Russia
and Poland: Two new Plants
Merloni
Elettrodomestici announced in the UK recently a project to open a new
washing machine plant in Russia and a new refrigerator plant in Poland
and to double the capacity of the cooker plant already operating in Lodz,
in Poland. The project will cost a total 100m over three years.
This development of production capacity meets the need for a more even
balance between output levels in Eastern and Western Europe. 86% of the
Company's total production is provided by its plants in Western Europe,
though this region only delivers 67% of the Company's sales.
Further, while Western European markets are showing growth of slightly
over 2%, Eastern European markets are enjoying double-digit growth rates.
This extension of production capacity is geared to the Company's growth
objectives, especially in Eastern European markets.
Electrolux
Sponsors 2004 TRIC Awards
Electrolux
will be the headline sponsor of the star-studded Television and Radio
Industries Club (TRIC) Awards 2004. Due to take place on March 9th at
the Grosvenor House in Park Lane, London, the ceremony, which honours
the nation’s favourite famous faces, will be awash with celebrities
from the world of television and radio.
Originally formed to promote goodwill in the television and radio industries,
today the TRIC Awards has a reputation as an event not to be missed if
you want to keep up with the latest celebrity gossip.
The Awards, to be presented by Charlie Dimmock, include categories such
as ‘TV Programme of the Year’, ‘Radio Personality of the
Year’ and ‘New Talent’. The list of past winners reads
like a who’s who of the entertainment industry and includes Sara
Cox and Ant & Dec.
Says Sue Burgess, PR & Marketing Communications Manager for Electrolux
Home Products, ‘We are delighted to be the headline sponsors for
next year’s Awards – a ceremony that invites people from the
electrical retailing world to network and enjoy themselves, and meet a
whole host of stars. Previous years suggest that the celebrity antics
are as likely to end up in the showbiz gossip columns as in the trade
press, so book your seats now!’
ASA
Complaint about 'Baby in Fridge' Upheld
Following
a complaint, a regional press advertisement on behalf of Kitchens by Franklyn
Sheldon of Blackpool, Lancashire was investigated by the Advertising Standards
Authority. The complaint was upheld.
A householder objected via a Trading Standards department, to a regional
press advertisement for kitchens. The advertisement featured a young boy,
in a nappy, who was sitting in the doorway of an open fridge and holding
what seemed to be a bread roll; food was on his nose and around his mouth
and strewn about the floor by his feet. The complainant, who believed
that alcohol and medicines were also sometimes kept in the fridge, objected
that the advertisement was irresponsible because it showed a young child
in a potentially hazardous situation and could encourage emulation.
Adjudication:
Complaint upheld
The advertisers said the picture was taken from a brochure belonging to
one of their home improvement suppliers; they said the suppliers, who
shared the same creative agency, had given them permission to use the
image in their advertising campaign. The advertisers said they used the
image of the little boy to attract the attention of prospective customers;
they argued that they had not intended to endanger the lives of children
or lead them astray. The Authority noted the advertisers' comments. It
nevertheless concluded that, because it showed a child in a hazardous
situation, the advertisement was irresponsible and breached the Code.
The Authority asked the advertisers to withdraw the advertisement and
use a different approach in future.
The
Plain English Campaign Awards - Smeg gets a Golden Bull
Each
year, The Plain English Campaign presents awards for clear - and baffling
- use of English. The 2003 awards took place on Tuesday 2nd December (Plain English
Day).
The
Golden Bull awards
These awards are given for the year's worst examples of gobbledygook.
There are eight winners for 2003.
* Jungle.com
* Lloyd's Pharmacy
* Marks and Spencer
* SMEG
* The Social Fund maternity and funeral expenses (general) regulations
* Standard Life
* Warburtons Bakers
* Yousef El-Deiry (JMC Airlines)
SMEG: for the company's dishwasher instructions
The Plain English Campaign says 'For a top-of-the-range manufacturer of
dishwashers to produce an instruction manual like this is a disgrace.
