By focusing more on the North and South American markets, according to the company CEO.”With the aim of becoming one of the world’s top 10 electronics producers, Winia Daewoo has a wide range of products ranging from refrigerators, washers and microwaves to TVs. We have been selling these products in more than 80 countries in Central and South America, North America, the Middle East, Europe and Asia,” CEO Ahn Jung-gu said in a recent interview with The Korea Times.Winia Daewoo’s home appliance production plant in Mexico / Courtesy of Winia DaewooTo accomplish the ambitious goal, the CEO said the company will concentrate on boosting the sales of appliances, especially refrigerators, on the American continents.”We have seen a constant increase in refrigerator sales in the Central and South American markets as well as the North American market. As Mexico has been a strategic foothold for us and we expect refrigerator sales in the region to increase to 2 million in 2020, we plan to expand our refrigerator and washer production lines there,” he said.Winia Daewoo currently has 12 overseas subsidiaries and 11 sales branches worldwide with about 1,000 employees specialized in sales. It has three appliance production factories in Korea, Mexico and China.While the Gwangju plant in Korea has focused on producing high-priced, large-sized appliances, the Chinese plant has produced small- and medium-sized products, and the Mexico line is for manufacturing appliances for consumers in the Americas.Winia Daewoo once competed fiercely with Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics, and enjoyed widespread popularity with its home appliances. But the company struggled financially for more than a decade after its parent company Daewoo Group collapsed under heavy debt in 1999.The electronics maker strived to survive under a debt workout program but failed to graduate from it and finally went bankrupt in 2006.The company was acquired by Dayou Winia Group, a mid-size conglomerate famous for producing kimchi refrigerators, in 2018.Ahn said Winia Daewoo, which mostly sells in overseas markets, is expecting to generate a synergy effect both here and abroad by closely cooperating with its sister company Winia Dimchae.The sister company is widely known among local consumers as it developed the industry’s first kimchi refrigerator, a product specifically designed to store the traditional Korean fermented side-dish.”Winia Daewoo recorded 1.43 trillion won ($1.2 billion) in sales in 2018 and more than 80 percent of the figure was earned from exports. Meanwhile, Winia Dimchae generated more than 90 percent of its sales of 557.3 billion won in 2018 from the domestic market,” he said.”Combining our sales networks overseas with local sales and the distribution network that Winia Dimchae has, the two companies are becoming more responsive to changing market conditions both here and abroad.”
Though the two companies are independent, they share their R&D activity to improve efficiency in developing new products.”Since Daewoo was included in Dayou Winia Group in March 2018, we have been sharing many of our activities with Winia Dimchae to boost efficiency and productivity. Besides sharing the sales network of the two, we are sharing R&D and product design activities to improve sales. Also, to concentrate on what each company is good at, Winia Daewoo is focusing on producing washers and dryers while Winia Dimchae is making air-quality control products such as air conditioners and air purifiers,” he said.Winia Daewoo employees in its Gwangju plant produce washing machines. / Courtesy of Winia DaewooThe CEO added Winia Daewoo is also seeking to be included as one of the country’s 10 best companies to work for.”We are aiming to improve our operating profit-to-sales ratio to 5 percent by 2023 and become one of the country’s 10 best companies to work for,” he said.”Also, Winia Daewoo has been working to make Dayou Winia Group one of Korea’s top 50 business group by 2025. To reach this goal, we have been utilizing our global sales network and business knowhow so that more consumers can experience the group’s quality products.”Ahn, who served as a chief of Samsung Electronics’ Peru branch, joined Dongbu Daewoo Electronics in 2015 and was responsible for overseas sales of the firm’s Central and South American region and became the CEO of Winia Daewoo in 2018.Speaking on how Winia Daewoo products are received in the global market, Ahn said producing locally customized appliances makes it one of the most popular brands in many countries.”Winia Daewoo has succeeded in many countries with its locally customized appliances. For instance, our Chef Mexicano microwave enables users to cook 31 traditional Mexican foods such as tortillas and picadillos. To develop the microwave, our employees conducted on-site surveys of local Mexican food and thanks to that effort, we have been leading the microwave market there since 2013,” he said.Though the company has seen growing hurdles due to the rise of Chinese makers that have been aggressively expanding their market presence with cheap and quality products, Winia Daewoo can sharpen its edge by focusing on developing these customized appliances.”We have been expanding our market share with these locally customized products. Based on quality products and our sales networks in many countries that have been in place for more than 30 years, we will continue to take the lead in the competition,” he said.Combining AI, IoT with home appliancesWith artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT) and machine learning technologies emerging as must-have features for home appliances as companies can offer an improved user experiences, Winia Daewoo is also working on developing these technologies
.”To seek further growth in the business, Winia Daewoo has been conducting research and development into the latest technologies that are crucial in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” Ahn said adding IoT technologies will be applied to Winia Dimchae’s signature kimchi refrigerator first.”Our sister company Winia Dimchae plans to feature an IoT feature in its upcoming kimchi refrigerator, which will hit the market this year. These features will also be included in Winia Daewoo products at the right time,” he said.
