Latest news with #refrigerators
CTV News
a day ago
- Business
- CTV News
Durham Region chair pushes back against councillor who questioned purchase of refrigerators
Region of Durham Chair John Henry pictured in this screengrab from a video posted on the region's website on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. The chair of the Region of Durham is pushing back after a councillor questioned the purchase of refrigerators, which he claimed were each worth $4,000, for the region's headquarters. 'Enough is enough,' John Henry, the regional chair and CEO, said in a video statement posted on Wednesday afternoon. 'Regionally, we're committed to using public funds responsibly, making decisions that support long-term value.' The statement came hours after Regional Councillor Chris Leahy issued a news release claiming that 'whistleblowers' sent him evidence regarding the refrigerators the regional government bought as part of the kitchen renovations at its headquarters. Leahy said he received messages in the wake of the controversy over the Durham Region headquarters' new revolving doors. READ MORE | 'I guess we have money to blow': More fallout in Durham Region over pricey new front doors 'Two people sent me photographs of the refrigerators, including the make and model number label posted prominently on the inside. A quick internet search revealed that this model of refrigerator currently retails for $4,000,' Leahy said in the news release. CTV News has not seen the photos of the refrigerators. He added that the four renovated kitchens each have four refrigerators, inferring that the regional government may have spent as much as $64,000 for the appliances. 'We do not yet know how much Durham Region actually spent. But even people with a little knowledge of the industry practice will tell you, it's likely taxpayers paid for extended warranties which could quickly push the costs up by 10 per cent,' Leahy claimed in his statement. 'On the other hand, I am hopeful taxpayers received a volume discount.' The regional councillor for Whitby revealed that he plans to introduce a motion to the Committee of the Whole next month asking for the cost of the renovations. Leahy noted that the renovations to the headquarters and other facilities had an approved budget of $53.8 million. 'This most recent revelation makes my motions for full disclosure of the renovation costs even more relevant,' he said. In the video responding to Leahy's claims, Henry pointed out that the councillor is a member of the finance committee and thus he has looked at the cost and 'knows that everything went and goes through the proper channels with oversight and transparency.' 'While some councillors may choose to focus on generating headlines, our focus remains on the work that matters, delivering services and solutions that improve the lives of Durham residents every day,' Henry said. The chair did not disclose in his statement how much the region spent on the refrigerators but urged residents to reach out if they have questions.
Washington Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Washington Post
GE Appliances shifts more production to US as part of a $3 billion investment
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — GE Appliances plans to shift production of refrigerators, gas ranges and water heaters out of China and Mexico as part of a more than $3 billion investment to expand its U.S. operations in Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee and South Carolina. The investment — the second-largest in the Louisville-based company's history — is expected to add more than 1,000 jobs while ramping up domestic production and modernizing plants in the next five years. 'Our long-term strategy is about manufacturing close to our customers,' said CEO Kevin Nolan. 'With lean manufacturing, upskilling our workforce and automation, the math works for manufacturing in the United States.' The majority of GE's appliance production is already in the U.S. and the shift means only that the company will transfer more work to its domestic plants. GE will relocate production of gas ranges from Mexico to a plant in Georgia, while six refrigerator models now made in China will be manufactured at its Alabama plant, the company said. In June, the company said it would move production of clothes washers from China to its sprawling manufacturing complex in Louisville. The reshoring announcements come as President Donald Trump tries to lure factories back to the United States by imposing import taxes — tariffs — on foreign goods. GE Appliances said Wednesday that the first phase of its new investment will begin at plants in five Southern states — Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina. 'We are defining the future of manufacturing at GE Appliances by investing in our plants, people and communities,' Nolan said. 