Washington — Factory shipments of major appliances surged 11 percent in March, to 7.3 million units.
According to data from the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), every major product sector contributed to the U.S. increase, with laundry pairs up 5.1 percent; refrigerators up 5.4 percent; ranges, ovens, cooktops and microwave ovens up 8.9 percent; dishwashers up 14.1 percent; and ACs up 23.9 percent.
Shipments were also ahead 5.4 percent year to date.
In their recent first-quarter earnings reports, the CEOs of Whirlpool and Electrolux noted the resurgence in U.S. majap demand as the housing market stabilizes.
“We are seeing evidence that the recovery in the housing market is finally generating increased consumption of appliances,” observed Electrolux’s Keith McLoughlin, while Whirlpool’s Jeff Fettig said he anticipates “moderately higher revenue growth due to continued strength in U.S. housing and improving demand trends internationally.”
