The new Miele Sustainability Report is available for download. For the first time, Miele refers to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations and commits itself to the two-degree goal of international climate policy. Like the previous reports, this also follows the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
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Samsung Electronics’ BESPOKE Refrigerator
The BESPOKE refrigerator, a customizable refrigerator recently launched by Samsung Electronics, is getting favorable reviews from overseas media outlets. With the new refrigerator, customers can customize their own configurations of material, color, sizing and other feature choices. It comes in eight sizes and nine color panels, allowing the customer to build a refrigerator depending on their taste, residential space and family size.

Samsung Electronics said on July 4 that Fast Company, a U.S. economic media outlet, recently reviewed BESPOKE in an article entitled “This just might be the world’s most beautiful refrigerator. The article says, “Built from any combination of colors and door configurations, Bespoke’s modular color blocks assemble to look like anything from a stylish locker to an armoire designed by Piet Mondrian.”
“Samsung Electronics has proved that fridges can be as fashionable as they are functional with the release of its new line of BESPOKE refrigerators,” said a reviewer at Reviewed.com, a U.S. website that reviews and recommends products to help readers buy the stuff they need. “The refrigerators look more like abstract artwork than a family fridge.”
Samsung Electronics said that the BESPOKE refrigerator attracted a lot of attention from visitors to the Project Prism showroom, which was launched on July 4 at the Main Gangnam Branch of the Samsung Digital Plaza in Seoul. Project Prism features home appliances that can fit into any lifestyle by allowing customers to personalize the materials, colors, shapes and designs of the products. The number of visitors surpassed 10,000 in four weeks since the refrigerator was launched. The visitors included journalists from Latin America.
“The characteristics of millennial consumers factored in BESPOKE are not limited to Korea, but are global trends,” said Yang Hye-soon, managing director of the Household Appliance Business Division at Samsung.
LG Electronics Q2 operating earnings down 15.4%
LG Electronics Inc. said Friday its second-quarter operating profits are expected to have dropped 15.4 percent from a year earlier, mainly due to its sluggish smartphone business.
In an earnings guidance, the South Korean electronics maker said it expects to post 652.2 billion won ($557 million) in operating profits in the April-June period — far below the average market expectation of around 774 billion won.
Its sales are expected to be 15.6 trillion won in the second quarter, a 4.1 percent surge from a year earlier, the firm said.
The company did not provide detailed performances for each division, saying it will release its earnings report later this month.
Analysts attributed the worse-than-expected earnings to the sluggish mobile business, which was expected to have eroded robust profits from the home appliance division.
They estimated the mobile division’s operating deficits at over 200 billion won in the second quarter, which would mark the ninth consecutive quarterly loss.
Although LG’s first 5G smartphone, the V50 ThinQ, was well-received in the domestic market since its launch in early May, it failed to provide strong momentum to help the mobile division make a turnaround in the second quarter, they noted.
The Korean phone maker launched the V50 in the United States in partnership with Sprint and Verizon in the last two months, respectively, but the initial response was lukewarm with lack of 5G infrastructure in the nation.
LG’s share in the U.S. smartphone market stood at 16 percent in 2018, according to industry tracker Strategy Analytics.
“LG V50 ThinQ failed to contribute sales increase in the North American market,” said Park Gang-hoo, an analyst at Daishin Securities. “Given the heavy marketing costs, the 5G smartphone was limited in improving the mobile division’s profitability.”
Market watchers say strong demand for LG’s home appliances might have improved its overall sales.
LG Electronics has enjoyed brisk sales of products related to air quality, such as air purifiers, dryers and clothing-care home appliances, and revenue from their rental service has also been on the rise as more people opt for renting gadgets.
“The home appliance businesses drove up the overall performance thanks to robust sales of premium lineup and new lifestyle products, such as air purifiers and garment dryers,” Koh Jung-woo, an analyst at NH Investment & Securities, said. “LG’s TV business likely suffered due to weak demand for LCD products and intensifying competition with Chinese makers, and its smartphone division continued to book losses.”
Shares of LG Electronics tumbled 5.22 percent to 72,600 won on the Seoul bourse, far below the KOSPI’s 0.09 percent gain. The earnings guidance was announced before the market closing.
