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Haier Acquires 20% of Fisher Paykel

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Haier Group announced it is participating in Fisher & Paykel Appliances’ (FPA) recapitalization plan. The plan includes the issue of new shares, share placement from existing shareholders and a top-up placement. At the plan’s completion, Haier will hold a 20% stake in FPA and becomes a new cornerstone shareholder of the home appliances manufacturer from New Zealand.

Haier and FPA also signed a Cooperation Agreement for the benefit of both companies that includes the sharing of market, design and technology resources, corporate and product planning, coordination of both companies’s manufacturing resources, optimization of sourcing and cooperation of after sales services globally.

Under the Agreement, Haier will have exclusive marketing and distribution rights of Fisher & Paykel Appliances-branded products in China, and Fisher & Paykel Appliances will have exclusive marketing and distribution rights of Haier-branded products in Australia and New Zealand.

The Dishwasher of the Future – Washing With Air

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One of the big questions facing those of us who are trying to conserve water, is whether to wash dishes by hand or use the dishwasher. In most cases, the dishwasher uses less water, but for those folks who are still concerned, Hwang Jin Wook’s modern dishwasher prototype should intrigue you.

Hwang Jin Wook’s modern dishwasher concept developed for Electrolux uses air to clean the dishes by blowing away food bits. High-pressure air is used to clean the dishes. Steam is used to degrease the dishes and Ultraviolet rays are used to sterilize the dishes. Very little water is used to create steam but the water is recycled so essential water is never wasted.

It sounds like a great idea, but there is a small problem – the dishwasher cleans only two dishes at a time. This is a problem for most of us since a meal usually involves at least a pot or two and some utensils. Although now the unit is designed with single, young users in mind, expanding it to include family use will have a much greater impact on water conservation.

This is a great idea, can it be refined for mainstream use? We’ll wait and see.

You can read more here.

Recall: Wagner Spray Tech Paint Sprayers Due to Electrical Shock Hazard

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Name of Product: Wagner Paint Sprayers

Units: About 35,000

Importer: Wagner Spray Tech Corp., of Plymouth, Minn.

Hazard: The on-off switch can be dislodged from the casing, resulting in exposure of electrical connections. This can pose an electrical shock hazard to the consumer.

Incidents/Injuries: There have been no reported incidents or injuries.

Description: This recall includes the Wagner Control Spray Plus Model 0414248. This model number can be found on a white label located on the side of the motor housing. The following date codes are affected by this recall and can be found stamped on the bottom of the motor housing near the air hose connection:

Model Number Manufactured Date Code
Control Spray Plus 0414248 Y182R thru Y365R
Z001R thru Z366R
A001R thru A021R

Sold by: Major chain home centers and hardware stores nationwide from August 2007 through April 2009 for about $99.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately unplug and stop using the sprayers, and contact Wagner for a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, please contact Wagner toll-free at (888) 925-6244 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s web site at www.wagnerspraytech.com

Recall: Hair Dryers by Vintage International Due to Electrocution Hazard

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Name of Product: National and Sanyo Hand-Held Hair Dryers

Units: About 2,300

Importer: Vintage International Inc., of Hacienda Heights, Calif.

Hazard: The hair dryers are not equipped with an immersion protection device to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water. Immersion protection devices, which prevent electrocution, are required by industry safety standards for all electric hand-held hair dryers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves National and Sanyo hand held hair dryers. The hair dryers are made of plastic and chrome with a fold up handle and were sold in blue, pink, white and black colors. Model numbers EH-5202, EH-5215, EH-5216, EH-7911, EH-7912, or EH-7913 and “National” and “Sanyo” can be found on the hair dryer’s blower nozzle or handle.

Sold at: Various retail stores in the Los Angeles area from January 2007 through August 2008 for between $20 and $40.

Manufactured in: Thailand

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled hair dryers and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund or free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Vintage International toll free at (888) 711-4656 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT Monday through Friday.

