Electrolux returns to profit but no rebound expected at year-end

The Group’s losses in the US have been reduced but the market in Europe is still weak with the sole exception of Built-in Electrolux’s turnover increased 7% in the second quarter, from SEK 32.6 billion to SEK 33.8 billion (EUR 2.91 billion), “driven by higher volumes in all business areas”, the company said in a statement.

The Swedish group revises its operating profit: 0.42 billion crowns (36 million euros) corresponding to a margin of 1.2% which becomes 0.52 excluding non-recurring items. What happened? On the one hand, the cost measures are starting to be felt and have contributed 300 million crowns, on the other hand, the loss of the activities in North America has significantly reduced. Latin America has developed strongly but in Europe the market is still weak with the sole exception of Built-in .all is well? Not quite: CEO Jonas Samuelson warns that the group has “ revised the outlook for market demand in Europe, Asia-Pacific for the full year 2024 from neutral to negative  we expect a negative price trend for the full year 2024, with a negative impact also on the second half. Increasing investments in marketing to capitalize on the momentum of our attractive product offering are producing good returns and, as in the second quarter, we plan to increase investments in innovation and marketing in the second half of 2024. ”

Dyson to cut up to 1,000 jobs

Dyson announced today that it is reportedly looking to cut a third of its UK workforce as part of a global restructuring and cost-cutting drive. Chief executive Hanno Kirner said: “We have grown quickly and, like all companies, we review our global structures from time to time to ensure we are prepared for the future. As such, we are proposing changes to our organisation, which may result in redundancies.

Bosch weighs offer for appliance maker Whirlpool,

German engineering group Robert Bosch is weighing a bid for US appliances manufacturer Whirlpool, (WHR) according to three people familiar with the matter, a move that would boost its position in the household appliances market.

Bosch has been talking to potential advisers about the possibility of making an offer for Whirlpool, which has a market capitalisation of about $4.8 billion, one of the sources said.Bosch weighs offer for appliance maker Whirlpool,potential acquisition could significantly enhance Bosch’s position in the household appliance market, especially as competition with Asian rivals intensifies12. Whirlpool, founded in 1911, produces a wide range of home appliances, including refrigerators, microwaves, washing machines, dryers, and small kitchen appliances. The company has undergone restructuring, folding its European business into a new company controlled by Turkish rival Arcelik and divesting its Middle Eastern and African operations.
While it remains uncertain whether Bosch will make an official offer, the move aligns with Bosch’s strategy to expand its unit that manufactures large home appliances. If successful, the acquisition could reshape the landscape of the industry and potentially impact Benton Harbor, where Whirlpool’s headquarters are located.

With SteelcoBelimed Miele is taking medical technology to the next level

Responsible authorities have approved the merger

The new company is one of the largest players on the global market

With four production sites, SteelcoBelimed will meet growing demand

There is a new player on the market for cleaning, disinfection and sterilization solutions for hospitals and the pharmaceutical industry: SteelcoBelimed. The joint venture, which has emerged from the Miele group company Steelco and the Metall Zug companies Belimed Infection Control and Belimed Life Science, is now starting operations under the brand SteelcoBelimed.

This follows the approval of the joint venture by the responsible authorities. Miele holds 67 % and Metall Zug 33 % of SteelcoBelimed via a holding company based in Zug, Switzerland. The declared aim of the Gütersloh-based family company is to significantly expand the business for commercial products and applications. “The Professional business of Miele is increasing its turnover share both organically and inorganically, from less than 15% a few years ago to more than 20% including the joint venture. It has become an indispensable pillar for our group in addition to our business with household appliances, given the growth opportunities, the innovation and technology focus and its different economic cycles”, explains Dr Axel Kniehl, Executive Director of Marketing & Sales at Miele and responsible board member of the Professional Business Unit.

The market for medical technology products is constantly growing, as well as the number of medical interventions. As a result, more instruments need to be reprocessed. The same applies to the pharmaceutical industry with a strong demand for new products and customer orientated solutions for a secured production environment.

SteelcoBelimed manufactures at four production sites: two in Italy, one in Switzerland and one in Slovenia. The joint venture combines the people, the strength, expertise and resources of both companies to create an innovative enterprise in the hospital/Infection Control sector and in the pharmaceutical/Life Science industry. The new company will benefit from a broad portfolio of appliances, digital solutions and fast innovation cycles.

Vestel Ranks Among Turkey’s Top Three Most Valuable Brands

Vestel, a significant home appliance manufacturer operating in Turkey, has once again demonstrated its growing market influence by securing a spot among the top three in the Brand Finance study titled ‘Turkey’s Most Valuable Brands’. According to the 2023 results, the company has achieved a brand value of $917 million.

Duygu Badem Uylukcuoglu, the General Manager of Marketing at Vestel, highlighted the company’s pride in its export success, with products reaching 163 countries worldwide. The firm is focused on enhancing user experience through innovative designs and technologies, aligning with its vision to be a global technology company. Uylukcuoglu expressed, “Our experience-focused approach, the sports sponsorships we are proud to pioneer in Turkey, and our corporate social responsibility efforts work towards a more equitable future.”

De’Longhi expects growth in turnover and margins

The three-year period 2024-2026 the Treviso group expects an average annual growth of 7-9% in turnover and gross margins of 15-16% company writes that it expects a continuation of the favorable growth dynamics of the coffee machine segment, in particular those capable of processing coffee beans. Growth is also expected in the Nutrition area

, both in the world of products for domestic and professional use, as well as from the opportunities coming from the nutrition area thanks to the international development of the Nutribullet brand. De’Longhi also foresees expansion opportunities in other categories such as ironing.

Ebac signals ‘significant’ drop in trade

Manufacturer Ebac is in talks with investors and finance firms to aid work on its latest project, despite noting “significant issues” with a decline in trade, accounts show.

The Durham business, which makes washing machines, dehumidifiers, water coolers and heat pumps, has filed delayed accounts for 2022 which also outline a “challenging” few years for the business. In 2022 turnover rose from £20.13m to £21.86m and operating losses narrowed from £3.07m to £2.7m, with the overall loss for the year coming in at £3.19m, down from £3.25m.Ebac is in more talks with financial organisations, saying the group is “well advanced in discussions with other third parties regarding potential equity investment, securing additional debt finance and is also exploring options regarding further connected party loans”.Following publication of the accounts, Mr Elliott said: “These accounts demonstrate that the business is making good progress following a globally challenging time. This has continued into 2023 and 2024 and following investment in bringing new products to the market, our heat pumps and home dehumidifier and ventilation system are attracting considerable interest

Currys positive outlook

Currys PLC conveyed a positive outlook for the upcoming year, buoyed by indications of a rebound. The consumer technology product and service retailer, headquartered in London, forecasts its adjusted pretax profit—excluding its operations in Greece—to be in the range of GBP 115 million to GBP 120 million for the fiscal year concluding on April 27. This projection is on par with the GBP 119 million adjusted pretax profit from the previous year and surpasses the initially estimated minimum of GBP 105 million.

The company reported a 2% increase in group like-for-like sales over the 16 weeks following the Christmas peak season. Despite this uptick, the annual like-for-like sales for the group saw a 2% decrease. Specifically, the UK and Ireland experienced a 2% drop in like-for-like sales, while the Nordic region recorded a 3% decline.