It has presumably been poorly translated into English from its original
language, and contains such gems as the following.'
* 'At this point you must press contemporary the P1+P2 buttons and then
you will see that the first 3 pilot light programs will lid up.'
* 'during this phase the writing 'Time to end' flashes up.'
* 'This allows to make function the dishwasher at the time you want. By
pressing one after the oter button DELAY PROGRAM (5), it will be seen
on the display the vizualisation of delay hours numbers in which you want
to make start the machine from 12 hours onward.'
* 'The display will be turned on with a vizualisation that will depend
on the state of the dishwasher.'
* 'By pressing the relative button of desired program (see table) it will
lid up the relative pilot light to confirm that the operation did occurred
on the DISPLAY (9) will appear a program duration forecasting ('h.mm').
Correspondence manager Pauline Dewhurst sent the following letter:
'I am sorry to learn that one of our dishwasher instruction books has
won a Golden Bull Award. SMEG UK is aware that generic multi-lingual instruction
books can be confusing and sometime ago commissioned a UK company to investigate
a better way to produce informative instruction books which are easier
to understand.
'SMEG UK is aware that any instruction book, however well written, is
often the last point of reference when getting used to a new machine. For
this reason we have produced a set of 'Quick Start Guides' to assist customers
who are moving into new properties with several new products to get used
to.
'These guides are based on the assumption that the builder has installed
and tested the appliances prior to the customer moving into the house.
In this way, the guides can be simplistic, with the sole intention of
ensuring the user can set the machine up for first use safely and swiftly,
and then undertake the simplest programme, i.e. cooking a simple meal.
I enclose a copy of a 'Quick Start Guide' for your information and trust
this will assure you that SMEG UK is not just aware of the importance
of plain English, but is taking steps to improve the instruction books
supplied with our products.
'Although we are unable to attend your awards ceremony we trust that you
have an enjoyable day, and confirm that in time our instruction books
will be as technically advanced as our products.'
Twenty-seven
companies, some of whom have already booked for ASFI 2004 recently attended
an ASFI Exhibitor Day. The aim was to allow companies the opportunity
of seeing the new concept well in advance of the show. All units are of
the same format and will be provided free of charge, allowing products
to be shown to their maximum potential to visitors during the supplies
show on 10-13 October 2004.
Details were also given on the furniture, flooring and electrics to be
included within the stand packages. A designer was on hand all day advising
companies on how to achieve their maximum potential during the four day
show. ASFI’s main aim is to ensure that set-up becomes hassle free,
and that exhibitor’s can simply walk into the hall and hang up their
products!
Cheryl Lewis, Exhibition Manager was pleased with the number of companies
attending the Exhibitor Day, ‘Companies were really enthusiastic
and extremely positive about the new-look ASFI 2004.’
Miles Wilson of SM Imports, a new and expanding company supplying hardwood
panels, furniture and components who was also present on the day, utilised
ASFI’s Designer to help him further develop ideas for his company’s
stand. ‘The design of the Display Units really allows the products
to do the talking. The new show format also allows us the opportunity
of exhibiting side by side with more established companies. Not only have
we booked for the show, but we’ve joined the Association which gives
us a wide range of benefits as well as preferential rates for exhibiting.’
The next Exhibitor Day will take place on 27th January at ASFI’s
head office in Derby. For more information on this and ASFI 2004 contact
ASFI direct.
Tel: 01423 530586
Email: mailto:admin@asfi-expo.co.uk
Web: http://www.asfi-expo.co.uk
Chinese
Attitude to Life Changing: Poggenpohl opens Kitchen Studio in Beijing
Poggenpohl
Möbelwerke GmbH, the East-Westphalian kitchen manufacturer, has set
a distinct highlight for its Asia business with the opening of an exclusive
kitchen studio on Beijing’s Oriental Plaza, a boulevard in the Chinese
capital. Poggenpohl has been active on the Chinese market since 1997;
the company’s first showroom in Shanghai opened only a year ago.
