Elica S.p.A. announced the signing of an agreement to acquire a 28% stake in Steel Srl , an Italian company specializing in the production of range cookers and high-end outdoor solutions, with a progressive acquisition mechanism upon the occurrence of certain conditions.
This transaction strengthens the Elica Group’s presence in the premium cooking segment, accelerating its penetration of high-potential markets such as the United States and Canada. By October 2028, Elica will be able to acquire an additional 57%, bringing its stake to 85%.
Category Archives: Manufacturing
Groupe SEB Reinvents the Appliance Sector with Innovation and Sustainability
Groupe SEB, a historic leader in small household appliances, is expanding with a new reconditioning business and a strategy grounded in innovation, local manufacturing, and sustainability. In 2024, the group posted €8.2 billion in revenue and 5% organic growth, boosted by acquisitions like Pacojet and Forge Adour.
Innovation-Fueled Resilience
Despite market challenges, the sector grew 8% in 2024 and continues to rise, driven by accessible yet tech-forward products. “Innovation powers renewal and growth,” says Sébastien Alègre, French Market MD, citing Groupe SEB’s 300 annual product launches and 1,500 innovation-focused employees.
Vacuum and Kitchen Products Lead
Vacuum tech, led by the Rowenta X Clean 10 electric mop, accounts for over 30% of global household appliance budgets. Kitchen appliances like air fryers and multi-cookers also surge, fueled by changing lifestyles and a demand for versatile tools.
Beauty Segment Gains Ground
Personal care products, under the Calor brand, have become a strong growth area. Driven by influencer campaigns and evolving home beauty habits, Calor blends design and performance for diverse users.
Made in France, Built to Last
With 11 French sites, Groupe SEB emphasizes domestic manufacturing and long-term repairability—offering 15 years of affordable spare parts.
European Home Appliance Leaders Urge Brussels to Back Sector-Wide Action Plan
Fifteen leading European home appliance manufacturers, in collaboration with Applia Europe, have issued a joint appeal to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, calling for a comprehensive European strategy to support the sector. The signatories include Ariston, Beko Europe, BSH Home Appliances, Daikin Europe, De’Longhi Group, Dyson, Electrolux Group, Groupe Atlantic, LG Electronics, Liebherr, Miele, Samsung Electronics, Groupe SEB, Smeg, and Vorwerk.
Collectively, the industry powers 130 factories and sustains over one million jobs across Europe, contributing a robust €79 billion to the continent’s economy. Through ongoing innovation, these companies play a vital role in helping households reduce their consumption of energy, water, and other resources.
However, Applia Europe warns that rising energy prices, inconsistent regulations, and escalating global trade tensions are threatening the sector’s stability. Without a coordinated policy response, companies may be forced to relocate manufacturing operations outside of Europe—jeopardizing jobs, investment, and sustainability progress.
LG Teams Up with Chinese Manufacturers to Boost Budget Appliance Strategy in Europe
LG Electronics Inc. is forging an unexpected alliance with former rivals in a bid to strengthen its position in the budget appliance market and fend off growing competition from Chinese brands.
Industry insiders revealed on Monday that LG will introduce co-developed washing machines and refrigerators under its own brand across Europe later this month. The South Korean giant partnered with Skyworth Group Co. to design a 9-kilogram drum washing machine, and worked with AUCMA to produce a top-freezer refrigerator.
This marks the first time LG has collaborated with Chinese companies to develop home appliances. While LG led the product design and development, its partners will handle manufacturing under a joint development manufacturing (JDM) agreement. This structure contrasts with traditional OEM deals, as LG retains control of design while outsourcing production responsibilities.
By leveraging these partnerships, LG aims to offer competitively priced appliances without compromising its reputation for quality—particularly within its mid- to low-end product range.
