BSH Hišni Aparati, the Slovenian subsidiary of the Bosch and Siemens Home Appliance Group, saw its profits, revenue and the number of employees decrease in 2018 compared to the year before. A drop in business performance is mostly a result of product withdrawals.
LG to add 10,000 robots to roll out premium home appliances
LG Electronics, South Korea`s second-biggest tech company by sales, will deploy 10,000 industrial robots to reshape its Changwon production site into a smart factory for premium home appliances, sources said on Wednesday.
The smart factory project will be completed by 2023 and the robots will be sourced from Robostar, a local robot company acquired by LG Electronics last year. LG Electronics is also closely working with several other industry robot manufacturers including Epson.
The new factory will be a follow-up of the company’s U.S. washing machine plant which became up and running last year in the state of Tennessee to show the world’s highest level in factory automation and digitalization. The factory boasts of an integrated production system that spans parts manufacturing and module assembly to product shipment through robots.
LG Electronics controls one third of Robostar, which is known for its prominent technologies in making robots for factory automation. Vertical multi-articulated robots from Robostar are already used in LG’s production line to make automotive parts in Incheon.
The new factory being built in Changwon will enter operation in 2021 gradually before its completion in 2023 to churn out LG-branded premium household appliances such as refrigerators, dishwashers and water purifiers.
LG Electronics will apply an integrated control system to the factory by bringing full automation and intelligence to the entire production chain from purchasing to production, to quality inspection and logistics in order to maximize operational excellence and value creation. Once completed, the factory’s production capacity is expected to reach 3 million units a year, 50 percent higher than the current maximum capacity of 2 million units.
Electrolux Q2 Interim Report 2019:
Highlights of the second quarter of 2019
Net sales amounted to SEK 31,687m (31,354). Sales decline of 2.7%, driven by lower volumes.
Operating income amounted to SEK 1,619m (827), corresponding to a margin of 5.1% (2.6). The comparison period included non-recurring items of SEK -818m.
Price increases fully offset the headwinds from higher raw material costs, trade tariffs and currency as well as lower volumes. Mix improvements mitigated higher investments in marketing and R&D.
Operating cash flow after investments amounted to SEK 384m (1,805).
Income for the period increased to SEK 1,132m (517), and earnings per share was SEK 3.94 (1.80).
The Board has reconfirmed its plan to propose to the shareholders that the Professional Products business area is distributed to the shareholders with the aim to achieve listing on the Nasdaq Stockholm during the first quarter of 2020 or, at the latest, the second quarter of 2020.
President and CEO Jonas Samuelson’s comment
A strong focus on innovation to improve consumer experiences is our guiding compass and a key driver for profitable growth. It is therefore encouraging to see that we once again have a favorable earnings impact from improved mix by selling more high-margin products and we continue to invest in marketing to support the major launches we have this year. Concurrently, price increases continued to offset strong headwinds from higher raw material costs, trade tariffs and currency, and in this quarter also from volume decline. The lower volume was mainly caused by the U.S. private label sales drop. Underlying operating income was in line with last year.
The earnings for our operations in Europe and Professional Products were once again solid and operating income in Latin America increased significantly. In North America, positive price and mix offset higher costs from raw materials and trade tariffs but not fully the volume decline. The business area Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa was impacted by currency headwind and weak sales in Australia.
We re-confirm our market view for 2019 with the exception of Southeast Asia where we now estimate the demand in the region to be slightly positive.
Based on current trade tariff levels, we estimate the negative year-over-year impact from raw materials, trade tariffs and currency to be approximately SEK 1.4-1.6bn in 2019, compared to the previous estimate of approximately SEK 1.7-1.9bn. In the first half of 2019, price has fully offset this headwind and we expect that to be the case also for 2019 as a whole. The uncertainty on trade tariffs continues to impact our visibility.
The preparations for the intended separation and subsequent listing of the Professional Products business area are proceeding according to plan. As the previously announced reasons for the separation are still considered valid the Board has reconfirmed its plan to propose to the shareholders that the Professional Products business area is distributed to the shareholders with the aim to achieve listing on the Nasdaq Stockholm during the first quarter of 2020 or, at the latest, the second quarter of 2020.
