Category Archives: Manufacturing
Nidec to open EV component manufacturing facilities in Serbia
Electric motor manufacturer Nidec announced it is opening two factory facilities in Serbia to produce electric motors and components.
The Japanese company revealed the new factories will be constructed in the city of Novi Sad in the Republic of Serbia to manufacture and sell its automotive motors in one facilty, while another will manufacture inverters and ECUs. The automotive motor production facility is expected to employ a workforce of around 1,000 people, while the inverter facility will have a workforce of around 200. Both factories will begin construction later this year with an expected completion date of mid-2022.
A company press release said: “In Europe, where environmental regulations and major countries’ automobile CO2 emission regulations are becoming increasingly stricter, demand is expanding for automotive motors and related products, and for high-efficiency brushless DC motors for home appliance businesses.
Under the circumstances, to build an efficient system to supply the aforementioned and other products in Europe, the Company plans to open new factories in Serbia (i) to consolidate the Nidec Group’s production activities in East European region, and (ii) for Nidec’s Automotive Motor & Electronic Control Business Unit and group companies to launch multiple businesses in the future.
While the Company’s multiple businesses will be operated at the same sites to seek synergies by sharing the same production infrastructure and back-office, the new business bases will engage in, among others, supplying products to the European market, while looking to design and develop products locally in Serbia.”
BSH uses BASF’s Styropor packaging
Since April 2021, BSH has been using BASF’s Styropor for the first time, based on a raw material obtained from chemically recycled plastic waste, as a packaging material for selected large appliances of its luxury brand Gaggenau. BSH is initially testing Styropor packaging made from recycled material at its Dillingen production site in Germany. The ambitious goal is to use this type of resource-efficient packaging for all large appliances around the world. “At BSH, our aim is to improve the quality of life – says Silke Maurer, BSH Chief Operating Officer -. This also includes the conservation of natural resources and contributing to the reduction of waste and pollution. We have already made important progress in this regard. As Europe’s leading manufacturer of household appliances, we have been developing and manufacturing all of our carbon-neutral products worldwide in our own locations since the end of 2020. But we don’t stop there. As a company, and therefore we as a company, we need to move away from the throwaway mentality and towards a greater understanding of resources and materials. Transforming something old into something new and thus avoiding waste is therefore a central element of BSH’s circular economy approach. Using Styropor packaging, for which the raw materials come from chemical recycling, we are actively contributing to our sustainability goals and the circular economy at the sector level. We are delighted to have BASF, a long-standing and experienced partner, at our side, helping us achieve these goals
Miele invest in Romania factory
Miele,will invest this year another EUR 4 million for production equipment at its factory of home appliance components in Brasov, central Romania.
“This equipment will help increase production capacity in the second half of the year,” said Florin Muresan, general manager of the Miele factory in Brasov,
Miele will also start the procedures for constructing a new production hall in Brasov, with related office space this year, continuing its medium and long-term development plans. The new premises will be ready at the end of 2023.
Miele started the construction of its production unit in Brasov at the end of 2008. So far, the total investment has reached over EUR 35-40 million. Production started there in the autumn of 2009
Arçelik supply of electronic products from Vietnam
Purchasing Director at Arcelik, Hakan Kozan, said Vietnamese enterprises are capable of producing high-tech products for export and they can cooperate with Arcelik to produce products with a high added value content.
He hopes Vietnamese enterprises can seize this opportunity to become business partners not only of Arcelick but of the Koc Holding Group.
Faber award winning factory
The Faber plant in Sassoferrato has been recognized by Franke group with the “Best Factory 2020” award.
This important recognition, which rewards the top performances achieved by the plant in terms of safety, quality and flexibility, is the result of the unwavering commitment shown by the team to keep the customer at the center of every decision, focusing on cost reduction without ever giving up the continuous search for innovation.
Congratulations to Sassoferrato plant team!
Guangdong Homa Appliances hostile bid by TCL
Leading Chinese TV maker TCL is seeking to swallow Guangdong Homa Appliances, a big manufacturer of refrigerators, in a hostile takeover bid.
TCL already has a 20% stake in Homa Appliances, whose stock it began snapping up at the beginning of the year. The move, at diversifying TCL’s business portfolio, comes in response to radical changes in the business environment. After years of rapid growth, backed by a vast domestic market, Chinese appliances makers are under strong pressure to branch out into new businesses and markets.
Calling Homa Appliances “an extremely competitive company,” Li Dongsheng, chairman of TCL Electronics, the core unit of the TCL group, suggested in early March that the group would continue amassing Homa shares in the coming months
Philips is to sell its domestic appliances business to Hillhouse Capital
Philips is to sell its domestic appliances business to Hillhouse Capital with a 15 year licensing deal in the last of its re-structuring deals.
