Candy Nova is the first washing machine with just one button

At IFA 2020, the Haier Group presented

Candy Nova, the world’s first washing machine without a physical interface that can only be controlled via smartphone. It’s an interesting design choice, fully interpreting the new smart-home zeitgeist. As Haier’s European CEO, Yannick Fierling, explained, 21% of the company’s smart washing machine users now use only their smartphone to select a program and start a wash: that’s three times more than 2018. Candy Nova can be fully controlled through the new hOn application for iOS and Android, the software that acts as a control hub for the ecosystem of all the Chinese group’s products, like all other Haier, Candy, Hoover and Ge connected appliances the full control of a washing machine to an app is a brave marketing choice. It might deter less tech savvy consumer from a purchase, but it definitely makes sense for a lot of millennials and late-millennials, which is a big enough target group. Moreover, according to Haier’s market research, 70% of users consider adding new washing programs to their appliance to be a useful feature. Candy Nova perfectly embodies Haier’s new philosophy, which sees the connected and smart design of its appliances as a meaningful growth opportunity. The goal, as Fierling told us during a recent interview at IFA, is to stop selling just “the technology” and start instead selling experiences that can be customized by each user according to their specific needs. An interesting perspective that not only makes home appliances more functional, but also allows the company’s business model to adapt to a future where the sale of digital services will be as important as the sale of the home appliance

Haier will relocate the production of Rosières ovens to Romania,

Haier, the largest household appliances producer in China and one of the largest in the world, will relocate the production of Rosières ovens to Romania,Haier Europe said “the intention to cease ovens’ manufacturing activities in Lunery (France) does not have any impact nor include any activity in Romania where Haier has started an investment of more than 50 million for a refrigerator production facility.”

This new production line will add to the refrigerator factory Haier is building in Romania.

Haier took the Rosières brand as part of the Italian group Candy last year. The Chinese group wants to close the factory in France, arguing that sales fell by 40% between 2016 and 2019, and the cost of assembly is too high – while the cost of labor in Romania is more attractive.

The factory in France employs 72 people. The first layoffs are expected early next year.

The relocation of production to Romania has generated protests in France, with about 500 people protesting in the neighboring town of Saint-Florent-sur-Cher, especially since, in addition to Rosières, lighting manufacturer Comatelec Schréder will move production to Spain.

Chinese group Haier announced earlier this year that it is building a refrigerator factory in Romania, on an area of 10 hectares in an industrial park in Prahova county (north of Bucharest).

The investment is estimated at some EUR 50 million and will create about 700 new jobs. The plant should be completed by early next year at the latest.

