Miele increases turnover by 3.2%

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In the second half of 2019, the Miele Group achieved a turnover of € 2.24 bn – 3.2% more than in the previous year. ’This is once again evidence that we are well positioned with our products and services to increase turnover and gain market shares under challenging conditions and intense competition in the marketplace’, according to the Executive Board of the world’s leading manufacturer of premium domestic appliances. During the current year, this course for growth will be further consolidated – for example with kitchen appliances from the new Generation 7000 series, which will set standards in the market with numerous exclusive innovations. On December 31, 2019, Miele employed a workforce worldwide of 20,478 – more than ever before.

This publication of half-time figures is due to the fact that the Miele Group has changed its business year to coincide with the calendar year (instead of running from July 1 to June 30). This results in a one-off stub year. In particular, large European markets such as Austria, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Italy and, after a long Brexit-related dry spell, Great Britain, contributed to this positive development. In the highly contested German market, Miele achieved turnover growth of 2.7%. In contrast, business in Hong Kong is suffering from political unrest. In China, state intervention has resulted in a subdued real estate market – also impacting business with high-quality kitchen equipment.

Amongst the product groups, above all washing machines, tumble dryers and vacuum cleaners contributed most to sales growth. In laundry care, numerous detail improvements ensure increased user convenience: These include shorter programme cycles, the ability to add forgotten items of laundry at any time throughout the cycle and even the energy-efficient washing of individual garments. In the booming sector of rechargeable handsticks, the Triflex HX1 has got off to a very successful market start. Across all product groups, campaign models marking 120 years of Miele (Series 120) resulted in significant additional impetus. With its built-in appliances from the new Generation 7000, Miele is reasserting its leading role in the fields of innovation, design and lifestyle pleasures in the kitchen. With 3,000 model versions spanning 15 product groups worldwide, now off to a very promising start in almost all countries, this amounts to the biggest product launch in the history of the company.

Above-average growth during the reporting period was recorded by Miele Professional with machines and services for commercial operations, medical facilities and laboratories, and its Italian medical technology subsidiary Steelco. Steelco is in charge of the aspiring hospital project business within the Miele Group. Compact commercial washing machines and dryers for small businesses (Little Giants), which have been on the market since last year with a completely new model series, represent a further growth driver. In total, Professional turnover grew by more than 4%.

New impetus for growth and innovation

In order to exploit further sustainable growth potential, Miele has, as reported last October, undergone reorganisation – for example with 8 independent business units, remapped sales territories and a new location devoted to digital marketing which is currently being set up in Amsterdam (Digital Hub). The new production plant for washing machines, built by Miele in the Polish town of Ksawerów, has commenced operations on schedule. Miele Venture Capital GmbH, which brings together Miele’s stakes in promising start-ups, has further expanded its activities.

During the period under review alone, two new 100% subsidiaries were added to the portfolio: With the takeover of the business operations of Agrilution GmbH, Miele entered the future field of vertical farming – with stacked and digitally connected Plantcubes sporting an elegant design for private homes. With a minimum of effort, these offer the ideal growing conditions for, say, greens and herbs. Miele Operations & Payment Solutions GmbH offers a unique, app-based solution covering the furbishing, organisation, servicing and billing in shared laundry facilities (appWash). This can even go as far as assuming responsibility for the entire operation. This is aimed for example at student hostels, housing associations, multi-unit dwellings, campsites and launderettes. With these and other activities, Miele is pursuing its strategic goal of continuing to expand its portfolio and grow with innovative products and digital services which meaningfully complement its core business.

As per December 31, the Miele Group had 20,478 employees on its payroll. This amounted to 163 employees, or 0.8%, more than in the previous year. In Germany, Miele employs a workforce of 11,061, down 209 on the previous year.

Arçelik filed lawsuit against LG for patent infringement

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Arçelik A.S, Turkey’s leading brand of white goods as well as smaller household electronics, filed a lawsuit against LG Electronics and its subsidiaries for patent infringement concerning its “direct drive” technology in LG’s washing machines, said Finance Yahoo.

Arçelik is also the second biggest brand of electronic goods in Europe, selling its products abroad under the Beko brand. It had a turnover of 31.9 billion TL in 2019 and receives 70 percent of its revenue from their international markets. Their BEKO products make up one-in-five home appliances sold in Britain.

“Direct drive” is an Arçelik-developed technology which prevents damage to clothes. Arçelik was granted a patent which was filed in 1997, and claims that LG is using this technology without a license.

