Monthly Archives: May 2020

Arçelik, and its brands Beko and Grundig, received the TGC Awards for its sustainability policy

Posted on by

TCG Awards are given to the most innovative brands operating in the technical consumer goods sector, in the EMEA macro area. This year the Turkish multinational Arçelik, which also includes Beko and Grundig brands, was awarded with this recognition within the ‘Sustainability’ category. The winners are selected by a jury made up of top managers of the main EMEA technology dealers and a representative of GFK. The aim of the award is to search for brands in various sectors to be awarded as the brand of the year, the specialist with the most impactful category, the most relevant technological innovation, the brand that operates also thinking about sustainability.
“The power of nature concentrated in household appliances to make us live healthy”: «faithful to this mood – they comment from the company – Arçelik has always been careful to the environment and people’s health and is committed to contributing to the creation of a green future through products developed on the principles of sustainability and efficiency. This approach to production has been repeatedly recognized nationally and internationally, obtaining numerous prizes and awards in the field of sustainability. All activities and emissions deriving from production activities are carried out in accordance with international standards and verified by independent control bodies. ‘Respecting the World, Respected Worldwide’: this is the vision adopted by the Group that guides all production activities, aimed at saving energy and water and a responsible approach to production and consumption, from waste management to recycling.
Arçelik also interprets the sustainability theme for Beko and Grundig brands as a lifestyle and it is present in all the internal dynamics of the business models: a fundamental strategy for the Company to evolve and respond in a timely manner to the changing world and to always be different and in step with new economic needs, the environment and people.
For the same category, the company also won this year the gold medal and inclusion in the 2020 sustainability yearbook (2020samyearbook) which highlights the best performing companies in the various sectors in terms of attention to the environment, social responsibility and with significant financial governance (ESG).

Miele resumed production

Posted on by

Miele resumed production at all its German plants. The company has organized with different measures to ensure workers safety and healthy conditions, also helping families with home office and flexible working times.
«The company had justified the shutdown with the interruption of supply chains and a sharp drop in sales due to store closures in the retail sector. «The situation has eased somewhat for vendor parts, but is by no means stable – explains Stefan Breit, Executive Director Technology of the Miele Group -. We are producing for the foreseeable future, with a maximum of ten days to plan. Short-time work therefore cannot be ruled out in the coming weeks in individual plants or production areas. We are confronted with a very dynamic situation worldwide, characterised by many uncertainties. As many dealers are allowed to reopen their shops, we hope for an increase in demand.»
Production is also running again at all foreign plants. In some administrative areas, however, short-time working continues. In recent weeks, Miele had taken precautions to provide the best possible protection for employees against corona virus infection when they resume work. For example, face masks are being provided at all sites.
Short-time working continues to be in force in assigned departments – examples include administration and areas with public access (exhibitions, Miele Museum). Which departments are affected and to what extent will be adjusted weekly. However, all services important for customers and trade are guaranteed. These include logistics, customer hotline, trade marketing and Miele customer service, in particular professional customer service. Its technicians regularly maintain disinfection and sterilisation equipment as well as laundry machines in hospitals and nursing homes and help to ensure that these facilities can continue to operate.
A few weeks ago, the company had already created the legal and technical possibilities for extensive home office arrangements. This has proved successful and will be continued in order to reduce office occupancy. Miele supports parents in this difficult situation of closed day care centres by offering very flexible working hours wherever possible. In addition, the company offers release from work in the event of childcare shortages, as agreed between employers and trade unions in Germany

FrostWash by Hitachi, the air conditioner without maintenance

Posted on by

Hitachi Cooling & Heating laboratories have succeeded in create an innovative technology that maintains the air conditioner clean, purifying the home air at the same time.
Premium FrostWash, the model equipped with this new technology, features the heat pump and is in A +++ energy class, ensuring a reduction of consumptions and a low environmental impact.
The most important innovation of this product is its ability in maintaining its parts and components very clean so that the emitted air is also very pure.
The FrostWash function, in fact, captures, freezes, washes and eliminates 91% of bacteria and 87% of mold present on the surface of the exchanger, to guarantee perfect hygiene of the air conditioner and a healthy environment. The function is automatically programmed but can also be activated by remote control. In this way, the air conditioning is always clean, also thanks to the internal components made of stainless steel, a material that reduces the percentage of bacteria by over 99% and dust by 62%. Moreover, the self-cleaning robot activates itself periodically, not requiring the opening of the air conditioner to clean the filters, so that classic maintenance is not necessary.
Premium FrostWash, that also received the Good Design Award by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, is available in two versions: matt white and silver.

