Hisense’s Velenje factory starts TV production in January 2021
The management of Hisense Group has confirmed the decision to establish a new TV set factory in Velenje.
The production of this product group will be established within the production site of Hisense Gorenje, in one of the existing production halls and will begin operating in January 2021.
Samsung Globally Launches Bespoke: A Customizable Refrigerator that Caters to Various Consumer Lifestyles
Samsung Electronics today announces the launch of its new Bespoke refrigerator in select markets around the world. After first launching in China, Bespoke will be introduced in Europe and the CIS region.
The Bespoke refrigerator ushers in a new era of customizable home appliances, underlining Samsung’s dedication to creating products that truly reflect evolving consumer lifestyles. Customizable according to user preference, Bespoke allows consumers to tailor their own configurations by material, color, and module to match various lifestyles and interior design concepts.
“Samsung is creating new kitchen innovations with Bespoke by catering to individual preferences across a wide spectrum of consumer lifestyles,” said Eugene Chung, Vice President of Digital Appliances, Samsung Electronics. “We are excited to offer consumers around the world the opportunity to satisfy their lifestyle needs through our aspirational Bespoke refrigerator.”
Personalized Design Details
The lineup includes three models: a 24” 1-door module; an 18” 1-door module, and a 2-door BMF module.1 With these three different modular units, users can simply add a new model to their existing combination without the need to discard or replace the current model when adjusting to a lifestyle change or new décor. The product types can be mixed and matched to best reflect the user’s lifestyle, dietary habits, family size and kitchen layout. All models are identical in depth and height to allow a uniform look when installed side-by-side.
Aside from its modular design, each Bespoke comes with an innovative door panel that can be personalized with a unique color-material-finish (CMF) based on the user’s design preferences. With up to 11 colors2 and three textures to choose from, consumers can mix and match to reflect user’s personal taste.
The color offering ranges from lavender and pink to burgundy and navy, delivering a diverse color palette for a wider variety of choice. The three textures – Satin Glass, Color Cotta, and Glam Mirror – further extends the customizability of Bespoke, with each texture radiating a subtle luster that is also pleasant to the touch. The polished feel of Satin Glass strikes the right balance between matte and glossy, while Color Cotta conveys the warmth of a freshly baked clay pot. Meanwhile, the Glam finish exquisitely highlights the space it occupies with a soft sheen.
Fresh Food Management
The Bespoke refrigerator helps vitalize all aspects of kitchen life by allowing consumers to maintain a healthy home environment that stems from proper food management using advanced refrigeration technologies.
Bespoke is equipped with a comprehensive range of features that provide consistent and efficient cooling to keep food fresher for longer.
All Around Cooling cools each compartment of the fridge evenly from corner to corner by consistently checking the temperature and circulating cool air through strategically placed vents. This means food is kept at the optimum temperature to preserve freshness for longer.
Metal Cooling also contributes to keeping food fresh, even when users frequently open and close the door. A Metal Cooling plate, Metal Shelf and Flat Metal Duct retains the cold, preventing the loss of cool air when the door is opened.
No Frost technology helps maintain optimal temperature in every corner of the refrigerator by enhancing air circulation. It stops the buildup of ice on fresh food, like vegetables, and prevents the need to defrost the fridge.
Users can also use the Power Freeze function to automatically set the freezer temperature to the lowest level to create a rapid blast of intensely cold air. It’s great for freezing or firming up frozen food, like ice cream, and making ice quickly.
The Freezer/Fridge Convertible3 is an adjustable compartment, so users can easily switch back and forth between a freezer and a regular fridge compartment based on their refrigeration needs.
Panasonic Launches Versatile NN-CD87KS Home Chef 4-in-1 Countertop Multi-OvenNew multi-purpose cooker expertly airfrys, bakes, broils and microwaves food to perfection
Panasonic today introduced the latest in powerful and convenient multi-purpose cooking technology, the NN-CD87KS Home Chef 4-in-1 Countertop Multi-Oven. Designed for the busy lifestyles of culinary experts and novices alike, it expertly provides four versatile functions: airfrying, baking, broiling and traditional microwaving.
The Home Chef 4-in-1 Countertop Multi-Oven is even flexible enough to allow users to choose any one of the four cooking methods individually for quick, delicious foods and snacks, or in combination for a variety of fast, healthy, nutritious meals everyone will enjoy.
The Only Countertop Oven You Need
An uptick in busy lifestyles coupled with the desire for convenient, but fresh and healthy food has resulted in rapid growth in the ‘multi-cooking’ appliance category, including products like multi-cooker pots and toaster ovens with ‘convection’ function.
With four versatile cooking options that cook a wide variety of meals and snacks with precision and to perfection, Home Chef 4-in-1 Countertop Multi-Oven users won’t need separate appliances to make their favorite foods.
