LEC
Product: TS55174WTD fridge freezer
In response to consumer demand, refrigeration specialist Lec has introduced a selection of 550mm models, including the TS55174WTD (pictured) – its first ever to include a water dispenser. Available in white, black and silver this A+ rated, 1.7m tall model offers a generous 177 litre net fridge capacity, three safety glass shelves and four spacious door storage compartments. The water reservoir is fitted inside the door to save on valuable shelf space.

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Electrolux has confirmed that it is to buy GE Appliances for a cash consideration of $3.3 billion (£2bn).

In a statement issued by Electrolux, the company said that the fit between Electrolux and GE Appliances would create a strong platform for growth in the North American appliance market and enable the combined business to better serve North American consumers.

Commenting on the deal, Electrolux president and chief executive Keith McLoughlin said: “This is an historic moment and important strategic move for the Electrolux Group, which takes our company to a new level in terms of global reach and market coverage. GE’s premium, high-quality appliances complement our own iconic brands and will enhance our presence in North America.

“The acquisition, which is our largest ever, strengthens our commitment to the appliance business and also provides Electrolux with the scale and opportunity to accelerate our investments in innovation and global growth.”

GE chairman and chief executive Jeff Immelt added: “Electrolux is the right global business for our customers, consumers and employees. GE Appliances’ people, valuable home appliances brand, products, distribution, and service capabilities make it a perfect fit with Electrolux and its goal of accelerating growth in the US.”

Subject to regulatory approvals, the deal is expected to be be finalised during 2015. A rights issue [whereby existing shareholders will be able to purchase additional new shares in the company] corresponding to around 25 per cent of the consideration is planned following completion.

The acquisition will also include a 48 per cent share in Mexican appliance company Mabe, with which GE has operated a joint venture for the past 30 years. Mabe manufactures some of the GE product line-up.

In 2013, GE Appliances had sales of $5.7bn and profits (EBITDA) of £900m. Combined 2013 sales for GE and Electrolux were $22.5bn with profits (EBITDA) of $1.5bn. GE Appliances generates more than 90 per cent of its revenue in North America. It has its own distribution and logistics network and has nine factories with 12,000 employees.
 
Said Mr McLoughlin: “GE Appliances is a well-run operation with strong capabilities in key areas such as R&D, engineering, supply chain and customer service, and we look forward to joining forces with their team of talented and competent people.”

The acquisition is expected to products annual cost savings of around $300m. One-off costs of implementation and expenditure for the acquisition are expected to amount to around $370m.

Talking to ERT earlier this year about the possibility of a merger (see her blog), Euromonitor appliances analyst Cristina Baus said: “Electrolux has a wide geographical footprint that could serve to leverage the expansion of the GE brand, while at the same time gaining a stronger foothold in the US through GE’s strong domestic brand recognition.

“The US market represented 13 per cent of volume sales for Electrolux in 2013, and together with Latin America and eastern Europe, helped to offset the losses in its home market, western Europe. In the first six months of 2014, however, Electrolux reports sales remained unchanged in North America, despite a spike in the market.

“Acquiring GE would help Electrolux become the number one player in major appliances in the US, overtaking Whirlpool. Electrolux would also benefit from the $1 billion investment GE did in its US production plants, particularly in home laundry appliances, where GE has a definite upper hand over Electrolux.”

Braun is to relaunch in the UK with new hand blenders juicers and irons
Braun name is licenced to De Longhi

For a unique kind of home appliance that has a retro appeal, Smeg appliances offer a vintage feel with modern technology. Smeg aims to identify and reflect the defining characteristics of Italian design, such as inventive elegance, originality and product quality.

Smeg is an Italian home appliance manufacturer based in Guastalla, near Reggio Emilia in the north of the country. The international face of the Italian company is expressed via its 16 subsidiaries in Europe and the United States, two overseas offices—in Hong Kong and in Saudi Arabia—and last but not the least an extensive sales network that enable Smeg to offer appliances designed with know-how and ‘made-in-Italy’ style all around the world, from Asia to Europe, Africa to Australia.

Know-how, creativity and style are the qualities that spring from Smeg’s Italian identity and characterize the company’s commitment to bringing everyday objects to life. Of course, aesthetic reasons aside, Smeg’s identity is an expression of its actual Italian origins and the fact that the company is passionate about what it does.

