Bosch presented its new collection of dishwashers, which includes built-in and freestanding models. The numerous washing programs, designed for every need, together with the EcoSilence Drive brushless motor and new functions, guarantee an efficient use of water and energy. In addition, the models have the PerfectDry system with Zeolite, a mineral that absorbs the moisture to transform it into heat and lasts for the entire life of the product, regenerating itself during each cycle. This technology is completed with the 3D air flow, able to evenly distribute the heat generated by the Zeolite inside the dishwasher. Other pluses of the new dishwashers are: the Extra Clean Zone for intensive washing and the third Extra Space basket. Finally, the dishwashers can be connected via Wi-Fi to the Home Connect App to easily control and manage the functions directly from a smartphone, tablet or smartwatch and have some additional functions, available only via the app. Among the functions that can be managed remotely, there are: Favorite, Silence on Demand (to reduce the noise level), Easy Start (which guides user in choosing the most suitable washing program for the type of dishes loaded) etc. Thanks to the connection to the most popular voice assistants, it is possible to manage the dishwasher with voice control.
Whirlpool Corporation will invest $15 million in factory
Whirlpool Corporation will invest $15 million into its factory in Tulsa, OK as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to further strengthen its U.S. manufacturing capabilities and bring more innovation, top ranking consumer products and high-quality jobs to the region. In conjunction with its investment, Whirlpool will receive an additional $1 million from the state of Oklahoma through its Business Expansion Investment Program (BEIP). The plant produces freestanding and slide-in ranges under the Whirlpool, Amana, Maytag, KitchenAid and JennAir brands.
Whirlpool expects to create approximately 150 new jobs, building on the company’s Tulsa expansion project announced in 2018. With the additional investment, the company has committed to increase its factory headcount to a total of over 2,000 employees in Tulsa. In March 2020, Whirlpool opened an 800,000-square-foot Factory Distribution Center which doubled the size of its footprint in Tulsa.
Glen Dimplex reports £36 million loss
Global domestic appliance group Glen Dimplex has posted a £36 million loss in its first financial reporting since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Dublin head-quartered outfit, which was set up in Newry by Martin Naughton in 1973, took an 11 per cent hit to its turnover, with six months of lockdown eating into its revenues by £82m, reducing it to just over £659m in the year ending September 30 2020.
Glen Dimplex is the world’s largest electric heating maker. But its vast appliance business ranges from Morphy Richards and radio maker Roberts to Walker televisions and Belling cookers.
Most of the group’s sales, just over half-a-billion pounds in the last reporting period, were derived from within the EU.
The latest grouped accounts for its Newry domiciled business Glen Electric Ltd, states that the impact of Covid-19 can be seen across all entities within its group.
A number of its sites had to close for a period due to government restrictions, with the group revealing it had received £4.8m in Covid-19 wage support in the six months of the pandemic period included in the accounts.
Nevertheless, cost cutting measures saw the group’s workforce cut by almost 300 to 3,799.
Glen Electric said revenue and profitability had recovered “markedly” in the 202/21 financial year with demand for its products strengthening.
Most of the losses stated in the report relate to the cost of restructuring and re-investment in the business as part of what the directors described as the group’s transformation to focus on smart technologies and sustainably driven energy solutions.
The group spent £17.2m into restructuring, most of it in Germany, and pumped £21.1m into R&D. Another £2.3m went to The Naughton Foundation, an educational charity named for the company’s founder.
Summarising the performance during the reporting period, the directors said: “The £40.6m investment occurred at a time when Covid-19 impacts were at their peak resulting in a total loss for the year before taxation of £36.3, up from £14.6m in the prior year.
“The loss reflects the impact of continued investment in the group’s future as well as its ability to absorb such costs in the short term to achieve its long-term growth objectives.”
Glen Electric’s directors also revealed that they increased investment in stock over the year to avoid the risk of potential procurement delays due to Brexit and to ensure enough stock is on hand to meet customer demand.