The airfry function, a healthier alternative to traditional frying, quickly circulates hot air around the food, even faster than convection, producing crispy, brown results. Food prep that requires broiling is also a cinch; dual infrared technology perfectly cooks foods on a broiling rack that lifts food close to the infrared grilling element, resulting in the crispiness missing from traditional microwave cooking.
Baking is also more convenient and efficient thanks to the Home Chef Countertop Multi-Oven, which can be a primary or secondary oven. The Convection Bake function ranges from 215° to 425°F, for baking and roasting without heating up the home or expending as much energy as traditional oven cooking.
Elevating Traditional Microwave Cooking
Functions such as the one-touch Genius Sensor Reheat button, which prompts the Home Chef 4-in-1 Countertop Multi-Oven to monitor the amount of steam generated by the dish, then automatically sets and adjusts the time to avoid over-or-undercooking, provides an additional layer of precision and convenience not seen in standard-use microwaves.
In addition, utilizing a smart microwave sequencing system based on the Inverter’s continuous-power delivery, the Turbo Defrost function protects and preserves food’s flavor, texture and nutrients – all without producing frozen centers or cooked edges.
Adding to its long list of convenient options, 20 auto-cook settings and 11 power levels provide the perfect heating levels and times for fast and perfect results in breakfast, grains, vegetables, entrees and more.
At CES 2020 Panasonic announced a collaboration with Drop, the leading recipe app, who’s guided, step-by-step recipe format is available for use with the new Home Chef 4-in-1 Multi-Oven. Drop ensures home cooks get the most out of their appliances with quick, easy, and delicious recipes using the full suite of features from Panasonic to deliver consistent, successful results. To find out more delicious recipes visit: https://drop.recipes/panasonic-usa
Sleek, Space-saving Design
A recent Panasonic survey revealed an average of nine small kitchen appliances are used in U.S. households, leaving little remaining counterspace for prep or other uses. At 1.2 interior cubic feet the modern, stainless-steel Home Chef 4-in-1 Countertop Multi-Oven has a spacious interior cooking area, but a compact exterior footprint to save valuable counterspace. For users preferring a built-in aesthetic, an optional trim kit allows users to build it into cabinets or walls
Electrolux Takes Action to Reduce Emissions From Cooling Products
Electrolux have announced a plan to replace all high-impact greenhouse gases in all of its appliances by 2023 at the latest, as part of its commitments to the United Nations global Cool Coalition initiative. The plan, which helps Electrolux deliver on its objective to significantly reduce its climate footprint over the coming decades, is one of the actions taken under the company’s Better Living Program.
As global temperatures rise, the transformation of cooling technology will make a big contribution to the fight against climate change. The phase-out of powerful climate-warming gases known as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) has the potential to avoid up to 0.4°C of global warming by 2100. HFCs are often used in refrigerators, air conditioners and other cooling devices, as well as tumble dryers and washer dryers with heat pumps.
Now Electrolux is accelerating the transition from these gases by submitting a phase out plan to the global UN initiative Cool Coalition. The commitment is a plan for replacing the high-impact greenhouse gases in all appliances with gases that have a lower climate impact, such as natural gases with very low global warming impact. By 2023 this plan will be complete.
“The appliance industry is one of the sectors with a vital behind-the-scenes role in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic as refrigerators, washing machines or air conditioners are essential products in people’s lives. Although these are uncertain times for business, we believe addressing climate change by reducing greenhouse gases remains one of the most urgent challenges for society. We are encouraging other companies in our industry to join us as we all share the same responsibility,” says Jonas Samuelson, CEO Electrolux.
Electrolux has far-reaching ambitions to reduce its climate impact, ranging from a science-based target to reduce CO2 emissions from products with 25% by 2025, to becoming fully climate neutral throughout the value chain by 2050.
Widening the scope of its sustainability strategy, Electrolux in 2019 also launched the Better Living Program, an initiative to enable better and more sustainable living for consumers around the world through 2030. Today’s announcement will contribute to the program, not least the target to make homes healthier and more sustainable through smart solutions for air, water and floors. (The target has been redefined subsequent to the launch, read more here).
The GWP (Global Warming Potential) reduction plan that Electrolux has presented to the UN outlines the switch to lower global warming potential gases in all product lines. For more details of the plan, please see: https://www.electroluxgroup.com/en/electrolux-and-the-uns-cool-coalition-30536/
Haier Uk new PR appointment
Agent42 has won the PR and above-the-line marketing account for home appliances group Haier UK and Ireland.
Collaboration: Using LG’s patented technology, Miele will produce robot vacuum cleaners
LG Electronics Inc. and Miele & Cie. KG have entered into a long-term patent license agreement covering robot vacuum cleaner technologies. The terms of the agreement will allow Miele to produce and sell robot vacuum cleaners using patented technologies developed by LG R&D.
The license agreement includes the use of LG’s patented induction signal guide and infrared-induced signals to enable robot cleaners to accurately and precisely return to their docking stations for charging. Other LG patents being licensed relate to dust unit detection and agitator attachment technologies.
