MAJAP Briefs

Richardson, Texas —Twenty lucky retail salespeople will win stainless steel Asko washer/dryer pairs at next month's Kitchen/Bath Industry Show (KBIS) as part of the company's Win-a-Pair Sales Contest. The vendor awarded salespeople one entry for each Asko laundry sale from December through February, and will draw the winning names during the KBIS event, held this year in Chicago. Winners will receive a W6661 washer and a T761 dryer, which carry an estimated retail value of $3,448. Asko says the models are the only stainless steel laundry pair made in America.

Washington— President George W. Bush's proposal to impose tariffs of up to 30 percent on steel imports could result in higher prices for major appliances and other products made with steel. Analysts say the cost to consumers could run as high as $7.5 billion as steel users pass on their cost increases to end users. The Bush Administration says the move will enable U.S. steelmakers to compete more effectively with offshore producers on price, allowing them to increase production and rehire workers that have been laid off in recent years.

Minneapolis— Appliance Recycling Centers of America (ARCA), which operates nine ApplianceSmart factory outlet stores and recycles majaps for the energy conservation programs of electric utilities, said total 2001 calendar year sales soared 104 percent to a record $43.8 million. Full-year sales for its retail unit, which carries close-outs, factory overruns and scratch-and-dent models by Whirlpool, Maytag and Frgidaire, grew 78 percent to $22 million while comps increased 25 percent. President/CEO Jack Cameron attributed the strong showing to "the steadily growing consumer appeal of our special-buy retail concept" and energy conservation-related recycling operations in California. The company opened four new ApplianceSmart outlets in 2001, and plans to add as many as four more this year, including a 30,000-square-foot superstore set to open this month in Columbus, Ohio.