LG Electronics Battles Tariffs with Subscription-Powered Appliance Strategy

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LG Electronics reported Q3 revenue of ₩21.88 trillion and operating profit of ₩688.9 billion, down 1.4% and 8.4% year-over-year. The dip was largely due to tariff costs on U.S. appliance exports and sluggish global demand recovery.

Despite these challenges, LG is leaning into its appliance subscription business, which bundles products with services—offering a steady growth path and recurring revenue. The company is also optimizing global production to reduce tariff impacts.

Meanwhile, the TV division struggled with rising marketing costs and fierce competition. One-time expenses from voluntary retirements also affected profitability.

Looking ahead, LG is prioritizing qualitative growth in B2B sectors like HVAC and vehicle components, while expanding non-hardware businesses such as WebOS and online services. The upcoming IPO of its Indian subsidiary is expected to fuel future investments and restructuring.

More detailed earnings by division will be shared later this month.

BSH to Cut 1,400 Jobs Amid Declining Market Demand

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BSH Hausgeräte has announced plans to reduce its workforce by approximately 1,400 employees, citing persistent overproduction and weakening consumer demand. The decision, revealed at the company’s headquarters in Munich, reflects broader industry challenges including a sluggish real estate market and a growing shift toward budget-friendly appliances.

The restructuring will significantly impact two key manufacturing sites in Germany. The Bretten facility in Baden-Württemberg will see the most substantial changes, with the discontinuation of stove and extractor hood production, as well as logistics operations, by the end of Q1 2028. This move will affect around 980 employees.

Meanwhile, the Nauen site in Brandenburg will phase out washing machine production by mid-2027, impacting approximately 440 employees.

BSH emphasized that these measures are part of a long-term strategy to align production capacity with market realities and evolving consumer behavior

LG’s PuroTec™ Ushers in a New Era of Hygiene-First Home Appliances

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LG Electronics has officially introduced its cutting-edge antimicrobial material, PuroTec™, to the European market—marking a pivotal moment for hygiene innovation in domestic appliances. Unveiled at K 2025, the world’s leading plastics and rubber trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, PuroTec™ is poised to redefine how we think about cleanliness and contamination control in everyday household products.

🔬 What Is PuroTec™?

PuroTec™ is a glass powder-based antimicrobial and antifungal additive. When incorporated into materials like plastic, paint, or rubber—even in small amounts—it actively combats odors and microbial contamination. Its versatility makes it ideal for a wide range of applications, but LG is placing a strong emphasis on its transformative potential in home appliances.

🏠 Domestic Appliances Get a Hygiene Upgrade

At the K Show, LG showcased a lineup of PuroTec™-enhanced products, with a spotlight on washing machines and refrigerators—two appliances that are especially vulnerable to moisture, mold, and bacterial buildup. By embedding PuroTec™ into the materials used in these appliances, LG is offering consumers a smarter, more sanitary solution for everyday living.

Other household items on display included:

– Bathroom fixtures with antimicrobial surfaces 
– Sofas and clothing treated to resist fungal growth 
– Automobile seats designed for cleaner, longer-lasting use 

This innovation aligns with growing consumer demand for health-conscious home environments, especially in the wake of heightened awareness around hygiene and indoor air quality.

Electrolux Cooktop Recall: Safety Warning and Consumer Action Guide

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Energy Safe Victoria has launched legal action against Electrolux following reports of glass gas cooktops shattering—some causing injury. The investigation found the affected models may not have met Australian safety standards, and were supplied even after failing certification tests.

If consumers contact you about these cooktops, direct them to Electrolux on 1800 001 218. They’re offering free technician visits for replacements or full refunds.

Electrolux states it is cooperating with authorities and “takes safety very seriously.”

Under Victorian law, supplying non-compliant appliances or withholding safety information can result in fines up to $250,000 per offence.

Waterline Enters Administration as Crown Imperial Shifts Distribution Strategy

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UK kitchen& appliances distributor Waterline has officially entered administration, bringing weeks of speculation about the company’s future to a close. The business has now ceased trading, according to multiple staff members. At this time, the identity of the appointed administrator remains unconfirmed.

Despite Waterline’s closure, its sister company Crown Imperial continues to operate independently. Earlier this week, Crown Imperial announced it would no longer rely on Waterline as its exclusive distributor. Instead, the kitchen brand will now supply products directly to retailers, ensuring continuity of service and product availability.

Arçelik Secures €150 Million EBRD Loan to Accelerate Green Manufacturing in Turkey

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Turkish home appliance giant Arçelik has announced a new €150 million ($173.9 million) financing agreement with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), aimed at advancing its environmentally sustainable manufacturing initiatives.

The funding will be split into two strategic components:

– €83 million will be allocated to Turkey’s first externally verified green loan in the manufacturing sector. This portion will support Arçelik’s comprehensive green investment program, including the transformation of production processes, modernization of facilities, and R&D efforts focused on developing eco-friendly appliances.

