May 2008
Guest Editorial - European Vending Focuses on Power
The European vending industry proactively addresses efficiency concerns with a new protocol for measuring power cosumption.

February 2008
European Association of Household Appliance Producers Editorial - Beyond "A"—Tomorrow’s Energy Label
A new energy-labeling system can help Europe achieve its targets for energy-efficiency improvements and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

January 2008
Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers Editorial - A New Year with Familiar Issues
As I look ahead to 2008, scanning the environment for significant trends and challenges for home appliance manufacturers and their suppliers, the picture looks quite familiar.

January 2008
Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute Editorial - 2008: The Industry Comes Together
2007 saw our industry weathering the effects of the U.S. 13 SEER federal minimum standard while facing a sharp decline in housing starts, a depressed housing resale market, and increased regulatory scrutiny both here and abroad. 2008 promises more of the same, but there are reasons for optimism.

January 2008
Consumer Electronics Association Editorial - Consumer Technology Rocks
Global consumers today embrace digital products to access information, education, and entertainment, and to stay connected to work, family, and friends. Technology allows products to be portable, personalized, and interconnected.

January 2008
Outdoor Power Equipment Institute Editorial - A Tough Year for Outdoor Power Equipment
There really isn’t a way to sugarcoat the news. It was a tough year for the outdoor power equipment industry.

January 2008
International Housewares Association Editorial - Small Appliance Market Will Stay Strong
We’re all familiar with the slowdown in a housing market that was white hot until recently. The question is how that and other economic factors in play right now will impact the small appliance sector of the housewares industry.

November 2007
Guest Editorial - Doing Business in China the Italian Way
European appliance producer Candy plans to succeed in China by carefully applying its industry know-how, manufacturing expertise, an understanding of marketing needs, and a great deal of patience.

September 2007
Guest Editorial: Energy Efficiency Standards - Common Ground
Energy efficiency standards will give Central American companies a more productive and competitive edge.

May 2007
Guest Editorial - Environmental Concerns Drive Inverter Control


March 2007
Executive Corner - Going Global and Green
Danfoss A/S is a leading global supplier of commercial and industrial components and controls for the HVAC/R industry. It has facilities in more than 50 countries, with its most recent growth in China and the U.S. Its business in North America is growing 40 percent a year, while its China-based operations are growing 35 percent a year.

January 2007
Guest Editorial - Solving a Chinese Puzzle
I arrived at the conclusion quite some time ago that sales and marketing are not too dissimilar from brain surgery: If you know what you are doing, it’s actually pretty straightforward. First, clearly define what needs to be done, then decide how to do it, and finally, using your knowledge and skills, get on with it.

November 2006
Guest Editorial - Will the German Appliance Market Flourish in 2007?
With about 39 million households and one-fifth of sales volume, Germany represents the largest market for home appliances in Europe. For the past few years, news from the German market has been anything but promising. Economic growth has been well below the European average, unemployment rates have been high and disposable incomes stagnant, with business sluggish. In 2004 and 2005, the market volume fell each year by 1 percent.

October 2006
Guest Editorial - Consensus is Key to Advancing Our Industries
I am honored to take the reins as chairman of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association (GAMA) for 2006-2007. Our previous chairman, Tom Huntington of York International, served us with great judgment and leadership, and he will be a tough act to follow.

September 2006
Coeditorial - Ventas de electrodomésticos: El impacto del crédito al consumidor
La América Latina, con frecuencia considerada como una sola región, es un desafío para que las marcas de aparatos de venta al retal la penetren, pero es un mercado atractivo para los productores globales.

September 2006
Electrical Manufacturing - An Educational Experience
If you manufacture appliances, or if you are a supplier to the appliance industry, there are two events being held at the Indianapolis Convention Center (Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.) Sept. 18–21, 2006, that you will want to attend.

September 2006
Guest Editorial - The Spirit of Volunteerism
We all remember the famous quote by the patriot and Revolutionary War hero Nathanial Hale “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”

August 2006
Guest Editorial - Enlightened Design is Crucial
In today’s highly competitive and consolidating housewares market, the importance of innovation through design cannot be overestimated, particularly in appliances.

May 2006
Guest Editorial - Another Perspective on RoHS
One cannot pick up a trade publication or surf an industry Web site these days without seeing something (and often quite a bit) about RoHS.

April 2006
Guest Editorial - A Pivotal Time
ARI continues to focus on improving life and the environment, with ingenuity, drive and spirit.