Smeg appliances are thus snapshots of Italian style—from the retro ‘50s refrigerators to steel-only cookers—and are able to shape trends and tastes and establish a relationship with the user that goes beyond more practical concerns. With this philosophy in mind, the firm has embarked on projects with leading designers and architects and internal development programs, which assess current tastes and local trends.

The Smeg Group, thanks to a corporate culture which dictates that maximum emphasis be placed on product quality, technology and design, is consequently known all over the globe as on of the key representative of made-in-Italy standards.

Smeg’s iconic FAB range welcomes a new member to its revered family—the FAB5 mini fridge, stocked with loads of features and personality in an irresistible package.

Sporting the same curvaceous retro styling as its FAB fridge relatives, the FAB5 may be small but it is big on impact. Its neat stature of 730 mm matched with a width of 404 mm is the ideal chilled-out design piece for commercial spaces. Weighing in at only 17.5 kg and with a completely silent noise level, there’s no limit to its multipurpose character and movability: be it a hotel suite, an office space, for clients or in a shop, the FAB5 can go anywhere and complement myriad of settings, thanks to its size, style and hues of cream, black, red, orange or Union Jack.
The fridge’s features include an adjustable thermostat, two shelves which can be interchanged over five heights, a bottle holder and snack compartment in the door, an ice cube tray, internal LED lighting, easy-to-clean surfaces, a right-hand or left-hand hinged door with chrome handle and a 40L-net interval capacity.

Panasonic launched two new models of washing machines on Sept. 3, in advance of the IFA trade show in Berlin. The washers leverage the company’s sensor technology.

The Inverter models NA-148XS1 and NA-148XR1 – incorporate Panasonic’s ECONAVI four sensor system, enabling easy-to-operate laundry care with a new automatic washing program that adjusts to the unique requirements of each load. It senses and adjusts washing time, temperature, water volume, and spinning time.

Both washing machine models have an A+++ plus-40% rating, meaning it exceeds the A+++ energy efficiency rating by 40%.

IFA is a global trade show for home appliances and consumer electronics, taking place in Berlin Sept. 5-10, 2014. The 2013 show included 1,500 exhibitors and had about 240,000 attendees from 100 countries.

With its new flagship model washing machine, internally identified as the W1 Prestige, Miele is promising that customers will gain a unique combination of energy efficiency, cleaning performance, and user convenience.

“This washing machine is likely to stand peerless in the marketplace,” said Executive Director and Miele Co-Proprietor Dr. Reinhard Zinkann at a Sept, 3 press conference at the IFA trade show.

The new flagship washing machine from Gütersloh tops the requirements for an A+++ energy efficiency rating by 40%, in a cycle lasting less than 3 hours. A rush cycle cleans a load in under an hour, with less energy efficiency but no compromises in cleanliness.

The wash spins at up to 1600 rpm and has a 9 kg load capacity.

The unit also has an touch display, a patented SoftCare drum for gentle fabric care and a reduced need for ironing, and an EcoFeedback consumption indicator. Its TwinDos is said to be the world’s first integrated 2-phase dispensing system for liquid detergents and fabric conditioner. It also has a conventional detergent dispenser drawer.

A matching dryer has an A+++ energy efficiency rating and 9 kg load capacity.

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Sources told Reuters yesterday that the Electrolux is near to making a deal with General Electric Company to acquire GE Appliances for $2.5 billion.

Electrolux sales make it the second-largest appliance maker in the world after Whirlpool Corp. Acquiring GE Appliances may very well make Electrolux No. 1.

The Reuters account sources “people familiar with the matter,” who told the news agency that negotiations were ongoing and could still take some time to complete. On the other hand, they also indicated that there might be an official announcement as early as next week.

Electrolux, based in Sweden, is a global appliance makers that sells under its global brand Electrolux, as well as under more regional brands such as AEG and Zanussi in Europe. In North America, its two major brands are Electrolux and Frigidaire.

GE Appliances’ market is predominantly in North America, where it sells under the GE, GE Profile, GE Café, and GE Monogram brands. Adding GEA would add significantly to Electrolux’s North American market reach.

It is unknown to what extent Electrolux would integrate GEA’s management, administration, and manufacturing operations. GEA management and administration is largely based in Louisville, KY, while Electriolux has invested heavily in its headquarters and other operations in Charlotte, NC.

GE manufactures at several locations in the United States, including at the huge, historic Appliance Park manufacturing campus. Electrolux also operates several manufacturing operations in the United States. It is, again, unknown if or to what extent manufacturing would be consolidated should the deal go through