USA: seizure of more than 5,200 counterfeit refrigerator water filters
Counterfeit products and components continue to be an alarming problem in any country. Sometimes, the product is not total counterfeit but only some of its parts, making further more difficult understand that the model is not totally genuine.
Of course this case is not less dangerous than the others, as it recently shows the seizure of more than 5,200 counterfeit refrigerator water filters by the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Seaport. The North American home appliances association, AHAM immediately underlined that this is a stark reminder that serious health and safety risks can lurk in even routine household purchases.
“Given that filters typically filter 400 gallons before they are replaced – it is published in a press release of the Association – the 5,200 counterfeit filters seized represent more than 33 million glasses of water. Counterfeit filters have flooded on-line marketplaces in recent years, attracting customers with discount prices. Last year, seizures netted more than 65,000 counterfeit filters. While it can be difficult to distinguish counterfeit filters from genuine models, the difference in quality and performance could not be more critical. Counterfeit water filters are built with cheap, subpar materials and do not effectively remove contaminants.” AHAM conducted testing on counterfeit filters and found that the counterfeits consistently failed to remove harmful substances like lead and cysts. In some cases, the counterfeit filters even added contaminants to the water. Furthermore, counterfeit filters create the risk for leaks and resulting property damage, as they are not designed to fit the specific model of refrigerator.
AHAM also gave some indication on how to understand if a filter could be counterfeit or not. Besides a lower-than-normal cost, other signs that a filter may be counterfeit are:
• Weight: Counterfeit and deceptively labeled filters often weigh less than genuine filters because they lack the amount of carbon and other filtration products needed to filter water properly.
• Certification Symbol: Many counterfeit and deceptively labeled products do not contain an authentic certification symbol on the packaging. Those that do may feature a small certification logo that is designed to trick consumers into thinking the product has been tested.
Marco Zancolò is the new Head of the Franke Coffee Systems division,
From this month, Marco Zancolò is the new Head of the Franke Coffee Systems division, becoming at the same tine a member of the Group Management. He succeeds Thomas P. Meier, who left the company of his own accord in March this year.
Zancolò, 53-year old Italian, previously worked for Nespresso, where he started out as the B2B Commercial Director in Germany 16 years ago and strongly expanded the B2B business. He then took on various key positions in management at Nespresso, including at Headquarters, where he successful managed key strategic sales projects. Most recently, he was responsible as Head of Zone Europe, which is the market region with the highest turnover. Before that, he was a project manager at Boston Consulting Group and a member of the Board of Management at Feria Internationale Reisen GmbH. Marco Zancolò has a degree in engineering from the Technical University of Munich in Germany and an MBA from the IMD Business School in Lausanne in Switzerland.
«I am delighted that we have been able to fill this important position so perfectly – explains Patrik Wohlhauser, CEO of the Franke Group -. Marco Zancolò is a manager with international experience and boasts excellent leadership and organizational skills. He has in-depth knowledge and many years of experience in sales and marketing in the coffee industry, particularly in the B2B business. He will focus in particular on the further development of our digital efforts and achieving growth targets in the North American and Asian markets. He succeeds Thomas P. Meier, who left the company of his own accord in March this year.
Zancolò, 53-year old Italian, previously worked for Nespresso, where he started out as the B2B Commercial Director in Germany 16 years ago and strongly expanded the B2B business. He then took on various key positions in management at Nespresso, including at Headquarters, where he successful managed key strategic sales projects. Most recently, he was responsible as Head of Zone Europe, which is the market region with the highest turnover. Before that, he was a project manager at Boston Consulting Group and a member of the Board of Management at Feria Internationale Reisen GmbH. Marco Zancolò has a degree in engineering from the Technical University of Munich in Germany and an MBA from the IMD Business School in Lausanne in Switzerland.
