Midea Acquires Teka Group

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Midea has finalized its acquisition of the Teka Group (excluding Teka Rus LLC), announced in June 2024 after receiving all necessary approvals.
Teka Group operates in over 120 countries with brands like Teka, Küppersbusch, and Intra, holding strong positions in kitchen and bathroom markets across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It has 10 factories and employs around 3,000 people, recognized for innovation, quality, and design.
This acquisition combines Midea’s technology and manufacturing strengths with Teka Group’s 100-year brand heritage and global presence. The aim is to provide consumers worldwide with more comprehensive home solutions.
Midea’s support will enable Teka Group to strengthen operations, expand product lines, and enter new categories, reinforcing its three main brands.
Jian Fu, President of Midea International Business, expressed delight in welcoming Teka Group, stating the combination will deliver innovative solutions and added value to customers globally

Jian Fu, President of Midea International and Mauro Correia, CEO of Teka Group

Smeg EMC02 Espresso Machine Brews Up a Red Dot Design Award Win

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Smeg is thrilled to announce that our EMC02 Manual Espresso Coffee Machine has been honored with the esteemed Red Dot Design Award 2025 in the Product Design category. This prestigious accolade celebrates the seamless fusion of innovative design and professional-grade performance embodied in the EMC02, underscoring Smeg’s enduring dedication to excellence.
The Red Dot Design Award, a globally recognized mark of outstanding design, distinguishes products that excel in aesthetic appeal, functionality, and originality. The Smeg EMC02 particularly impressed the jury with its harmonious blend of advanced technology and meticulous attention to detail.

Polish BSH Factories Shine in Global Production Awards

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Polish BSH Factories Shine in Global Production Awards! ✨
Once again, the exceptional talent and dedication within BSH’s Polish plants have been recognized on a global stage. In the recent internal Production Awards competition, three Polish factories triumphed, showcasing groundbreaking projects that are truly transforming ways of working. 💡⚙️ 🏆
Leading the way, the washing machine factory clinched first place in the Organizational Culture category. Their winning project focused on fostering greater diversity within the internal transport department. Through proactive initiatives, they successfully adapted the majority of positions to be suitable for women. The remarkable results include enhanced diversity, a more positive and inclusive work environment, and a significant boost in workplace safety! 💪
Adding to Poland’s success in the same Organizational Culture category, the dryer factory secured a well-deserved place in the TOP 3. Their team revolutionized the approach to work safety by implementing the ABRA matrix. This initiative sparked over 400 improvements, fostered complete team engagement, and demonstrably elevated safety standards – a testament to their sense of responsibility and proactive approach! 🏭
Furthermore, the Wrocław oven factory earned a spot in the TOP 3 of the prestigious Factory of the Year category. This recognition celebrates the remarkable coherence between their vision, mission, and daily operations. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of the entire team, and the exceptional dedication of section managers, they successfully achieved strategic objectives, even in the face of challenges.

Homa Building the Future of Cooling

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At Homa, manufacturing isn’t a backstage operation—it’s the heart of our vision. Factory N°9, the newest production hub, is more than a facility; it’s a living system of care, precision, and innovation. Adding 1.4 million units to their yearly capacity, it strengthens our position among the Top 4 cooling appliance manufacturers globally.

Designed for premium no-frost models, Factory N°9 incorporates cutting-edge automation, digitalisation, and energy efficiency. As CEO Michael Yao states, *“We’re not just building refrigerators; we’re building trust and delivering excellence.”*

More than machines, this factory embodies design thinking. Its adjacent Living Campus underscores our commitment to wellbeing, featuring gardens, gyms, and riverside walkways.

At Homa,  don’t just produce—we co-develop. By collaborating with global partners, we create refrigerators that blend technical excellence with brand identity and user-focused innovation

Midea results

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Midea Group Reports Q1 2025 Results: Revenue Hits RMB128.4B with 38.0% Net Profit Growth
The first-quarter 2025 financial results. Delivered robust growth by focusing on core businesses, achieving total revenue of RMB128.4 billion, a 20.6% year-over-year increase. Net profit attributable to shareholders surged 38.0% to RMB12.4 billion, with net profit margin rising 1.4 percentage points to 9.9%, demonstrating strong operational momentum.