More
than 300 guests – including numerous Chinese architects, project
developers and investors as well as 25 international Poggenpohl retailers
– attended Poggenpohl’s celebrations at the Oriental Plaza.
Embassy attaché Pit Hellmann and General Manager Hendrik Kretzer
of Poggenpohl’s partner Gaggenau in Singapore shared the official
opening with General Manager Elmar Duffner. 'We are looking forward to
great success in this pulsating city and on the rapidly growing Chinese
market,' said Duffner in Beijing. 'Our positive experiences in Shanghai
encourage us to expect this. The standard of living, the desire for quality
and the Chinese people’s brand awareness are all beginning to change.'
The member of the Swedish Nobia group now achieves more than two-thirds
of its turnover with exports of the Poggenpohl brand, of which 20% are
kitchens for the USA and 14% for Asia. The contract sector has dominated
there so far – the installation of luxury kitchens in hotels, multi-storey
buildings and large apartment complexes, the latter made more appealing
to potential buyers if they come with a Poggenpohl kitchen. The company
delivers to more than 60 countries, and world-wide has more than 200 exclusive
kitchen studios with the same unmistakable design.
Overall, the development of the 111-year-old traditional company is generally
pleasing. Orders received in 2003 were 15% higher than in the previous
year; production quantities 9% higher. Elmar Duffner is also looking forward
to clearly improved results, and in view of the presently poor state of
the total kitchen market in Germany is particularly pleased and relieved
– 'Luxury obviously pays.' Although consumer behaviour in general
has changed, enjoying life within their own four walls continues to matter
to higher income groups. This customer group has very discerning ideas
of quality that can only be met by a strong, clear brand.
Latest
Trend: Matching Radiators
Bisque
says that the latest trend is for pairs of radiators: it started with
his-and-hers bathrooms and is now becoming popular for every room in the
house.
'We're selling an extra-ordinary number of radiators in pairs', says Bisque
artistic director and Chairman, Paul Draper. 'Amongst professional designers
there's a definite move towards using identical radiators - either symmetrically
or asymmetrically - in a room scheme, however informal the décor.
It adds a sense of harmony.'
The Bisque B Squared Towel Radiator works particularly well in a pair,
creating a dramatic architectural feature. Combining classic and contemporary
style with its geometric cut-out pattern, B Squared is at ease with innovative
new designs for kitchen and bathroom accessories, adding the finishing
touch to an inviting space. And one or more chrome towel rails are an
elegant and effective way to keep towels dry.
Manufactured in Switzerland and available in central heating or electric
only versions. 3 sizes. Colours: white, aluminium, over 1000 colours.
Price: from £762.00.
Tel: 01225 478500
Web: http://www.bisque.co.uk
Miele
After-Sales Service in Pole Position in 2003
In
consumers’ opinion, Miele has the best after-sales service of all
domestic appliance manufacturers in Germany. In 2003, Miele service achieved
top spot yet again in the German ‘Kundenmonitor’ (consumer survey),
a position it has held ever since the poll was launched in 1992. In the
2003 survey, Miele was the best in the industry with a mark of 2.13. The
marks are awarded according to the German school marking scheme ranging
from 1 (excellent) to 6 (unsatisfactory).
With
this result, Miele clearly surpassed the industry average which competitors
even failed to achieve. When it comes to consumers wanting to use Miele
after-sales service again and recommending after-sales service to friends
and acquaintances, Miele also achieved first-class results (1.53 and 1.82
respectively). In the brand loyalty category, Miele was awarded top marks:
96% of Miele customers plan to buy a Miele appliance again.
92% of all Miele customers were satisfied with the after-sales service;
over two thirds were 'completely satisfied' or 'very satisfied'. When
giving reasons for their satisfaction, consumers were especially full
of praise for the prompt execution of service work, accomplished and fast
trouble-shooting, dependability and the friendly and courteous manner
of service technicians. Miele’s after-sales service was also praised
for reliability in keeping appointments.
