CHiQ washing machine

CHiQ Chinese home appliance manufacturer Changhong launch its new washing machines in the Philippines. The two series of washing machines, the impeller and drum models, made their first appearance in the market through the Shopee platform.

The CHiQ washing machine’s 487 mm-deep chamber allows for a space-saving ultra-thin body. The unit is easy to install and, with its slim and elegant design, snugly fits into any décor, facilitating placement virtually anywhere in the home.

The drum’s 530 mm inner diameter means lots of room for the wash. Its powerful washing force significantly increases the amount of clothing that can be handled in one cycle, meeting the needs of large families who may need to wash many articles of clothing at once. The machine’s inverter motor assures a smooth and quiet cleaning cycle. The inner drum incorporates the unique water drop wheel and seamless welding technology to prevent damage to clothing fibers.

The intelligent one-key washing and control eliminates the complicated decision-making process when setting up a load to be washed. A wide range of smart features includes, among others, automated weighing of the load and setting of water level and temperature. With 15 washing cycles to choose from, including the 15-minute fast wash, in combination with high-temperature drum cleaning, convenience is maximized for users.

Backed by its dedicated R&D team and washing machine smart industrial park that spans 180,000 square meters, CHiQ plans to continue the progression towards inverter-based, intelligent, noise-free, energy- and water-efficient equipment to benefit more consumers. In 2018, CHiQ made significant investments to establish this industrial park, the park is equipped with international first-class and industry-leading automated production equipment, as well as highly efficient, high-quality, intelligent production lines, ensuring excellent quality and exquisite craftsmanship in the production of the brand’s washing machinesCHiQ launched its new washing machines in the Philippines. The two series of washing machines, the impeller and drum models, made their first appearance in the market through the Shopee platform.

The CHiQ washing machine’s 487 mm-deep chamber allows for a space-saving ultra-thin body. The unit is easy to install and, with its slim and elegant design, snugly fits into any décor, facilitating placement virtually anywhere in the home.

The intelligent one-key washing and control eliminates the complicated decision-making process when setting up a load to be washed. A wide range of smart features includes, among others, automated weighing of the load and setting of water level and temperature. With 15 washing cycles to choose from, including the 15-minute fast wash, in combination with high-temperature drum cleaning, convenience is maximized for users.

Backed by its dedicated R&D team and washing machine smart industrial park that spans 180,000 square meters, CHiQ plans to continue the progression towards inverter-based, intelligent, noise-free, energy- and water-efficient equipment to benefit more consumers. In 2018, CHiQ made significant investments to establish this industrial park, the park is equipped with international first-class and industry-leading automated production equipment, as well as highly efficient, high-quality, intelligent production lines, ensuring excellent quality and exquisite craftsmanship in the production of the brand’s washing machines.

CHiQ entered the Philippines in early 2021 with placements on the country’s leading e-commerce platforms, Lazada and Shopee, starting with its TV and refrigerator product lineups. After nearly two years of development, CHiQ is already a mainstay on the Philippines leading commerce platforms and widely accepted by partners and shoppers throughout the country. CHiQ has been recognized as the top-selling TV brand on the Shopee platform multiple times. In 2021, it won the Lazada Annual Best Brand Nomination Award.

In addition to Philippines, CHiQ washing machines are available in Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Later on, it will be made available in more countries throughout Southeast Asia. To give consumers in the region better home appliances and services, CHiQ plans to keep extending its product lines, diversifying the product categories, while improving the product quality and services. CHiQ will also focus on maximizing user value in its expansion by continuously enhancing CHiQ smart home product solutions, to meet the personalized needs of consumers worldwide with better products and services

Just in time for its 60th anniversary: Miele plant in Bürmoos has successfully repositioned itself

After four years of reconstruction, the future of the site is sustainably secured

Eight million euros invested in state-of-the-art production and logistics

Position as supplier of high-quality stainless steel components further strengthened