🌟 Highlights:
• Cross-border e-commerce sales grew over 50%
• Established Asia-Pacific HQ in Thailand and Saudi Center for localized operations
• AIGC implementation improved overseas service efficiency by 15%
• Showcased smart solutions at CES, KBIS, and ISH exhibitions
• Energy Solutions & Industrial Technology: Revenue reached RMB 11.1 billion (+45%), with Welling Auto Parts launching Mexico production base

Kärcher Launches Sustainable T 10/1 and T 15/1 Vacuum Cleaners

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Kärcher introduces its T 10/1 and T 15/1 vacuum cleaners, made with 45% recycled materials. Designed for professionals in retail, hospitality, and food service, these models offer high performance and eco-friendly innovation.

Available in corded and battery-powered versions, they feature ergonomic designs, advanced HEPA 14 filtration, a parquet floor nozzle, and accessories. Noise levels are reduced to 52 dB(A), ensuring efficient and comfortable use.

By using recycled materials, Kärcher saves up to 2 kg of virgin plastic per unit, promoting sustainability and reducing plastic waste globally

Groupe SEB Starts 2025 Strong, Driven by Growth in China

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In Q1 2025, Groupe SEB reported a turnover of €1.906 billion, up 0.7% in published data. CEO Stanislas de Gramont highlighted the company’s alignment with its 2025 growth plan, driven by innovative products and a strong rebound in Asia, especially China.

The Consumer Division led growth with 2.8% organic gains, propelled by launches in key categories like vacuum cleaners and blenders. Sales surged across most markets, with China posting a 3.5% increase as its small domestic equipment market stabilized. Western Europe saw moderate growth, excluding loyalty programs.

The Professional division declined by 21.7% (constant exchange rates), largely due to a high comparison base in China. Despite this, Groupe SEB advanced its strategic initiatives, including a new hub in Shaoxing set to open in 2026, and integrated La Brigade de Buyer into its accounts.

**Outlook:** Groupe SEB reaffirms its 2025 targets, aiming for 5% organic revenue growth and higher operating profit, supported by market resilience, innovations, and improved Professional performance.

Groupe SEB Opens Regeneration Hub in Is-sur-Tille, Advancing Sustainability

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Global appliance leader Groupe SEB has launched its new regeneration hub in Is-sur-Tille, France. Supporting the circular economy, the hub focuses on recovering, repairing, and reconditioning household appliances to extend their lifespan.

The site invests in both environmental sustainability and employment, with specialized training programs enhancing employee skills in repair and re-marketing.

The hub works closely with sorting centers in France, Germany, and Spain, while proximity to a major spare parts storage site ensures efficiency. By April 2025, 65 reconditioned products from brands like Rowenta and Moulinex were sold at 20%-30% lower prices, with plans to expand to 200 products across 40 families in the near future.

Grenfell Tower fire

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The company behind the Hotpoint fridge-freezer linked to the devastating Grenfell Tower fire is facing legal action for allegedly failing to test the model’s materials against fire safety standards.

As reported by the *Financial Times*, Beko Europe—formerly known as Whirlpool—is among several businesses named in a High Court lawsuit exceeding £358 million. Investigations previously identified the Hotpoint FF175BP fridge-freezer as the likely initial source of the fire in June 2017, which tragically claimed over 70 lives.

Lawyers representing the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, as detailed in *The Guardian*, argue that Beko Europe neglected to test critical materials such as the plastic backing, foam, and polystyrene used in the fridge-freezer. They contend that such materials would have failed compliance under the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994 if properly tested.

In response, the company disputes these allegations and asserts it is “vigorously defending” the claims.

Meanwhile, Arçelik, the Turkish parent company of the Beko brand, completed a merger last year with U.S.-based Whirlpool, forming Beko Europe.

The issue of fire safety in household appliances has been a longstanding concern. A 2013 report by the London Fire Brigade highlighted fridges and freezers as among the “most dangerous household appliances during a fire,” citing the high amounts of plastic and flammable insulation as contributing to approximately 300 fridge-related fires annually across Great Britain.