The German ‘Kundenmonitor’ 2003 survey is based on an opinion
poll in which 25,377 consumers were questioned. Around 16% of those questioned
had called out after-sales service for an electrical domestic appliance
at least once.
Are
Spas & Hot Tubs the Biggest Rip Off in British Retail History?
If
you have a view on this Aegean Spas and Hot Tubs wants to know. Aegean
says it has always committed to an honest policy of offering the best
possible prices all year round, and not deliberately inflating prices
to then offer 'sale' prices.
'We never use people's ignorance of what spas and hot tubs actually cost
in North America to charge outrageous prices in Britain. However there
seems to be a growing number of companies who all charge between £4000
and £6000 more than the same spas are sold for in stores in the
USA or Canada and then routinely offer £3000 off 'sales' or for
ex display models. Many importers have a monopoly for a brand but still
claim to offer the best possible price for a branded package, when they
are in fact only competing against themselves with prices they have made
up in the first place. Some of the sales techniques being used show a
complete contempt for the intelligence of spa buyers and we are now seeing
companies looking to work together to 'grow the industry' no doubt to
their best interest and at the expense of competition.
'Amazingly even the new MD of a vacuum former in Britain who puts together
spas mostly from US components, has recently been quoted as wanting to
'work in partnership with our competitors' and is only interested in people
who 'want a decent profit' Recently there have even been threats and complaints
from importers who do not want price differences to be published and available
to the public. We feel certain activity in the UK spa market is not in
the public interest and are currently compiling an expost for the press
and a presentation for the Office of Fair Trading, so any comments you
have on price quotes or claims can be added.'
Tel:
020 8959 1529
Web: http://www.aegeanspa.co.uk
Wolseley
Enters the Swiss Market with the Acquisition of Tobler for CHF118m (£52m)
Wolseley
plc, the specialist trade distributor of plumbing,heating and building
material products, announced on 1st December that one of its wholly owned
subsidiaries had acquired Tobler Management Holding AG ('Tobler') from
CapVis, a financial investor. The acquisition of Tobler is in line with
Wolseley's strategy of wider expansion of its operations into new geographies,
and Wolseley now has a presence in 13 countries. The cash consideration
of CHF118 million (£52 million), including net debt acquired, was
financed from Wolseley's existing resources. The acquisition completed
on 28th November 2003.
The Tobler business
With a market share of around 22%, Tobler is the leading wholesaler for
heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and 'behind the wall' sanitation
products in Switzerland and is also one of the leading providers of technical
maintenance services. For the year ended 31st December 2002, Tobler reported
sales of CHF 236 million (£105 million) and operating profit, before
goodwill amortisation, of CHF15.8 million (£7.0 million). Net assets,
excluding debt, at that date were
CHF 76 million (£34 million). Tobler employs approximately 600 people
in its network of 21 branches which are supported by six 'super branches'.
The key operational management of Tobler will remain with the business
and join the Wolseley group reporting to Gerard Legtmann, Wolseley's Chief
Executive Officer Europe.
Financial effects of acquisition
The Tobler acquisition will be earnings enhancing from the outset and
the return on capital in the first full year of trading is expected to
be in excess of Wolseley's current weighted average cost of capital.
This is Wolseley's fourth acquisition since the beginning of the financial
year on 1st August 2003, taking total acquisition spend to £66 million.
These acquisitions are expected to add an additional £142 million
to group sales in a full year.
Charlie Banks, Group Chief Executive, said:
'We are delighted to announce this acquisition which is in line with our
strategy to expand our operations in continental Europe. Tobler is an
excellent company and, as the leader in the Swiss market, it provides
Wolseley with a platform for further organic growth. We look forward to
welcoming the Tobler management and employees into the Wolseley group
and to driving the business forward together.'