The Miele plant in Bürmoos near Salzburg has completely repositioned itself over the past four years – as a supplier of high-quality stainless steel components for almost all appliance plants in the Miele Group as well as for the Italian subsidiary Steelco Group. In addition, the new Miele subsidiary Otto Wilde Grillers has recently had its most established product range produced in Bürmoos. “Hardly a stone has been left unturned in our production halls,” says plant manager Dr. Hendrik Wermers. The necessary investments were made, for example, in a new cutting centre with laser processing and a fully automated high-bay warehouse, as well as in state-of-the-art production technology for surface processing When Miele set up its plant in Bürmoos in 1962, it was the first production site outside Germany. This step was originally intended to give Miele access to the EFTA free trade zone, which at the time existed parallel to the EU’s predecessor organisation, the EEC, and to which Austria also belonged. Initially, small-room washing machines, spin dryers, and waste compactors were produced, before the factory specialised more and more in the processing of stainless steel sheets and wires. From 2012 onwards, the production of sterilisers and so-called container washing systems was added, in which, for example, instrument trolleys or entire hospital beds are disinfected.

The next turning point followed in 2017, when Miele acquired a majority stake in the Italian medical technology specialist Steelco Group and bundled its entire hospital project business there. This was done to strengthen competitiveness in what was then, as now, a fiercely competitive market worldwide – and it also affected the manufacturing of the appliances produced in Bürmoos. Now the challenge was to compensate for this and at the same time further improve the cost structures. “A time frame of four years was defined for this, which our team used with great commitment and, above all, successfully,” says Hendrik Wermers. In the process, production on the 40,000 square metre site was largely dismantled and rebuilt, and the processes were completely restructured. What has remained is the focus on high-quality stainless steel components, which are now distributed among these three product segments:

Fascias and panels for washing machines, dryers and dishwashers, for example, as well for other built-in kitchen appliances from Miele (domestic and commercial),

baskets and inserts used in washer-disinfectors, disinfectors and sterilisers for medical facilities and laboratories

as well as complex assemblies for medical and laboratory technology, which are supplied in particular as large-scale appliance accessories to Miele’s subsidiary Steelco.
In the past four years alone, Miele has invested eight million euros in Bürmoos, for example in a high-bay warehouse for the fully automated supply of production with sheet metal blanks as well as for the storage of finished parts which were previously cut or punched by laser. Another major investment concerns the production of front panels for Miele appliances, which the Bürmoos plant now produces more than twice as fast as before. This is ensured by a highly efficient automatic front panel machine, which brings together the stainless steel and plastic components and finally also applies the model- and country-specific printing.completely new manufacturing process for Miele in Bürmoos is surface treatment by means of so-called electropolishing. This refers to a multi-stage electrochemical process for the best possible smoothing of the surface to prevent the adhesion of viruses and bacteria. This is particularly important for baskets and inserts and other components for use in medical and laboratory technology.

“Unfortunately, about 80 jobs had to be eliminated in the course of the realignment,” reports plant manager Wermers, “but all colleagues who were affected at the time have for the most part found new jobs seamlessly, not least thanks to our good contacts with other companies.” In the meantime, Miele is expanding again in Bürmoos and currently employs around 220 people. “They have all done a great job over the past few years, for which I would like to sincerely thank each and every one of them,” says Hendrik Wermers, “and I would also like to thank the experts at the Miele Professional plants in Bielefeld and Lehrte, which are connected to us, for their support.”

The latest addition to Miele’s product portfolio in Bürmoos is the O.F.B. range from Miele’s new subsidiary Otto Wilde Grillers in Düsseldorf. This is a top-heat grill which, depending on the model, is heated with gas or electricity, operates at very high temperatures, and is largely made of high-quality stainless steel. This is why Hendrik Wermers had initially wanted to bring his factory into the game as a supplier of components, but then also won the final assembly for Bürmoos. “We have the expertise, the capacities and the flexibility for that.” A deal was quickly reached with the new customer: “We are counting on a long-term partnership, because the Bürmoos plant helps us to take the next steps in quality, scalability and further product optimisation, even for our most established product,” says Otto Wilde production manager Dr. Achim Schade. Furthermore, despite enormous cost pressures, the company is pleased to have found a partner in Bürmoos in the heart of Europe.

