Feature Articles
page 26
Quality & Testing
Use of Gage R&R in Developing Metrics for Subjective Data
by Aruna Pochampally, senior consumer scientist and Barbara Godden, senior research technician, Whirlpool Corporation
With the proper utilization of Six Sigma tools like Gage R&R studies, the development of metrics for evaluating subjective characteristics becomes possible.
page 45
55th Annual Appliance Industry Forecast: Latin
Finding the Key
by Lisa Bonnema, Senior Editor
With continued growth in the forecast, the Latin American appliance industry confronts a list of challenges while hoping to capitalize on an emerging market.
page 48
55th Annual Appliance Industry Forecast: Europe
Putting Optimism into Practice
by Lisa Bonnema, Senior Editor
The European appliance industry saw growth in 2006, and most expect the same in 2007, provided that OEMs continue to address issues such as pricing and competition.
page 50
55th Annual Appliance Industry Forecast: Asia
Asia’s Giant Potential
by Adite Chatterjee, India Correspondent
The Asia-Pacific region, anchored by China and India, continues growing into an appliance industry market and manufacturing giant.
page 53
55th Annual Appliance Industry Forecast: Middle East
Mid East Appliance Boom
by Adite Chatterjee, India Correspondent
Several thriving economies in the Middle East are experiencing a booming housing market, which in turn creates substantial appliance industry opportunities.
page 57
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers
Addressing External Factors
by Joseph M. McGuire, president, Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM)
If I could provide the readers of APPLIANCE with a useful economic forecast for the appliance industry in 2007 I would. While AHAM tracks industry shipments for a wide variety of home appliances, providing important empirical information for business leaders, we do not employ a team of economists to forecast future industry performance. We leave that to our members, the economists and analysts that follow our sector.
page 58
Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute
2007: ARI Looks Ahead
by William G. Sutton, president, Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute (ARI)
2006 was a year of challenge for our industry. Shortly after the year began—on January 23, to be exact—the new federal minimum efficiency standard of 13 SEER went into effect for residential central air-conditioners and heat pumps.
page 59
Consumer Electronics Association
Digital Challenges, Digital Growth
by Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)
The consumer electronics industry is a global juggernaut—known for innovative R&D, design, software development, efficient production, and creative marketing. From the largest plasma TV to the hippest multimedia phone to the tiniest digital memory card, consumers worldwide love our products.
page 61
Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association
GAMA’s Forecast for 2007
by Jack W. Klimp, president, Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
It is with considerable reluctance that I ever agree to predict the future. I cannot help but remember the lament of the great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy that there are many predictions of rain in the newspapers, but squeeze those papers as strongly as you can and you will never get a single drop of water out of any of them.
page 63
International Housewares Association
Innovation, Convenience and Style
by Phil Brandl, president, International Housewares Association (IHA)
Small appliance sales are being fueled by innovations that save time, offer multiple uses and bring a coordinated sense of style and color to kitchens and other rooms in the home—rooms that are being expanded to accommodate non-traditional activities.
page 67
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute
Cautiously Optimistic
by William Harley, president and CEO, Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI)
The two words that describe the outdoor power equipment (OPE) industry are “cautious optimism.”
page 81
International AHR Expo
2007 International AHR Expo Exhibitor Highlights
The 2007 International AHR Expo will encompass the entire Dallas Convention Center, Dallas, Texas, Jan. 29-31 to accommodate the increased numbers of exhibitors. |