The domestic appliance business had sales of EUR2.2bn in 2020 in kitchen, coffee, garment care and home care devices as part of total sales of EUR19.2bn for Philips. The license agreement has annual payments that represent an estimated net present value of approximately EUR 700m, resulting in a total deal value of approximately EUR4.4bn. The deal is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2021 subject to customary closing conditions. Philips and Domestic Appliances will enter into an exclusive brand license agreement to use the Philips brand and certain of Philips’ other domestic appliances brands for manufacturing, sales, and marketing globally for a period of 15 years, which is renewable subject to the terms of the brand license agreement. This will see the Domestic Appliances business presented as a discontinued operation in Philips’ financial statements from the first quarter of 2021, minimising the financial impact of losses from the Covid-19 pandemic. “I am pleased that in Hillhouse Capital we have found a new home for the Domestic Appliances business to further expand on its market leadership, strong brand and pipeline of new innovations,” said Frans van Houten, CEO of Royal Philips. The deal, which started in January 2020, continues the focus for Philips as a medical technology company, after its recent acquisition of medical data management companies, although it has kept the personal health business. “This transaction concludes our major divestments,” said van Houten. “Going forward, our focus is on extending our leadership in health technology and continuing our transformation into a solutions company supporting professional healthcare customers achieve the Quadruple Aim and consumers with their personal health.” This includes the EUR 3.2bn Personal Health businesses as part of the integrated health continuum approach through consumer-driven product and solutions innovation in areas such as oral healthcare, personal care, and mother & child care, says van Houten. “We look forward to joining forces with Philips to expand into new markets and capture more growth opportunities globally,” said Lei Zhang, Founder and CEO of Hillhouse Capital. “We are aligned with Philips’ mission to bring high quality products to support healthy and fulfilling lifestyles for consumers across the globe.” The domestic appliance business has 7000 staff and operates in 100 countries. The headquarters will remain in the Netherlands, says Zhang. “I am convinced that together with Hillhouse Capital’s deep e-commerce, supply chain and digital expertise, we will be in a great position to continue bringing meaningful innovations to the consumer’s homes,” said Henk de Jong, CEO of Philips Domestic Appliances. “Based on our market leading product portfolio, broad customer and consumer base and R&D capabilities, we are keen to keep supporting families and individuals to lead healthier and happier lives. We look forward to working with Hillhouse to capture additional growth opportunities.” Hillhouse is backed by US universities including Yale, Stanford and Princeton and has strong links in China with investments in Tencent and JD.com, but has also invested in an organic baby food and snack manufacturer called Little Freddie, a Californian craft beer maker and a pet food brand. https://www.philips.com
Sub-Zero and Wolf Unveil New Products and Design Innovations in Virtual Showcase
Latest Kitchen Appliance Offerings Centered on Evolving Consumer Needs and Advanced Engineering Solutions.Sub-Zero group the leading manufacturer of Sub-Zero premium refrigeration, cooking equipment, and dishwashing brands Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove, has expanded its offering with the launch of four new products unveiled in their first-ever virtual showcase. The new appliances reinforce an unparalleled commitment to the quality, performance, and purposeful innovation the storied brands have come to represent since the company’s founding over 75 years ago.
“Our commitment to perfection, our passion that drives our every innovation—meticulous research, development, and rigorous testing—that is what brought us here,” says President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Bakke.
The company continues to focus on the kitchen of the future based on emerging technology, science, and design. The new products are equipped with enhanced performance features and are Wi-Fi enabled to offer greater control, convenience, and simplicity. Refined aesthetics are fresh and modern for harmonious integration into kitchens of any style.
“As always, Sub-Zero, Wolf, and Cove represent the pinnacle of meaningful luxury,” says Tim McDonough, Senior Vice-President of Marketing and Product Innovation. “Our products are built with a singular goal: to provide the highest-caliber, specialized luxury home appliances in the marketplace.”
2021 innovations include:
- Sub-Zero Designer Series Undercounter Refrigeration – Anywhere refrigeration for every style. This diverse collection offers luxurious convenience and unmatched style while precisely preserving food, wine, beverages—even cosmetics. Featuring fully customizable exteriors and assorted functions, it seamlessly and beautifully integrates into any space.
- Wolf E Series Built-In Oven – Enhanced cooking performance inside, cleaner, design-friendly aesthetics outside. Wolf E Series Built-In Ovens are equipped with an advanced dual convection system and chef-tested modes—including effortless Gourmet Mode—to ensure consistently delicious results. Two distinct designs integrate seamlessly in kitchens of many styles.
- Wolf Induction Range – The historic and unparalleled performance of the Wolf range in a modern shell. Completely redesigned to provide a sleek alternative to the professional-style range, the Wolf Induction Range offers refined, clean lines and a fully integrated touch-control panel on top.
- Wolf Dual Fuel Range – A precise combination of professional heritage, stunning aesthetic, and innovative performance in one bold cooking package. The Wolf Dual Fuel Range’s durable construction and intuitive features ensure every home chef can enjoy guesswork-free cooking and predictably delicious results for decades.
Hisense aims for the top spot for Air conditioning
Home appliance giant Hisense aims to become one of China’s top three air-conditioner vendors by 2022, the Shanghai-listed firm said on Friday.
Hisense, a market leader in the Chinese TV market, is offering models with sterilization features that the company claims are helpful to prevent spreading COVID-19 and other diseases.
WHITEGOODSNOW 