Electrolux has set the ambition to make healthy and sustainable eating the preferred choice by 2030

Food is not only the single most critical factor in human health. The current food system has also severely damaged the climate and our ecosystems. How we eat, cook, and shop thus needs to be transformed to sustain our planet. Through a collection of modular solutions powered by advanced sensors and AI, based on behavioural science and the planetary health diet from the EAT-Lancet report, Electrolux has created what it terms “a vision of a better tomorrow”, with GRO.
The EAT-Lancet Report is described as the first full scientific review of what constitutes a healthy diet from a sustainable food system, and which actions can support and speed up food system transformation. The report was prepared by EAT and is an adapted summary of the Commission Food in The Anthropocene: the EAT-Lancet Commission on Healthy Diets from Sustainable Food Systems. The entire Commission report can be found online at thelancet.com/commissions/EAT.

Electrolux has set the ambition to make healthy and sustainable eating the preferred choice by 2030, and GRO is our testament to that. By challenging conventional thinking of what a kitchen is, we have rethought everything from the start – aiming to help change behaviours by making planet-friendly eating effortless and enjoyable through groundbreaking design,” says Tove Chevalley, Head of Electrolux Innovation Hub.

In an official statement, Electolux explains, “The GRO concept is entirely built on data and behavioural science, which has been the foundation for every design decision and product feature within the kitchen system. It’s also about exploring how kitchen products can contribute to eating more sustainably. Inspired by experts, chefs, early adopters and thousands of consumers, GRO empowers people to act on key recommendations in the renowned EAT-Lancet report, designed to support people’s personal needs to move towards a more sustainable diet.” The way we currently produce food to feed the planet is tragically at the expense of the planet itself. Research shows, one important action we can take to change this is to dramatically reduce consumption of animal source foods in places where they are currently over-consumed. This will help ensure enough healthy food can be produced for every person on the planet without destroying it. Food must be elevated as a key solution by anyone serious about tackling climate change and restoring nature,” says Brent Loken, Global Food Lead Scientist at WWF. Previously, Brent worked for EAT, where he was a lead author on the EAT-Lancet report.

With this in mind, Electrolux created the “jewellery box,” a storage solution within the GRO kitchen system, nudging people to eat less but better meat and explore new and diverse sources of protein.

There is also a global trend in the plant-forward world of reinventing new dishes by mixing techniques and flavours to enhance the taste experience. Specific techniques previously used to prepare meat dishes are now part of the plant-forward world. GRO’s “nordic smoker” enables people to smoke their ingredients at home, inspiring them to combine different flavours.

The concept’s digital platform will help to visualise the user’s eating habits and planetary impact, providing personal goal setting, guidance, and progress measurement over time. For example, tips on recipes, local produce and sustainable ingredients based on personalised taste, nutritional needs and what is in the fridge, is also a service that GRO can provide.The insights from GRO form the basis for Electrolux product development with the aim that future products will be even better at supporting more sustainable living.

“GRO is our vision of what a kitchen could look like. A vision that will inspire and guide our company’s innovations going forward, whilst pushing us forward to meet our sustainability goals,” Chevalley adds.

Elica to purchase Air Force

Elica SpA, leader of the Group that produces cooker hoods and extractor hobs, has entered into an agreement which provides for the purchase from Urbano Urbani, minority shareholder of the subsidiary Air Force SpA, of 40% of the latter’s share capital. This operation will allow Elica to take over Air Force SpA to 100% Air Force is a company of the Group that manufactures high quality cooker hoods and hobs, characterized by a high level of customization and uniqueness. The offer is aimed at a specific market niche and is able to satisfy the customer’s needs for product customization, moving away from the mass market.

Air Force SpA was established in 1997, its mission has always been the continuous innovation of extractor hoods and induction hobs. All through study and innovation, accompanied by the desire to launch a style, to propose a Made in Italy even more focused and advanced on the selection processes, where high quality is expressed with functionality and reliability, design and innovation.

Experience, design, flexibility and innovation made in Fabriano are the characteristics that fit perfectly into the development and growth of the Elica Group.

In numbers, the Air Force achieved a turnover of approximately 31.0 million euros in 2021 and an Ebitda of approximately 1.6 million euros with a cash balance of 5.4 million euros.