LG Electronics showed no effort to resolve these infringement issues even after Arçelik’s warning, leaving Arçelik with no choice but to file a lawsuit,

Fresh on the table with Agrilution: Miele entry into future field of vertical farming

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Miele continues with its commitment to acquire or participate in new projects to diversify its business and redefine the experience in the field of cooking, with the purchase of Agrilution assets . This young company of German origin has opted to offer vertical agriculture solutions, which many experts have defined as the future of greenhouses, in the home itself.This type of agriculture, which is based on aeroponics (a technology that does not require land, sun, or water) makes plants grow based on the humidity and heat of artificial light. Its domestic use means having a kind of standard refrigerator, which offers the perfect growing conditions, with minimal care and an extra design contribution both in the kitchen and in the living room.In the words of Maximilian Lössl, founder of Agrilution together with Philipp Wagner, “our domestic greenhouse provides fresher lettuce, herbs and microvegetals directly on the table.”Agrilution’s home greenhouses allow fresh, aromatic and nutrient-rich sprouts, herbs and microvegetals to be enjoyed at home throughout the year, through a self-contained ecosystem with simple seed coatings, regulated lighting and a controlled microclimate, as well as automatic irrigation.The first crop can be harvested one to three weeks after commissioning.To establish a comparison that clearly illustrates its effectiveness, a lettuce grown in the field requires up to 120 liters of water to grow and that volume is sufficient to supply an entire Plantcube throughout the year.

Vertical Farming is a term used by futurologists to denote multi-level greenhouses providing a local and space-saving supply of fresh produce, for example in urban conurbations. With the Plantcube from Agrilution, this revolutionary concept is now finding its way into private households. Fully automatic, small-scale vertical farms are no larger than a standard refrigerator, offer perfect growing conditions combined with minimal effort – and are a design highlight in any kitchen or living room. With Agrilution’s concept, Miele is further expanding its expertise in the field of the diversity of pleasures and healthy living.

With spring in the kitchen the whole year round, growing baby salads and herbs are showcased aesthetically, producing untold aromatic and nutritious ingredients: This makes Plantcubes from Agrilution a ground breaker in the market. In principle, they offer a self-contained eco system with simple seedmat liners, regulated lighting and a controlled micro-climate as well as automatic watering. This results in Plantcubes virtually controlling themselves. Harvested produce is free from pesticides and other contamination. The system is controlled via the Agrilution Cloud. A user-friendly app provides an insight into the growth process and instructions on maintenance and harvesting.

How not to mix colours during laundry

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Doing the laundry is a simple process. Doing it perfectly – without ruining the colours of your clothing and ensuring that they last for a long time – is a little more complicated. Do you dream of dazzling whites? Reds that are as vivid and bright as when the garment was bought? Simply follow the advice on our blog and your wishes will come true, wash after wash.

Firstly, whites should always be treated separately, since they are the most likely to give you a nasty surprise when you open the machine’s door at the end of a wash. However, bear in mind that not all whites are the same: depending on the material, you will have to set a different temperature in order to preserve their whiteness and lustre. For cotton sheets, a high temperature of 60°C is perfect, while silk bed linen (for example) requires a cold wash.

To prevent discolouring and dyeing other items in the washing machineblacks should also be washed separately. What temperature should they be washed at? As with whites, the answer varies according to the type of fabric. Your favourite wool turtleneck, for example, should never be washed at a high temperature… otherwise it will drastically shrink.

When it comes to coloured garments, in addition to the usual tips about the temperature at which you should wash one fabric rather than another (this is always indicated on the label), pay attention to how they should be separated. Below we list some colours, divided into light and dark, which can be washed together in the machine.

Light colours: pink, yellow, salmon, light blue, beige and lilac
Dark colours: blue, charcoal, brown, burgundy, red and orange

Chefman Connects Chef iQ To ‘Smart’ Culinary Community

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Chefman is launching a new sister company, Chef iQ, designed to capitalize on consumer interest in smart home appliances and connectivity.

A beta version of the Chef iQ kitchen app debuted at last month’s Consumer Electronics Show, and the Chef iQ program will be a major feature at the Inspired Home Show in Chicago. The initial launch consists of a new Chef iQ all-in-one smart pressure cooker/multi cooker paired with a connected app. The multi-cooker includes an integrated cooking calculator; more than 100 quick preset cooking functions; an integrated scale; auto-pressure release and a non-stick 6-quart cooking pot.

The app features guided cooking and step-by-step preparation techniques, how-to videos, a cooking calculator, a built-in timer, a favorites feature, and a “smart bar” that allows the user to set or monitor the Chef iQ product anytime, anywhere, as well as receive instant notifications on cooking progress.