«I am delighted that we have been able to fill this important position so perfectly – explains Patrik Wohlhauser, CEO of the Franke Group -. Marco Zancolò is a manager with international experience and boasts excellent leadership and organizational skills. He has in-depth knowledge and many years of experience in sales and marketing in the coffee industry, particularly in the B2B business. He will focus in particular on the further development of our digital efforts and achieving growth targets in the North American and Asian markets.
Hotpoint and Jamie Eat your fridge campaign
Hotpoint has teamed up with Jamie Oliver for the Eat Your Fridge Challenge.
Hotpoint joins with Jamie Oliver in Eat Your Fridge campaign
The campaign is encouraging consumers to participate in seven days of being more mindful when it comes to cooking and committing to throwing away zero edible food waste.
To help Jamie Oliver has created recipes, tips and food hacks designed to help consumers look at food waste in a new light.
Electrolux smart ovens
Remotely or with a voice command, the new ovens help prepare the perfect dinner, controlling all settings in total autonomy to ensure extraordinary results every day.
The integrated CookView® camera of the SteamPro oven transmits images in real time on any mobile device to control cooking the dishes, alerting you when the process is over and the food is cooked to perfection.
To create new dishes and live new experiences, the exclusive VarioGuide recipe book , containing from 180 to 260 preset recipes, indicates the ingredients to buy and the steps to be performed, allowing you to easily prepare Chef’s dishes. Moreover, with the Electrolux ovens it is possible to cook the whole menu flow in half the traditional time: the larger internal cavity and the new UltraFanPlus ventilation system , in fact, allow you to cook up to three levels simultaneously, without fear of mixing flavors and smells.
And to make the preparation of a perfect dinner even more magical, the Connected Cooking personal assistant starts cooking, sets and adjusts the best program for each food, via remote connection or voice command thanks to Google Assistant , leaving more free time for to chill out. Moreover, with the new Innit Platform Connected Food application , it is possible to personalize each recipe of your meal, to experiment with new flavors and ingredients, adapting them also based on nutritional objectives: a complete experience between taste and connectivity that saves time and spend unique moments in the kitchen.
Electrolux innovations are not just about the smart home: ovens are a real ally in the kitchen thanks to the many functions that help the user in every phase, ensuring perfect performance every time. The Steamify® technology makes the creation of healthy and extraordinary dishes easier and more intuitive, whatever the level of difficulty of the recipe. Through the Touch Control interface , it is possible to select the dish to be cooked and the type of cooking desired and the oven automatically combines the most suitable amount of steam, enhancing the taste and flavor of each ingredient. And to satisfy even the most demanding palates, with perfect cooking like in the best restaurant, the integrated FoodProbe temperature sensor measures the temperature directly at the core of the food with absolute precision and, once the desired cooking has been completed, emits a sound signal that automatically interrupts it.
The oven with integrated connectivity is available in the new MATTE RANGE line , distinguished by a completely matt finish, ideal to fit with elegance in the most modern and sought-after kitchens
Roomba i7 + empties itself
Roomba i7 + is able to empty the tank by itself thanks to the Clean Base. When the cycle is finished, the “cleaner” returns to the recharging base and automatically empties the dirt collected inside the base thanks to a technology that we believe in the future can be adopted by many.
The station is able to contain in a bag the equivalent of 30 full containers of Roomba (0.4 liter capacity each) and notify the owner via App when the time for replacement has arrived.
Thanks to the Imprint Smart Mapping technology , the robot memorizes the plan of the house with the particularity of being able to assign a name to each room and customize the cleaning cycles (supported up to 10 maps, for moving to different floors or houses). Roomba i7 + works both with voice commands and with the iRobot Home application (available for iOS and Android).
Colin Angle, president and CEO of iRobot. He said: ” The new Roomba i7 + is faithful to the” vision “of the robot vacuum cleaner that we had almost 20 years ago, when we started the design process of the Roomba range “.
The navigation takes place with iAdapt 3.0 and vSLAM technology, the model remembers where it has already passed and moves smoothly around the perimeter of the house, it also adapts to any micro-changes in the home.
Roomba i7 + stands out thanks to the two counter-rotating brushes, these work together to effectively clean both the rugs and all kinds of floors. The first brush raises the dirt while the second one rotates in the opposite direction to pick it up. Unlike bristles, which can bend and disperse dust, the flexible silicone brushes adhere to the floor to capture both small particles, such as fine dust and dirt, and hair, pet hair and crumbs, even large ones.
