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Haier and Fisher Paykel Making Bigger Plans

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Haier, China’s largest major appliance maker, and Fisher & Paykel (F&P), the premium appliance manufacturer, are exploring opportunities to cross market their products in the United States.

The move would extend a strategic partnership formed last May when Haier purchased a 20 percent stake in the New Zealand vendor and added its chief financial officer and chief marketing officer to F&P’s board.

Under the agreement, the two companies are sharing product development, manufacturing and market resources to reduce production and procurement costs.

As part of the arrangement, Haier is presently producing select products under the Fisher & Paykel brand, and the partners are looking to expand the assortment.

The pact also gives Haier exclusive rights to market and distribute Fisher & Paykel products in China, while F&P will distribute Haier-manufactured and branded products in New Zealand.

Haier Australia will continue to handle the Haier brand on that continent for the immediate future.

According to a Fisher & Paykel spokesperson, the companies are also exploring opportunities to market and sell each other’s products in the U.S.

The partnership gives Haier access to Fisher & Paykel’s premium assortment, while extending F&P’s global reach. The deal will also help the New Zealand manufacturer contain production costs amid the global recession, which has taken a steep toll on appliance sales across the industry.

Fisher & Paykel is best known for its compact DishDrawer dishwasher and its recently acquired DCS line of professional cooking equipment. Its products are sold directly or via distributors to about 4,500 dealers in the United States, and are produced globally at plants in Auckland and Dunedin, New Zealand; Cleveland, Australia; Rayong Province, Thailand; Reynosa, Mexico; Treviso, Italy; and Clyde, Ohio.

From TWICE Magazine

Recall: Heating System Thermostats by OJ Electronics Due to Shock Hazard

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Name of Product: 208-Volt and 240-Volt Thermostats

Units: About 30,000

Importer/Distributor: OJ Electronics, of Chicago, Ill.

Hazard: The recalled thermostat’s floor sensor or its cable can be damaged from cutting, drilling, or nailing. This poses a risk of electric shock to consumers if the power supply is not disconnected.

Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The recall involves thermostats that have a built-in GFCI and are designed for use in under-floor heating systems. Thermostats included in the recall are connected to 208-Volt or 240-Volt power supplies (120V units are not included in the recall). They were sold under the brand names of Canisol, Danfoss, Elektra, Momento, OJ Microline, Raychem, Thermosoft, Warmly Yours and Warmup. The brand name is located on the front of the thermostat.

Sold at: Various home improvement stores, tile shops and other retail shops nationwide from January 2004 through December 2008 for between $150 and $200.

Manufactured in: Denmark

Remedy: Consumers should not cut, drill or nail into the heated floor, and contact the manufacturer to arrange for a free in-home repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact OJ Electronics at (800) 380-6940 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday or visit the firm’s Web site at www.ojelectronics.com

Recall: Fiesta Recalls to Repair Gas Grills Due to Fire, Burn Hazards

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Name of Product: Blue Ember Gas Grills

Units: About 88,000 units in the United States (47,000 gas grills were previously recalled in October 2008) and 25,000 in Canada

Importer: Fiesta Gas Grills, of Dickson, Tenn.

Manufacturers: Unisplendor Corp., of China and Keesung Corp., of China

Hazard: The hose of the gas tank can get too close to the firebox and be exposed to heat, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Fiesta has received 161 reports of grill fires, resulting in nine injuries, including two incidents of major burns on different parts of the body, six incidents of minor burns, and an incident involving temporary hearing loss.

Description: This recall involves Blue Ember liquid propane (LP) outdoor grills with model and serial numbers listed below. The cabinet style grill has two doors and is silver and black or silver and gray. “Blue Ember” is printed on the grill’s hood. The model and serial numbers are printed on a rating plate label on the rear of the grill.

