By Patrick Avenell
ASKO has today unveiled a new washing machine targeted at skin allergy and asthma sufferers. The W6888 Allergy Washing Machine has higher rinsing levels and improved spin structures to remove detergents after the cleaning cycle.
James Vogdanos, national product manager at ASKO Australia, said the W6888 meets the criteria stipulated by the Swedish Allergy & Asthma Foundation and that the local office has partnered with the National Asthma Council of Australia.
“The use of hygienic materials like twin stainless steel drums with Smartseal means we have improved our hygience through the removal of areas and materials that could habour bacteria,” Vogdanos said. “The main area of improvement is the level of rinsing combined with materials that cannot harbour either bacteria or detergent build up.”
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A washing machine specifically for allergy and asthma sufferers is the latest niche appliance release from ASKO, which last year unveiled the Alfresco Dishwasher. Vogdanos said it was imperative to tailor appliances to different users.
“Brands cannot maintain margins or excitement in their ranges if we continue to just release a white washing machine,” he said. “There are so many new products that could be released to cater to the public’s growing appetite for individualism.
“We will continue to launch products that cater to niche groups. The outdoor segment, for example, could see a refrigerator or a rangehood introduced. An outdoor kitchen, apart from the barbecue, should replicate what you have indoors.”
Over the past 18 months, ASKO has moved to a pro forma model of selling, similar to Miele’s Chartered Agency. We asked Vogdanos how this was progressing.
“One simple word: ‘growth’,” he replied.
ASKO's new washing machine is designed for allergy and asthma sufferers.