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Coming
out of the recent Great Recession, the appliance
industry overall faces a great deal of uncertainty about the future.
Several appliance manufacturers are relying on Smart Grid and green
technology to increase appliance shipments through 2011. Samsung
Electronics Co. plans on using smart appliance technology to become the
biggest global producer of refrigerators in 2011, according to digital
appliance chief Hong Chang-wan. LG Electronics Inc. plans to
leverage its extensive library of consumer electronics technology
currently found in its cell phone and PC business in new smart
appliances.
Other
manufacturers plan to expand smart product
availability. Haier Group, for example, plans to bring its Smart Life
connected-appliance technology, already available in China, to the
United States. Smart Life-integrated refrigerators, air-conditioners,
and wine cellars use the Internet, mobile communication, and fixed
phone networks to let users control home appliances remotely.
Whirlpool
Corp., considered the world's biggest manufacturer
of major appliances, reported full-year 2010 net sales of $18.4
billion, up 7% over 2009. Through 2011, Whirlpool will remain focused
on getting the highest return on every unit, introducing higher-margin
appliances while achieving better efficiencies and finding growth in
emerging markets.
The
second-largest major appliance manufacturer, Electrolux,
showed a record profit and reached the operating margin target of 6%
for full-year 2010. Electrolux expects to see modest growth in 2011,
mostly occurring in the second half, despite the cost of raw materials
impacting company results. In Europe, the company is focusing much of
its effort on the growing, high-margin built-in appliance segment.
The
59th
Annual Appliance
Industry Forecast 2011 gives
professionals working in or
servicing the appliance industry insight with an understanding of the
short-term and long-term impact of the economic recession, market
challenges and opportunities, as well as valuable insight into consumer
buying trends.
The
59th
Annual Appliance
Industry Forecast 2011 is
available for purchase at:
http://www.appliancemagazine.com/marketresearch/index.php
For
more information, contact:
Amanda Wells
+1-215-944-9840
Amanda.wells@ubm.com
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