MODEL NUMBERS SERIAL # RANGES
FG50045
FG50057
FG50069
07000003 thru 07010912 07057153 thru 07060224
07012413 thru 07014716 07060681 thru 07060808
07015613 thru 07018300 07062217 thru 07062344
07021341 thru 07023260 07063453 thru 07063580
07023645 thru 07026460 07064221 thru 07064604
07029021 thru 07031580 07065373 thru 07065500
07032093 thru 07038876 07065885 thru 07067164
07039261 thru 07039743 07067165 thru 07073548
07039837 thru 07039964 07074189 thru 07074316
07040221 thru 07042332 07074573 thru 07074828
07043013 thru 07043112 07075213 thru 07085436
07045954 thru 07046387 08K000001 thru 08K000640
07046416 thru 07046465 08U000001 thru 08U012000
07049362 thru 07050897 08U015961 thru 08U027640
07056257 thru 07056896

Sold at: Various home centers and retailers nationwide from November 2006 through June 2008 for between $400 and $500 in the United States and from November 2006 through May 2009 for between $400 and $600 in Canada.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the grill and call Fiesta Gas Grills to obtain a free replacement grease pan assembly and instructions for installing the part and the gas tank. The grill should not be used until the new grease pan assembly and the gas tank have been installed correctly. Consumers should also inspect the gas burner hose and regulator, which will be replaced free of charge if there are signs of damage.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Fiesta Gas Grills toll-free at (866)740-7849 between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, email mnorman@fiestagasgrills.com or visit the company’s Web site at www.blueembergrills.com

Note: Health Canada’s press release is available at http://209.217.71.106/PR/recall-retrait-e.jsp?re_id=807

Recall:Frigidaire and Kenmore Smoothtop Electric Ranges Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of Product: Certain Frigidaire and Kenmore Elite Smoothtop Electric Ranges

Units: About 200,000

Manufacturer: Frigidaire, a division of Electrolux Home Products Inc., of Augusta, Ga.

Hazard: Depending on the model, the surface heating elements can: 1) turn on spontaneously without being switched on; 2) fail to turn off after being switched off; or, 3) heat to different temperatures than selected. This poses a fire and burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: Frigidaire has received 126 reports of incidents, including four reports of minor burns and two reports of minor property damage.

Description: This recall involves Frigidaire, Frigidaire Gallery, Frigidaire Professional and Kenmore Elite smoothtop electric ranges with rotary knobs and digital displays. The following model and serial numbers are included in the recall:

Frigidaire (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx – VF831xxxxx) and Models Beginning with
FEFBZ90GC
FEFLMC55GC
FEFLZ87GC		 GLEF396AB
GLEF396AQ
GLEF396AS
GLEF396CQ
GLEF396CS

GLEFM397DB

 GLEFM397DQ
GLEFM397DS
GLEFM97FPB
GLEFM97FPW
GLEFM97GPB
GLEFM97GPW		 LEEFM389FE PLEF398AC
PLEF398CC
PLEF398DC
PLEFM399DC		 PLEFMZ99EC
PLEFMZ99GC
PLEFZ398EC
PLEFZ398GC
Kenmore Elite (Serial Number Range VF122xxxxx – VF334xxxxx) and Models Beginning with
790.99012 790.99013 790.99014 790.99019

The model and serial number can be found by opening the range drawer at the base of the unit.

Sold at: Sears and other national chain and independent retailers nationwide from June 2001 through August 2009 for between $1,000 and $2,500.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled ranges immediately and contact Frigidaire or Sears to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Frigidaire at (800) 449-9812 between 8 a.m. and midnight ET Monday through Saturday or visit the firm’s recall Web site at www.smoothtoprangerecall.com. Consumers who purchased their products at Sears should call Sears at (800) 449-9810 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET Monday through Saturday.

Maytag Expands Recall of Refrigerators Due to Fire Hazard

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Name of Product: Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand refrigerators

Units: About 46,000 (1.6 million units were previously recalled March 2009)

Manufacturer: Maytag Corp., of Newton, Iowa

Hazard: An electrical failure in the relay, the component that turns on the refrigerator’s compressor, can cause overheating and pose a serious fire hazard.

Incidents/Injuries: Maytag has received 23 additional reports of refrigerator relay ignition, including 4 reports of property damage ranging from smoke damage to extensive kitchen damage.