“LG has long and storied history of investing in home appliances,” said Jeon Saeng-gyu, executive vice president of LG’s Intellectual Property Center. “Patent licensing agreements with major brands allow more consumers to benefit from the collective innovation of the industry.”
Pokemon Co. and kitchenware manufacturer Midea have teamed to create an entire line of Pokemon-themed kitchen products.
Are you a Pokemon fan that also fancies themselves as a baker or chef? Well a new line of items is on the way, and they should be a perfect fit for your kitchen.
Pokemon Co. and kitchenware manufacturer Midea have teamed to create an entire line of Pokemon-themed kitchen products. You can find a selection of rice cookers, food heaters, toasters, electric teapots, and more. The lineup seems to be exclusive to Thailand for now
Romanian home appliance maker Arctic closes factory after 66 workers contract coronavirus
Romanian home appliances manufacturer Arctic, a unit of Turkey’s Arcelik, said that it has temporarily closed its factory in Gaesti, in Arges county, after 66 workers contracted the coronavirus infection.
Arctic aims to restart production of coolers on June 2, while the refrigerator lines are planned to resume operations on May 25, it said in a press release on Saturday.
In the meantime, the factory will go through an intense disinfection programme.
All 4,000 employees working in Gaesti have been sent into technical unemployment until production line resume activity.
Arctic confirmed the first coronavirus case at the factory on May 7. None of the infected Arctic employees had displayed any Covid-19 symptoms.
Arctic Gaesti, established in 1970, was acquired by Arcelik in 2002. The unit manufactures three main brands of refrigerators: Arctic for the domestic market and Beko and Grundig mainly for exports.
In October 2019, Arctic opened a washing machie factory in Ulmi, also in Dambovita county, with a production capacity of 2.2 million units per year.
Panasonic will shut down a large appliance factory
Panasonic will shut down a large appliance factory outside Bangkok as early as this fall and consolidate production to a larger facility in Vietnam for greater efficiency.
The Thai plant will stop producing washing machines in September and refrigerators in October. The building itself will be closed by March 2021, and a neighboring research and development centered will be shuttered as well.
The roughly 800 employees currently working at the Bangkok plant will be let go, but will receive help finding a different position within the group.
With the move to Vietnam, Panasonic seeks to reduce costs through consolidating parts procurement. The Vietnam plant, located outside Hanoi, is the company’s largest manufacturing hub for refrigerators and washing machines in Southeast Asia and has excess capacity.
The move also reflects a new phase in Southeast Asia’s manufacturing. Starting in the 1970s, Japanese electronics makers shifted domestic manufacturing to Singapore and Malaysia as the yen climbed rapidly after switching to a floating exchange rate, hurting Japan’s price competitiveness.
Later, production shifted to countries like Thailand, as Singapore’s wages grew to be too expensive. Now companies are looking for even cheaper locations, while also hoping to tap the massive potential demand for refrigerators, washing machines and microwaves in the largely populated countries of Southeast Asia, such as Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam.
Panasonic had been producing large household appliances in Thailand since 1979.
Total output will not decrease as a result of the change.
Panasonic currently employs about 8,000 people in Vietnam. In addition to large appliances, local units manufacture such products as TVs, cordless telephones, card payment terminals and industrial devices.
Panasonic is in the midst of restructuring efforts, with the goal of cutting costs by about 100 billion yen ($930 million) by the fiscal year ending March 2022. It is considering further changes to its appliance production.
Panasonic reported a 20.6 percent fall in group net profit due to weak sales of home appliances
Panasonic Corp. on Monday reported a 20.6 percent fall in group net profit from a year earlier to ¥225.71 billion for the year that ended in March due to weak sales of home appliances and auto electronic parts, as well as the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on a range of its operations.
Panasonic expects demand to pick up in the latter half of the current business year after consumption was dented amid the virus spread, but it did not release an earnings projection.
For the 2019 business year, Panasonic’s group operating profit sagged 28.6 percent to ¥293.75 billion on group sales of ¥7.49 trillion, down 6.4 percent.
Chief Financial Officer Hirokazu Umeda said in a telephone conference that he expects sales to get fully back on track in the second half of this fiscal year, as many countries have started reopening their economies.
In April, its sales declined about 20 percent from a year earlier, with the largest drop of 50 percent in North America. But sales in China, a country that resumed economic activity ahead of others, was nearly flat for the month, he said.
The television division remained unprofitable in 2019, with a loss of more than ¥10 billion. Umeda said the company aims to turn the business into the black in the 2021 business year through a range of measures, including a possible business tie-up.
For 2019, the company attributed the poor results to falling demand for home appliances, particularly in Europe. It also acknowledged weak sales of automotive equipment in China.
The company suspended production lines at domestic and overseas factories, including in China, Malaysia and India, as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and prompted authorities in many countries to issue stay-at-home requests.
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