“Pairing the cooker with the app is where the magic happens,” said Lily Giannoglou, director of marketing for Chefman and Chef iQ. “We are building in both functionality and inspiration for the home chef, allowing them to discover new techniques, new recipes and new ways to cook memorable meals.”

The Chef iQ all-in-one Smart Cooker will be available at select retail locations— including Best Buy, Target and Amazon— in March; retail price will be $199.99. The Chef iQ app is free to download on the App Store for Apple, and on Google Play for Android devices.

The Chef iQ app will be updated and work with other appliances as the products become available. The company is currently developing a Chef iQ smart dehydrator that will allow consumers to preserve and extend the life of many foods, including meat, vegetables, fruits and herbs.

RIG-TIG introduces FOODIE kitchen appliances

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The new RIG-TIG FOODIE, a collection of electrical appliances, consists of a toaster, an electric kettle, a hand mixer, a coffee grinder and a smoothie maker.
The new FOODIE line of electrical kitchen appliances has been designed by the renowned Danish-Canadian design duo of Unit 10.The devices inspired by the 1950s have rounded shapes and matte surfaces for a comfortable grip. Because of their small size, these devices are perfect for compact living and fit well with small kitchens or a summer house.Although they are striking in appearance, much attention has been paid to the functionality of the devices. This can be seen in the integrated storage space for the cord of the hand mixer, the clear glass of the coffee grinder and the possibility to take the smoothie directly into the blender mixing cup.The FOODIE line comes as standard in a black and white version and is available as a limited edition in soft pastel colors for a more playful and informal design. All variants are available from May 2020.https://www.rig-tig.com/en

Virus angst spills over to Korean manufacturers

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The new coronavirus-triggered angst appears to be spilling over to the Korean corporate realm as the global supply chain is feared to face some disruptions amid the rapid spread of the novel coronavirus in China, industry watchers said Sunday.

With the new coronavirus killing more than 300 people in China so far, Beijing has recently decided to extend its Lunar New Year’s holiday in some areas of the country in what could be a move that can disturb the normal operation of South Korean firms with manufacturing bases there.

The extension of the holiday that originally started Jan. 25 was earlier announced only in Hubei Province in central China, where Wuhan, the epicenter of the new virus, is located but was later expanded to other areas as the number of patients skyrocketed at an alarming pace.
South Korea’s finance ministry earlier said its economy has not yet faced direct fallout from the spread of the virus, but the country’s exports are poised to face a setback should the spread of the virus not be contained soon, industry watchers said, as local firms with production facilities in China have been suspending or scaling back their operations in the world’s No. 2 economy.

South Korea’s top tech giant Samsung Electronics Co. decided to shut down the operations of its home appliances production line in Suzhou, eastern China, until next week in tune with the extended holiday.

LG Electronics Inc. and SK Innovation Co. also plan to put off the reopening of their Chinese production line until the end of next week.

LG Chem Ltd. said it has sharply lowered the operational level of its battery line in China as well.

Korean chipmakers and display makers, on the other hand, have been maintaining the routine operation over the holiday, although LG Display Co. said it is considering closing down its facilities depending on the development of the issue.

“We already secured enough inventory in preparation for the Chinese New Year’s holiday, but it is inevitable for us to face troubles if the situation is drawn out over a long period,” a SK Innovation official said.

No. 2 chipmaker SK hynix Inc. said South Korean firms will eventually face some disruptions in their operations and production if the issue is protracted.

Industry watchers said the rapid spread of the new coronavirus has already prodded South Korean carmakers to scale down their production as the supply of some auto parts has been disrupted by the spread of the new virus.

SsangYong Motor Co. earlier said it will suspend the production of its plant in South Korea through Feb. 12 amid a delay in the supply of wiring harnesses, a part used to supply power in an automobile.

South Korean carmakers depend heavily on China for the supply of the part.

“As many auto parts makers have relocated to China to cut costs, it will not be easy for them to return home,” said Lee Hang-koo, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade.

Numerous South Korean firms, including Samsung Electronics, have kicked off task force teams, but the companies are likely to continue to face uncertainties as the new coronavirus situation is changing every minute, industry watchers added.

