World’s first washing machine with microplastics filter

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Turkish manufacturer Arcelik, the parent company of Beko and Grundig, has announced plans to launch the world’s first washing machine fitted with a built-in microplastics filter.

Arcelik CEO Hakan Bulgurlu announced the new washing machine in a keynote address at the IFA 2019 technology trade show in Berlin and said it would be rolled out to customers in 2020.

Bulgurlu called for closer industry partnerships and said the company was ready to share its new technology for the greater good. It’s claimed in some studies that more than one million fibres are flushed down the drain and end up in rivers and oceans after every single washing load. Although this number does depend heavily on the type of fibres used in textiles – along with the type of fabric construction.

Kenwood compact kitchen machine Multipro Compact

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The Kenwood compact food processor Multipro Compact + has an integrated scale. This eliminates the hassle of washing between the scale and the food processor. With the device you just weigh the ingredients in the mixing bowl. Thanks to its separate weighing pan, the machine also serves as a completely standard kitchen scale – with gram-precise organization for quantities of up to three kilograms.

Whether grating or chopping, whipping or kneading – with the food processor , the most diverse types of preparation are possible. The compact machine also takes up little space in the kitchen and convinces with a powerful and resistant 800-watt motor, a metal housing and a 2.1 liter mixing bowl.

The model FDM313SS comes with a stainless steel knife, two reversible discs for coarse and fine cutting or rasping, and a disc for extra fine cutting or rasping. A spice mill and a citrus press are also an accessory. Unique are the mixing attachment and the herb and spice mill made of high-quality glass. The double whisk made of metal is faster than comparable whisk and achieves better results – especially when whipping egg whites and cream.

With smoothies and a healthy diet in line with the trend, the FDM316SS also includes a convenient 0.4-liter take-away mug: the XTract 2GO Blend makes it quick and easy to make a smoothie or milkshake and put it in a blender jar take with you – secure and without blobbing.

Technical details Kenwood compact kitchen machine Multipro Compact +:
Integrated scale, up to 3 kg
800 watt motor, metal housing
2.1 liter mixing bowl
stainless steel knife
2 reversible discs for coarse and fine cutting or rasping
1 disc for extra fine cutting or rasping
spice mill
juicer
liquidiser
Herbal and spice mill
Double whisk
Mug Blend Xtract 2GO (Model FDM316SS)
The Kenwood compact kitchen machine Multipro Compact + is available from October 2019

LG Electronics innovative front-loader washing machines

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LG Electronics innovative front-loader washing machines with ThinQ AI powered by the company’s proprietary Direct Drive™ . These new models will be available to most European markets by the end of the year. Thanks to AI DD™ the new washers are able to deliver thorough yet gentle cleaning by determining the weight and fabric characteristics of each load to deliver faster and better laundry results.
LG’s AI DD technology leverages big data on twenty thousand pieces of information related to washer usage and applies settings based on the volume and delicateness of the garments in each load of laundry to provide the most optimized washing cycle. According to the company, this guarantees exceptionally clean laundry every time with the added benefit of an 18 percent reduction in damage to the clothes, prolonging the life of every wardrobe.
Moreover, LG’s TurboWash™ 360 feature delivers the convenience of a shorter laundry day without compromising cleanliness, requiring just 39 minutes to complete a full wash cycle. And 3D Multi Spray also helps get clothes clean in less time by shooting jets of water in four different directions simultaneously for more stain-fighting coverage. Customers can save even more time by pairing the LG AI DD washing machine with LG MiniWash which fits directly underneath to create a TWINWash™ system to handle two loads of laundry at once.
Boasting the durability and efficiency that European consumers demand, LG AI DD washing machines deliver an efficient energy rating of A+++-50 percent in no small part due to LG’s inverter technology, guaranteed by a 10-year warranty. For additional user convenience, LG AI DD washers can be managed using voice commands from a connected AI speaker as well as controlled and monitored with the ThinQ mobile app.
«The combination of ThinQ AI with LG’s proven Direct Drive technology – explains Song Dae-hyun, president of LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company – delivers customer benefits that are more significant than anything in the evolution of washing machines in the past century. It is this kind of innovation that is required to win the hearts and minds of European consumers who expect nothing but the best in their home appliances

Electrolux

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Following a strategic overview started earlier this year, Electrolux announced the beginning of a plan to improve efficiency throughout the Group. Among the main operations that the company will undertaken, there is the outsource parts of its current manufacturing in Hungary and investments in its Nyíregyháza refrigerator plant. The efficiency measures and redundancies related to the outsourcing will lead to restructuring charges in the third quarter 2019 of approximately SEK 1.6 billion. Moreover, Electrolux on January 31 announced an intention to spin off its Professional Products business area as a separate company and communicated a plan to sharpen the consumer organization and accelerate profitable growth by creating four regionally focused business areas and reorganizing key global functions. As the strategic overview related to these activities has progressed, Electrolux has now identified opportunities to improve efficiency in both the consumer and professional organizations. As previously communicated, Electrolux is also currently carrying out a manufacturing investment program, totaling SEK 8 billion during 4-5 years as from 2018, to strengthen competitiveness and drive profitable growth. As part of this, the company has decided to invest approx. EUR 100 million in automation, digitalization and innovation capabilities in its production of high-end refrigerators in Nyíregyháza, Hungary. Furthermore, in the review of the overall competitiveness of the manufacturing operations in Hungary, Electrolux has decided to outsource production of vacuum cleaners from its Jászberény facility, and a significant part of the freestanding refrigerators currently produced there. This is anticipated to impact approximately 800 production employees, and relevant union consultations will take place.
The measures announced today are anticipated to generate additional annual savings of about SEK 500 million, with full effect as from 2022.

