According to the “2022 Annual Report on China’s Household Appliance Industry,” both export and domestic sales of the industry are projected to decline in 2022. The export scale of the industry is expected to decrease by 10.9% YoY, amounting to 568.16 billion yuan, while domestic sales volume is expected to drop by 9.5% YoY, reaching 730.72 billion yuan.
However, some home appliance companies reported positive sales figures in their 2022 annual reports. Air conditioners, air fryers, and floor scrubbers were among the top-performing products in the market.
Whirlpool Launches Hob With Innovative CleanProtect
Whirlpool is launching a new induction hob with CleanProtect nano-coating, which means cleaning is no longer a daily source of stress. The new protective layer over the glass of the hob means that chemical cleaning agents are no longer necessary. Just water and a sponge are enough to give the hob a sparkling clean and prevent scratches and stains in the long term. With the new induction hob, pale circles from hot pans can be a thing of the past, allowing chefs to focus on preparing delicious dishes and enjoying long, relaxing evenings.
In addition to the CleanProtect nano coating, Whirlpool’s new induction hob offers a range of functions and flexibility. All induction hobs are equipped with 6TH SENSE automatic functions that prevent burning and boil over, including keep warm, melt, simmer and boil. Flexible cooking zones make the hob the ideal cooking partner. With ChefControl, chefs can divide the hob from bottom to top into low, medium and high temperatures, while simply sliding the pan up or down to change temperatures during the cooking process.
Whirlpool’s new induction hob is designed for easy installation and fits seamlessly into any worktop from 12mm, with no front ventilation. In addition, standard niche sizes make the replacement of an existing (gas) hob extra simple. Power management makes it possible to connect the hob to a lower power, so that adjustment to the electrical installation is often not necessary https://youtu.be/0aV0lmGEqmk
World’s first fridge with 70% recycled plastic inner liners
The Electrolux Group has developed a new line of built-in refrigerators – the Electrolux 500-900 Series and AEG 5000-9000 Series – that we’re currently launching in Europe. The recent launches have inner liners made from 70% recycled plastic, which equates to 13% of the total plastic used in the refrigerator. We are the first in the world to incorporate this much recycled plastic into a refrigerator so it’s an important industry breakthrough.
The plastic is sourced from a specialty supplier that collects and refines plastic from discarded refrigerators in Europe. It is very important that we work with strong and reliable partners that can provide access to high-quality recycled materials.
The range has been well received at fairs such as IFA in Berlin as the industry sees the product as being concrete proof that we take sustainability seriously.
How have consumers responded to the inner liners made from recycled plastic?
Consumers have responded very positively to the inner liners, and they perceive the gray shade of plastic as being more premium than standard white liners. They favor products made from recycled materials and our research has shown they want this kind of refrigerator with recycled materials.
How do our built-in fridges help retain nutrients and avoid food waste?
The recent launches have an innovative GreenZone crisper drawer to keep fruit and vegetables fresh. They are offered in two versions – one with a manual vent that consumers can open or close depending on how full the drawer is and an automatic version. The automatic crisper has a membrane that allows ingredients to breathe by regulating and optimizing humidity.
Third-party studies have shown that our GreenZone crisper drawer can retain 95% of the vitamin C in blueberries after 11 days. None of our competitors use this kind of innovative membrane so it is a clear competitive advantage for us.
The recent launches also use innovative cooling technology that keeps the temperature stable to help ingredients last longer. One of the solutions is Cooling 360, which maintains a more stable temperature distribution, to preserve food for longer by avoiding temperature shocks and stress on food. Our TwinTech® No Frost also keeps food hydrated with independent cooling systems for the fridge and the freezer parts.
What do customers think about these enhanced abilities to help preserve ingredients?
Consumers immediately understand the value to them – not only in terms of retaining the vitamins in their ingredients for their health, but also making ingredients last longer and ultimately helping them to avoid food waste. Importantly, consumers really value the third-party verified fact-based claims we make. At Electrolux Group we’re committed to help consumers live better, more sustainable lives in the home and this refrigerator line reflects that.
Consumers have shown increased interest in healthy eating, particularly since the pandemic, and we go beyond the standard refrigerator offering by helping them to maintain the vitamin content and quality of the food they eat. Also, people are becoming increasingly conscious of food waste and the materials that are used to manufacture their products.
Will they be launched in other markets in 2023?
Yes, as well as continuing to roll out these innovations across Europe in 2023, they are looking at launching in other regions, such as Asia Pacific, in the coming years. Watch this space
Andrea D’Aloia is Marketing Director at De’Longhi
Andrea D’Aloia, since 2020 Marketing Director of Miele Italia has become Marketing Director in De’Longhi. The manager himself announces it on his Linkedin profile. D’Aloia was ‘born’ in Ferrero where he carried out an international career in Luxembourg, Singapore and Frankfurt. Polyglot (he speaks Chinese as well as English) he enters the marketing of Burger King in Zurich and then arrives at Miele. In recent weeks you have started an Executive MBA at SDA Bocconi.
Italy sets terms for Whirlpool’s sale of European unit to Arcelik
Italy’s government on Monday conditionally approved Whirlpool (WHR.N)’s sale of a majority stake of its European domestic appliances business to Turkish rival Arcelik (ARCLK.IS), a ministerial source said.
The Europe-wide deal, announced in January, concerns four Whirlpool factories in Italy employing around 4,600 people.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing government had the right to scrutinise it under so-called Italian “golden power” rules designed to safeguard industries deemed of national interest. a decree approved in a cabinet meeting, Meloni’s government green-lighted the deal subject to provisions against plant closures and job cuts and protecting local technological know-how, the ministerial source said.