March 2006
A Time to Play it Safe
Safety continues to come first in the gas appliance industries. I am grateful to APPLIANCE for giving me the opportunity to discuss a matter of importance to all of us, business people, journalists and consumers alike-that is the matter of safety. I'm proud to say that safety has always come first with GAMA's industries.

January 2006
54th Annual Appliance Industry Forecasts - GAMA's Forecast for 2006
As GAMAs new president, I am pleased to provide this 2006 forecast for GAMAs industries.

September 2005
Guest Editorial - AHAM's Global Perspective
A year ago in this space, I mentioned that the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) was updating its strategic plan in order to refresh the blueprint for making sure the association remains vital in this industry’s desire to serve customers and provide value. One important element of AHAM’s revised plan is the association’s need to focus on growth, just as its members do.

September 2005
Coeditorial - ¿Es Méjico el Espejo de la Realidad Latinoamericana?
Los constantes cambios experimentados en el entorno económico internacional han tenido impacto en los mercados mundiales y la industria mejicana de aparatos domésticos no ha sido la excepción.

May 2005
Guest Editorial - Defense of the Realm: Asian Influence on European Design Practices
Many of you reading this article will be involved with the new product development (NPD) process and will have a keen interest in the activities and practices of Asian manufacturers.

April 2005
Guest Editorial - Improving Life and the Environment
According to a poll conducted by The Henry Ford Foundation in Dearborn, MI, U.S. and America Online, the top innovation during the last 75 years that most influenced American life was air-conditioning. This poll of more than 2.5 million people demonstrates the impact that our industry continues to have on the way people live and work.

January 2005
The Open Door - Implementing Toyota’s Product Development System
Most people involved in manufacturing today are well versed in the Toyota Production System—the basis of lean production.

January 2005
Appliance Industry Association Forecasts - Air-Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute - 2005 Outlook is Bright
For the first time ever, manufacturer shipments of central air-conditioners and air source heat pumps—buoyed by continued growth in housing and coupled with a strong replacement market—are expected to exceed 7.2 million units. Year-end figures, due out in February, may show that shipments in 2004 eclipsed the 6,807,262 units shipped in 2003 by more than 5 percent to achieve a third consecutive record year.

January 2005
Appliance Industry Association Forecasts - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers - AHAM 2005 Forecast
Home appliance makers are prepared for 2005 with individual company goals and plans. Competitively they will engage and collectively they will continue to deliver value and innovation to the consumer. Manufacturer strategies must stand up against many factors that cannot be predicted in January. These include the health of the economy, interest rates, consumer confidence, the weather, costs of materials, energy, and the like.

January 2005
Appliance Industry Association Forecasts - Consumer Electronics Association - A Bright Future Beckons
I am proud to be part of an industry that not only is exciting and dynamic, but also profoundly shapes the world with its products and technologies. We’ve redefined work and play. And we’ll continue to lead the way to fulfill demand for more access to information, entertainment, and education for people around the globe.

January 2005
Appliance Industry Association Forecasts - Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association - Taking Action for a Healthy 2005
It is always a challenge to forecast how our industries will fare in the coming year. Like Dr. Niels Bohr of nuclear physics fame, I firmly believe that “prediction is very difficult, especially about the future.” With apologies to Dr. Bohr, I will nevertheless hazard a few projections.

January 2005
Appliance Industry Association Forecasts - International Housewares Association - Raw Material Hikes Make Innovation a “Must” in 2005
The year 2004 looked to be on solid ground mid-way through the fourth quarter, and the mood for 2005 is conservatively optimistic among IHA’s small appliance members.

January 2005
Appliance Industry Association Forecasts - Outdoor Power Equipment Institute - Moderate Growth Expected in 2005
Strong retail sales and consumption spending in the past year indicate that consumers are actively participating in the marketplace. Moreover, considering energy prices and the soft labor market, this is encouraging and likely translates into moderate sustainable growth over the long run.

January 2005
Guest Editorial - Free and Fair Trade with China
“Let China sleep,” said Napoleon, “for when she wakes the world will tremble.” Toward the end of last year, I shared a meeting with a Chinese refrigerator manufacturer I had never heard of. A colleague murmured in my ear, “Their capacity is big enough to supply the entire EU market.” Start trembling, baby.

December 2004
Guest Editorial - Developing Harmonized North American Safety Standards
The last 100 hundred years has been a remarkable period for the HVAC/R industry. In 1902, the world witnessed the invention of the air-conditioner. Thirteen years later, it saw the birth of the first corporation dedicated to improving air-conditioning technology. By mid-century, what had started as industrial equipment grew into the U.S. $70-billion HVAC/R global industry we know today. Even now, it is the U.S. industry that leads in product development, technical knowledge, and standards development.

