
This aggressive expansion has hit close to home for Korean manufacturers. The South Korean robot vacuum market is booming—expected to surpass 1 trillion won ($644 million)—but it is currently heavily shaped by these Chinese rivals who moved first on premium features like auto-mop washing and advanced obstacle avoidance.
The Korean Counterattack: Betting on Trust and Security
Because Chinese brands gained an early lead in hardware and pricing, Samsung and LG are shifting the goalposts. They aren’t just selling vacuums; they are selling ecosystem trust and data privacy.
Because modern robot vacuums use cameras and lasers to map your home and track behavioral data, privacy has become a major talking point. Korean firms are betting that consumers will pay a premium for data security.
1. Samsung Electronics
Samsung expanded its lineup by launching a standard version of its Bespoke AI Steam robot vacuum to complement its high-end Ultra and Plus models.
* The Pitch: Advanced AI object recognition, steam sterilization for mops, and threshold climbing.
* The Security Angle: Samsung is heavily promoting its Knox security platform to assure users that the internal maps and data collected by the vacuum are heavily encrypted and safe from leaks.
2. LG Electronics
LG recently snapped a two-year hiatus in the premium vacuum segment by introducing the Home Bot AI Objet Collection Roni.
* The Pitch: A “Hidden Station” that handles automatic water supply and drainage, alongside a 100-degree-Celsius steam function to keep the mops hygienic.
* The Security Angle: Like Samsung, LG is leveraging its proprietary LG Shield security system to protect user data across the physical device, cloud servers, and mobile apps.
The Takeaway
The robot vacuum has evolved from a niche gadget into a data-collecting AI appliance. While Chinese companies currently hold the crown for manufacturing speed, volume, and early feature adoption, Samsung and LG are banking on long-term brand reliability, local post-purchase service, and superior data security to win back their home turf.
Miele GB Confirms Major UK Reshuffle as Future of Abingdon Site Under Review
Miele GB has outlined significant changes to its UK operations, placing the long‑established Abingdon site under formal review as the premium appliance manufacturer reshapes its logistics and commercial footprint for long‑term growth.The German brand — known for its high‑end laundry, dishwashing and floorcare products — has operated from Abingdon since 1981, with the site described internally as an “important part of the GB business”. However, the company has now confirmed a strategic shift that will see core functions move elsewhere by 2027.🔧 Logistics Moving to NorthamptonMiele GB plans to transition its logistics and warehousing operations to Yusen Logistics in Northampton, with a proposed go‑live date in early 2027. The move forms part of a wider operational redesign aimed at supporting future growth and evolving business needs.🏢 Commercial Offices Expected to Relocate to ReadingAlongside the logistics change, Miele is assessing the optimal location for its commercial offices, with a relocation to the Reading area anticipated on a similar timeline. The company is also exploring future options for the Abingdon site and will engage with interested parties as part of that process.👥 Employee Support During TransitionA spokesperson for Miele GB acknowledged the scale of the change, noting that the business “recognises this presents a significant period of change for colleagues”. The company says employees remain central to its plans and that support will be provided throughout the transition.🛒 No Impact Expected for Retail PartnersMiele has emphasised that there will be no immediate change for customers or retail partners. Ordering, deliveries, service levels and day‑to‑day support are expected to continue without disruption as the reshaping progresses.The company says it will keep colleagues, customers and partners updated as plans develop.
Remembering an Industry Giant: Tributes Pour in for Glen Dimplex Founder Martin Naughton
The appliance and domestic heating world is mourning a true pioneer. Martin Naughton, the visionary founder of Glen Dimplex, has passed away at the age of 87.
Starting a small manufacturing operation in Newry in 1973, Naughton built Glen Dimplex into a global powerhouse and the world’s largest manufacturer of electrical heating appliances.
Beyond his massive business success, Naughton was a dedicated philanthropist, driving cross-border economic cooperation and funding countless education and STEM initiatives. His remarkable contributions earned him the prestigious Oslo Business for Peace Prize in 2018.
Here at White Goods Now, we recognize that our industry stands on the shoulders of giants. Martin Naughton didn’t just build appliances; he built a legacy of innovation and community progress that will endure for generations.
Our thoughts are with his family and the entire Glen Dimplex team.
A New Era of Kitchen Design:Elica Lhov in Matt White
All-in-one kitchen innovation just found a softer side.
With its new Matt White finish, Lhov brings a fresh, understated elegance into the heart of the home. This refined aesthetic softens the appliance’s presence, highlighting its pure lines while allowing it to blend effortlessly into contemporary cabinetry.
Lhov beautifully unifies three essential appliances into one seamless, extraordinary centerpiece:
An advanced oven
A high-performance induction hob
A powerful, integrated extraction hood
The introduction of the Matt White finish adds perfect balance and architectural continuity to your space—proving that high-end culinary power doesn’t have to shout to make a statement.
AMDEA Unveils Evolving Brand Identity to Reflect a Broader UK Appliance Sector
AMDEA has announced the next stage in its ongoing evolution, revealing a refreshed brand identity that better reflects the growing diversity of its membership across the UK appliance industry.
The update, rolling out over the summer, acknowledges AMDEA’s expanding community — now spanning manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers with their own appliance brands, and Associate Members representing the wider value chain. To reinforce this broader remit, AMDEA’s new logo will introduce a clear sector descriptor: “The UK Home Appliance Association.”
AMDEA CEO Stefan Hay said the organisation’s direction remains true to his commitment of “evolution, not revolution.” He highlighted rapid membership growth, deeper engagement with government, and AMDEA’s increasingly central role as the collective voice of UK home appliances.
The refreshed identity will be phased in over the coming months as AMDEA continues strengthening its position as the leading representative body for the UK home appliance industry.
