Miele takes over Otto Wilde Grillers completely

When Miele acquired a majority stake in the Düsseldorf-based start-up in March 2021, this marked the Gütersloh-based company’s entry into the outdoor cooking sector. By acquiring the remaining shares, Otto Wilde Grillers is now a 100 per cent subsidiary of the world’s leading supplier of premium domestic appliances. In the course of the complete takeover, the founders Alexander Luik and Nils Wilde have announced that they will retire from the company but will remain on board in an advisory capacity

The common goal of Miele and Otto Wilde is to establish a high-quality and harmonised outdoor enjoyment world for highest demands. And with success: almost 8,000 units of the Otto Wilde platform, with the G32 Connected gas barbecue made entirely of stainless steel at its centre, have already been sold. The sales network has also been expanded to around 100 well-positioned specialist dealers since last year. Otto Wilde is also continuing to expand its platform concept, most recently launching an innovative storage system for outdoor kitchens

Elena Breda to lead Electrolux Group’s sustainability


From February 1 next year, Elena will lead Electrolux Group’s sustainability work as part of her wider new role as Chief Technology & Sustainability Officer, reporting to Electrolux Group CEO Jonas Samuelson.

“I really look forward to leading this core part of our business at a time when efforts by companies such as Electrolux Group will be critical to counteract climate change,” says Elena.

Elena succeeds Vanessa Butani who has been appointed to Chief Sustainability Officer at Volvo Cars.

LG’s Washer for Tumbler

LG Electronics (LG) is set to unveil its innovative tumbler washer, LG mycup, at CES 2024. This unique cleaning solution features state-of-the-art technology to enhance the daily hygiene of tumbler users, while its sophisticated design embodies LG’s commitment to environmental sustainability. With the increasing number of eco-conscious consumers using tumblers, LG mycup simplifies the cleaning process and encourages the regular use of reusable cups and tumblers.This practical washer lets users clean one tumbler at a time by simply placing it inside and selecting from two cleaning courses – Quick Wash and Extra Wash – through the LG mycup app. The cleaning process is then conveniently displayed on the upper display panel to let users check wash status and receive an app notification when the cycle is complete.

Both courses utilize a 65-degree Celsius hot water cycle to ensure thorough and sanitary cleaning. By employing bubble jet technology, the Quick Wash course cleans the inside of the tumbler in just 30 seconds. And for the thorough cleaning and drying for harder-to-clean residues like dairy, the Extra Wash course utilizes an integrated air-drying design to clean and gently dry the tumbler with a multi-directional water jet and powerful hot air.

Midea unveils new WASHBOT washer dryer with hidden robot vacuum

Midea has announced WASHBOT, a new combined robot vacuum cleaner and washing machine, which it claims is a world first. The company says it has designed the gadget to help save space in the home, with self-cleaning docking stations of popular models like the Roborock Q Revo Robot Vacuum and Mop taking up 19.2 x 13.4 (~488 x 340 mm) floor space and measuring 22-in (~560 mm) tall.

Another benefit of the combined washing machine and robot vacuum dock is a single connection point to your plumbing to cover clean water refilling and dirty water draining for both devices. The washing machine offers AI-powered gentle steam cleaning and can softly dry clothes at 42°C (~108°F). The robot vacuum is suitable for spaces up to 200 m² (~2,153 ft²), with features like obstacle detection and a nifty auto-cut system that helps remove tangled hair. The self-emptying docking station allows up to 60 days of hands-free cleaning, sanitizing the mop with hot water cleaning and hot air drying.

The machine is 600 mm (~24-in) wide, similar to other cabinets in your kitchen or laundry room. The Midea WASHBOT will soon begin crowdfunding on Indiegogo; the exact campaign launch date and pledge levels have yet to be revealed.

Gaggenau increases its presence in North America and Australia

Growing demand for products Gaggenau in North America and Australia,so the luxury brand specialized in the production of professionally inspired household appliances has decided to opennew showrooms in Vancouver and Toronto and new flagship stores in Sydney and Miami, with a concept that perfectly blends the brand’s rich heritage with local cultural and design elements. “Each of our new flagships in the world – says Peter Goetz, Managing Director of Gaggenau – represents a unique, high-end experience, designed to inspire. Our appliances, our brand, our philosophy and our heritage are woven into the architecture, creating a very attractive local landmark”.

