Samsung manufacturing relocation

Samsung and LG Electronics are reportedly considering relocating some of their home appliance production from Mexico to the U.S., according to South Korean media outlet The Korean Economic Daily, as cited by the Central News Agency.

This move is in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of a 25% tariff on products imported from Mexico and Canada, starting February 1. Samsung may move its dryer production line to South Carolina, while LG is considering transferring its refrigerator production line to its Tennessee factory.

Samsung states it will monitor the situation closely and adapt as needed. LG plans to adjust its production systems and locations to respond to market changes effectively.

EGO 100th anniversary

𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 The EGO-Group (EGO) is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025. The birthplace is in Oberweiler, southern Baden, Germany. This is where Karl Fischer founded the Schwarzwälder Zangenkontakt Werkstätte in 1925 and started manufacturing electrical connecting parts in a small workshop. In 1927, he renamed the company Elektro-Gerätebau GmbH Oberweiler, before joining Heinrich Blanc in Oberderdingen in 1931. Over the course of 100 years, EGO has developed into a business group with a worldwide reputation and is the partner of first choice for the global appliance industry

Develop connectivity solutions for cooking, baking, dishwashing, clothes washing, and refrigeration
Create innovative technologies for the kitchen living space
Supply products to manufacturers of household appliances

Haier Europe closes Brugherio plant

Haier Europe today presented to the unions (OO.SS. and RSU) the business transformation plan that includes the rationalization of its production presence in Europe. The plan aims to consolidate production capacity in a few large strategic sites and to carry out an in-depth review of costs and processes, in order to improve operational efficiency and continue to invest in innovation and product and brand leadership.

The plan includes the closure of the Aricestii Rahtivani plant in Romania by the end of March 2025 and the cessation of production activities at the Brugherio site in Italy by June 2025, followed by a reconversion project aimed at minimizing the social impact and preserving its strategic role.

Haier Cited for Safety Violations After Worker Fatality

GE-brand appliances, has been cited by federal workplace safety regulators for serious safety violations following the fatal injury of a 58-year-old supervisor in July 2024.
The incident occurred while the supervisor was servicing a door molding machine. OSHA’s investigation found the company failed to follow required machine safety standards, allowing workers to bypass safety doors and lacking proper procedures to prevent injuries within the machine. OSHA states these violations could have prevented the accident.

Rowenta manufacturing returns to France

Rowenta, the number one floor care brand in France, is taking a significant step by relocating the production of its stick vacuums. These products, previously made in China, will now be produced at their site in Vernon (Eure) to meet the growing demand in France and across Europe.  This strategic relocation is part of our commitment to strengthen local roots while delivering products that are increasingly efficient and environmentally friendly. In 2024, the X-Force Flex 13.60 will become the first cordless vacuum cleaner made in France, followed by the launch of the X-Force Flex 14.80 in March 2025.To celebrate 140 years of innovation, Rowenta is hosting a unique event in Paris: an immersive pop-up store open to the public, where visitors can discover our latest products and test them in real-life scenarios inspired by post-party scenes. For 140 years, Rowenta has been innovating to improve the daily lives of consumers worldwide.

China’s New 2025 Consumer Stimulus: Big Boost for Home Appliance Stocks!

China started 2025 with a fresh consumer stimulus plan that analysts believe could significantly boost certain stocks. Instead of direct cash payments, the government is providing subsidies for home appliances through a trade-in program. Recently, they expanded the list of eligible products to include microwaves and dishwashers, offering up to 20% off the retail price.

Morningstar analyst Jeff Zhang predicts that this initiative will primarily benefit leading home appliance manufacturers like Midea, Gree, and Haier. He has increased his revenue forecasts for these companies by 2% to 5% for the coming years. Midea’s shares surged nearly 38% last year and could rise another 26% based on Morningstar’s price target. Haier’s shares also performed well, with a potential upside of 48% from their current price.

Citigroup analysts are also optimistic, maintaining their buy ratings for these three stocks following the stimulus announcement. They have set even higher price targets than Morningstar. However, they cautioned that price wars and a weak real estate market could negatively impact stock prices. Consumer demand in China has been sluggish since the pandemic, with home appliance prices falling 3.3% in December compared to the previous year.