Electrolux 100th year is a product launch intensive year and I believe our innovation power will continue to strengthen our competiveness. In addition to significant kitchen range launches in Europe and Asia-Pacific, we have sharpened our offering by being the first to bring Air Fry technology built in to the cooker to the North American market. Looking ahead, I am confident that we are well positioned to create value through our profitable growth strategy.
Franke Group acquired a majority stake in Italian coffee machine manufacturer Dalla Corte
Swiss Franke Group acquired a majority stake in Italian coffee machine manufacturer Dalla Corte at the end of June.
The Milan-based Dalla Corte produces traditional portafilter espresso machines in the premium segment for private and professional use. The company was founded by the Dalla Corte family in 2001 and is known for its multi-boiler technology – developed and patented in the same year – which Franke calls a benchmark for the semi-automatic espresso machine sector.
Panasonic Announces New NN-GN68KS Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology + FlashXpress Broiler
Panasonic is pleased to introduce the NN-GN68KS Microwave Oven with Inverter Technology + FlashXpress Broiler, the compact countertop appliance with the speed and convenience of a microwave and the power to crisp and brown foods just the way you like them. Together, Panasonic’s Inverter technology and the dual infrared Flash Xpress Broiler can conveniently prepare a variety of frozen and fresh foods, plus cook, reheat and broil —both at the same time. Other brands have to switch between microwave and grill settings to cook and brown. Panasonic does it effortlessly and simultaneously with the touch of button.
Inverter Microwave Cooking + Instant Broiling
Unlike traditional microwaves that rely on a pulse-on, pulse-off power flow to prepare foods, Panasonic’s Inverter technology creates a seamless, continuous stream of power to thoroughly heat for evenly prepared foods — with no cold spots — across a wide range of cooking techniques.
The dual infrared FlashXpress Broiler creates instant heat to quickly and easily crisp, brown and enjoy flavorful foods like mac and cheese, nachos and fried chicken, plus veggie frittatas, fresh flatbread, weeknight pasta bakes and more. A specially designed broiling rack lifts food close to infrared grilling element to deliver the crispy brown finish that’s been missing in traditional microwave cooking.
Genius Sensors Take the Guesswork Out of Cooking
The 1000W high-power Panasonic NN-GN68KS microwave also includes a Genius Sensor Cook and Reheat feature to take the guesswork out of great snacks and meals. As you cook or reheat, Genius sensors continually measure the amount of steam emitted from the food, and automatically signal the oven’s microprocessor to calculate and adjust remaining cooking and reheating time for optimum results.
Cook, Reheat and Defrost
Touch-button simple, Genius Sensor Cook prepares nutrient-rich foods with the perfect heating levels and times. Its 10 Sensor Cook settings heat oatmeal, breakfast sausage, omelets, soups, potatoes, fresh vegetables, rice, quinoa, pasta and fish fillets. Genius Sensor Reheat thoroughly warms leftovers like casseroles, plated dinners, soups and stews and more while retaining their natural nutrients and textures. For frozen foods, Panasonic’s TurboDefrost feature accelerates defrosting time to thaw foods evenly to quickly prepare foods for more efficient cooking and broiling.
Cooking Made Simpler
The space-saving, stainless-steel Panasonic NN-GN68KS Microwave + Flash Xpress Broiler makes cooking easier and more convenient with 1.1 cu.ft. capacity, 11 power levels, 13.4 in. glass turntable, intelligent multi-function touch control panel and LED, interior light, easy-clean interior, and the manual controls you need for more adventurous recipes and menus.
Panasonic NN-GN68KS touch controls include a Grill button to cook, reheat, brown and crisp, plus Combination Auto Settings to mix infrared and microwave heating. Handy Quick 30 and Add Time buttons add precise, extra heating time when needed, plus a useful Keep Warm setting to keep foods fresh and warm up to 30 minutes until ready to serve. The microwave’s 3-level popcorn button lets popcorn lovers choose the optimal popping temperature and time for different microwave bag capacities (3.2, 2.7, or 1.5 oz.) for hot, sumptuous snacking.