Miele new introduction to its hob range
The new induction hob with integrated extractor KMDA 7476 by Miele combines powerful high-tech elements with origins in Miele competence centres in Bünde (cooking products) and Arnsberg (cooker hoods). “In each of the PowerFlex XL zones, the product offers 7 cm more space for cooking than previously the case, despite unchanged external dimensions – the company explains -. This provides ample space for two large pans one behind the other. The increased flexibility results from the fact that both rings, if required, can be operated as one area. If a large casserole dish is used, the permanently active pan recognition system automatically activates the neighbouring zone”. High power levels are guaranteed by TwinBooster technology, which, when required, can muster 7.3 kW of power – for example when large quantities of food are to be cooked in the shortest of times. A further new feature on the KMDA 7476 is the positioning of the compact and intuitive ComfortSelect Plus controls in the centre, directly in front of the extractor. “With an illuminated run of numbers combined with an indicator for each ring and the extractor, this user interface is not only space-saving but also particularly easy to use – Miele adds -. Practical: if the hob unit has to be briefly left unattended, for example to answer the door, Stop&Go ensures security. This reduces the power output to that of Setting 1 to ensure nothing burns or boils over. If cooking is to end after a specified period, a timer assigned to individual rings can be programmed accordingly. The Food warming function uses smart technology to keep cooked food at serving temperature”. Besides, Miele’s efficient ventilation technology with its energy-efficient Eco motor reliably removes steam, vapours and odours directly where they occur. The extractor is hidden away in the base unit. “With the Con@ctivity feature – Miele concludes – users can concentrate fully on producing delectable results as the power output of the extractor adjusts automatically to activity on the hob. Customers have a choice of vented or recirculation operation, whereby the latter option is ideal for well-insulated buildings”. Miele’s tried-and-tested filter box with its 10-ply stainless-steel filter below the vent grille ensures the best possible removal of grease. For cleaning, the box can be simply removed and washed in the dishwasher. The exclusive Miele CleanCover behind the grease filters provides a smooth surface without any sharp metal edges. It is easy to clean and protects against contact with wires and motor components. And if food should accidentally boil over and enter the extractor, any liquids are collected in a drip tray.
Smart-Appliance Maker Viomi Reports Surging First-Quarter Profit and Revenue Growth
Viomi Technology, a Xiaomi-backed Chinese startup focusing on developing Internet of Things (IoT)-powered home appliances, posted a 173.2% increase in first-quarter net profit as the firm expanded overseas.
Net profit for the quarter that ended on March 31 surged to 49.1 million yuan ($7.5 million), Viomi said in its earnings report released Thursday.
Revenue rose 64% year-on-year to 1.3 billion yuan, about 73% of which came from sales of its IoT-enabled appliances such as sweeper robots and smart kitchen products, according to the financial report. Sales of IoT-enabled appliances jumped 111.5% year-on-year.
The remainder of Viomi’s revenue was generated from sales of its domestic water solutions, consumables and small appliances, the report said.
Viomi said that the robust growth got a boost in part by its drive to expand into overseas markets including Europe, Southeast Asia, South Korea and Australia, where its sweeper robots are popular.
“Our products are designed with an eye on health care, smartification, home security and natural AI voice interactions,” said Viomi CEO Chen Xiaoping. “Looking ahead at the rest of 2021, we will continue to optimize our IoT product portfolio with a focus on AI application.”
As of the end of March, Viomi accumulated 5.6 million household users, about 20.4% of which had at least two Viomi-branded internet connected products, according to the report.
The Nasdaq-listed company said that it expects its second-quarter revenue to be between 1.7 billion yuan and 1.9 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year increase of 2.1% to 9.8%.
Hotpoint ActiveCare 9kg Washing Machine Receives Which Best Buy
Major domestic appliance manufacturer, Hotpoint has been selected for the Which? Best Buy accolade for its 9 kg ActiveCare washing machine in three colour variants.
Which? is trusted by many consumers for its independent and honest reviews. Products that perform particularly well in the stringent Which? tests receive its esteemed Which? Best Buy status. The Hotpoint 9 kg ActiveCare washing machine, in black (NM11 945 BC A UK N), white (NM11 945 WC A UK N) and graphite (NM11 945 GC A UK N), has been recognised by Which? for washing cottons and synthetics brilliantly, having an excellent spin cycle and being quiet in operation. The three models, therefore, qualified for the Which? Best Buy accolade*.
According to the Which? experts: “We were extremely impressed with this washer’s ability to banish stains… The powerful spin also means they [fabrics] won’t be too damp when you unload them*.”
The 9 kg Hotpoint ActiveCare washing machine scored a five star rating for its overall cleaning performance, as well as five stars for its cotton wash, synthetic wash and spin performance. It was also praised for being ‘quieter than most1’ washing machines, even when spinning.
Kimberley Garner, Hotpoint Brand Manager, says: “The Hotpoint ActiveCare range of washing machines boasts the ability to remove more than 100 stains at just 20ᵒC**. It also benefits from steam cleaning functions, quick washes and options to make the wash cycles quicker or more economical.
“We are delighted that these 9 kg models within the Hotpoint ActiveCare range have received the Which? Best Buy accolade. This highly sought-after endorsement is recognised by consumers and helps them identify some of the best performing products on the market. We hope that the accolade will support retailers and help them explain the benefits of Hotpoint’s innovative laundry technology to their customers.”
