New products, collections and technology.
It has been one year since Smeg’s Jim Kalotheos stepped into the role of managing director. Despite an “exhilarating and challenging” first year, he has confirmed that 2018 will be the company’s biggest year to date with new products, collections and technology as Smeg celebrates its 70 year anniversary and 21 years of its iconic FAB refrigerators.
“Although the past year had some challenges amid a highly competitive market with many more brands, constant price competition and online retail, one thing remained constant – the demand for more aesthetic choice. People want what Smeg is imagining,” Kalotheos said.
Smeg recently confirmed the immediate success of its Portofino freestanding cookers across stainless steel and colour models. But it seems Kalotheos is most excited about what’s to come in the third quarter of the year – Dolce Stil Novo by Italian architect, Guido Canali – as it places the brand squarely in the premium tier of the appliance market for the first time. More details to come as James Wells reports from EuroCucina in Milan, Italy this week.
And speaking on the future of the appliance market: “Smeg was the first brand to recognise that consumers want choice in their kitchen appliances, as far back as the days when the rest of the market was only offering white and brown. Now the kitchen is the centre of living, dining and entertainment areas, and therefore, the kitchen appliance has moved into the realm of furniture.
“Brands will increasingly try to introduce appliances that are far more individual in their design, their colour and their finish. But if it is not within the corporate structure of a company to do this, then it will be the privately owned companies, the ones who have the passion and belief in outstanding design, that will continue to invest in beauty and tech savvy experiences, releasing products that are totally consumer focused.
“From Smeg’s perspective, we will continue to engage in collaborations with world-leading architects and designers, infuse our products with fun, edgy design, and features and facets that only Smeg could deliver. In essence, that is who Smeg is and that is how we bring family together,” he said.