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Whirlpool and its commitment to energy efficiency in its appliances

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Whirlpool’s goal is to improve the lives of consumers by causing the least possible environmental impact in the use of their appliances. For this purpose, in 2014, it established four global sustainability objectives: energy efficiency, water efficiency, zero waste and material transparency. Through accelerated projects and acquisition synergies, the company exceeded the 15% energy efficiency and water targets three years earlier.

According to Niccolò Pietrucci, marketing director of Whirlpool Spain, “for Whirlpool energy efficiency is a daily commitment” and, under this principle, “Whirlpool has developed products with the highest energy efficiency standards”.

A clear example are the dishwashers with Power Clean, awarded this year with the Product of the Year, and that have the A +++ label on many of their models. Some of them also have the Power Dry function, which allows washing and drying the dishes in just one hour.

These dishwashers also incorporate EcoFriendly 6th Sense ™ technology, which offers low water and energy consumption.

Sabaf

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Sabaf S.p.A. is a company that produces components for household cooking appliances. Founded in 1949, today it has more than 650 employees and 5 manufacturing sites in Italy, Brazil, Turkey and China.

The production includes taps, thermostats and burners for gas appliances. In 2001 it took over Faringosi Hinges, an Italian company specialized in the production of hinges for household appliances.

The company invests about 3% of its annual turnover in research and development. The design and development of new products complies with the need to create increasingly safer components that permit to reduce atmospheric pollution and to save energy both during the production and the use by the final user.

Characterized by a strong vertical integration, the Company also manufactures the machinery necessary to produce and assemble its products, thus obtaining maximum optimization in both processes.

Sabaf has been listed on the Milan Stock Exchange

Sabaf totalled a revenue of €150.6 million, up by 0.3% over the same period of 2017 (-2.4% taking into consideration the same scope of consolidation). EBITDA was €30 million (or 19.9% of sales), down by 3.2%, EBIT totalled €16.4 million (or 10.9% of sales) down by 9.4%, and the net profit owned by the Group was €15.6 million, up by 5.3% compared to 2017. The tax rate in 2018 was 24.6%, compared to 16.2% in 2017.
During the fourth quarter of 2018, the worsening of the European and Middle Eastern macroeconomic scenario, only partially offset by the positive tone of the North American market, led to a slowdown in the Group’s sales: during the period, sales revenue totalled €36.2 million, 3.3% lower than the €37.4 million of the fourth quarter of 2017 (-11.7% taking into consideration the same scope of consolidation). The markets most affected by the deterioration of the economic situation were Italy, Turkey and the Middle East. On the contrary, sales in North America maintained a growth rate of around 20%. EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2018 was €7 million, or 19.5% of sales, up by 2.8% compared to the figure of €6.9 million (18.3% of sales) in the fourth quarter of 2017. EBIT was €2.8 million, equivalent to 7.9% of sales, and 23% lower than the €3.7 million recorded in the same quarter of 2017 (9.9% of sales). During the quarter, the Group recorded in the income statement positive exchange differences of €1.6 million, due to fluctuations in exchange rates with the Turkish lira and the U.S. dollar. Profit before taxes was €4.1 million, up by 16.5% compared to the €3.6 million recorded in Q4 2017. Net profit for the period was €3.2 million, down 29.6% from €4.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, when the Group recorded tax benefits of €1.3 million.
Based on the trend in negotiations with major customers and the current limited visibility in a still complex market context, for 2019 the Group estimates that it will be able to achieve sales ranging from €160 to €165 million and a gross operating profitability (EBITDA %) of more than 20%. “Confirming the Group’s more than solid competitive position, Sabaf achieved significant financial results in line with the company’s historical trends in a year characterised by a widespread macroeconomic deterioration, that became more evident in the last quarter – Pietro Iotti, Chief Executive Officer of Sabaf, declared -. During 2018, the acquisition of Okida Elektronic was the first step in the strategy of developing and diversifying the product range and enhanced the Group’s interesting growth prospects.