Ecovacs Robotics vacuum cleaners equipped with the innovative Ozmo
Ecovacs Robotics vacuum cleaners equipped with the innovative Ozmo ™ scouring technology do not need any chemicals to remove virtually all harmful bacteria from the soil, simply by scrubbing with water. It has been verified and confirmed by the Hygiene & Microbiology Research Center of Japan
Domestic floors are exposed to a lot of dirt of all kinds: street dust, hair from animals and pets, or waste and debris that fall when eating. All this dirty the house, leaving stains and marks on floors that are unattractive. In addition, it leaves invisible dangers, germs and pathogens that are a threat to those with allergies.These bacteria affect the body and health, especially the smallest of the house, and can even cause chronic diseases. However, as proven by the independent research institute Hygiene & Microbiology Research Center, the owners of an Ecovacs Deebot equipped with Ozmo ™ technology (Ozmo 930, PRO930, Ozmo Slim10, Ozmo 900) can rest easy. Experts have found that during cleaning with water and without adding detergents or chemical cleaning, the combination of aspiration and scrubbing of Ozmo eliminate up to 99% of all harmful germs.Double checked: cleaning and sanitization demonstrated
The study has not been done in Japan by chance. The large amounts of rain and rainfall that affect the Japanese country mean that the average humidity is between 60% and 70%, rising to more than 75% in summer. This is an ideal environment for the proliferation of germs such as mold and mites. Ecovacs has developed its Ozmo ™ technology to act precisely in these environmental conditions. And it has been successful, as the study confirms: in the first test, after only eight minutes working under maximum conditions of suction and scrubbing power, about 95% of the bacteria disappeared. The second test eliminated practically all the germs, 99%, in only 20 minutes (with the function of maximum suction and high level of water).
Whirlpool Corporation completed the sale of its Embraco
Whirlpool Corporation completed the sale of its Embraco business unit to Kyoto, Japan-based Nidec Corporation. Embraco is a leading manufacturer of hermetic compressors for refrigeration.
Embraco was sold to Nidec for a cash purchase price of $1.08 billion, subject to customary working capital and indebtedness adjustments. The sale is consistent with the Company’s strategic focus on its consumer-facing business.
“Our decision to sell the Embraco business is related to the broader goal of delivering value for consumers through cutting-edge, high-quality products that solve everyday problems,” said João Carlos Brega, President, Whirlpool Latin America.
Headquartered in Brazil, Embraco has been a Whirlpool Corporation business unit since 1994. The organization has a workforce of nearly 10,000 employees in seven plants in Brazil, China, Slovakia and Mexico, along with commercial offices in the U.S., Italy and Russia.
Embraco will remain a significant supplier of hermetic compressors to Whirlpool Corporation.
Bulgarian refrigerators and freezers producer Liebherr-Hausgerate Marica, said that its net profit plunged
Bulgarian refrigerators and freezers producer Liebherr-Hausgerate Marica, part of Swiss-headquartered Liebherr Group, said that its net profit plunged to 716,000 levs ($416,000/366,000 euro) in 2018 from 13 million levs the year before.
Liebherr-Hausgerate Marica’s sales of finished goods fell to 402.7 million levs last year from 412.0 million levs in 2017, the company said in an annual financial statement.
The company manufactured 898,000 refrigerators and freezers in 2018.
Expenses for materials fell to 306.8 million levs in 2018 from 321.0 million levs in 2017, while personnel costs rose to 49.5 million levs from 48.7 million levs.
Amortisation and depreciation costs edged down to 26.1 million levs last year from 26.9 million levs in 2017. Expenses for hired services amounted to 19.2 million levs in 2018, up from 18.0 million levs the year before.
The company’s assets fell to 250.9 million levs at the end of 2018 from 271.1 million levs a year earlier.
Liebherr-Hausgerate Marica employed 1,903 people at the end of 2018.
Liebherr-Hausgerate Marica manufactures table-height refrigerators and freezers, non-regulated combined fridge-freezers, as well as top freezers, at its 252,800 sq. m. production plant near Plovdiv.
Electrolux wins two Singapore Good Design Mark Awards
Electrolux has won two prestigious Singapore Good Design Mark Awards (SG Mark) for its Multi Door Refrigerator and UltimateCare™ 500 washing machine and dryer set.

The Electrolux Design team were recently awarded at a ceremony in Singapore for their human-centric designs that offer outstanding consumer experiences and improve everyday living.
Electrolux Chief Design Officer Pernilla Johansson said: “We’re proud that these products – designed to make life better and more sustainable for consumers – have been awarded the prestigious SG Mark. Congratulations to all those involved.”
The winners
The Electrolux NutriFresh™ Multi Door Refrigerator features microclimate zones and Smart Split doors which reduce climate fluctuations and energy waste, creating an environment that allows it to preserve the quality of a wide array of food.
Different food types require unique storage conditions to stay fresh. To keep meat and fish fresh, many people resort to deep freezing but this Electrolux refrigerator comes with the UltraChill setting at -2°C which keeps items very cold but not frozen. This helps to preserve the texture of food for longer and reduces the need to defrost.