'No other appliance company over the last decade has invested more in U.S. manufacturing than we have, and our $3 billion, five-year plan shows that our commitment to U.S. manufacturing will continue into the future.' The multiyear plan includes ramping up production of gas ranges that have been made in Mexico but will shift to the company's plant in LaFayette, Georgia, the company said. Production of six refrigerators now made in China will move to its plant in Decatur, Alabama. GE's plant in Camden, South Carolina, will add production of electric and hybrid heat pump water heaters, doubling the factory's output and employment once the project is complete, the company said. The plant now produces gas water heaters. Production of the company's electric and hybrid water heaters — now made in China — will shift to South Carolina. In Selmer, Tennessee, its plant will produce two new models of air conditioners. The latest investment includes the June announcement that GE Appliances will pump $490 million into its Kentucky complex to produce a combo washer/dryer and a lineup of front load washers that are now made in China. In all, production of more than 15 models of front load washers will shift to the company's Louisville complex — known as Appliance Park, it said. Once its new plan is fully implemented, GE Appliances will have invested $6.5 billion across its 11 U.S. manufacturing plants and nationwide distribution network since 2016, it said. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said Wednesday that the investment shows his state's ability to support world-class companies with a skilled workforce and the resources needed to thrive. 'GE Appliances has established Kentucky as America's destination for advanced manufacturing and job creation, and today's news shows this iconic company's unwavering belief in the commonwealth and the role we play in their success,' Beshear said. GE Appliances handles product design and engineering work at its Louisville headquarters but doesn't make all of its products in the U.S. It contracts with other manufacturers, including in China, for some of its production where it doesn't have capacity or needs access to a global supply chain. The company said its core business strategy is to base production in the United States, and investments announced in June and on Wednesday are another step toward achieving that goal. The company said it's partnering with universities, technical schools and high schools to help ensure that its plants and other facilities have a trained workforce. 'Infrastructure and tools matter, but they are not enough,' said Bill Good, vice president of supply chain for GE Appliances. 'America's manufacturing renaissance will be built by people.' GE Appliances is a subsidiary of the China-based Haier company. Overall, GE Appliances says it contributes more than $30 billion annually to the U.S. economy and supports more than 113,000 jobs – both directly and indirectly – through its operations, suppliers and distribution network.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Household Refrigerators And Freezers Market Is Poised To Reach Valuation Of US$ 147.45 Billion by 2033
The household refrigerators and freezers market holds significant growth potential driven by energy-efficient technologies, rising urbanization, premiumization trends, and increasing demand in developing regions, supported by innovative financing, and evolving consumer preferences globally. Chicago, July 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global household refrigerators and freezers market was valued at US$ 101.82 billion in 20224 and is expected to reach US$ 147.45 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 4.20% during the forecast period 2025–2033. The household refrigerators and freezers market is experiencing a sweeping realignment as regulators from California to South Korea tighten minimum energy-performance thresholds, compelling manufacturers to rethink compressor platforms, insulation foams, and algorithmic temperature control. In 2024 the United States Department of Energy introduced test-procedure revisions that add low-load conditions, while the European Union's shift to Energy Label Class 'C' has effectively pushed R-134a units out of mainstream retail. Chinese Tier-1 OEMs such as Haier, Midea, and Hisense have therefore accelerated variable-speed inverter roll-outs, moving from legacy single-speed models to high-efficiency dual-evaporator flagships. Component suppliers confirm the trend, noting that global shipments of micro-controller-based smart compressors climbed to 48 million units last year, underscoring the pace of retrofitting. Download Sample Pages: Outside established economies, the household refrigerators and freezers market is also shaped by voluntary labels pioneered in India, Brazil, and Saudi Arabia that reward models consuming under 300 kilowatt-hours annually, spurring cross-border technology transfer. Whirlpool's Pune R&D center, for instance, adapted vacuum-insulated panels once reserved for Japanese apartments to meet India's Star-5 criteria, trimming cabinet thickness by nearly an inch without shrinking net capacity. Similar material-science gains are emerging in Latin America, where Electrolux is testing aerogel door gaskets sourced from Chilean start-ups. Because energy cost is the single most visible lifetime expense, retailers report that search-filter usage for 'energy saver' tags grew fivefold on leading e-commerce portals in 2024, confirming that efficiency narratives now directly affect conversion rates. Key Findings in Household Refrigerators and Freezers Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 147.45 billion CAGR 4.20% Largest Region (2024) Asia Pacific (36%) By Door Type Double Door (65%) By Structure Freestanding (55%) Top Drivers Rising demand for smart refrigerators with automated defrost features Increasing consumer preference for energy-efficient appliances to reduce costs Urbanization and growing middle-class incomes in emerging economies Top Trends Adoption of refrigerators with customizable storage and modular designs Growth in demand for larger freezers due to bulk food storage Expansion of smart refrigerators with AI and IoT integration Top Challenges High production costs for advanced