For more information on the Hotpoint ActiveCare range of washing machines, or any other Hotpoint appliances, please contact your account manager or visit the website at www.hotpoint.co.uk
Galanz to buy whirlpool China
Home appliance manufacturer Galanz Group’s acquisition of the Chinese unit of United States’ white goods maker Whirlpool will help it to diversify its business, a top company official said.
“Growth, no matter what happens, along with high-quality development, will be our core strategy this year,” said Liang Zhaoxian, chairman of Galanz, during the company’s annual meeting on Sunday.
After over 200 days of antimonopoly investigation by authorities in the United States, China, Brazil, Germany, Turkey, Austria and Colombia, Galanz was given the go-ahead for the acquisition deal, according to Liang.
“The approval means all shareholders of Whirlpool China can sell their shares to Galanz. It would be a historical milestone for us,” said Liang.
Last August, the Chinese firm said that it would accept no less than 51 percent of Whirlpool China’s equity and a maximum of 61 percent, according to Liang.
“Galanz will focus on upgrading technology, brand and supply chains for business growth this year. The acquisition of Whirlpool China is part of our strategy to help diversify brands and promote sustainable business growth,” said Liang.
The acquisition, which is equal to 2.46 billion yuan ($370 million), will start on Wednesday and end on April 29. Whirlpool China’s stock price was down 6.48 percent at 7.65 yuan per share on Tuesday.
“It was not simply a cooperation between a Chinese company and a Fortune Global 500 company－Chinese home appliance makers will be more competitive in the global market as they have now developed core technologies in the self-innovative industrial chain,” said Liang.
According to Liang, Galanz plans to build two purchasing technology quality control centers in South China and East China in the near future.
“We will build a new market, bring in advanced technology, products and services to consumers in China, as well as the world,” said Liang.
Galanz, which is Whirlpool’s third-largest global supplier, intends to help Whirlpool China to improve management efficiency, enhance profitability and ensure stable development, said Liang Huiqiang, vice-chairman of Galanz.
After acquiring a combined majority stake in Japanese kitchen appliance maker Zojirushi in January last year, Galanz has been vying for more brands to diversify its business.
Teaming up with Whirlpool and Zojirushi will help Galanz to enter a rapid business expansion in the near future, according to Liang.
“Having multiple brands and diversified businesses is the future development trend for various consumer groups,” said Liang.
The Guangdong-based company has been looking for more than 10,000 workers to boost its production capacity this year, due to increased orders from overseas buyers.
After posting a 212 percent year-on-year growth in sales last year, the company is expecting overseas orders to rise by 90 percent on a yearly basis during the first quarter of this year, according to Liang.
“The production capacity of refrigerators will increase by more than 80 percent this year,” said Liang.
Siemens New built in Dishwasher
The new range of Siemens studioLine built-in dishwashers is designed to integrate perfectly into the kitchen. The varioSliding hinge system, for example, allows the cabinet door to slide over the appliance door when opening, ensuring greater installation flexibility. For the fully integrated models with varioSliding hinge, Siemens has developed sideLight, a blue light that illuminates the space between the appliance panel and the door to its left when the appliance is in operation. Besides, infoLight (the indicator that informs the user when the dishwasher is in use) projects a light point on the floor which turns off at the end of the cycle, while with timeLight it is possible to check the status of the program, as it projects the residual washing time on the floor. The new dishwashers can be easily controlled with app, by voice, or with the control panel. Furthermore, with the app it is possible to access some additional functions, such as varioSpeed on demand and varioSpeed plus on demand, to reduce washing times at any time, even with the program already activated. Other pluses of these products are: the Favourite functionality to save the favorite programs and options, the new glassZone, the Zeolith Drying technology, the flexComfort cutlery basket etc.
Liebherr new Integrated refrigeration
“For us, a refrigerator is more than just an appliance. It should be a reliable partner that provides assistance, thinks for itself, takes over tasks and helps make work easier. That’s why we asked ourselves at the beginning of the development project: How can we make our appliances even more efficient, intuitive and contemporary?” says Steffen Nagel, Managing Director of Sales & Marketing at Liebherr-Hausgeräte GmbH.
Learn more about our new Fully Integrated line.
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New Zip Hydro Tap
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With sleek design and slick function powered by our most advanced G5 technology, Zip HydroTap supports sustainable business practices with the ability to select energy modes and usage settings, bottle fill feature and features SteriTouch® antimicrobial protection for enhanced hygiene.
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