GE Stainless Upgrade, Plus Kitchen and Vacation Sweepstakes

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For a limited time, GE is offering an upgrade on selected models of their refrigerators, dishwashers, ovens, and microwaves. You can choose a stainless finish for the same price as white, bisque or black. You can find all the details HERE.

GE is also offering a Grand Prize trip to your choice of Bilbao, Spain, Brussels, Belgium, Los Angeles, CA,
Louisville, KY, New York, NY, or Seattle, WA.

First prize:

A full Kitchen suite of stainless steel appliances, including a refrigerator, range, microwave and dishwasher.

Eighteen Second place prizes of a stainless steel appliance of your choice will also be awarded.

As always with these contests, no purchase is necessary. See HERE for entry.

Recall: Bunn-O-Matic Single Cup Tea/Coffeemakers Due to Burn Hazard

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Name of Product: Bunn® Single Cup Pod Brewers

Units: About 35,600

Manufacturer: Bunn-O-Matic Corp., of Springfield, Ill.

Hazard: The pod drawer of the pod brewer can open unexpectedly during a brew cycle, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Bunn-O-Matic has received 10 reports of the drawer opening unexpectedly, including one report of minor burns.

Description: This recall involves Bunn® Single Pod Brewers. Models included in the recall are MCP (My Café Pourover) and MCA (My Café Automatic). The pod brewers have a black body with stainless backsplash and measure 12 inches high by 8 inches wide. “Bunn®” is printed on the front and lights up when the pod brewer is on.

Sold at: Web retailers, department and hardware stores nationwide between August 2004 and March 2009 for about $300.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled coffeemakers and contact the firm to obtain two replacement pod drawers.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Bunn-O-Matic at (800) 741-3405 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.bunn.com

LG Electronics Newest Laundry Collection for 2009

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It seems there are always changes to be made to our washers and dryers. Sometimes it’s just the color as with LG’s vibrant Riviera Blue and a Graphite Steel finish that offers the look of stainless steel. Other times it might be shapes – the square-door design across its washer/dryer line.

LG’s 2009 performance enhancements include the LG MotionCare(TM) Technology, which uses new cleansing motions to care for clothes and save time and energy; the unique LG TrueBalance(TM) system, to significantly reduce vibration; and an expansion of the company’s pioneering TrueSteam(TM) technology, which offers advanced functionality including the ability to reduce allergens and wrinkles from fabrics.

PERFORMANCE AND DESIGN INNOVATIONS

MotionCare Technology – LG’s advanced MotionCare technologies offer consumers something better in clothing care in addition to a way to save time, water and energy. Until now, washers only used one cleansing motion – tumbling – to clean clothes. LG developed a method to care for clothes with four new washing motions – rolling, stepping, swinging and scrubbing – using LG’s Direct Drive motor to increase efficiency and reduce noise and vibration.

Using various combinations of these washing motions, three MotionCare wash cycles improve clothing care performance and are gentler on fabrics:

* Cold Care cycle uses cold water to clean clothes as effectively as a normal cycle with hot water. Using a combination of tumbling, rolling, scrubbing and stepping motions, cold water in the laundry equals energy savings, gentler care of fabrics and enhanced washing performance.
* Heavy Duty cycle uses a combination of tumbling and stepping to remove the toughest stains in less time, saving both water and energy.
* Enhanced Hand Wash/Wool cycle uses the swinging motion saving consumers time, water and energy while being gentler on delicates.

MotionCare Technology will be available in two models beginning in the third quarter of 2009. The steam technology version has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,499 for the washer (Model: WM2901HVA), $1,399 for the electric dryer (Model: DLEX2901) and $1,469 for the gas dryer (Model: DLGX2902). The non-steam model has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $1,199 for the washer (Model: WM2701HV), $1,199 for the electric dryer (Model: DLE2701) and $1269 for the gas dryer (Model: DLG2702).