Description: The recall includes certain Maytag®, Magic Chef®, Performa by Maytag® and Crosley® brand side-by-side and top freezer refrigerators. The affected refrigerators were manufactured in black, bisque, white and stainless steel. They have model and serial numbers printed on a label located on the top middle or left upper side of the refrigerator liner and have the following model and serial number combinations:

Serial Numbers ENDING with AND Model Numbers BEGINNING with
Side by Side
Refrigerators		 CN, CP, YY, YZ MZ
Top Freezer
Refrigerators		 CA, CC, CE, CG, ZB, ZD, ZF, ZH CT15G4, CTB152, CTL151, CTM152,
CTN151, MTB195, MTB215, MTB245,
MTF195, MTF215, PTB155, PTB175,
PTB195, PTB215

Refrigerators with freezers on the bottom are not included in this recall.

Sold at: Department and appliance stores and by homebuilders nationwide from September 2000 through May 2004 for between about $350 and $1,600.

Manufactured in: United States

Remedy: Consumers should immediately contact Maytag to determine if their refrigerator is included in the recall and if so, to schedule a free in-home repair. Consumers should not return the refrigerator to the retailer where it was purchased.

Consumer Contact: For more information, contact Maytag toll-free at (866) 533-9817 anytime, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.repair.maytag.com

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell them about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

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Cash For Clunkers – Appliance Clunkers

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Here’s some good news if you’ve got an old household appliance you’ve been wanting to replace. The government’s $300 million dollar incentive plan will help you pay for it. The plan is meant to help the appliance industry by giving a boost to slow appliance sales nationwide, but the relatively small amount of cash will not make a big impact on major appliance appliance dealers such as Whirlpool, GE, and Electrolux. There are also some potentially confusing details to be worked out:

The Wall Street Journal says unlike the clunkers plan, the program allows each state to pick qualifying models and tailor rebate amounts. Ohio might decide one washing machine qualifies for a $100 rebate, while California picks another for $125.

Manufacturers and retailers said they are reluctant to ramp up production or order new stocks until it is clear what models qualify. The Department of Energy, which designed the program, wants states to focus on just 10 categories of appliances carrying the federal Energy Star seal of approval for efficiency.

But other details are still uncertain. States could ask to include up to 46 other types of products, ranging from light bulbs to computers. While rebates are expected to range between $50 and $200, qualifying models and precise rebate amounts won’t be provided until late this year or early next.

Some of the nation’s biggest appliance makers are lobbying to make the plan rules uniform nationwide. They said the unknowns and the varying rules by state will make the program harder to explain to shoppers, in turn making it tougher to win sales.

The program “will provide consumers a unique opportunity to save money on energy-efficient appliances,” said Dave McCalpin, chief marketing officer for GE Appliances. He said Fairfield, Conn.-based GE is working with state governments to adopt rebate programs that rely on Energy Star ratings.

Some states are considering standards that exceed Energy Star requirements, a move GE opposes. “We believe it is very important that rebate programs are consistent across the country,” Mr. McCalpin said.

The stricter proposals underscore criticisms that the Energy Star program is not tough enough in raising energy efficiency. The Environmental Protection Agency is looking at revising the program’s standards. If it does so after the states set their rules, the rebates could end up subsidizing some appliances that are not as energy efficient as they could be.

Wahl Best Facial Hair Contest

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Wahl Clipper Corp. is celebrating its 25th anniversary of the facial hair trimmer with the launch of its “Wahl Man of the Year” photo contest to find the best mustache, goatee and beard in America.

Men can enter the contest by submitting a photo at www.wahlnation.com. National winners will receive a 42-inch flat panel HDTV. Entries must be submitted by Dec. 13 and the national winners in each category — beard, mustache and goatee — will be announced March 15, 2010.

As part of the initiative, the Wahl Let It Grow Tour and mobile barbershop hit the road in August and will travel through October, searching for men with great facial hair as well as educate men on proper trimming techniques.