Haier Leads Euromonitors Major Appliances Global Brand Rankings for 11th Consecutive Year

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Haier the world’s leading home appliance producer, has emerged as the top major appliances brand worldwide for the 11th year running, according to Euromonitor International’s 2020 Global Major Appliances Brand Rankings. The accolade follows Haier’s ongoing efforts to gain a global foothold by consolidating world-leading brands into its portfolio while accelerating its revolutionary IoT ecosystem.
Compiled annually by Euromonitor International, a leading global provider of business intelligence, the report ranks the world’s appliance brands by retail sales value. In addition to listing first for major global appliances, Haier ranked first for Refrigerators for 12 consecutive years, first in Washing Machines for nine years, first in Freezers for ten years and first in Electric Wine Coolers for 11 years.
“We are honored to again be the world’s top major appliances brand for the 11th year in a row. Haier is constantly striving to listen to consumers’ changing needs and adapt to them, while simultaneously harnessing cutting-edge technology to stand out in the market,” said Wang Ye, Vice President and General Manager of Smart Home of Haier Home Appliance Industry Group.
Haier’s dominance in home appliances is a result of an ongoing commitment to R&D, and its ability to adapt its business model to the latest technology and consumer trends. Over the past decade, the home appliance industry has radically transformed with the rise of the internet, IoT, AI and 5G. Rather than ride the trends, Haier has defined them with revolutionary products, from the Clean-Free washing machines to refrigerators with fresh storage boxes.
This is set to continue in the future: during its 35th anniversary, Haier revealed its next stage of development, which puts customization, globalization and its IoT ecosystem brand at the core of its strategy.
Always in pursuit of new ways to engage with consumers, Haier has also implemented its “RenDanHeYi” 10+N R&D model in the past decade — an open entrepreneurship platform that integrates quality global resources to meet the diverse needs of users.
In recent years, Haier’s desire to reimagine the future has only strengthened its position as the world’s leading significant appliances company. In the Industry 4.0 era, a new Haier has emerged to meet the increasingly sophisticated experiences demanded by consumers in the age of connected smart homes. Instead of manufacturing smart appliances, Haier engineered a smart home ecosystem that harnesses IoT and smart appliances to enhance the quality of life. In a company first, Haier launched its official Haier Smart Home app in 2019, which allows users to infinitely customize their smart home experience based on user scenarios, rather than products. A live stream video accompanied the app launch — within one day, Haier received over 31,337 orders for over 2,440 different home designs.

Samsung’s New Product Promises Garden In Your Fridge

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At the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) going on now in Las Vegas, Samsung is showing off its new Chef Garden. It’s a refrigerator that lets homemakers minimize the distance of farm-to-table to whatever it takes to get from the kitchen to the dining room.

The new Chef Garden fridge features a windowed section with its own door and place to plant a “wide variety of seed capsules” in the Growing Zone area. There, as Samsung explains, the capsules will be treated to “fogponics technology to create a nutrient fog that delivers water and nutrients to the plants.”

Chef Garden then controls conditions so they’re just right for plant growth. It predicts growth and controls harvest. And at that point, the refrigerator, part of the Samsung Family Hub line, will recommend recipes based on the fruits and vegetables you just grew.

Unlike auto shows where manufacturers sometimes show off concept cars that will never be offered to the public, the Samsung stuff is for sale. But The Chef Garden should take a fair amount of green — as in cash — to purchase, so it’s probably not for the budget-minded. Samsung has not yet released a suggested retail price.

Maybe these devices can catch the public’s imagination because they position household appliances now taken for granted differently, giving them brand-new uses.

Samsung makes it clear it’s now courting millennials, who have largely stayed away from the housing market so far, burdened by student debt, slow-rising salaries and long memories of the recession.

According to a survey from RTi Research, more than a quarter of millennials are interested in buying a home in the next year. They’re right at home with new technology that helps them save time and eliminate tasks.

Samsung claims it is now the nation’s number one appliance manufacturer, though it’s probably still best known for smartphones, TVs and laptops.

LG, the Korean electronics company that’s branched out to the kitchen and laundry room, has also launched smart refrigerators and a SteamDryer in its Ultimate Laundry Room.

LG is also showing off its True Sommelier, which helps wine lovers manage their at-home stock. Using a patent learning app from Wine Ring, the product figures out preferences and then make wine recommendations, including food and wine pairings.

Another innovation, the Samsung Whisk food platform (with the ViewInside camera), uses AI image recognition to figure out what’s in your refrigerator and use that information to recommend recipes.

Elsewhere, Samsung also announced the AirDresser, a vertical device that fits in a good-sized closet and uses steam technology to smooth out wrinkles, deodorize and sanitize your clothes, in small quantities. It takes 48 minutes to do the trick.