November 2004
Guest Editorial - Looking Beyond the Borders
On March 15, 1958, about 80 representatives from Europe’s household appliance producers gathered in Paris, France to talk about the future of the appliance industry and the European market. Things have changed immeasurably since then, not least the way the industry organizes and represents itself to Europe’s decision makers. But some questions are still on the table, albeit rephrased for a new age.

November 2004
Guest Editorial - Social Compliance: A New Dimension of Product Quality
Over the past 7 years, manufacturers have been challenged to respond to a new dimension of product quality—working conditions in the factories of their supply chain partners. There have been a number of drivers of this phenomenon, including negative media pressure, activist demonstrations, shareholder resolutions, and consumer inquiries.

October 2004
Guest Editorial - AHAM Focusing on the Future
Having always believed strongly in the value of AHAM as our industry’s national trade association, it is an honor to serve as chairman of the board of directors for the next 2 years. My time spent as chairman of AHAM’s Major Appliance Division Board reinforced my belief of how important it is to our industry and our customers that we give priority to addressing industry-wide issues.

September 2004
Guest Editorial - Update on Europe’s Smart Home Platform
Further milestones have been reached in the development of CHAIN, the interoperability platform for European household appliances that was launched in late-2003 by CECED (the European Committee of Manufacturers of Domestic Equipment).

August 2004
Guest Editorial - A Year of Impact
Earlier this year, I was honored by the members of GAMA when they elected me chairman of the distinguished, 69-year-old organization. GAMA is the national trade association representing U.S. manufacturers of appliances, components, and related products used in space heating, water heating, commercial foodservice, and power generation.

May 2004
Guest Editorial - Design Considerations of Home Automation
What lies behind the front door of homes is changing dramatically and quickly. The much-talked about digital home of tomorrow is increasingly becoming the digital home of today. A number of technologies, including broadband and wireless access and distribution, are finding wholesome hospitality as consumers progressively go digital in pursuit of enhancing their lives and making their days more manageable.

April 2004
Guest Editorial - Showcase for Innovation
From a perch high above acres of exhibits at the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration expo at the Anaheim Convention Center you could hear the vibrant sound of thousands of conversations from eager enthusiasts of a growth industry on a mission - to improve the quality of life for billions more people around the world.

March 2004
Guest Editorial - Are Consumers Nesting or Connecting?
The eventual success of many product development projects rests on a company's ability to predict the future needs of the consumer. For the home products industries, those needs are defined by the way in which the consumer feels about the home. In the U.S., there appears to be conflicting signs as to whether consumers are seeking the safety and comfort of home or are using the home as a connection point, welcoming the outside world both digitally and actually.

February 2004
Coeditoriales - Se anticipa un mejor clima comercial en la región latinoamericana
Este mercado que con frecuencia fue ignorado en el pasado, se presenta ahora como una región atractiva para desarrollar negocios como resultado de una economía en franco crecimiento y las negociaciones en curso para un Tratado de Libre Comercio.

January 2004
Guest Editorials - Appliance Industry Association Forecasts
The leaders of many of the most important associations share their thoughts on the state of the appliance industry.

January 2004
Association Forecasts - International Housewares Association - Design, Innovation, New Technology are Key to 2004 Growth
Design, innovation, branding, and new technology are the keys to growth and profitability in today's changing retail environment. Each will be critical as suppliers strive to build product uniqueness and consumer loyalty - and not incidentally, profitability.

January 2004
Association Forecasts - Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) - 2004 Industry Forecast
The home appliance industry and its primary trade association, the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) will be moving into 2004 with great momentum. After several years of strong industry shipments, increased participation, and activity within our organization, including the expected merger of the Vacuum Cleaner Manufacturers Association (VCMA) into AHAM, we will remain energized and focused on our mission: to serve a growing industry.

January 2004
Association Forecasts - Outdoor Power Equipment Institute - OPEI Forecast
Recent economic stimulus and other positive factors led to a powerful growth spurt in the third quarter of this year and a 7.2-percent expansion of the U.S. economy. Accordingly, Model Year 2003 ended on a high note for the outdoor power equipment industry, and in turn, OPEI has an optimistic outlook for Model Year 2004. This is also supported by very positive economic news from the U.S. Commerce Department.

January 2004
Association Forecasts - Consumer Electronics Association - Focus On CE
At the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), our mission is simple - to grow the consumer electronics industry. We are much more than the producers of the world's largest and greatest consumer technology event - the International CES. With more than 110,000 technology professionals from more than 100 countries, the International CES truly is the world's gathering place for consumer technology. But CEA also works on behalf of the industry 365 days a year, from industry promotions, to standards activities, to training, to promoting the industry's policy agenda.