BSH opens dishwasher factory in Poland

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The official opening in Łódź, Poland, took place on 10 September, just 10 months after the acquisition of the site, and now the household appliance manufacturer has a brand new facility taking up 57,000 square metres.
The total space offered by the BSH dishwasher factory, which was built by Panattoni Europe amounts to 57,000 square metres; making it one of the largest manufacturing facilities of household appliances in Europe.

The production hall is made up by 47,400 square metres and is said to feature industry 4.0 solutions. Apart from the manufacturing section, 9,500 square metres of the facility is dedicated to office and social space, according to a press release from Panattoni.

The new BSH dishwasher factory in Łódź will provide jobs to 1500 people who will be making 3 million appliances a year when running at full speed.

Mass Layoff Affecting 800 Workers in Electrolux Jászberény Plant

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Electrolux will downsize the production of vacuum cleaners and refrigerators in Jászberény, Hungary. The decision will impact about 800 employees. At the same time, the company has announced it will invest EUR 100 million for automation and digitalization in its Nyíregyháza plant, also in Hungary. In reaction to the announcement, the Finance Ministry has said that it keeps a close eye on the fate of the employees.

Electrolux announced in January that it would significantly reorganize its production to improve efficiency. As a result of the overview, the company has decided the closure of the Jászberény plant.

Electrolux Group aims to boost competitiveness by outsourcing current vacuum cleaner production in Jászberény to external partners during 2020, the company announced. Outsourcing the production of vacuum cleaners, chest freezers, and combi-top refrigeration products currently produced in the plant, will impact approximately 800 Electrolux employees.

In the announcement, Managing Director Electrolux Lehel Hungary Sándor Gönczy, said they recognized the restructuring of their operations in Jászberény would be challenging for many of their people.

“We are proud of their expertise and achievements, and our main concern now is to support our impacted colleagues.”

“We are going to approach the local works council, and we trust that we’ll be able to reach socially mindful and fair solutions for our employees,” added Gönczy.

There has been no mass layoff of similar amplitude yet this year in Hungary, and in fact, according to the National Public Employment Services data for July, the number of people affected by collective layoffs did not exceed 800 in any given month, mfor.hu reports. The unemployment rate could increase by up to 10% in the county due to the decision.

After the company announced the downsizing, the Finance Ministry has said that it is closely monitoring the fate of employees of the Electrolux plant in Jászbereny as well as examining the immediate relocation of workers affected by the layoff.

The Electrolux Group also announced on Tuesday a planned investment of approximately EUR 100 million in its Nyíregyháza refrigeration production plant between 2020 and 2023. This is the largest Electrolux manufacturing investment in Hungary since the company started its operations in Hungary in 1991.

The Electrolux Group’s refrigeration manufacturing operations will focus on high-end categories, such as built-in and combi-bottom appliances that are in increasing demand by consumers across Europe.

LG pushes built in appliances

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LG Electronics Inc. is ramping up investment to expand businesses in the built-in home appliance market to capitalize on the fast growing segment, its president said on Sunday.

Song Dae-hyun, the head of LG’s home appliance and air solution division, said the company aims to become a “top-tier” player in the global built-in home appliance market by 2023.

“We have been focusing on establishing the organization and infrastructure for (the built-in business) since last year, though sales still remain small,” Song said in a press briefing held on the sidelines of the IFA technology show in Berlin.

“Expanding the built-in business takes time and enormous upfront investment because it also involves house designing and remodeling.”

Although the Korean electronics maker still lags behind European built-in industry leaders with long traditions and established customer bases, Song said LG has been expanding its presence in the key market with differentiated customer service.

“After-sales service for built-in products is challenging because (engineers) have to disassemble parts for repairing,” Song said.

“We tell customers that they can get service whenever they need, which helped our business grow rapidly.”

Song also vowed to step up connectivity of different gadgets, using artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) technologies, to lead the promising smart home market, stressing the firm’s broad portfolio, ranging from home appliances to smartphones.

“A growing number of European companies are adopting IoT and AI (in home appliances),” the president said.

“I think LG has a more solid technological base (than them) and is well positioned to succeed in the European market.”

As part of the broader plan, LG introduced “Proactive Customer Care” at IFA, which features AI monitoring compatible appliances for potential problems like abnormal temperature and air flow.

The firm said it plans to roll out the AI care service on new front-loading washers and bottom-freezer refrigerators in Europe first, and bring them to North America and Asia next year.

