The European white goods manufacturing sector is facing an unprecedented crisis as multinational giants reconsider their footprint on the continent. In a candid interview with Rai’s TGR Marche, Francesco Casoli, President of the Italian extraction and cooking specialist Elica Group, laid bare the structural pressures threatening European appliance production—and issued a direct challenge to policymakers in Rome and Brussels.
A Ministry Request and a Hard Reality
As the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy (MIMIT) prepares for critical talks regarding ongoing crises surrounding Electrolux and Beko facilities, Casoli revealed that government officials directly approached Elica to see if the group could step in to acquire Electrolux’s local plant.
However, Casoli expressed deep skepticism about taking over the facility:
“Electrolux is a very strong company that used to be a major customer of ours. One day, they decided to acquire one of our competitors and convert it into their own hood production line, taking that business away from us. Today, taking over that business and relocating it is exceptionally difficult for us—it’s very hard to identify a viable market for that plant.”
Casoli added that upcoming government talks with major global manufacturers are unlikely to yield dramatic reversals, noting that companies looking to exit or downsize in regions like Le Marche have likely already made their strategic decisions.
“We Are Stubborn—We Want to Stay”
Despite the flight of major global players from traditional European manufacturing hubs, Elica maintains a firm commitment to its home roots in Italy.
“The home appliance industry today is at a turning point,” Casoli emphasized. “Some major companies have decided to leave the Marche region. We are stubborn; we like staying here. But undoubtedly, we cannot pretend nothing is happening.”
The departure of major production facilities highlights the stark cost and competitive disadvantages faced by European plants when competing against non-EU manufacturers operating with lower overheads, lighter regulatory burdens, and subsidized production structures.
The Policy Imperative: Tariffs and European Action
To prevent the total erosion of Europe’s industrial base in home appliances, Casoli argues that emergency trade intervention is urgently required.
1. Temporary Tariffs Needed
Casoli identified protective trade measures as an immediate necessity to give domestic producers breathing room:
Leveling the playing field: European manufacturers need relief from hyper-competitive foreign imports while undergoing operational shifts.
A temporary breathing space: Tariffs are viewed not as a permanent crutch, but as an essential short-to-medium-term shield to preserve industrial capacity.
2. A Call for a True European Appliance Strategy
Expressing frustration over the lack of cohesive industrial policy from Brussels, Casoli warned that inaction will have long-term consequences for European prosperity:
“In Europe, we don’t have anyone listening to us. If we do not get clear answers, it will be impossible to maintain manufacturing and economic well-being across our territories.”
What This Means for the White Goods Industry
Casoli’s remarks encapsulate the dual reality currently defining the European white goods industry:
Consolidation and Exit: Global players like Beko and Electrolux continue to restructure, consolidate, and optimize their global manufacturing footprints, often shifting focus away from high-cost European regions.
Supply Chain Interdependence: Elica’s experience illustrates the delicate balance supplier-brands navigate when global OEMs pivot toward vertical integration or alternate sourcing.
The Policy Debate: Pressure is mounting on European policymakers to establish a coordinated industrial plan for household appliances—similar to initiatives seen in automotive and semiconductor sectors—to protect domestic manufacturing, employment, and innovation.
As MIMIT and industry stakeholders gather for upcoming policy summits, the sector will be watching closely to see whether national governments and the European Commission step up with targeted support—or leave local industrial champions to fight the tide alone.