Whirlpool
Home Appliances Announces Winner of Second Annual Acuubake System Unique
Cake Contest
Sandi
Klingler of Auburn, Alabama turned her everyday life experiences into
$5,000 and a new Whirlpool range when her Big Fat Bumpy Life Cake won
first-place at the second annual Whirlpool® Home Appliances Accubake®
System Unique Cake contest. Mrs. Klingler - with husband Bill and
daughters McLaurine, 11, and Mary Ashton, 8, by her side - edged nine
other finalists that competed for the grand prize last week at Whirlpool
Corporation's new Insperience Studio™ in Atlanta.
'The recipe has changed here and there over the years, just like real
life, but it all turned out alright in the end,' Mrs. Klingler said. 'I
have been making the cake for 12 or 13 years now, but we just came up
with the name last year. I think it fits perfectly.'
Whirlpool selected the 10 finalists from the more than 400 cake recipes
submitted. Gale Gand of the Food Network show Sweet Dreams served
as the lead judge and was assisted by Better Homes & Gardens home
economist Lynn Blanchard, Nestle food specialist Holly Strauch, Whirlpool
home economist Lyn Cook and Whirlpool cooking brand manager Aida Torres. The
cakes were judged on four main criteria: story behind the cake, originality,
ease of recipe and taste.
Here's how Mrs. Klingler described the story behind her winning recipe:
'This unique, crazy looking cake is always a show stopper or at least
a cake of amusement. In the beginning, the cake did not have a name. It
had been eaten at our annual family reunion for many years. Then just
last year, the cake was named.
'Our family meets and greets and eats. We recount the highs and lows of
our last year. We laugh and cry, dance, play and sing. Then it is time
to feast. Everyone brings a favourite family dish to share. As the sun
sets, the family settles down for coffee and dessert. The children eye
the desserts, and tiny fingers point at the big funny looking cake sitting
next to Grandma Lucy's cake plate. The snickers turn into ooohs and ahhhs
as the cake bearing our family's native nut is eagerly devoured. The conversation
turns to our pecan production and how the bountiful harvest last year
gave way to a failed crop this year, but how things will get better next
year. Then my 11 year daughter, overhearing and studying the conversation
in all seriousness, proclaims that the cake should be called 'My Big Fat
Bumpy Life Cake' because life has its bumps, but is also sweet and good
like a cake. The serious conversation stopped abruptly and the family
laughed. So from now on, to soothe the bumps in life, our family tradition
is the Big Fat Bumpy Life Cake.'
Winning Cake Recipe
Cake:
2 1ž2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1ž2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butter flavour shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
4 eggs
1 can 14 oz. sweetened condensed milk - divided
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup buttermilk
1ž2 cup cocoa powder
1 cup hot water
Icing:
1ž4 cup butter shortening
Reserved sweetened condensed milk
1 cup powdered sugar
Drizzle:
1/3 cup cocoa powder
3 tablespoons vegetable oil (like Wesson)
Topping:
1ž2 cup miniature marshmallow, halved
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans
Cake:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 12 cup bundt pan with a spray such
as Baker's Joy. Measure 1/3 cup of the sweetened condensed milk for the
cake. Reserve the rest for the icing. Combine flour, soda, salt and cinnamon
together in a med. Bowl. Set aside. In a large mixer bowl combine 1 cup
butter shortening, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, 1/3 cup sweetened condensed
milk and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy
and fluffy. Add buttermilk and 1ž2 cup cocoa powder. Beat until blended.
Add flour mixture and beat on low to blend. Beat at medium speed for 5
minutes. Stir in hot water with a spoon until just blended. Batter will
be thinner. Pour in prepared Bundt cake pan. Bake for 35 to 50 minutes
until a toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool 5 minutes in
pan then remove to a serving plate, fluted side up. Cool 20 minutes.
Combine icing ingredients and beat at medium speed until smooth. Combine
drizzle in a small bowl. Ice warm cake with icing, allow hole in middle
to fill if you like. Sprinkle with marshmallow and pecans. Decorate with
chocolate drizzle. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Please see http://www.whirlpool.com
or email mailto:accubake.whirlpool@pr21.com
for the other finalist recipes.