Return of Fagor

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Fagor Sociedad Cooperativa has reached an agreement with the Polish group Amica, manufacturer of household appliances with a presence in more than 60 countries , which licenses the use of the name Fagor for the sale of white goods, which means the return of this brand to Spanish market.

With this agreement, Fagor – which will continue to belong to Fagor S.Coop – is incorporated into the Amica brand catalog , which considers that this agreement will be a key step in its process of growth in the European market.

Amica is confident that the first units of this “complete range, modern and innovative” of Fagor appliances will be on sale before the end of the year, Amica managing director for the Spanish market, Vicente Sánchez, said in a note.

The product director of the Spanish market, Pedro Rodríguez, explained that Amica has prepared a portfolio of appliances “dedicated to the Spanish market” that include “two completely new lines” with innovations and innovative functions to “meet the real needs of users” .

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Amica is a leading European manufacturer of household appliances with more than 70 years of experience, which has among the pillars of its strategy investing in recognizable local brands. The group’s portfolio includes the brands Amica (Central and Western Europe), Hansa (Eastern Europe), Gram (Scandinavia), CDA (United Kingdom) and Fagor (Spain).

The group employs more than 3,000 people and manufactures more than 5 million appliances per year in more than 60 countries. In 2018, the consolidated turnover of the group touched 700 million euros, according to data distributed by the company.

The license agreement between Fagor Sociedad Cooperativa and Amica is in addition to the one that the Gipuzkoan group signed in February with the Cantabrian company Cantra SL to allow the use of the Fagor brand to manufacture and distribute kitchenware products.

Hisense, Gorenje and ASKO

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IFA 2019 officially kicked off in Berlin. Hisense Group, the world’s leading home appliance enterprise, presented in an unprecedented scale with three major brands: Hisense, Gorenje and ASKO, and they became the focus of the exhibition.

The technology-leading Hisense Laser TV, well designed Gorenje refrigerator with high-tech applications, and high-end ASKO kitchen appliances are on display at the exhibition. The innovative products of the three brands make Hisense one of the home appliance providers with the most complete categories.

Hisense, Gorenje and ASKO present at IFA 2019
Hisense, Gorenje and ASKO present at IFA 2019

Hisense’s outstanding performance in the European markets has always attracted much attention. Since 2006, Hisense has put forward the strategy of “brand globalization” and maintained a rapid development trend, with a compound annual growth rate of over 20%. The European market is a key area for Hisense’s strategic internationalization layout. After more than ten years of development, Hisense has formed a sales network centered on the German market and expanding to Spain, Italy, the UK, France and other markets. Hisense has also built its Europe R&D center and production base in order to localize products. From January to July 2019, the sales volume of Hisense brand in the European market increased by 19.4% YoY, and the growth in key markets such as Germany and the United Kingdom exceeded 20%.

Meanwhile, Hisense also accelerated its entry into the European market through mergers and acquisitions. In August 2018, Hisense officially completed the acquisition of European appliance giant Gorenje. With a high brand awareness, Gorenje is one of the leading manufacturers of high quality home appliances in Europe. Gorenje owns high-end brands such as ATAG and ASKO, and it has a production base in Europe. With Gorenje, Hisense has established full-scale products and a complete system containing research, production and sales, which accelerated its market development process.

Hisense’s brand awareness has increased significantly in Europe by sponsoring UEFA EURO 2016™ and 2018 FIFA World Cup™. Once again, Hisense is the official partner of UEFA EURO 2020™. As the competition approaches, Hisense is expected to show even stronger growth in Europe.

Beko has unveiled its HarvestFresh technology for its range of refrigerators claiming it keeps your produce fresher and healthier

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International domestic appliance manufacturer Beko has unveiled its HarvestFresh technology for its range of refrigerators claiming it keeps your produce fresher and healthier. The Turkish brand showcased its new technology on 5 September at consumer electronics fair, IFA in Berlin.

Developed for Beko fridges, HarvestFresh uses a combination of blue, red and green lights to mimic the 24-hour sun cycle, including periods of darkness in an attempt to recreate a natural living environment for fruit and vegetables succeeding their harvest.

The company has claimed that the illumination technology acts as a natural way of preserving vitamins in fresh produce. According to Beko, a seven-day laboratory test was carried out by Intertek on direct light exposed tomato and green pepper concluding that their vitamin A and vitamin C levels had been preserved for longer.

Chief marketing officer at Beko, Zeynep Yalim Uzun said: “At Beko, we believe passionately in creating new products and technologies that meet the well-being needs of today’s consumer. We know that they do not always find it easy to eat healthily and are committed to doing all we can to make their lives easier and healthier.”

This recent development is part of Beko’s mission of “empowering the new generations to live healthier and providing accessible wellbeing for all their consumers”.

Home appliance brand Beko operates in more than 140 countries worldwide and is a subsidiary of Arçelik, who is part of the large industrial conglomerate Koç Holding.

HarvestFresh will be available across selected lines from 2020.