TrueSteam Expansion – As the first company to introduce steam in residential laundry products, LG will extend this popular technology to additional laundry models in 2009, including an all-new washer/dryer pair with an LED display panel. This LED display takes the guesswork out of cycle selection. The laundry pair also incorporates the unique and high-performance features consumers have come to expect from LG’s TrueSteam technology, including the exclusive Allergiene(TM) cycle, designed to reduce common allergens such as dust mites and pet dander on fabrics. With an ultra large 4.5 cubic-foot capacity (IEC), the SteamWasher(TM) saves consumers a significant amount of time and energy. Like all LG laundry systems, the new models are Energy-Star rated.

The models are available at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price ranging from $1,399 to $1,499 for the washer (Model: WM2801) and $1,299 to $1,399 for the dryer (Model: DLEX2801/DLGX2802).

Anti-Vibration Technology – LG extends its TrueBalance Anti-Vibration system to all premium laundry models in 2009. The TrueBalance system helps to offset unbalanced loads in the washer drum, which may produce vibration and noise. The system is designed to minimize overall washer vibration – even in unbalanced loads – allowing for a quieter operation, making LG laundry pairs ideal for placement anywhere in the home, including the second floor.

Electrolux in Antarctica

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I’ve seen many documentaries about scientists in Antarctica. I’ve seen one that focused on the staff of maintenance workers it takes to keep an outpost running smoothly. The base camps were large campgrounds of barrack-like buildings and with scientists, engineers, and crew, can at times host a large number of people.

On one show, the kitchen staff pointed out that although the outside was cold enough to keep food frozen, storing food outside attracts animals, and the temperatures are really too old for optimal storage. There is also a large amount of laundry to be washed. Electrolux had a plan.

At the Princess Elizabeth Station in Antarctica, you’ll find a high-tech living facility that has all of the home appliances that make life easier for those of us living in warmer climates, including six washing machines, six tumble dryers, ‘A+’ refrigerators, frost-free chest freezers, double ovens, ranges, microwaves and an ‘AAA’ dishwasher.

Due to its continued focus on designing energy efficient home appliances, Electrolux was approached to design the set of appliances for the station. Some of the appliances are even specifically designed for the scientists: the washing machines have larger doors to fit “bulky polar outdoor gear” and the freezers can freeze food for up to a year at -18 degrees Celsius.

According to cnet.com, the appliances are also run entirely on renewable energy: 90 percent of the energy is supplied to the station via wind turbines, and the rest is supplied by solar panels. Preheated water is used in the washing machines to save energy and elaborate waste and water management systems are used as well, contributing to the astonishing 95 percent of waste that the facility is able to recycle.

The Princess Elisabeth Station will focus on researching global warming and climate change, as well as CO2 emissions. On keeping the series of appliances in line with the principles driving the research, Station Manager Johan Berte remarks, “We want to show the world that if you can build a zero emissions facility in the forbidding climate of Antarctica, you can build them anywhere!”

You can read the whole story of Belgium’s Princess Elizabeth Station HERE.

GE Laundry Giveaway-Plus Spa Day Sweepstake

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GE is offering a Grand Prize in their Steam Dream Giveaway of a Profile laundry pair plus a day at the spa of your choice. You can enter at geappliances.com until the contest ends on May 24, 2009. Two first place prizes of a profile dishwasher and six $250 gift cards for second place will also be awarded.

Recall: Hair Dryers by Universalink International Trading Due to Electrocution Hazard

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Name of Product: Special and Narita Hair Dryers

Units: About 3,000

Importer: Universalink International Trading Inc., of La Puente, Calif.

Hazard: The hair dryers are not equipped with an immersion protection device to prevent electrocution if the hair dryer falls into water. Immersion protection devices, which prevent electrocution, are required by industry standards for all electric hand-held hair dryers.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: This recall involves Special (model EX-1800) and Narita (model TE-263) hair dryers. “Special” or “Narita” and the model number are printed on the dryer. The “Special” hair dryers are brown and the “Narita” hair dryers are white and black and fold up.

Sold at: Various retail stores in California from June 2003 through October 2008 for about $15.

Manufactured in: Taiwan

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the hair dryers and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Universalink International Trading toll-free at (866) 997-6768 between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or email the firm at sales@naritausa.com