January 2004
Association Forecasts - Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association - 2004 GAMA Forecast
GAMA, an association of appliance and equipment manufacturers, greets 2004 with optimism as we capitalize on our manufacturers' innovation, vision, and accomplishments during the past year. Additionally, we see the appliance and equipment manufacturing industries benefiting from a solid upturn in the U.S. economy.

January 2004
Association Forecasts - Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute - Stronger Economy Brightens HVAC/R Outlook
An accelerating U.S. economy, buoyed by strong productivity growth and historically low interest rates, promises in 2004 to reduce unemployment. That is good news for the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry, which has been waiting for manufacturing and office construction to catch up to the sizzling home building market.

November 2003
Guest Editorial: European Manufacturing - Manufacturing for Eastern Europe
Eastern Europe, which is changing politically and economically at a speed we could not dream of 15 years ago, is becoming a new and important market for the appliance industry and, at the same time, a new manufacturing base for our industry.

October 2003
Guest Editorial - Eating the Elephant
If you perceive a scolding as you scan this article, you are partially correct. We should all be more aggressive in protecting our future. Let me try to explain the circumstances of U.S. manufacturing as I understand them.

September 2003
Coeditoriales - Instituto de Aire Acondicionado y Refrigeración - Sistemas de aire acondicionado y refrigeración en el continente americano: Asociación en pos del confort y la calidad
La importancia de LatinoamÈrica y Estados Unidos como socios comerciales en la industria de los productos de aire acondicionado y refrigeraciÛn pone de relieve excelentes oportunidades para los fabricantes, distribuidores, instaladores y clientes de ambas regiones.

September 2003
Coeditoriales - Latinoamérica: Los desafíos de crecer en una región con cambios constantes
Cualquier análisis de Latinoamérica es un gran desafío, especialmente si la cuestión es el complejo mercado de la refrigeración. Esta región está sujeta a constantes transformaciones políticas, económicas y sociales. Las crisis financieras van y vienen, siendo ésta la razón por la cual las compañías planifican con mucho cuidado sus acciones cuando hacen negocios con países latinoamericanos.

August 2003
Guest Editorial - Extending Our Reach
Earlier this year, I was elected chairman of GAMA, the national trade association of the manufacturers of water heating and space heating equipment and components. I've been involved in GAMA activities for a number of years, and I've come to know many of you, not only in the manufacturing sector of the appliance industry but in the retailing, distributing, marketing, and advertising sectors as well.

August 2003
Guest Editorial: Section 201 Steel Tariffs - The Appliance Industry Will Benefit from the 201 Steel Program
A strong and competitive domestic steel industry is a prerequisite to a strong and competitive domestic manufacturing base. Many of our customers understand the importance of the steel 201 remedy and the positive long-term impacts that it will provide to U.S. steel-consuming industries.

August 2003
Guest Editorial: Section 201 Steel Tariffs - Appliance Associations Urge End to Steel Tariffs
The appliance industry is an important contributor to the U.S. economy and enriches the lives of many consumers. Our industry manufactures products that are purchased by millions of consumers who expect them to be reasonably priced, energy efficient, and of the highest quality.

July 2003
Guest Editorial - Ask Congress to Support Training of Skilled Workers
Thanks to the significant amount of technological advancements that have taken place within the air-conditioning and refrigeration industry, American consumers enjoy a quality of life unimaginable to earlier generations.

June 2003
Guest Editorial - (More) Reasons You Can't Install a Fuel Cell in Your Home Today
Think of it. A generator so clean burning that one could drink its exhaust and so consumer-friendly that a whisper-quiet box the size of a small refrigerator could supply both the power and heat needed for any U.S. home.

May 2003
Guest Editorial - Europe’s Multidevice Brand Battle
Today’s consumers often buy technology as single items, and each device comes with its own uses, benefits, and brands. However, tomorrow’s consumers will look holistically at their technology buying: An increase in communication between devices will drive a blurring of physical device boundaries. Sony is the only major brand manufacturing and marketing a multidevice vision today, but even Sony’s strategy won’t be enough to win the hearts, minds, and wallets of tomorrow’s multidevice consumers.

January 2003
European Edition - Guest Editorial - Security: Home Automation's Next Step
The appliance industry is now at a point where it is ready to make some money in the so-called "Home Automation affair." The efforts are now fully being directed toward the specification and design of architectures that would guarantee an affordable level of satisfaction of investors and possibly of customers.