Roomba i7 + automatically adjusts the height of the cleaning head so that the two brushes can accurately adhere to the surface and can recognize areas that need deeper cleaning.
Fascination, the latest in cooking by De Dietrich
Absolute black, Iron gray, Pure white and Platinum are the four exclusive collections of De Dietrich’s new Fascination range . Black, gray, white and platinum are the main colors of these four collections, which are combined with materials and textures, giving rise to an unprecedented design.
Different colors, combination of materials and mixture of textures such as cast iron, glass or copper, make this new collection a benchmark for design and innovation. So much so that some of its models have been awarded the Red Dot International Award.
As distinctive signs of the ovens of this collection, they stand out their robust handle, a platinum and copper selector to show the intuitive controls and an elegant black glass door, Iron gray or Pure white.
In its induction plates, the Horizone technology stands out, allowing it to reach a power of 5,000 W in different inductors without increasing the total power of the installation. In addition, these plates automatically recognize the size of the container on its surface.
Sogo suzzle grill
Sogo Sizzle Grill Pro
(SS-7144) allows you to cook grilled meat, fish and vegetables as if they were a sandwich. In addition, thanks to its 29 × 23 cm plate it can also be used to toast snacks, so it is a most versatile device.
Among its features, it stands out for its 180º opening, its high power of 2,000 W, its adjustable temperature + light indicator and its cooking surface with non-stick coating.
The height of the cooking plate can be adjusted to fit the food being cooked.
The equipment is easy to clean and handle, thanks to features such as the tray to collect excess oil or its cable management system. In addition, it has several functions that safeguard user safety such as its cold touch handles or thermal safety trimming.
Haier Group’s Aqua launches laundry shops in Mainland China
Haier Group subsidiary Aqua Co is launching a chain of laundry shops in Mainland China to raise awareness of its washing machines and tap demand from double-income families for time-saving convenience.
The first Aqua Laundry Shop opened at Haier Cloud Park in the Laoshan district of Qingdao City, Shandong Province, China, earlier this month. Aqua now plans to create a “Japanese-style coin laundry market” in China.
According to its own data, Aqua holds the leading share of the Japanese coin-operated laundry market in unit volume. Now the Aqua Laundry Shop in Qingdao will set out to promote the “coin-laundry culture” in China, where coin-operated laundry facilities have not been widely used yet. The company will conduct market research, provide user experiences and share business models with prospective operators.
Invest In Africa, Galanz Urges Chinese Companies
Galanz group has disclosed that Africa will become the world’s fastest growing economy in future hence, the need for Chinese companies to seize the opportunity to develop new investment opportunities.
Galanz Group president and chairman Leung Chiu Yin disclosed this to African journalists on a media tour yesterday in Guangdong Province in China.
He urged Chinese companies to develop new investment concepts for the African market that will bring about sustained growth and development.
According to him, it is important for the Chinese companies to support the development agenda of Africa through investment and job creation. “I must mention that the Chinese government has been a very strong advocate of China -Africa relationship and has urged us to go out of China and invest in Africa,” he said.
Leung said Africa has a lot of investment opportunities for Chinese enterprises, stating that Galanz would soon be exploring those investment opportunities. He said Galanz would be sending a team of experts into the African market to ascertain these investment opportunities. Leung said his company was planning to establish a service center in Africa, thereby contributing to job creation and economic development.
He said Galanz was one of the largest manufacturer of microwave oven in the world, taking a driving seat in technology, production and sales of microwave, electric and steam ovens.
On the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) policy, Leung said they have in the last six years benefited from BRI policy. “China has invested a lot in Africa based on common interest and sharing common values. We shall continue to explore opportunities aimed at expanding our reach,” he said.
The purpose of the BRI is to construct a unified large market and make full use of both international and domestic markets through cultural exchange and integration, to enhance mutual understanding and trust of member nations, ending up in an innovative pattern with capital inflows, talent pool and technology database.
The BRI is a global development strategy adopted by the Chinese Government involving infrastructure development and investments in 152 countries and international organisations in Asia, Europe, Africa, Middle East and America.
Galanz Group, founded on September 28th, 1978, is a world-class integrated white goods brand enterprise, and one of the most influential leading enterprises in the Chinese household electrical appliances industry.
