Majap Briefs

Chicago — Sears has become the first retailer in the country to join the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) voluntary Responsible Appliance Disposal partnership (RAD). The partnership promotes environmentally responsible disposal of household appliances and is designed to significantly reduce emissions of ozone-depleting substances and greenhouse gases. The new pact between EPA and Sears is expected to properly dispose of more than 1 million residential refrigerators and freezers annually, resulting in the emissions savings equivalent of taking approximately 650,000 cars off the road for a year.

Chicago — Bertazzoni, Italy's leading ultra-premium range and cooktop manufacturer, has completed its coverage of North America with the appointment of Almo as its Midwest distributor. “Almo will be a valuable partner in our endeavor to further expand our presence in the North American luxury appliance market,” said president Paolo Bertazzoni. Almo is the country's largest majap distributor, with 11 direct-fulfillment warehouses across the United States.

Huntington Beach, Calif. — BSH Home Appliances, makers of Bosch, Siemens, Thermador and Gaggenau brand premium majaps, has made some changes within its executive ranks. Effective last month, Scot Brown was promoted to sales senior VP, with continuing responsibility for sales management of all BSH brands within the United States, reporting to president/CEO Franz Bosshard. Effective this month, sales development head Michael Murphy was promoted to retail sales general manager, responsible for retail and regional key account sales, reporting to Brown. Also effective this month, Holger Fietz has succeeded Michael Bohn as brand marketing director for BSH North America, reporting to marketing VP Bob Carlson.

In other news, BSH has terminated its distribution contract with Kansas-based Doolittle Distributing, which covered the central region for the company. BSH will direct service that market beginning Dec. 3.

Chicago — Maytag celebrated its 100th anniversary this month with an open-to-the-public birthday bash at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Co-hosting the event was Willard Scott of NBC-TV's “Today Show,” known for his homage to 100th birthdays, and the Maytag Repairman. Scott described his hosting duties as “an honor and a privilege” given the iconic brand's “incredible history.” Mike Todman, president of corporate parent Whirlpool North America, noted, “No other brand has made washers for 100 years.”