Samsung

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Samsung, the number-one selling brand of major appliances in America,1 is strengthening its broad, deep portfolio with the launch of innovative new products at the 2020 Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. A new premium slide-in range line, first-ever side-by-side Family Hub™ refrigerator, and a new level of clothing care with AirDresser™ offer the intelligent control and pioneering design that today’s customers have come to expect from Samsung.



“Technology and innovation are in our DNA at Samsung. We listen carefully to the things that consumers tell us they want for their modern, connected homes,” said John Herrington, Senior Vice President, General Manager of Home Appliances, Samsung Electronics America. “As we designed these new products, we considered every single detail—from color to user experience—in order to ensure we’re offering families innovations that make their daily lives more convenient, more efficient, and more meaningful.”



Samsung has become the #1 home appliance brand because it continues to innovate with premium appliances that complement the way we live today. Each of these new appliances can be customized to fit users’ spaces and match their lifestyles.





New Slide-in Ranges with Intelligent Controls
In just a few short years, Samsung has become a leader in cooking innovation in the U.S.2 by pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, introducing innovative new technologies, and offering design and performance solutions that make the time people spend in the kitchen more efficient.



Samsung is making further progress in time efficiency with a new lineup of slide-in ranges that make cooking more convenient. The new ranges offer a reimagined user experience that simplifies your cooking and brings out your full potential as a home chef. Certain models of the slide-in ranges can be controlled with popular voice assistants, which you can instruct to preheat the oven while you’re mixing ingredients for a meal.3 The ranges also learn your preferences and cooking habits—the more you use it, the better it understands your needs. So, if you frequently set your oven to a certain temperature to bake your family’s favorite cookies, it will suggest that temperature first when you preheat your oven.



The slide-in ranges’ simple, clean lines and elegant design lends a built-in look to your kitchen, and its easy installation means you don’t have to go through a full remodeling project. In order to ensure it blends harmoniously with the rest of your kitchen décor, you can choose from black stainless, stainless, or the new Tuscan stainless models. And, with a redesigned control panel and minimal buttons, the slide-in ranges’ simple, intuitive interface presents only the information you need while cooking. Its fingerprint-resistant exterior is easy to keep clean, and its ergonomically designed knob gives you better grip and control.



The slide-in ranges offer you a healthier way to cook, with air frying capabilities, and the precision cooking that home chefs need. With up to 23K BTU Dual Power burners—the highest in the category—you have the versatility to quickly boil water or precisely melt chocolate at the desired temperature.



The slide-in ranges bring you the peace of mind that you would expect at home. Because they’re connected, you can remotely monitor and adjust cooking times or temperatures from your smartphone, even when you’re in the family room instead of the kitchen. The ranges also give you the ability to search for recipes through the SmartThings app and send your selected recipe’s cooking mode directly to your oven to streamline meal prep.



The slide-in range lineup offers an option for every family’s needs. The lineup includes gas, electric, induction, and dual fuel models, including Samsung’s FlexDuo™ feature, which allows you to choose between having one oven or two.





A Family Hub for Everyone
Samsung is leading the U.S. market as the #1 brand in refrigeration,4 and the Family Hub, which reimagined the form and function of the refrigerator, is the primary reason why. With every new generation of Family Hub, Samsung has introduced new innovations—and new models—that bring families closer together, simplify their meal planning, and give them more control over their smart homes.



Now, there is truly a Family Hub for everyone with the new stylish side-by-side refrigerator. Its modern form and premium built-in look—as well as its elegant flat doors, minimal dispenser, and recessed handles—blend seamlessly with your existing kitchen appliances and cabinetry. Whether you choose a black stainless or stainless model, it will come with a fingerprint-resistant finish that’s easy to keep clean.



Each model has a redesigned interior, with large capacity designed to fit more groceries. And those groceries will stay fresher for longer, because, with All-Around cooling technology, multiple vents throughout the interior keep food evenly cooled and fresh. And you’ll be able to see everything clearly, with bright LED lights that beautifully illuminate the interior of your refrigerator. Its high-capacity icemaker saves shelf space for your frozen items because of its minimal in-door design.



Family Hub brings families closer together and streamlines communication. It helps you create your own culture of sharing through the Family Board—a digital bulletin board where everyone can easily stick notes, photos, or videos they want to share on display. With View Inside, you can view what’s inside your fridge anywhere, anytime. Family Hub also offers enhanced Smart View, providing a more seamless screen mirroring experience from Galaxy phones and TVs, making it a source of endless entertainment in the kitchen. And with the SmartThings app, Family Hub becomes the remote control for your smart home—letting you instantly connect, monitor, and control all of your smart appliances and Works with SmartThings smart items, including multiple cameras at a single glance.