Gorenje WaveActive

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Two significant recognition were assigned to Gorenje for its WaveActive washing machine and dryer. These products won a Plus X Award 2018/2019 and excel in German consumer tests.
The Plus X Award is given companies for innovation and brand excellence. The same range was also tested in the January issue of the German consumer magazine ETM Testmagazin, specializing in independent product testing. In the detailed test and evaluation, both appliances exceeded the score of 90%, and the ETM Testmagazin therefore recommends them to consumers as economical and, owing to the use of new ionization technologies, highly efficient appliances.
Gorenje WaveActive dryer with an 8-kg load scored 92.9% and the grade “very good” (“sehr gut”), which is the highest grade an appliance can win in such tests. Among the reasons of this grade, the expert panel underline the precision manufacturing, stability, simple controls and maintenance, advanced programs, and remarkable drying efficiency paired with the A+++ energy efficiency rating. The testers singled out the IonRefresh program that uses ions to efficiently eliminate odours from the laundry to refresh it without washing. The ETM Magazin also tested the washing machine of the new Gorenje WaveActive generation, with an 8-kg load capacity, launched in the markets in last April. The washing machines strengths highlighted in the test include the EcoCare functions that allow additional savings of energy and water with every program, TimeCare that offers a faster wash, and DoseAid that recommends the optimum amount of detergent based on the selected washing settings.

Miele Generation 7000

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The Generation 7000 range is the new generation of built-in kitchen appliances, that renew the previous range of the German company. The collection includes ovens, hob units, steam ovens, coffee machines and dishwashers. Generation 7000 features four new design lines and are equipped with smart assistants on board, including a camera in the oven or a system to prevent roasts from becoming too dry. Several machines even pre-empt the user’s next actions. The new range comes under starter’s orders in May 2019.
Looking at the aesthetical choices, Miele proposes PureLine, VitroLine, ArtLine and ContourLine design variants: PureLine offers a modern, contemporary appeal, with its solid handle, low-key stainless-steel trim and a glass front in obsidian black. VitroLine underlines its reserved and integrating style with a handle in appliance colour, and ArtLine with its minimalistic approach dispenses with a classical door handle altogether. The VitroLine and ArtLine design lines with their reduced all-glass fronts are available in graphite grey, brilliant white and obsidian black. In contrast, ContourLine relies heavily on its striking stainless-steel frame.
In terms of functions and technologies, instead, Generation 7000 by Miele offers intuitive operating steps and processes. The intuitive handling is further supported by Miele with MotionReact: when required, Miele appliances are able to pre-empt the user’s next moves and automatically switch on when the user approaches, activating the oven lighting or deactivating the ringtone at the end of a programme.

Changing in the Franke Board

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The General Meeting of Franke Holding AG named three new members to the Board of Directors of the Franke Group: Alexander Pieper, Patrick Naef and Dr. Michael Reinhard. The Chairman, Thomas A. Erb, and two other members will resign at the Ordinary General Meeting in spring 2019. Christian Mäder will become the new Chairman, and Alexander Pieper the new Vice Chairman, succeeding respectively Thomas A. Erb and Michael Pieper, Alexander’s father.

Alexander Pieper

The changes will lead to a rejuvenation of the Board of Directors, and the appointment of Alexander Pieper will ensure the long-term succession of the owner family.

Patrick Neaf

Patrick Naef and Dr. Michael Reinhard – commented Michael Pieper, owner and CEO of the Artemis Group – will provide international experience and important industry knowledge from different areas. Michael Reinhard is experienced marketing, sales and operation expert.

Michael Reinhard

Patrick Naef is an IT expert with a wealth of experience, who is very familiar with current digital challenges. With them we are strengthening the skills set and specialist knowledge of the board of directors in strategically important areas. I am also pleased that with Christian Mäder and my son, Alexander Pieper we have been able to fill the position of Chairman and Vice Chairman with two people from within our own company.

