SYDNEY: Sunbeam officially unveiled their Christmas and summer range to media at Doltone House in Prymont this morning with over 40 new products on show, including the award winning Ceramic Collection, Nutrihair System mousturising hairdryers, irons and BBQ’s.

Among the highlights were the Australian Design Award winning Ceramic Collection kettle and toaster (RRP $129), the Café Series contact grill and barbeque (RRP $249), diamond-shaped Café Series kettle (RRP $119), MultiBlender Square PB7650 (RRP $99.95), two new hot and cold spot eliminating barbeques, GB4100 (RRP $799) and GB6100 (RRP $1199), and the innovative Nutrihair System hairdryers with a deep heat treatment capsule diffuser to treat and condition the hair whilst drying and styling — RRP $99.95 for the 1800W AC version and $79.95 for the 2000W DC version.

Awards were the topic of the presentation with Sunbeam CEO, Jonathon Lord, explaining that Sunbeam’s design team consists of over 25 people who design the products for the specifically Australian market. However the Australian designs have also been recognised internationally.

“Sunbeam has received a number of Australian design awards, including most recently for the ceramic collection kettle as well as Australian design marks,” said Lord. “We have also won international design awards including Red Dots and iF Awards.

This year Sunbeam won two Red Dot design awards in product design for its Café Series Food Processor LC8900 and Café Series plus Fresh Startjuice extractors JE8500/JE6400.

In 2006, Sunbeam made world history by becoming the first Australian appliance brand to win an iF product design award. They backed up that first win with four iF awards in 2007 for four of its Café Series products — Espresso Machine EM6910, Conical Burr Coffee Grinder EM0480, Food Processor LC8900 and Blender PB9500. A total of 2,293 products from 35 countries competed in 12 different iF award categories.

Sunbeam’s director of product development and design, Brian Johns, has a vast background in design from laser guided defence systems to motor vehicle parts and now home appliances. Johns is a driving force behind Sunbeam’s push for international design recognition.

“Our local design team works hard to create products that are best in class, truly balancing form and function,” said Johns. “The popularity of the Café Series among consumers is a testament to this. It’s a real thrill to be recognised again for our passion for design by this highly respected international organisation.”

Following its win at the recent Australian Design Awards, Sunbeam was also awarded a Powerhouse Museum Selection for its Ceramic Collection Kettle.

The Powerhouse Museum Selection is part of the 2007 Australian Design Awards exhibition housed in the Sydney museum’s Success and Innovation Gallery. Open to the public from July 2, the exhibition will be officially launched as part of Sydney Design 07 — Australia’s premier design festival — on August 3.

“Sunbeam is a strong supporter of Australian design and we are honoured to have a third product selected by the Powerhouse Museum,” said Sunbeam’s Damian Court, marketing manager – kitchen appliances.