The new NutriFresh™ refrigerator also comes with a FlexFresh drawer, an optimal storage compartment with five temperature settings (-23°C to +7°C). This enables the user to store all types of food – from cheese and wine, meat and seafood, to cold drinks and frozen items – at the right temperature to help them stay fresh.
For example, deli snacks such as cold cuts and cheese should be kept at a temperature of +3°C while the optimal temperature for frozen food is between -18°C to -23°C. This drawer gives the user the flexibility to store items at the temperature that suits them best.
To help retain the juiciness of your produce, this refrigerator comes with a TasteLock Crisper with AutoHumidity Control which automatically adjusts humidity levels depending on the contents of the drawer. The AutoHumidity Control releases excess moisture from the compartment to help keep fruits and vegetables fresh for up to 7 days.
It also has a TwinTech Cooling System that cools the fridge and freezer compartments separately, so food stays fresher and odors don’t mix. The independent systems ensure optimal cooling and humidity to keep items in their freshest condition.
Meanwhile, the UltimateCare™ 500 Front Load Washing Machine and Dryer set comes with Vapour Care Technology that softens fabric while reducing wrinkles by up to 22%, resulting in the clothes that need less ironing. The same technology also eradicates 99.9% of allergens and germs, and it also comes with a SmartSensor in the dryer to eliminate over-drying, meaning laundry emerges clean and is longer lasting.

LG Licenses Advanced Refrigerator Technologies To GE Appliances LG Grants Use of Door-Ice Making Patents for Premium Refrigerators
LG Electronics (LG) is licensing its patented refrigerator door-ice making technology for use in refrigerators sold by GE Appliances, which Haier acquired in 2016. Terms were not disclosed.
The license agreement follows months of negotiations over GE Appliances’ use of LG’s patented technologies. The agreement underscores the value of LG’s patent portfolio and the company’s leadership in home appliances with more than 400 patents related to door-ice making technology.
LG’s patented door-ice making technology allows for slim and sleek profile designs that maximize usable space inside the refrigerator.
LG’s patented door-ice making technology allows for slim and sleek profile designs that maximize usable space inside the refrigerator.
This door-ice making technology takes up less room than a conventional refrigerator ice maker and frees up more space for food storage in the refrigeration compartment.
This door-ice making technology takes up less room than a conventional refrigerator ice maker and frees up more space for food storage in the refrigeration compartment.
LG’s patented door-ice making technology allows for slim and sleek profile designs that maximize usable space inside the refrigerator. This door-ice making technology takes up less room than a conventional refrigerator ice maker and frees up more space for food storage in the refrigeration compartment.
“Our desire to deliver more convenience and functionality to customers drives us to develop innovative new core technologies such as our door-ice making inventions,” said Dan Song, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “At the same time, as seen in this major patent licensing agreement, LG is committed to actively protecting our intellectual property.”
About LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company
The LG Home Appliance & Air Solution Company is a global leader in home appliances, smart home solutions, air quality systems as well as visionary products featuring artificial intelligence. The company is creating total solutions for the home with its industry leading core technologies and is committed to making life better for consumers around the world by developing thoughtfully designed kitchen appliances, living appliances and air solution products. Together, these products deliver enhanced convenience, superb performance, efficient operation and compelling health benefits. For more information, visit http://www.LG.com.
SOURCE LG Electronics USA
Whirlpool confirms EUR 250 million investment in Italy
Whirlpool confirmed its strong commitment to Italy as a strategic industrial and market base for the EMEA Region. In particular, the company has confirmed investments of €250 million for the 3-year period 2019-2021.
Over EUR 80 million have so far been allocated to these sites in 2019. The specialisation of the plants have been reconfirmed for the industrial sites of Cassinetta di Biandronno – VA (EMEA centre for built-in cooling and cooking products), Melano – AN (regional hub for high-end hobs) and Siena (horizontal freezers), a press release states.
The reshoring from Poland of built-in washing machines and washer/dryers in Comunanza – AP (EMEA hub for the production of built-in washing machines and washer/dryers) is confirmed. As a result, the site will see an increase in volumes that will bring the total production to over 800K units.
Regarding the Naples plant, Whirlpool EMEA intends to proceed with the reconversion of the site and to sell the business to a third party.
Bosch’s first production centre in Egypt
Bosch’s first production centre in Egypt will export more than half of its products to the Middle East and Africa
Spanning over 80,000 square metres, Bosch’s first production centre in Egypt will export more than half of its products to the Middle East and Africa