Franke hoods

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Franke offers a range of kitchen hoods characterized by sophisticated design, advanced technology and conceived for all the current needs. The wall-mounted Impress hood features a thermoformed front panel with a three-dimensional structure, enhanced by an elegant mat finish and a metal effect. The hood is a slim model perfectly perpendicular to the wall, ideal also in small spaces. It offers three speed levels (+ Intensive), perimeter aspiration and is in A energy class. Six aesthetic chromatic versions are available: black, white, Light Grey, Metallic Grey, softened brown and brass yellow).

The Smart Deco Collection, instead, is the Franke proposal for those who love the vintage and chic pop style. It is available in 7 variants: light blue, green, pink, gray, mustard white and black. Among the technical plusses it features: intuitive control panel, Led lighting, three speeds. Also this model is in A class.

Third proposal among the Franke hoods collection is Maris Free, a very special object, born from the collaboration between the company and the New York architect Dror Benshetrit. It is completely handmade in blown glass and is distinguished by its irregular facets that ideally reproduce the reflections of the water. Maris Free, as the other hoods, is in A class and has three speeds.

Hoover, present in Espacio Cocina SICI at the hands of Eurocook

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The brand is present in the Kitchen Space SICI 2019 by the Eurocook group, with whom it shares a stand. Hoover is showing its product innovations that are standing out at the fair.

The drawer warms plates stands out by his system of opening push-pull, his big capacity (they fit until 15 plates and two trays) and a temperature (regulable with an inner command) of between 30 and 70 degrees, that allows the fermentation, the baking at low temperature, thawing, pre-heating and maintaining the temperature.

They have also brought their vacuum packing box of 14cm in height. It achieves great results in packaging, sealing (closing bags tightly without removing air) and chef cycles (Marinating / infusions / ripening), all to achieve better vacuum packaging and more durable food preservation.

The blast chiller has up to 11 different functions, with safety sensor, a full touch display, among others. Includes a temperature probe and a glass tray. It has a size of 14cm, which makes it ideal for any kitchen.

Finally, the multi-function oven with three resistors (78L) has 10 different functions, among which stand out the assisted ventilation, the Grill + Fan, the lower resistance or the defrosting. The Full Touch door, has the manual mode, several personal programs, recommended cooking and includes video recipes. It has WIFI and its respective remote control through the Hoover Wizard APP.

Teka

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Teka is participating in Espacio Cocina SICI 2019, one of the most important cooking fairs, with more than 140 countries represented, hand in hand with its distribution partners. Held in Valencia with Cevisama, between January 28 and February 1, welcomes the main brands and firms, both national and international appliances, sinks, faucets, kitchen accessories.

After the successful marketing campaign launched last summer, with which it achieved more than 13 million visits, in which Grupo Teka announced its new brand positioning under the slogan “Donde se la la vida”, the firm he wants to continue to connect with people and provide experiences that go beyond the characteristics of products and innovation.

The company seeks to awaken emotions and create moments, unforgettable experiences. Therefore, taking advantage of the fair and under the values of the brand, honesty, generosity and originality, Teka is present working closely in the stands of customers and partners presenting their new products for this 2019. Among them, are the new range of ovens All glass colour as well as the new Full Flex induction plates with direct cooking functions, such as frying, pochar or plancha.

Teka takes advantage of SICI to present the French Door Gourmet refrigerator, which thanks to its low friction Inverter motor, allows lower consumption and quieter operation. It also has the Gourmet drawer equipped with an independent refrigeration circuit, which allows each user to select the temperature between – 2 and 3 degrees.

Finally, the company will also present the Iknob badge, protagonist of the advertising campaign “Feel the power of iKnob” that incorporates an innovative removable command, providing a great improvement in the usability of the board and power control. This novel product is characterized by its screen-printed design in LED, which is invisible when the plate is off, achieving total harmony between the countertop and the design of the kitchen.