By Sarah Falson
SYDNEY: Four Sunbeam kitchen appliances have been awarded with iF (international forum) product design awards, following the brand’s achievement last year as the first Australian appliance-maker to win the prestigious prize.
The winning products are part of Sunbeam’s Café Series line – the Espresso Machine EM6910, Conical Burr Coffee Grinder EM0480, Food Processor LC8900 and Blender PB9500.
The prestigious international design awards are judged on design quality, degree of innovation, brand value and functionality. The first event was held in 1953, and all winning products will be showcased on the iF website, www.ifdesign.de, throughout 2007 and at the iF design exhibition in Hannover, Germany from 15 March until September 2007.
A record number of entrants were included this year, with a total of 2,293 products from 35 countries competing in 12 categories.
“Sunbeam made world history as the first Australian appliance brand to win an iF product design award in 2006. This latest achievement is even greater,” said the company.
According to Sunbeam director of design and product development, Brian Johns, the four 2007 iF awards prove the appliance-maker’s importance in the global design sphere, as well as the local appliance category.
“The popularity of the Café Series among consumers is a testament to… products that are best in class, truly balancing form and function.”
Sunbeam, along with competitor and fellow small appliance-maker, Breville, also dominated the nominations for the 2007 Australian Design Awards this month, the results of which are yet to be announced.