Haier Reopens Domestic Factories and Resumes Production at Full speed

Following the strict measures put in place for the control and prevention of Covid-19, Haier Smart Home Co the world’s leading home appliance producer, has announced that all domestic factories in China have returned to full capacity as of February 25. The announcement comes after Haier’s continued efforts to maintain its global capacity, which saw the producer achieve an overall guarantee rate of over 90% on overseas orders during the outbreak.Haier Smart Home Reopens Domestic Factories and Resumes Production at Full speed.
Haier Smart Home Reopens Domestic Factories and Resumes Production at Full speed.
Despite limited capacity brought on by Covid-19, Haier maintained normal production levels as a result of its strong global supply chain and rapid response to the epidemic. With a complete international operation and supplier system, as well as supplier resources spanning the Americas, Southeast Asia, South Asia and Europe, Haier fulfilled 99.8% of orders throughout February 2020, with 60% of products manufactured in local factories overseas. Meanwhile, Haier’s logistics team closely monitored changes in global ports and shipping policy alerts and adjusted its resources and logistics plans accordingly to ensure the timely shipment of all orders.Since February 17, all of Haier’s domestic factories – except three in Wuhan – have resumed production with additional strict measures to prevent and control the spread of the epidemic, on top of those recommended by the Chinese government. 10 Haier industrial parks have been recognized by the local government and seven have been highlighted by Chinese media as leading examples for their epidemic protection and prevention work. As of February 25, the three Wuhan factories have also reopened with similar measures in place to keep workers safe.In addition to reopening factories, Haier’s key domestic suppliers are gradually resuming normal business operations. To date, more than 90% of suppliers have reopened their doors with an 80% work resumption rate and a 95% guarantee rate. The guarantee rate is expected to reach 100% by the end of February.Further to its global supply chain, Haier was able to lessen the impact of Covid-19 due to its early adoption of intelligent manufacturing. Across its 122 factories, Haier has integrated a variety of automated production processes including automatic boxing and bagging, refrigerator wrapping and gluing, as well as product-specific processes for washing appliances and air conditioners.Haier Smart Home’s five sectors have also introduced 108 flexible production lines using integrated automation solutions and applied intelligent technologies such as AI, big data analysis, 5G and AR to help conduct a range of factory tasks, including visual product inspections for refrigerators, measuring the noise of washing machines, detecting unusual sounds in air conditioners, AR-assisted remote equipment maintenance and more. These intelligent manufacturing processes and technologies enabled Haier to continue normal production and logistics during the outbreak, as well as improving overall line efficiency and reducing staff turnover.

China’s Haier to build EUR 50 mln refrigerator factory in Romania

Chinese group Haier, one of the largest manufacturers of household appliances in the world, will invest over EUR 50 million in a refrigerator factory in the town of Ariceştii Rahtivani in Prahova county, north of Bucharest, Ziarul Financiar reported.

This production unit will create over 500 jobs and will have a maximum production capacity of 600,000 refrigerators per year.

By comparison, the Arctic factory in Găeşti, Dâmboviţa, owned by Turkish group Arcelik, has a capacity of 2.6 million units per year, being the largest refrigerator factory in Continental Europe.

Haier Leads Euromonitors Major Appliances Global Brand Rankings for 11th Consecutive Year

Haier the world’s leading home appliance producer, has emerged as the top major appliances brand worldwide for the 11th year running, according to Euromonitor International’s 2020 Global Major Appliances Brand Rankings. The accolade follows Haier’s ongoing efforts to gain a global foothold by consolidating world-leading brands into its portfolio while accelerating its revolutionary IoT ecosystem.
Compiled annually by Euromonitor International, a leading global provider of business intelligence, the report ranks the world’s appliance brands by retail sales value. In addition to listing first for major global appliances, Haier ranked first for Refrigerators for 12 consecutive years, first in Washing Machines for nine years, first in Freezers for ten years and first in Electric Wine Coolers for 11 years.
“We are honored to again be the world’s top major appliances brand for the 11th year in a row. Haier is constantly striving to listen to consumers’ changing needs and adapt to them, while simultaneously harnessing cutting-edge technology to stand out in the market,” said Wang Ye, Vice President and General Manager of Smart Home of Haier Home Appliance Industry Group.
Haier’s dominance in home appliances is a result of an ongoing commitment to R&D, and its ability to adapt its business model to the latest technology and consumer trends. Over the past decade, the home appliance industry has radically transformed with the rise of the internet, IoT, AI and 5G. Rather than ride the trends, Haier has defined them with revolutionary products, from the Clean-Free washing machines to refrigerators with fresh storage boxes.
This is set to continue in the future: during its 35th anniversary, Haier revealed its next stage of development, which puts customization, globalization and its IoT ecosystem brand at the core of its strategy.
Always in pursuit of new ways to engage with consumers, Haier has also implemented its “RenDanHeYi” 10+N R&D model in the past decade — an open entrepreneurship platform that integrates quality global resources to meet the diverse needs of users.
In recent years, Haier’s desire to reimagine the future has only strengthened its position as the world’s leading significant appliances company. In the Industry 4.0 era, a new Haier has emerged to meet the increasingly sophisticated experiences demanded by consumers in the age of connected smart homes. Instead of manufacturing smart appliances, Haier engineered a smart home ecosystem that harnesses IoT and smart appliances to enhance the quality of life. In a company first, Haier launched its official Haier Smart Home app in 2019, which allows users to infinitely customize their smart home experience based on user scenarios, rather than products. A live stream video accompanied the app launch — within one day, Haier received over 31,337 orders for over 2,440 different home designs.