Fisher & Paykel Australia

Fisher&Paykel Australia recently held a new Haier brand product introduction conference jointly with the local TOP3 retail channel T, with over 150 sales staff and dealers attending the meeting. It was officially announced that the new series of Haier kitchen appliances debuted in 105 stores of channel T across the country, helping the development of Haier kitchen appliances in Australia At the meeting, the team invited its brand ambassador, a famous chef Justine Schofield, to give a cooking demonstration on site by the brand-new products offerings including ovens, cooktops and rangehoods, fully demonstrating the diverse functions of Haier “whole of home” kitchen scenario.
Meanwhile, local Haier brand product/region managers also gave detailed presentations of Haier new series of quad-door refrigerators that have just been launched and the hero dishwashers that will be launched in the second half of the year.

So far in Australia, Haier’s black/graphite sets of home appliances and “whole of home” solutions has been more complete, providing users with a full-scenario leading and comfortable home life experience.

In Australia, Haier brand’s strong development momentum continued in 2022. Its latest overall revenue in May increased by 75%, and its market share saw a robust lift of one point within a single month, hitting a record high. In the future, the team will continue to expand the market and leverage Haier’s globalization advantages to achieve higher goals.

Visione Kettle

Visione from Strix the only induction hob top kettle with intuitive auto switch off technology

Visione is a world first. It is totally cord free. There is no electric base making the kitchen worktop look untidy as this space-saving design is compatible with induction hobs. No cord means no clutter, it even goes in a dishwasher! 

The intelligent auto stop technology automatically switches off at boil and has integrated boil dry protection making it the safest kettle of its kind. No more close watching, no more boiling over and with no need for a whistle Visione is the quietest boil ever.Strix is the global leader in the design, manufacture and supply of kettle safety controls
as well as other complementary water temperature management components, appliances and water filtration products.

New president of APPLiA –

Arcelik’s CEO, Hakan Bulgurlu, has been elected as the new president of APPLiA – Home Appliance Europe, the Brussels-based association representing home appliance manufacturers in Europe.

Since 2015, Hakan Bulgurlu has been CEO of Arcelik. He is also a member of the World Economic Forum’s CEO Climate Leaders Alliance and the Amstel Dialogues, an initiative that aims to foster innovation in Europe.

Taking over the presidency from Dr. Peter H. Göetz, Executive VP of BSH Europe and outgoing APPLiA President, Bulgurlu addressed the members of the Association during the APPLiA General Assembly in Sofia. In his commencement speech, Bulgurlu shed light on the great progress made by the sector over the past years. “Commitment and dedication have been the key drivers behind Dr. Göetz’s term, and the scene is now set for a successful cooperation,” he said. Amid the shift to a post-pandemic era and Europe’s economic recovery, the industry is called to face the cross-cutting effects of the impending geopolitical challenges, affecting millions of lives and sectors across Europe and the wider world. This is further aggravated by one of the most pressing issues faced by humankind: climate change. The subsequent increased levels of energy insecurity that come with it call for a prompt energy transformation. “As an Association, we have a huge responsibility in advancing the set energy efficiency goals, to leave our children a better planet,” pointed out Arcelik’s CEO. In this regard, the role of the young generations is crucial “as the present issues will directly affect the lives of the consumers of tomorrow,” he highlighted. This surely represents a challenge, but also a great opportunity, for the home appliance sector to capitalise on the successes achieved so far and continue to actively shape the energy transition.

Industrial Grill by R.G.V.

Outdoor or indoor: cooking meat with grill and barbecue is possible both at home and outdoors. The appliance brands offer different types of products ranging from electric to gas models. In both cases, the ideal temperature and a homogeneous heat distribution are quickly reached. They are products designed to avoid generating smoke and feature containers to collect cooking fats. Moreover, solutions of various sizes are available to meet different needs.
Grilling in the kitchen
R.G.V. has created a product suitable for domestic kitchens that combines effectiveness and versatility. Industrial Grill is a device characterized by a power of 2000 Watt, able to heat up to 240°C. The selected temperature is reached quickly and kept constant to obtain the best cooking results. In addition, the appliance can be used both as a contact grill (with 5 adjustment levels based on the thickness of the food to cook), and by opening the two plates at 180 degrees to place the food on both surfaces. Using Industrial Grill is simple: the product is equipped with a timer, an adjustable thermostat and a ready-to-use light that alerts the user when the plates are hot. In addition, the thermoplastic handle allows to lift the lid safely. The cooking oils and fats are then collected in a special tray. Finally, cleaning is facilitated by the non-stick and removable ribbed plates and by a spatula to remove food residues.