Haier and Fisher & Paykel delivered one of EuroCucina’s standout showcases, presenting a combined vision of premium design, adaptive intelligence, and connected living. Haier unveiled a six‑zone immersive experience, while Fisher & Paykel introduced its Nature Ritual concept and the new State of the Art Collection, reinforcing the Group’s commitment to human‑centred, design‑led innovation.
The joint presence highlighted the strength of Haier’s multi‑brand strategy pairing Haier’s smart‑ecosystem leadership with Fisher & Paykel’s heritage design credentials.
Backed by Haier’s global “Trinity” model of local R&D, manufacturing, and marketing, Fisher & Paykel continues to scale rapidly. Its Series 11 Minimal Combi‑Steam Oven and Integrated Refrigerator Freezer both earned Red Dot’s Best of the Best for 2025.
With expansions across health tech, new energy, and global sports partnerships, Haier is pushing toward its vision of “More Creation, More Possibilities” shaping the next era of premium living.
Category Archives: Domestic appliance news,
Midea’s Rise: The Rural Startup That Rewired the Appliance Industry
He Xiangjian didn’t launch his empire with money, influence, or a master plan.
He started with a few villagers, borrowed cash, and a workshop barely big enough to matter.
In 1968, in a small Chinese town, He and a small team began making whatever they could — bottle caps, simple components, low‑margin products that kept the lights on.
It wasn’t impressive.
It wasn’t scalable.
But it was a foothold.
As China modernized, He spotted a shift.
Homes were changing.
Demand for white goods — the refrigerators, fans, washing machines, and appliances that define modern living — was about to surge.
So he pivoted.
From tiny parts
to electric fans
to full-scale home appliances.
That slow, deliberate evolution became the foundation of Midea Group.
What set Midea apart wasn’t just manufacturing.
It was the company’s obsession with scaling, adapting, and entering every corner of the white‑goods market.
Air conditioners.
Refrigerators.
Washing machines.
Smart home systems.
If it lived in a home, Midea wanted to build it — and build it better.
Then came the bold leap: automation and robotics.
Midea invested heavily in advanced manufacturing and even acquired Germany’s robotics leader KUKA, pushing the company far beyond traditional appliances and into high‑tech industrial innovation.
From a rural workshop to a global powerhouse, Midea now operates in more than 150 countries.
He Xiangjian eventually stepped back, but the momentum he created hasn’t slowed.
His story is a reminder of something simple and powerful:
You don’t need to start big.
You just need to start — and keep evolving.
Because even the world’s largest appliance empires often begin as the smallest workshops.
Franke Coffee Systems’ New A Line Wins Red Dot Award 2026
Franke Coffee Systems has added another major design accolade to its portfolio, with the New A Line receiving the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2026. The recognition follows closely on the heels of the iF DESIGN AWARD 2026, marking a strong double win for the brand’s latest generation of professional coffee machines.
Beko Europe Delivers Standout Presence at EuroCucina 2026
Beko Europe made a confident statement at EuroCucina 2026 with a striking pavilion that brought together its four European brands — Beko, Whirlpool, Hotpoint, and Bauknecht — under one unified concept.
The group introduced its design philosophy, “Legacy. Design. Purpose.”, a framework that connects its European heritage with a forward‑looking vision for the future kitchen.
Working in partnership with Mario Cucinella Architects, Beko created an immersive, architecturally cohesive space that offered visitors a calm, curated experience amid the intensity of the show floor.
Across the week, the pavilion welcomed thousands of visitors, partners, and industry colleagues. Feedback from the trade was consistent: a differentiated, design‑led presence that stood out and signalled Beko Europe’s growing ambition in the premium kitchen space.
Fisher & Paykel Showcases Architectural Appliances at Milan Design Week 2026
Fisher & Paykel returned to Milan Design Week with a series of sculptural, material‑driven installations that position the kitchen and laundry space as fully integrated architectural environments. Across three experiences — The Kitchen as Monolith, Wine Experience and Fabric Care Experience — the brand demonstrated how appliances can disappear into, and elevate, contemporary interior design.