Whirlpool announced the 2019 sustainability and ethics achievements

Posted on by

Whirlpool Corporation released its 2019 Sustainability Report, highlighting the company’s environmental, social and governance (ESG) commitments and continued progress in reducing the use of natural resources in its manufacturing processes and across its operations.
«Whirlpool has a long, proud history of environmental sustainability and a strong track record of action and success. In 2019, we raised the bar on our environmental commitments, and accelerated the progress of our short- and long-term goals that meet or exceed the Paris Accord – said Marc Bitzer, Chairman, and CEO of Whirlpool Corporation. – As we continue to navigate the impact of COVID-19, the health and safety of our employees and communities remain our priority. We strongly believe that our sustainability efforts are as important now as ever. These efforts are guided by a clear mission to earn trust and create demand while in constant pursuit of improving life at home. It’s a commitment that is brought to life by our 77,000 employees worldwide.»
The company has defined specific global targets, reducing plant waste, record on-site renewable energy usage and a vigilant governance and management system dedicated to overseeing and implementing the company’s sustainability agenda.
In 2019, Whirlpool achieved its lowest levels of absolute plant emissions (Scope 1 & 2) in over a decade. Since 2016, the company has reduced its absolute plant emissions by 18% by investing in efficiency and renewable energy and achieved zero waste to landfill in 8 of its plants across 3 regions. Moreover, it has accomplished a global waste to recycling rate of 96%, further reducing its overall global footprint and a part of its commitment to waste reduction and using fewer natural resources in operations.
Some special operations have also been undertaking in different Whirlpool plants. In Marion (Ohio), employees developed an innovative solution to reuse water from an existing chiller that saves 31 million gallons of water each year. Their innovative solution resulted in a 20% decrease in water use for the plant. In Cassinetta (Italy), instead, employees are working on a project to reduce water withdrawal and consumption in the plastics department identifying a redesign opportunity in our foam injection process. The new design led to an annual reduction of 6,000 cubic meters of water and will be implemented in two other extruders in 2020.
But 2019 was also the year of the Whirlpool’s new Code of Ethics, or “Our Integrity Manual”, as the company called it. It was delivered to virtually all employees globally, with 99% of the approximately 13,000 employees globally representing high-risk roles or functions completing an annual certification

Hestan Recognized Among the Best of the Best in Global Design Competition

Posted on by

Hestan—the brand celebrated for bringing the award-winning innovations of its commercial appliances to the home kitchen—is proud to announce its latest accolade, a GOOD DESIGN award for the 36” 5-Burner Dual Fuel Range. Presented by the Chicago Athenaeum and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, the GOOD DESIGN awards honor the leading and best contemporary designs manufactured in Europe, Asia, Africa, and North and South America. The Hestan 36” 5-Burner Dual Fuel Range was selected by a jury of international specialists with wide design experience, and recognized among 900 of the best new products and graphic designs from over 47 countries.

“This award honors not only our products and organization, but the individuals whose creativity and innovation has shaped the innovative look that is distinctly Hestan design. We are extremely grateful to them for this recognition”
“The GOOD DESIGN awards program is one of the most prestigious and historic design competitions in the world,” said Basil Larkin, vice president of sales for Hestan Commercial Corporation. “To be selected among the best and most well-known global manufacturers, as a brand that is still new to the indoor kitchen appliances segment, means a great deal to Hestan. We will continue to hold our product designs to this caliber in the years to come.”

Since its initial launch in 2018, Hestan’s indoor product line has received three TWICE VIP awards for the Pro Style Bottom Mount Refrigerator, 48” Dual Fuel Range and 24” Wine Cellar. Hestan has also received recognition from Architectural Digest, which named Hestan’s Indoor Living Suite and 48” Dual Fuel Range among the “Best New Products at KBIS,” as well as from Good Housekeeping, which awarded Hestan’s concept Smart Gas Rangetop as an Editor’s Pick at the 2020 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The GOOD DESIGN award for the 36” Dual Fuel Range is the sixth industry honor the indoor line has achieved in just under two years in the market, and the third award Hestan has secured this year. The award-winning luxury range’s design team included Ray Nilssen, Jay Sloyer, Kamran Kohan, Chris Moy and Angelo Cortes.

“This award honors not only our products and organization, but the individuals whose creativity and innovation has shaped the innovative look that is distinctly Hestan design. We are extremely grateful to them for this recognition,” said Eric Deng, president of Hestan Commercial Corporation.

For more information about Hestan, please visit https://home.hestan.com/.

ABOUT HESTAN: Hestan is the award-winning culinary brand renowned for creating the market’s most advanced, powerful and versatile commercial kitchen equipment, premium outdoor grills and purpose-built indoor appliances. Founded by culinary icons Stanley Cheng and Eric Deng, and backed by some of the industry’s most inventive and forward-thinking chefs and engineers, Hestan is forging new ground with visionary technologies and products. Headquartered in the heart of Southern California in an over 190,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that includes a showroom, test kitchen and innovation lab, Hestan is led by a collaborative team of industry mavericks who bring together over 200 years of combined experience to create thoughtfully designed products that respond intelligently to the needs of the end user. Equipping the kitchens of acclaimed restaurateurs and Michelin-starred chefs such as Thomas Keller, as well as the legendary Culinary Institute of America, Hestan is setting the pace of the culinary evolution with products that provide the confidence and comfort of the highest-quality materials and top craftsmanship. For more information, visit https://home.hestan.com/.

Springfield Electrolux closed through Sunday after worker tests positive for coronavirus, spokeswoman says

Posted on by

Electrolux has shut down its factory in Springfield after an employee was diagnosed with COVID-19, according to a company spokesperson.

https://eu.tennessean.com/story/news/local/robertson/2020/04/30/springfield-electrolux-closed-through-sunday-after-worker-tests-positive-coronavirus-spokeswoman-say/3062015001/

Midea net profit up over 19 pct in 2019

Posted on by

Midea Group, a leading Chinese home appliance manufacturer, reported a year-on-year increase of 19.68 percent in its net profit in 2019.

Net profit attributable to the company’s shareholders stood at 24.2 billion yuan (about 3.43 billion U.S. dollars), Midea Group announced in its annual report.

Its total operating revenue rose 6.71 percent year on year to 279.4 billion yuan