Wahl will be using the new Lithium Ion grooming tool to provide trims throughout the tour. A tour schedule can be found on Wahl’s Web site.

For every “Man of the Year” photo contest entry, $1 (up to a maximum of $5,000) will be donated to Movember, the month formerly known as November, when men grow a mustache for 30 days to raise funds and awareness to fight against prostate and testicular cancer. All funds raised will benefit Movember’s beneficiary sponsors, the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Livestrong. Wahl will also award a 42-inch HDTV to the top fundraiser of Movember’s U.S. campaign.

Recall: Black & Decker Coffeemakers By Applica Consumer Products Due to Burn Hazard

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Name of Product: Black & Decker® Thermal Coffeemakers

Units: About 9,800

Distributor: Applica Consumer Products Inc., of Miramar, Fla.

Hazard: The coffeemakers can overheat and melt, posing a burn hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a coffeemaker melting. No injuries reported.

Description: This recall involves Black & Decker 8-cup programmable thermal coffeemakers. Model number TCM1000IKT is printed on the rating plate on the bottom of the coffeemaker.

Sold at: Walmart and small retail stores nationwide from April 2008 through July 2009 for between $50 and $65.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the coffeemakers and contact Applica to receive a free replacement household product.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Applica at (866) 699-4595 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm’s Web site at www.acprecall.com

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell them about it by visiting https://www.cpsc.gov/cgibin/incident.aspx

Recall: Wii Battery Recharge Stations by Griffin International Due to Burn and Fire Hazards

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Name of Product: Psyclone Essentials and React Wii™ 4-Dock Battery Recharge Stations

Units: About 220,000

Distributor: Griffin International Cos., Inc., of Minneapolis, Minn.

Hazard: The battery pack can overheat, posing a burn or fire hazard to the consumer.

Incidents/Injuries: Six incidents of overheating have been reported to the firm. Two consumers reported minor burns to the hand.

Description: The Wii 4-Dock Recharge Station includes a white docking station with four recharge stations and a four rechargeable battery pack. Brand names are on the front of the packaging and the model numbers, Psyclone (PSE6501) and React (RT530), can be found on the bottom side of the product.

Sold at: The Psyclone Essentials brand was sold at Target, Toys R Us and Amazon.com nationwide; React was sold at Best Buy stores nationwide. Both were sold from January 2008 through July 2009 for about $50.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using these recharge stations and contact Griffin International to obtain information on how to return the product and receive a free replacement.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Griffin International toll free at 888-344-4702 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT Monday-Friday, email productsafety@psyclonegamer.com or visit this Web site www.psyclonegamer.com/Wii4Dock

Samsung’s Latest Includes New Induction Range – Lower Laundry Pricing

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Samsung Electronics America will add induction technology to its cooking appliance line this fall.

Details are sketchy, but the company said the freestanding model will be produced entirely in-house.

“It’s gorgeous,” said James Politeski, sales and marketing VP for Samsung digital appliances. “The controls are intuitive, more accessible and very cool.”

Joining the induction unit will be Samsung’s first gas-fueled ranges. Two models are also set to ship this fall, along with a $600 speed oven that features microwave and electric heating.

In laundry, Samsung has added a step between its opening price point $999 front-load washer and its $1,499 front-load steam washer. The new, Energy Star-rated WF419 (suggested retail $1,199) also features steam cycles and Samsung’s vibration-reduction technology (VRT), plus 4.3 cubic feet of capacity and a diamond-patterned drum surface that’s gentler on fabrics.

Samsung also lowered its opening price point in front-load laundry to $699 in a Lowe’s-exclusive model that could join the open line next year depending on marketplace conditions. Senior marketing manager Jeffrey Armstrong said the company is hesitant to play in the promotional arena after establishing Samsung as a premium appliance brand — a strategy that has paid off with a 100 percent increase in first-quarter laundry sales.

In refrigeration, Samsung showed three French door models with dual ice makers, a feature it described as an industry first. The dual system includes an external filtered water and ice dispenser in the refrigerator and an additional ice maker in the freezer to provide twice the ice-making ability of standard units.