The Kitchen as Monolith
Presented as a single, unified architectural presence, the kitchen installation combined carved tōtara surfaces with basalt forms to frame seamlessly integrated food care and wine care solutions. A modular induction cooktop sat flush within the basalt surface, while DishDrawer dishwashers fitted with 20mm stone fronts reinforced the idea of the kitchen as a cohesive composition rather than a collection of appliances.
Product highlight: Series 11 60cm Minimal Style oven, winner of the Red Dot Award: Best of the Best, displayed within carved tōtara surrounds.
Additional debut: Series 11 30-inch Minimal Style oven with steam assist, shown for the first time in Milan.
Wine Experience
Shaped by curved and carved tōtara forms, the Wine Experience explored the idea of architectural cellaring and in‑home tasting. Integrated Column Wine Cabinets offered precise temperature control and dedicated tasting modes, elevating both preservation and presentation.
Product highlight: 61cm Series 11 Integrated Column Wine Cabinet — the core module for creating a fully architectural wine cellar.
Fabric Care Experience
Fisher & Paykel also introduced its new minimalist fabric care ecosystem, designed as an extension of the luxury wardrobe. Fibre‑specific treatments, steam care and intelligent sensing technologies aim to preserve the condition of cherished garments. A bespoke garment commission by fashion designer Claudia Li completed the installation.
Product highlight: Series 11 Minimal Style Fabric Care Cabinet, featuring flush glass and refined surfaces that allow the elevated architectural aesthetic to flow seamlessly into fabric care spaces.
Miele EuroCucina 2026
Miele used EuroCucina 2026 to reinforce its position as one of the industry’s most design‑driven and future‑focused premium appliance brands, unveiling a suite of innovations built around flexibility, connectivity and intelligent assistance. The brand’s “Designed to Move with You” concept took centre stage across both its EuroCucina booth and the redesigned Miele Experience Center in Milan, presenting a kitchen that adapts fluidly to modern living.
A Connected, Responsive Kitchen Ecosystem
Miele framed the kitchen not as a static workspace but as a dynamic, evolving environment, where appliances, architecture and user behaviour interact seamlessly. The brand’s immersive stand demonstrated how cooking, storage and living increasingly overlap in compact urban homes and open‑plan spaces.
A key highlight was the KM 8000 induction hob paired with M Sense cookware, a smart system that uses integrated temperature sensors to prevent burning and boiling over—an example of Miele’s push toward intuitive, self‑regulating appliances.
CulinaryCoach: AI‑Driven Cooking Support
Miele also advanced its digital ecosystem with CulinaryCoach, an AI‑powered assistant offering personalised cooking guidance, real‑time answers and automatic transfer of settings to connected appliances. This positions Miele firmly within the emerging category of AI‑supported kitchen workflows.
Compact Living, Elevated
With urban homes shrinking, Miele showcased several solutions designed for high performance in small footprints. The standout was the 14 cm steam drawer, which combines with a compact oven and microwave to create a 3‑in‑1 cooking solution for a standard 60 cm niche—ideal for flexible menu preparation and multi‑zone cooking.
The brand also presented Miele Compact Living: Kitchen Unit powered by Hettich, a modular concept blending appliances, storage and workspace into a single adaptive unit for dense urban environments.
Design‑Led Extraction and New Finishes
Miele expanded its ventilation offering with refined, compact extractor hoods and integrated solutions that blend into cabinetry, supporting the trend toward minimalistic, unobtrusive kitchen design. New finishes, including Pearl Beige, underline the brand’s push toward premium materiality and architectural integration.A compact 60 cm 2-in-1 cooktop with integrated extraction – bringing full functionality into one of the most common kitchen formats.
✔️ A new built-in extractor hood with an elegant glass panel – virtually invisible when not in use. When cooking, the panel folds forward to provide intuitive control and protect the cabinetry.
Both solutions follow one clear principle: the appliance adapts to your kitchen – not the other way around
Elica Debuts TheKub Modular Hood Concept at EuroCucina 2026
Elica has introduced TheKub, a modular, design‑driven hood concept making its debut at EuroCucina 2026. Built around a compact cube architecture, TheKub can be configured in up to ten layouts, giving designers and retailers a flexible extraction solution for modern kitchens.
