Compiled by Claire Reilly
There were plenty of big stories in the world of appliances this year, with companies going into administration or being bought out by overseas counterparts, products being launched and well-known products being recalled. The familiar brands were in the news, and a few totally new products hit the market.
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Here are Current.com.au’s Top 10 Biggest Appliance Stories of 2012:
1. Fisher & Paykel recalls selected DishDrawer dishwashers
It was a big year for Fisher & Paykel, with the New Zealand brand finally coming under ownership of Chinese company Haier after a protracted war of words, and two major whitegoods recalls that brought their share of unwanted attention. The first of three Fisher & Paykel stories in our Top 10 was on for a recall of selected DishDrawer dishwashers.
2. 'Be the barista' with Nespresso's first new models of 2012: Maestria range
Nespresso also had a big year on Current.com.au, with the first launch of the year gaining the most reader attention. The Maestria range was a departure from the purely automatic features of many previous Nespresso models, thanks to manual-style features such as a milk steaming wand and a dial for pouring volume.
3. De'Longhi and Nestle unveil new Nescafe Dolce Gusto coffee machine system
De’Longhi and Nestle made it into the news again with a new concept for the coffee category – a simplified portioned coffee machine range known as Nescafe Dolce Gusto. Not just for coffee, the machine can also be used to make hot chocolate and cold drinks and also features pods for the addition of milk.
4. LG launches internet fridge (again), plus Wi-Fi washer and smart oven
At International CES in Las Vegas at the start of the year, LG took the opportunity to unveil a series of smart appliances such as an internet fridge and Wi-Fi washer. LG Australia was a little quieter on the smart front, but the brand did launch a spiffing French Door in Door fridge for the local market.
5. BSH Home Appliances recalls 63,000 Bosch dishwashers in Australia
Bosch was on the front foot this month letting the industry know about the recall of roughly 63,000 dishwashers, due to the potential for cracks to develop on the circuit board of affected models. According to a statement from the company, “It also appears that unpredictable fluctuations in the Australian domestic power supply is a contributing factor”.
6. Australian appliance brand Hotpoint goes into voluntary administration
“Current has learned that staff members were given little notice about the fate of the business, with some reportedly finding out about the proceedings on the day the company appointed the administrator, despite allegations that the company had ‘known about it for months’.”
7. Breville goes ultra classy with first benchtop Sous Vide appliance
“Sous vide is the art of cooking vacuum sealed foodstuffs in water at low, precisely controlled temperatures. While the best chefs in the Michelen Hat restaurants would use a super-high-end integrated appliance, Australian homes can now get a taste of this very different style of gastronomy thanks to Breville’s first benchtop sous vide appliance.”
8. Bosch brings two more FlexInduction cooktops to market
“FlexInduction from Bosch signifies a new era in hi-tech appliances – one that has escaped the confines of traditional hobs. FlexInduction makes the already flexible and efficient induction technology even more adaptable – and hence makes cooking more enjoyable, safer and efficient.”
9. Open Letter to Woolworths CEO regarding your appalling recalls record
After a series of recalls of Woolworths’ house-brand appliances – on average, one every 38 days – this opinion piece called on Woolworths CEO, Grant O’Brien, to fix its product sourcing arrangements and remedy its recalls record.
10. Haier makes official bid to complete takeover of Fisher & Paykel
After much back-and-forth and discussions around the value of an offer price, Chinese company Haier finally bought a controlling stake in Fisher & Paykel and completed its takeover of the famous New Zealand brand.