An accessory trim kit will be available for the NN-GN68KS in November with a model number:NN-TK623GS.
BSH breaks ground on new dryer and washing machine facility
BSH breaks ground on its first China-based dryer and washing machine facility in Chuzhou on May 8, 2019. With an initial size of 60, 000 square meters and total investment of 1.69 billion Yuan, the facility is scheduled to go into production starting the first quarter of 2021 with a planned annual output of 3.6 million units.
It is a critical step for BSH to deliver its strategy of making Chuzhou its largest production site globally. The new facility comes after BSH’s first Chuzhou-based dishwasher company which was built in 2018 with a total investment of 0.7 billion Yuan and a planned annual output of 2 million units. The first-stage of the dishwasher facility has come on stream since 2018 and before that, the company’s Chuzhou-based refrigerator facility has seen its second-stage project go into operation. The string of investments signals BSH’s efforts in integrating its individual facilities into an industrial park in Chuzhou.
Compared to the company’s existing washing machine facility in Nanjing, the new facility is designed for the production of large-capacity washing machines, drying machines and dryer-washer combos. Plus, it will be established as an example of BSH’s Industry 4.0 strategy that features digitalization throughout the entire process from procurement, production all the way to end consumers.
It is learned that, the facility will be an important production site of the company worldwide after its operation and it will supply Chinese as well as global markets.
Electrolux invests 130 million euros in Susegana
After an agreement with the unions, Electrolux formalizes an investment of around 130 million euros in automation, digitalization and innovation at its production site in Susegana (Treviso).
The investment, which is expected to be completed in 2022, includes two new assembly lines and resources for product and process development. This will support the competitiveness of the Electrolux built-in products in the refrigeration sector and will allow the company to achieve the best levels of performance in the context of the upcoming European regulation on the energy label. The update will also bring ergonomic improvements to workstations throughout the site.
Xiaomi announced its plan of establishing a white goods division
Xiaomi group announced its plan of establishing a white goods division to step up its deployment in major home appliances . This comes after the company unveiled its dual core strategy of Smartphone & AIoT (AI +IoT) at its annual party in January 2019. Wang Chuan, the newly appointed President of White Goods Division who is also Senior Vice President of Xiaomi, will be responsible for the company’s white goods business covering air conditioner, refrigerator and washing machine, and will report directly to Lei Jun, Chairman of the board and CEO of Xiaomi.
New Whirlpool cooling
New Whirlpool No Frost combined range offers the best technology for food preservation: fruits and vegetables keep their freshness longer thanks to the cooling system and 6th Sense technology , which ensures precise control of both temperature and humidity in the refrigerator compartment and in the freezer to avoid temperature fluctuations when the door is opened and closed.
The series includes the Total No Frost combined and the Double Total No Frost , which autonomously maintain the correct humidity level in any area of the refrigerator and in the freezer to guarantee perfect conditions in both spaces, also avoiding the mixing of odors.The new combinations are part of the Whirlpool W Collection home appliances suite. They fit harmoniously into the styles of contemporary homes with an avant-garde design , an intuitive display and have the reliability of an Inverter compressor guaranteed for up to 20 years on the Doppio Total No Frost models.
Winiadaewoo Electronics launches its latest range of products
Winiadaewoo Electronics launches new range of glass combis, washers, dryers and dishwashers. The combis are characterized by their excellent design finish thanks to their glass door. They also have a capacity of 362L that allows to store any type of food inside the refrigerator and keep them in perfect condition … Then it has an energy class of A ++ that helps to save energy and consumption.
It also contains an electronic control panel that can regulate the temperature comfortably from the outside and meet the needs of the consumer. Through this electronic panel you can also use the Eco mode (holiday mode) which function is to maintain a stable temperature by cooling less food, thus also generating a minimum energy consumption.
On the other hand, it also renews the range of washing machines as the new models have a better panel design and finish. Also generating a comfortable use for consumers. In addition, regarding the dryers, also launches two new models; one of condensation and another with heat pump.
Finally, the new dishwashers also offer better performance with its Gentle Silence technology and also save water and energy consumption with its A ++ energy class.