In January, Whirlpool said it would transfer its European major domestic appliance business into a new company in which Arcelik will have a 75% stake and the U.S. group will retain the remaining 25%.
At the time, Whirlpool said it expected the transaction to close in the second half of the year, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
Tefal recycling kiosks
A pioneer in in-store recycling operations for the past 10 years, Tefal has joined a multi-brand partnership to set up a recycling kiosk in the parking lots of several Carrefour stores in France. The first of its kind in Europe, this kiosk meets the dual challenge of the environment and purchasing power.
Electrolux Posts Q1 Loss, Sales Rise, Backs View; Stock Up
Swedish home appliance major Electrolux AB reported Friday a loss in its first quarter with weak volumes hurt by lower demand. Net sales, however, was higher than last year, and the company maintained its fiscal 2023 forecast. In Stockholm, Electrolux shares were gaining around 9 percent.
President and CEO Jonas Samuelson said, “Our number one priority for 2023 is a successful implementation of the Group-wide cost reduction and North America turnaround program…. The actions and performance in the first quarter are fully aligned with our 2023 full-year cost reduction plan. …Sustainability is at the core of our strategy and I am proud that we reached both of our 2025 science-based targets three years ahead of plan. The business and market outlooks for 2023 full year provided in the fourth quarter 2022 earnings report remain unchanged The company previously said the consumer sentiment in the new year is anticipated to continue to be negatively impacted by a high inflation and interest rate environment, although with regional differences.
Demand for core appliances in 2023 full-year is still expected to be negative for all regions except for the Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa region, which is assessed to be flat compared to 2022.
Based on this, volumes in 2023 are expected to decline year-over-year.
Over the mid-term, the company still projects to reach Group operating margin of at least 6 percent, both for the Group and for business area North America.
According to the firm, a key component is the estimated earnings contribution of above 7 billion kronor in 2024 compared to 2022 from the cost reduction program, whereof 4 billion kronor to 5 billion kronor is expected in 2023. The company also recorded commercial growth in all four business areasElectrolux further said it aims to increase aftermarket sales to approximately 10 percent of Group sales by 2025, from around 7 percent in 2022.
For the first quarter, loss was 588 million Swedish kronor, compared to last year’s profit of 950 million kronor. Loss per share were 2.18 kronor, compared to profit of 3.40 kronor a year ago.
Operating loss amounted to 256 million kronor, compared to profit of 1.58 billion kronor last year.
Adjusted operating income was 305 million kronor, compared to prior year’s 919 million kronor. Adjusted operating margin was 0.9 percent, compared to 3.1 percent a year ago.
The year-over-year decline in underlying operating income was mainly a result of lower volumesNet sales increased 9 percent to 32.73 billion kronor from 30.12 billion kronor last year. Organic sales growth was 2.2 percent. Price remained solid, while weaker market demand resulted in lower volumes for the Group as a whole.Stockholm, Electrolux shares were trading at 146 kronor, up 9.12 percent.
LG Named Most Sustainable Home Appliance Brand
LG Electronics has been named the industry’s most sustainable home appliance brand in the just-published 2023 Green Builder Sustainable Brand Index.
The ranking is based on the weighted average of three factors: survey data used to gauge builders’ perception of a company’s sustainability efforts, data that tracks the number of positive brand mentions by consumers who have used or have heard about a product, and sentiment that tracks how favorably consumers view a particular company.LG topped all three survey components – and is the only company among any category winners to do that – largely due to its ever-advancing and continually popular Signature Kitchen Suite brand and consistent emphasis on energy efficiency and performance.”
This top ranking follows the announcement that LG earned two coveted 2023 Green Builder Sustainable Products of the Year distinctions,“recognizing innovations that go above and beyond in manufacturing and encourage sustainability through innovative technology or an improved version of a traditional technique.” The LG Multi F MAX with LGRED° multi-zone heat pump HVAC system and LG STUDIO induction cooktop with a flex cooking zone were singled out as Sustainable Products of the Year in the HVAC and appliance categories, respectivelyNamed 2023 ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, LG helps consumers take climate action in impactful ways. For example, ENERGY STAR certified LG clothes washers and dishwashers purchased by American consumers in the past year are expected to save more than 35 billion gallons of water over their product life, enough to fill 53,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools.“ENERGY STAR Most Efficient 2022” LG refrigerators, washers, dryers, room air conditioners and computer monitors are expected to save more than 482 million pounds of CO2 over the life of these products.
Haier SmartHome resuy
Haier SmartHome released its annual report for 2022 fiscal year, reporting growth of 7.2% year-on-year, with sales revenue of 32.6 billion €.
Despite challenging market environment, Haier Smart Home’s overseas business continue to grow, recording a 10.3% increase in turnover compared to last year.
In the European market, we continued to be the fastest growing Company, recording a double-digit revenue growth of approximately 20% year-over-year, achieving sales of 3.2 billion €.
These strong performance results are even more relevant because they have been achieved in a more complex market than expected caused by high inflation and slowing consumer demand.
Elica Results
Elica BoD approves the Q1 2023 results. “Despite a significant market decline, we are pleased to report results in line with expectations. Our approach has been focused on the long-term value, allowing us to defend margins in a market with low volumes and significant inflation. Additionally, we have continued our transformation and expanded our offerings to become more Cooking. In this environment, the “Own Brand” business is performing better than the market and our “Motors Division” continued to grow. Although the year ahead may be challenging, we are confident that we will come out even stronger and well prepared for the future.” commented – Giulio Cocci Elica CEO.