China is expected to release retail sales and GDP figures soon. The new policy allows consumers who received subsidies last year to benefit again this year. The government has allocated a substantial 81 billion yuan for these trade-in subsidies through the Spring Festival.

The future of home appliances in Europe

Rising material costs and high energy prices are posing significant challenges for EU manufacturers in maintaining global competitiveness.

Electricity prices in Europe are currently 2-3 times higher than in the US, resulting in increased investment costs for EU manufacturers compared to their global counterparts.

Additionally, the global supply of critical raw materials is concentrated in a few regions, making the EU vulnerable to price fluctuations, supply chain disruptions, and potential geopolitical leverage. This underscores the urgent need for diversified supply chains and the establishment of new and existing trade relationships to boost critical raw material extraction and recycling within the region and beyond.

We advocate for a stronger alignment of policies with decarbonisation goals to enable Europe to lead the #techrace, ensuring a competitive and sustainable future for European manufacturers.

Samsung Wants Screens on Every Appliance by 2025

Samsung Electronics is set to revolutionize home appliances with its advanced display technology, embodying its vision of ‘Screens Everywhere’.
This year, Samsung is transforming the kitchen experience with a refrigerator featuring a new 9” AI Home screen and incorporating the 7” AI Home into the Wall Oven. The laundry category isn’t left behind, with the 7” AI Home integrated into the Bespoke AI Laundry Combo™, now included in the new Bespoke AI™ Washer and Dryer Set. These innovative products will debut at CES 2025.

### Bespoke Refrigerators Get New Compact Screen and Improved Functionality

By offering a range of products with varying screen sizes, Samsung enhances user accessibility and brings the smart home closer to reality. With Bixby voice control, Samsung home appliance screens provide essential activity information like internal temperatures or wash cycle details in a user-friendly format. The Map View feature stands out, allowing these screens to act as convenient control hubs, enabling users to monitor and control connected appliances from a single screen. Additionally, the screens offer various entertainment features via Internet connectivity, broadening the role of home appliances within the home environment.

Stalemate in Negotiations Between Italian Government and Beko Europe Over Factory Closures

Negotiations between the Italian Government and Beko Europe have hit a substantial deadlock regarding the planned closure of several factories and production lines acquired from Whirlpool in Italy. During a hearing before the Chamber of Deputies’ Productive Activities Committee, Maurizio David Sberna, Beko Europe’s head of external and institutional relations, expressed the company’s commitment to evaluate all potential industrial operations. He emphasized that any actions taken to mitigate the impact of these closures would only proceed if they do not alter the economic impact of the current plan, which aims to halt unsustainable financial losses.

The factories in Siena, Comunanza (Ascoli Piceno), and Cassinetta (Varese) are particularly affected, with each incurring over €50 million in annual losses. This situation is exacerbated by the overall decline in demand for household appliances in Europe and increased competition from Chinese manufacturers. Beko Europe estimates a loss of €224 million in the large household appliances sector in Europe for 2024 alone.

Beko Europe also reiterated that their plan complies with the requirements notified under the Golden Power regulations. Consequently, there are no grounds for government intervention to alter Beko Europe’s actions, with the government’s role limited to monitoring the implementation methods.

Midea inaugurates its first wholly owned factory in Brazil

Chinese home appliance giant Midea Group has announced the opening of its new Brazilian factory in Pouso Alegre, a city in the southeastern state of Minas Gerais. The official inauguration was held on 9 December, reports Brazilian outlet Diário do Comércio.

The sprawling factory covers an area of 73,000 square metres and has the capacity to produce 700,000 refrigerators and 600,000 washing machines annually. Midea Carrier CEO Felipe Costa told reporters that the company aims to reach maximum production potential in two years.

While the factory will be employing 700 employees initially, Midea expects to increase this to 1,000 jobs by December 2025. Mayor Coronel Dimas said he believes the factory could transform the municipality into a hub for the home appliances, as the investment has already triggered conversations about similar manufacturers coming to Pouso Alegre.

The new factory will be Midea’s third in Brazil, following the Manaus (Amazonas) site, which produces household air conditioners and microwaves, and the Canoas (Rio Grande do Sul) site, which makes commercial air conditioners. While the previous two are operated in partnership with Carrier, Pouso Alegre