refrigerators with smart technologies Supply chain disruptions impacting raw material availability and manufacturing Regulatory pressures for eco-friendly refrigerants and energy compliance Consumer Financing Innovations Expand Ownership Among Lower Income Households Globally The household refrigerators and freezers market is unlocking latent demand among lower-income consumers through inventive financing vehicles that spread risk across data-driven micro-installment models. In 2024 Indonesia's Akulaku teamed with Sharp to bundle top-mount units for as little as US$ 3 weekly, using smartphone metadata to calibrate credit lines and issuing approvals in under two minutes. Latin American fintech Kueski Pay integrated with Whirlpool's online store, letting Mexican shoppers split US$ 650 French-door purchases over 24 fortnights; internal analytics show default rates below micro-credit norms, partly because the appliance is viewed as a productive asset that reduces food spoilage. These results illustrate how algorithmic underwriting widens refrigeration access in hotter climates. From a distribution standpoint, the household refrigerators and freezers market is blending financing with modular design tweaks to minimise upfront cash outlays. Midea offers refrigerators whose freezer compartment can be purchased later as a slide-in upgrade, effectively spreading expenditure over two fiscal periods. In Kenya, Sun King embeds pay-go controllers directly into DC-compressor circuits, disabling units only after a 12-hour grace period to preserve vaccines or groceries—maintaining goodwill while ensuring repayment discipline. Pakistan's Kamyab Pakistan Program has already logged 46,000 refrigerator beneficiaries under its subsidized Islamic-financing scheme. As big-data risk scoring matures, stakeholders expect ownership gaps to narrow sharply, boosting food security and grid-load balancing across emerging economies. Premiumization Driven By Urban Middle Class Demands Smart Cooling Solutions The household refrigerators and freezers market increasingly reflects a premiumization curve as urban middle-class consumers from Bangkok to Barcelona prioritize aesthetics, digital connectivity, and flexible storage over pure capacity. In 2023, global side-by-side and multi-door unit shipments reached 62 million, according to GfK, up from 55 million two years earlier, confirming a steady migration toward large-format platforms with automatic ice, crushed-ice, and hot-water dispensers. Samsung's Family Hub 7.0 panel now supports 6,000 recipe videos and Amazon Fresh cart synchronization, turning the fridge into an e-commerce gateway, while LG's MoodUP color-changing LEDs—unveiled at IFA 2023—equip retailers with an upsell story centered on kitchen personalization rather than raw cooling specs. Importantly, the household refrigerators and freezers market exhibits premium skews even in price-sensitive economies once credit access improves. Flipkart's no-cost EMI program triggered a fourfold jump in French-door sales during its Big Billion Days 2024 campaign, while Mexican chain Liverpool notes that add-on warranty attachment now reaches nine in ten units when bundled with smart-home speakers. Chinese OEMs are leveraging such data by launching mid-range sub-brands—Haier's Casarte and Midea's COLMO—that deliver app-enabled freshness diagnostics yet trim stainless-steel cladding to hit aspirational price points. These offerings show how premiumization today pivots less on luxury materials and more on embedded service ecosystems, insulating demand even as broader inflation pressures discretionary spending. Cold Chain Gaps Accelerate Chest Freezer Adoption In Developing Regions The household refrigerators and freezers market faces a unique dynamic in developing regions, where irregular power supply and incomplete distribution networks keep demand for standalone chest freezers stubbornly high. Nigeria imported close to 1.4 million deep-freezer units in 2023, customs records show, nearly matching its top-mount refrigerator inflows. Across rural Indonesia, World Bank data reveal monthly outage durations of 12 hours; consumers respond by purchasing 350-liter freezers capable of maintaining minus-eighteen-degree chambers for 36 hours without grid power. Multilateral agencies, including UNDP, increasingly procure solar-direct chest freezers from Sure Chill and B Medical Systems for smallholder vaccine storage, further broadening the installed base in off-grid villages. Consequently, the household refrigerators and freezers market proves that 'good-enough cooling' can outpace sophisticated IoT models when infrastructure realities intervene. Brands such as Hisense and Changhong tailor tropicalized compressors rated for ambient temperatures above forty-five degrees Celsius and reinforce lid gaskets to withstand Sahel dust storms. Financing solutions also adapt: East Africa's M-KOPA sells pay-as-you-go chest freezers bundled with 150-watt solar panels, and repayment data show default rates lower than those attached to smartphones, underscoring refrigerators' perceived productivity value. As national cold-chain investments advance—Kenya commissioned 130 new last-mile milk chillers in 2024—analysts expect gradual migration toward frost-free uprights, but timing will hinge on rural electrification milestones rather than headline macro growth. Omni-Channel Sales Strategies Blend DTC Platforms And Traditional Dealerships Seamlessly The household refrigerators and freezers market has shifted decisively toward omni-channel engagement, recognizing that consumers research