Modular by Design
TheKub can be adapted as:
– a wall‑mounted hood,
– a suspended pendant‑style unit,
– or a customised setup with shelves or a chimney for added performance.
Small additions shift both the look and the airflow capability, reinforcing Elica’s focus on extraction as a design object.
EuroCucina Showcase
Elica is presenting TheKub at Hall 4P · Stand C01 D08, supported by its #ExtraordinaryCooking campaign.
Electrolux Launches SEK 9 Billion Rights Issue to Fund Midea Joint Ventures
Electrolux has announced plans for a SEK 9 billion (~$980 million) rights issue to help finance a major new partnership with China’s Midea Group, marking one of the company’s most significant strategic shifts in North America in years.
The capital raise will partially fund three new joint ventures with Midea, all focused on reshaping Electrolux’s North American footprint and improving long‑term cost efficiency. According to the company, the ventures will cover:
- A North American food preservation sales JV
- A food preservation manufacturing facility in Mexico
- A fabric‑care manufacturing operation in South Carolina
Electrolux says the move is part of a broader restructuring plan designed to streamline operations and restore competitiveness in a region where the brand has faced sustained margin pressure.
Financial Impact
The company expects around SEK 2.4 billion in negative non‑recurring items in Q2 2026 linked to the partnership, with SEK 0.9 billion of that affecting cash flow. Electrolux also plans to sell certain Mexican assets later in the year, a move projected to generate SEK 1 billion in positive cash flow.
Despite the scale of the restructuring, Electrolux maintains that the Midea partnership does not change its 2026 business outlook.
Strategic Significance
For the appliance sector, the tie‑up signals a deeper industrial alignment between two global players at a time when North American manufacturing costs, logistics pressures, and competitive intensity continue to reshape the market.
Electrolux’s decision to co‑develop manufacturing capacity with Midea — rather than pursue full divestment — suggests a strategy focused on shared investment, lower risk, and faster operational turnaround.
Electrolux to Halt Production at Jászberény Plant
Electrolux Group has confirmed it will halt production at its Jászberény factory in central Hungary, with the site scheduled to close by the end of 2026. The decision will affect around 600 employees,
LG Expands Its Built‑In Portfolio at EuroCucina 2026
LG Electronics returned to EuroCucina/FTK 2026 with a significantly expanded built‑in strategy, showcasing new platforms across both the LG Built‑In line and the premium Signature Kitchen Suite (SKS) brand. The company used Milan Design Week to underline its ambition in the European kitchen sector, combining design‑driven integration with advanced performance and energy‑efficient engineering.
A Broader, More European‑Focused Built‑In Lineup
LG’s stand highlighted a strengthened built‑in portfolio designed specifically for European cabinetry standards and consumer expectations. The refreshed LG Built‑In range introduces streamlined, minimalist aesthetics, improved integration, and upgraded performance across refrigeration, cooking, and dishwashing.
SKS, LG’s luxury kitchen brand, expanded its presence with new pro‑style cooking appliances, premium refrigeration, and refined finishes aimed at the high‑end design market. The brand continues to position itself as a serious competitor to established European luxury built‑in manufacturers.
AI, Efficiency and Real‑World Usability
Across both lineups, LG emphasised AI‑enhanced functionality, energy‑efficient operation, and practical features tailored to modern European households. Highlights include:
– AI‑driven cooking and dishwashing for improved performance and resource management
– Energy‑efficient refrigeration with upgraded preservation systems
– Refined built‑in design language for seamless integration into contemporary kitchens
LG framed these innovations under its broader vision of a connected, efficient, and design‑led home environment.
Strengthening Its Position in the European Kitchen
EuroCucina 2026 marks LG’s most comprehensive built‑in showcase to date, signalling a clear push to grow its footprint in the competitive European kitchen market. With expanded platforms, stronger design alignment, and a dual‑brand strategy spanning LG and SKS, the company is positioning itself as a rising force in both the premium and luxury segments.
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