– €67 million will be used to upgrade key manufacturing sites—specifically, the refrigerator plant in Eskişehir and the cooking appliances facility in Bolu—enhancing energy efficiency and operational sustainability.

This latest investment builds on a previous €150 million EBRD loan that enabled Arçelik to produce quieter, more energy-efficient refrigerators and washing machines, which have seen strong demand in international markets.

According to the company, these new initiatives are designed to help meet its 2030 climate goals and align with the broader objectives of the Paris Agreement

Kevin Hart Joins SharkNinja as Global Brand Ambassador, Teaming Up with David Beckham in New Campaign

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SharkNinja, Inc.the $13.8 billion household appliance powerhouse, has named comedian and actor Kevin Hart as its newest global brand ambassador. Hart joins football legend David Beckham, expanding the brand’s star-powered lineup.

Xiaomi Expands Globally with Smart Mijia Home Appliances

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Xiaomi has officially rolled out its Mijia home appliance lineup to international markets, bringing smart living to more households around the world. The collection includes a high-capacity refrigerator, a versatile washer-dryer, and a sleek line of air conditioners—all seamlessly integrated into Xiaomi’s intelligent ecosystem: Human x Car x Home. With centralized control via the Xiaomi Home app, users can manage their appliances effortlessly from anywhere.

🧊 Mijia Cross Door 502L Refrigerator: Smart Cooling for Modern Families

At the heart of the kitchen offering is the Mijia Cross Door 502L, a spacious 502-liter refrigerator designed for families who need flexible and efficient food storage. Key features include:

  • Multi-zone temperature control for customized cooling
  • iFresh zone with adjustable settings from -1°C to 5°C
  • Super Cool & Super Freeze modes to meet diverse storage needs
  • Ag⁺ freshness tech to combat odors and bacteria
  • 90° door opening for wall-adjacent installation
  • Smart alerts via the Xiaomi Home app if the door remains open for over two minutes
  • Dual inverter system for quiet operation and energy savings
  • Built-in Wi-Fi for remote temperature management

🧺 More Than Just Cooling: Washer-Dryer & Air Conditioning

The Mijia lineup also includes the Mijia Pro 9 kg front-loading washer-dryer, ideal for efficient laundry care, and a range of air conditioners designed to deliver comfort with smart control and energy efficiency.

With this international launch, Xiaomi continues to redefine smart living—making everyday tasks simpler, cleaner, and more connected.

Groupe Brandt Seeks Strategic Lifeline Amid Market Turbulence

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The European home appliance sector is once again facing tough headwinds, and this time, the storm has reached one of France’s last-standing giants. Groupe Brandt, a century-old manufacturer and a key player in the French appliance landscape, has entered creditor protection in a bid to stabilize its finances and attract a strategic investor.

🏛️ Court-Approved Restructuring
On October 1, the Nanterre Economic Court granted Brandt’s request for protection, enabling the company to freeze its debts and continue operations while actively seeking a financial partner. Owned by Algeria’s Cevital Group since 2014, Brandt’s leadership views this move not as a retreat, but as a strategic reset—an opportunity to accelerate talks with potential investors.

Production at Brandt’s facilities in Orléans and Vendôme remains uninterrupted, and local distributor Elmax Store reports no immediate impact on its operations.

🧩 Who Might Step In?
Brandt’s portfolio includes not just its namesake brand, but also De Dietrich, Sauter, and Vedette—making it a valuable acquisition target. With 750 employees across France and a service hub near Paris, the company is far from marginal. CEO Daniele Degli Emili has already reached out to business partners, assuring them that several “serious and well-negotiated” investor options are on the table.

🌍 A Broader Industry Reckoning
Brandt’s situation reflects a deeper crisis among Europe’s traditional appliance manufacturers. Market consolidation is no longer a possibility—it’s a necessity. Chinese conglomerates have been steadily acquiring European brands: Hisense took over Gorenje in 2018, Haier absorbed Candy Hoover in 2019, and Midea snapped up Teka earlier this year. Midea even held talks with Electrolux in 2023, though no deal materialized.

📉 Electrolux and the Financial Squeeze
Even Electrolux, long considered a pillar of European manufacturing, has felt the strain. Despite returning to profitability in 2025 after a sweeping restructuring, the Swedish company reported a negative operating cash flow of $405 million in H1, pushing net debt to nearly $3 billion. Analysts now anticipate a capital injection of at least $1.79 billion via a share issue, and S&P Global Ratings has downgraded its credit score to BBB-, teetering just above speculative grade.

🚨 Industry Survival at Stake
The pressure from Asian—particularly Chinese—competitors is mounting. With only a handful of independent European manufacturers left, the industry’s future looks precarious. In a rare show of unity, several appliance makers have issued an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, warning that the very survival of Europe’s home appliance sector is in jeopardy.