online yet often finalize purchases in-store to inspect finish quality and hinge feel. US buying group BrandSource reports that 68,000 refrigerator leads originating from Google Local Inventory Ads in 2023 converted to showroom traffic within 72 hours, demonstrating the power of real-time stock visibility. Chinese giants are doubling down on direct-to-consumer: Haier's Smart Home app now supports live video consultations with installers, while delivered over 900,000 large-capacity units above 350 liters in 2023 using stair-climbing robots, cutting average delivery time in tier-one cities to under three hours. For smaller appliance dealers, the household refrigerators and freezers market presents both challenge and opportunity as social-commerce platforms reshape purchase paths. TikTok Shop's #KitchenUpgrade hashtag exceeded 2.3 billion views by April 2024, prompting GE Appliances to film how-to content tied to affiliate links. Conversely, Best Buy leverages its coast-to-coast network to provide same-day haul-away of legacy units, a service digital-only sellers struggle to match. As buy-online-pick-up-in-store penetration deepens, retailers able to synchronize cloud inventory, last-mile logistics, and after-sales service within a single mobile interface will widen competitive moats, especially in metro areas where delivery windows—not headline prices—now influence final cart decisions. Component Supply Constraints Encourage Regionalized Manufacturing And Localization Strategies Worldwide The household refrigerators and freezers market continues to navigate component bottlenecks—especially in semiconductors, copper tubing, and HFO refrigerants—that surfaced during the pandemic and persist in 2024 amid geopolitical fragmentation. Although automotive chip allocations have eased, high-inrush micro-controllers remain scarce, prompting Whirlpool to dual-source from Renesas in Japan and Microchip in Arizona. Residential construction booms within the Gulf Cooperation Council lifted demand for compressor alloys, pushing LME copper prices to an average of US$ 9,250 per metric ton in Q1 2024. To hedge exposure, Electrolux opened a 15,000-square-foot coil plant in Juarez, Mexico capable of stamping 3.5 million condensers annually, trimming cross-border trucking miles. In response, the household refrigerators and freezers market is seeing localization stretch beyond final assembly to compressor casting, PCB population, and foam chemical blending. Haier's Egyptian factory now sources roughly two-thirds of its sheet metal from local mills, while Hisense's South-African facility extrudes door liners in-house, shaving six weeks off supply cycles previously dependent on Ningbo shipping lanes. Brazil's Embraco is even licensing its full inverter-compressor range to India's Tata Power, signaling a shift from captive to collaborative supply chains. Analysts believe such regional diversification lowers currency risk and speeds compliance with local-content rules emerging across ASEAN and MERCOSUR, ultimately protecting downstream pricing despite raw-material volatility. Get a Customized Version: Cooling Technologies Advance With Hydrocarbon And Solid-State Refrigerants Adoption Trend The household refrigerators and freezers market now leads refrigerant innovation as mandates under the Kigali Amendment and US AIM Act tighten global-warming-potential thresholds. Hydrocarbon R-600a has become standard for charges under 1.5 kilograms; Gree alone shipped 29 million R-600a refrigerators in 2023, according to ChinaIOL. Europe is fast-tracking R-290 conversions even for side-by-side formats, prompting Danfoss to release A3-rated variable-speed compressors with spark arrestors. Beyond hydrocarbons, University of Maryland researchers recently demonstrated a solid-state barocaloric prototype delivering temperature lifts of 25 degrees Celsius under moderate pressure, hinting at a future without gaseous refrigerants. These advances create new differentiation vectors in the household refrigerators and freezers market, where marketing once revolved around door count but now highlights climate-impact scores. Liebherr's BluRoX, showcased at Chillventa 2024, swaps polyurethane foam for vacuum-housed perlite, adding eight liters of net volume on a 300-liter cabinet while lowering energy draw. GE Appliances is field-testing magnetocaloric wine coolers at luxury US resorts, recording vibration reductions that sommeliers say preserve cork integrity. Component ecosystems are mobilizing: Infineon's latest power modules target high-frequency inductor drivers used in magnetocaloric stages, suggesting supply chains are preparing for a post-compressor paradigm. As governments roll out rebate multipliers for ultra-low-GWP cooling, early adopters stand to capture environmentally conscious segments and lift brand equity. Global Household Refrigerators and Freezers Market Major Players: AB Electrolux Dacor Inc. Dover Corporation Godrej Industries Haier Group Corporation Kenmore LG Electronics Panasonic Corporation Philips Electronics Robert Bosch GmbH Samsung Electronics The Whirlpool Corporation Other Prominent Players Key Market Segmentation: By Door Type Double Door French Door Top Mounted Side by Side Single Door By Structure Built-in Freestanding By Distribution Channel Supermarkets/Hypermarkets Specialty Stores E-commerce Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East Africa South America Request Additional Details Before Purchase: About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements. 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