GE Appliances Shuts The Door On Odor With Revolutionary New UltraFresh Front Load Washer

The laundry team at GE Appliances, a Haier company, announced a new, revolutionary laundry system designed to help prevent the biggest complaint in front load washers. The UltraFresh Front Load washers, engineered to stay fresh and clean, use first-of-its-kind technology to help prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria without the need for owners to wipe down their machine or leave the door open after each load.

The revolutionary new UltraFresh Front Load washer from GE Appliances is engineered using first-of-its-kind technology to shut the door on odor.
The revolutionary new UltraFresh Front Load washer from GE Appliances is engineered using first-of-its-kind technology to shut the door on odor.
Front load washing machines were designed for high-efficiency operation – they use the least water and energy, are gentler on clothes and have more capacity; however, 46 percent of consumers say that mold or odor is their top frustration when it comes to considering front load washers and many do not want to leave the door open to avoid the problem. In fact, one in two front load owners move back to top load washers because of smell and associated maintenance.

“Consumers are searching for solutions and coming up with ways to put a bandage on the issue, like cleaning the washer after each use, wiping down the gasket and most commonly propping the door open,” said Peter Pepe, Vice President, Product Management for laundry at GE Appliances. “Our new UltraFresh Front Load washer is the first in the industry to solve for the issues that lead to stink, making care and maintenance along with laundry chores much easier for the consumer.”

GE Appliances dedicated two-and-a-half years to innovation and testing to create a built-in solution to Drain, Dry and Defend.

Drain the residual water: Moisture is the enemy when it comes to keeping a washer fresh and clean. GE Appliances developed a wider gasket that is angled to allow water to fully drain after the wash cycle.
Dry while keeping the door closed: The new UltraFresh Vent System with OdorBlock™ creates a revolutionary new airflow at the touch of a button. After the wash cycle, the unit pulls in and circulates fresh air, removing moisture from the door, gasket and basket.
Defend with exclusive Microban® technology: The global leader in antimicrobial additives and odor control solutions developed a unique antimicrobial technology exclusively for the GE UltraFresh Front Load washers. Microban’s technology is built into the gasket, dispenser and pump during manufacturing to help prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria in parts of the washer where moisture could linger.
The new UltraFresh Front Load washers also introduce a variety of exciting features driven by consumer data and insights to make laundry easier and more enjoyable, including:

New Colors: Two new matte finishes – Satin Nickel and Sapphire Blue – join White and Diamond Gray to meet changing consumer color preferences. Matte finishes are at the forefront of design and help to create laundry rooms that no longer get banished to basements.
SmartDispense: Holds an entire bottle of liquid laundry detergent and senses the weight and fibers contained within each load, releases the perfect amount of detergent to do the job— without the mess of measuring or the need to store the bottle. Fill it and forget it for up to 32 loads.
Flexible Doors: Both the washer and dryer doors can be reversed to adapt to each laundry room’s configuration, making load-out and load-in to the dryer easier.
Large Capacity: holds more pants, towels and bedding with larger capacity offered in a shallow footprint.
Dynamic Balancing Technology (dBT)™: New balancing technology in the machines keeps cycles quiet and efficient by proactively sensing balanced loads before accelerating spin speeds.
Smart: UltraFresh Front Load washers and dryers are WiFi connected allowing for a remote start – so clothes don’t sit all day waiting to be moved from the washer to the dryer. Washer Link connects to the dryer to automatically modify cycle settings based on the most recent wash cycle completed.