Why is the Summer Heatwave Wrecking Your Kitchen Fridge?
Notice your fridge humming louder than usual lately? Or maybe your freezer is starting to sweat, and your milk doesn’t feel quite as cold as it should. If so, you aren’t alone.
During recent major UK heatwaves, supermarkets across the country have grabbed headlines as their massive open-air cooling cabinets broke down or had to be taped off under emergency night blinds. Experts tracking these breakdowns point to a combination of unprecedented weather and common maintenance oversights.
The exact same hidden forces pushing industrial systems over the edge are acting on the white goods sitting in your kitchen right now.
The Reality Check: Our Fridges Weren’t Built for This
Most commercial and residential refrigeration equipment in the UK is structurally engineered around standard Climate Classes. For the UK market, a vast majority of appliances are rated to operate optimally up to an ambient room temperature of 32°C.
When summer heatwaves arrive, several things happen simultaneously that push appliances past their breaking point:
- The “Tropical Night” Trap: It’s not just the blazing hot afternoons causing issues; it’s the warm nights. When nighttime temperatures stay above 20°C, your fridge never gets a “rest period” to dump its internal heat and cool its internal components down.
- The Humidity Spike: Heavy, humid air carries more thermal energy and accelerates frost build-up on cooling coils. If your fridge doesn’t have premium automated defrost cycles, this frost layer acts like an insulating blanket, forcing the compressor to work twice as hard.
- Trapped Heat Behind the Cabinet: Kitchens can easily become the warmest room in the house during a heatwave, especially if you are cooking or running a dishwasher.
When your kitchen ambient temperature creeps toward or past that 32°C threshold, standard refrigeration plant simply can’t keep up. The compressor runs continuously, overheats, and eventually triggers a thermal overload trip—shutting down completely.
Why Small Maintenance Issues Become Fatal Failures
In industrial settings, investigators found that many heatwave failures weren’t just caused by the weather; they were triggered by lack of maintenance. The exact same rules apply to home appliances.
Under normal, cooler conditions, a fridge can operate okay even if it isn’t running perfectly. But when a heatwave strikes, these minor issues become catastrophic:
- Dirty Condenser Coils: If the coils on the back or bottom of your unit are covered in a layer of dust and pet hair, heat cannot escape.
- Zero Breathing Room: Jamming a freestanding fridge tightly between cabinets or directly against a wall cuts off crucial air recirculation. Without proper ventilation, the unit ends up sucking its own hot exhaust air back into the system.
3 Heatwave Survival Tips for Your Refrigerator
If a heatwave is forecast, don’t wait for your appliance to give up. Take these protective steps to help your white goods cope:
- Pull it away from the wall
Give it breathing room
Pull your fridge out by just an inch or two from the wall and surrounding cabinetry. This small gap drastically increases airflow over the condenser coils, helping the unit reject heat into the room much faster. - Vacuum the coils
Remove the insulating dust
Unplug the appliance and use a brush attachment to gently vacuum away any dust built up on the rear or bottom cooling grids. Removing this debris can drop the compressor’s operating temperature significantly. - Keep the door closed
Stop the air exchange
Every time you open the fridge door during a hot day, heavy warm air rushes in and cool air drops out. Plan what you need before opening the door to minimize the number of times the internal temperature gets disrupted.
Whirlpool factory to close
Whirlpool announced a restructuring plan to close its Supsa manufacturing facility in Apodaca, Mexico by the second quarter of 2027, shifting production to its Ramos Arizpe plant and other sites in its network
Outdoor cooking, but at the highest Italian level
Meet PLA.NET Outdoor Cooking, pioneers in outdoor cooking since 1988. This isn’t a barbecue. This is a lifestyle. Think minimalist Italian design combined with professional performance. The kitchens are built from high-quality stainless steel (such as AISI 304L), the same quality found in the hospitality industry. What makes PLA.NET unique? Cooking without smoke, but with maximum flavor. Modular design: fully adaptable to your garden, terrace, or rooftop. Gas or electric, always flexible. From breakfast to fine dining, simply outdoors. With collections like Oasi Kitchen and Oasi Station, you transform your outdoor space into a full-fledged living kitchen 365 days a year. The result? Not just cooking outdoors… but living outdoors. For those who make no compromises between design, quality, and experience
Amica Group is strengthening its position in France.
Amica SA Group is acquiring the rights to use the Sauter brand in the French market – one of the most demanding and key home appliance markets in Europe. This is an important step in implementing its internationalization strategy and expanding its portfolio with a premium brand with over 120 years of heritage. Sauter, founded in 1902 in Alsace, has been building its position as an expert in cooking appliances for decades. Today, it is synonymous with quality, innovation, and sophisticated design, offering products such as ovens, hobs, and hoods, valued by French consumers for their reliability and intuitive operation. “Acquiring the rights to the Sauter brand is not only an expansion of our portfolio, but above all, an opportunity for further development in the French market, together with a strong, locally rooted brand. We want to further meet the needs of local consumers by combining innovative solutions with the unique heritage of Sauter,” emphasizes Maja Rutkowska, Vice President of the Management Board of Amica SA. “We are proud that we will continue the tradition by maintaining Sauter brand production in Europe,” adds Robert Stobiński, President of the Management Board of Amica SA. With this decision, Amica is strengthening its presence in the built-in appliance segment and consistently developing its operations in Western Europe, responding to growing customer expectations in terms of quality, functionality, and energy efficiency. —————- Amica Group SA is acquiring the rights to use the Sauter brand in France—one of Europe’s most demanding and strategically important home appliance markets. This marks an important step in the Group’s international growth strategy and further strengthens its portfolio with a premium brand boasting more than 120 years of heritage. Founded in Alsace in 1902, Sauter has spent decades building its reputation as a specialist in cooking appliance
WHITEGOODSNOW 