Alan Wolf On Jan 28 2013 - 1:00am

GE Shows Laundry, Kitchen Additions At Int'l Builders' Show

LAS VEGAS – GE Appliances, which mounted a major South Hall presence at International CES two years ago, was back at the Las Vegas Convention Center this month, but not at the electronics show.

Instead, the majap maker chose to showcase some of its 2013 product portfolio at the ensuing International Builders’ Show (IBS), one of only a handful of white-goods vendors to do so. The event is of particular importance to GE, which gleans a significant share of its volume from the home builders’ channel.

This year’s talking points included the company’s latest high-efficiency top-load washer, featuring an industry-leading 5-cubic-foot capacity. GE has also addressed consumer complaints over the need to buy pricey pedestals to raise the height of front-load washers and dryers (to avoid bending and kneeling) by offering models with built-in risers and extra-large openings.

In refrigeration, GE showed its 29-cubic-foot French-door Café fridge that can accurately heat and dispense 10 ounces of hot water in minutes.

In cooking, GE said its new wall ovens feature the latest European convection cooking technology and new vents on their ceilings to provide significantly increased air flow and solid cooking performance. The ovens can also be controlled remotely over the Internet via an iPhone and Android app.