EGO relaunches DEFENDI product brand
The EGO-Group (EGO) will once again offer gas products under the DEFENDI product brand in the future. In 2013, the gas business was added to the BLANC & FISCHER Group through the acquisition of the DEFENDI Group. To better exploit synergies, the successful and innovative gas solutions of the former sister company DEFENDI were integrated into the product portfolio of EGO in 2020 and marketed under the EGO brand. On January 1, 2021, the site in Camerano officially became part of the EGO-Group: “Defendi Italy Srl” became “EGO Italia Srl”. EGO has decided that, starting from June 2025 it will once again offer its innovative gas solutions under the DEFENDI product brand – to strengthen its go-to-market approach as part of its growth strategy in the gas business. “The switch to the DEFENDI product brand will not involve any process or data changes for our business partners,” assures Karlheinz Hörsting Dr. , CEO of the EGO-Group. DEFENDI is a pure product brand of the EGO-Group. EGO remains the business and contractual partner. Camerano remains a site of the EGO-Group and will continue to operate under the name EGO Italia Srl.
Beko most sustainable
Beko has been named one of TIME Magazine’s World’s Most Sustainable Companies for the second year running, earning a place in the Top 20 and securing the #1 position in its industry.
New production line of Beko dishwashers in Radomsko
New production line of Beko dishwashers in Radomsko
A new built-in model for the Polish market and regional exports
Poland remains a key country for Beko Europe in terms of logistics, human resources and production infrastructure.
After recently launching an oven production line in Wrocław, Beko Europe is consistently strengthening its presence in Poland. The company has just started production of a new model of built-in dishwasher at its plant in Radomsko. The first units will reach customers in the coming weeks.
The new dishwashers are intended mainly for the Polish market, as well as for export to Greece, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia. The forecasted production for 2025 assumes the possibility of increasing the volume depending on market demand.
Elica increases its stake in Chinese subsidiary to 100%,
Elica increases its Chinese control to 100%. The household appliance manufacturer has acquired the remaining 0.56% of the share capital of Elica Home Appliances (Zhejiang, Putian) from Fuji Industrial Co., already its partner in the Japanese joint venture Ariafina.The price agreed with Fuji corresponds to the amount originally paid by the counterparty upon its entry in 2012, equal to 1.9 million euros, consistent with the initial agreements and with the path of the joint venture, managed independently by Elica, also through recapitalization operations
BSH open new factory
BSH open brand new, state-of-the-art factory in Cairo, Egypt! This is BSH Home Appliances Group’s first production site on the African continent, representing a significant investment in the region. The plant opening on Saturday 28th June marked this momentous occasion. The factory will produce high-quality range cookers and boasts top-notch production facilities to start a new success story for BSH.
Candy Brugherio Reinvents Itself as Haier Europe’s Service Powerhouse
The iconic Candy Brugherio plant isn’t closing its doors—instead, it’s entering a bold new chapter. Starting 1 July 2025, the historic Brianza site will become a European Service Hub for Haier Europe, specialising in distributing spare parts for household appliances.
🛠️ Strategic Transformation & Investment
Following the end of production in January, Haier will invest €8.3 million to repurpose the facility into a centre for logistics, regeneration, and packaging. This shift underscores the group’s commitment to long-term innovation across its supply chain.
👥 Workforce Transition with Support Measures
Out of the current 160 employees, 110 will remain in the new operation. The 30% reduction in staff will be handled through voluntary redundancies and social safety nets, coordinated with trade unions, the Lombardy Region, Italy’s Ministry of Labour, and Assolombarda.
🇮🇹 Brianza: Still the Heart of Haier Europe
The region will continue to house Haier Europe’s headquarters, alongside its IoT R&D Centre, Design Centre, and the Candy outlet—maintaining its strategic importance in the company’s European operations.
🎉 Candy at 80: A Brand with Momentum
As the Candy brand celebrates its 80th anniversary, it now accounts for 40% of Haier Europe’s regional turnover and remains a focal point for future investments.
📦 A New Era for Haier’s European Supply Chain
While marking the end of Brugherio’s industrial production legacy, this transformation opens a new phase for Haier’s European logistics strategy—anchored in innovation and sustainability
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