The new flagships serve as experiential centers for culinary enthusiasts, architects, interior designers and homeowners who wish to explore the art of cooking, each boasting a unique space and character, drawing inspiration from local communities, offering sophisticated moments of reflection for food-conscious users and professionals design. In North America the emphasis is increasingly on a modern aesthetic, which favors the kitchen as the centerpiece of the home’s lifestyle. The “modern classic” design by Gaggenau aligns perfectly with this trend, offering timeless, sophisticated and elegant solutions for luxury kitchens.

Currys interim results

Currys PLC have announced Interim Results for the Half Year Ended 28 October 2023, with group adjusted EBIT up 7% year-on-year.

Group CEO, Alex Baldock: “Our priorities this year are simple: to get the Nordics back on track, to keep up the UK&I’s encouraging momentum, while strengthening our balance sheet and liquidity. We’re making good progress on all these in a still challenging economic environment

Carrier sells refrigeration business to Haier

Carrier Global Corporation has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its Carrier Commercial Refrigeration business to Chinese manufacturer Haier for $775m.
Carrier announced plans to exit its Commercial Refrigeration business, along with its Fire & Security interests, when it acquired German manufacturer Viessmann in April.
The deal with Haier, which includes approximately $200m of net pension liabilities, represents about 16.5x 2023 expected EBITDA.
Haier has valued its 100% equity acquisition at approximately $640m which, it says, represents 11x P/E.

Carrier Commercial Refrigeration has more than 4,000 global employees and a sales and service network spanning Europe and the Asia Pacific region. Its brands include Profroid, Celsior and Green & Cool. Carrier Transicold transport refrigeration, Sensitech and its Lynx digital cold chain platform are not included in the transaction.

The two companies have operated a joint venture business, Qingdao Haier-Carrier Refrigeration Equipment Co, since 2001. The JV is committed to providing advanced energy-saving systems, including CO2 refrigeration systems, for customers in the Asia Pacific region.

GE Appliances announces partnership with Kroger

Over 150,000 consumers with select GE Profile™, CAFÉ™, and Monogram™ wall ovens and slide-in ranges can now discover new, seasonal recipes and shop for groceries directly from the touchscreen of select GE Appliances’ smart wall ovens and ranges.
“Kroger’s technology-driven approach to creating convenient and seamless shopping experiences for its customers aligns with our vision to support our consumers throughout the meal preparation process,” said Viren Shah, Chief Digital Officer at GE Appliances. “We are thrilled to collaborate with Kroger and use our combined expertise in the food ecosystem to deliver experiences and features that truly resonate with consumers.”

With this update, over 150,000 consumers with select GE Profile™, CAFÉ™, and Monogram™ wall ovens and slide-in ranges can now enjoy seasonal culinary inspiration directly from their appliance’s LCD screen. The touchscreen on the appliance will showcase a rotating selection of recipes from Kroger and other strategic consumer packaged goods partners including King Arthur Baking, tempting users with seasonal mouthwatering options. The recipes even direct consumers to precision cooking modes that can help improve the cooking results of the recipe. From convenient meals like Rotisserie Chicken Oven Tacos and Sheet Pan Gnocchi with Sausage, to crowd-pleasing holiday dishes such as Apple Spinach Pork Loin and Savory Bread Pudding Casserole, there’s something for everyone. And just in time for the holiday baking season, are recipes for King Arthur’s Giant Cinnamon Roll and Spiced Hot Cocoa Cookies with Marshmallow Middles.

If a recipe captures their attention, users can click to view the list of ingredients and instructions. One more touch will add all the necessary ingredients to their Kroger Family of Companies cart. A simple QR code scan will guide owners to link their Kroger account the first time they use the feature.This feature is another meaningful step in GE Appliances’ journey to make cooking at home easy and enjoyable. Earlier this year, the company introduced Flavorly™ AI powered by Google Cloud’s generative AI platform, Vertex AI. The feature is available via GE Appliances’ SmartHQ consumer app and offers consumers the ability to generate custom recipes based on the ingredients available in their kitchen. Consumers can simply select a recipe category and type of cuisine, then input available ingredients, and include any dietary preferences. They will receive tailored recipes with ingredients, instructions, and even photos.

Electrolux Rayong factory anniversary

Electrolux Rayong factory in Thailand recently celebrated its 20th anniversary. And what a journey it has been. On November 27, 2003, the first washing machine rolled off the assembly lines, marking the start of Electrolux manufacturing story in Thailand. Fast forward 20 years and the factory has grown into one of our key manufacturing sites. In 2022 alone, the factory produced 1.6 million appliances – including washing machines, dryers, refrigerators and gas and electric hobs – exported to 43 countries around the world.