NEW YORK – The major appliance industry is enjoying a welcome resurgence, and manufacturers are wasting no time in moving out their newest high-margin models.
Here’s a rundown of recent premium and super-premium white-goods rollouts:
Aga Marvel’s Aga Rangemaster subsidiary has introduced an expansive platform of full-size, built-in refrigerators that can be custom-configured in nearly 1,400 variations including all-refrigerators, all-freezers, refrigerator-freezers (both side-by- side and top mount), dual-zone wine cellars, beverage centers, French door, and Professional-series glass door models with blue interior display lighting. Units feature durable metal interiors, perforated stainless-steel freezer shelves for better cold air flow-through, and an over-the-cabinet cooling system that frees up storage space inside. Suggested retails range from $4,929 for a 24-inch all-refrigerator with white interior and stainless-steel wrap door to $13,799 for a 48-inch combination side-by-side with dual compressors, stainless interior and stainless frame glass door.
Bosch has extended its Axxis laundry line with a compact front-load platform. The new 24-inch laundry pair requires no duct for venting, making apartment installation easier, and the washer plugs into the dryer, so that only one outlet is required for both. Bosch said the compact units offer the cleaning power of full-sized models, and feature a raindrop-structured drum surface to clean clothes gently; an anti-vibration system; and a wash-and-dry cycle time of 30 minutes. Suggested washer/dryer retails start at $999/$899.
GE has introduced an innovative double wall oven that fits within the space of a 30- inch single wall oven. GE cooking products marketing manager Jonathan Bostock described the new GE Profile-branded single- double wall oven as “an industry first” that spares homeowners a kitchen retrofit. The unit provides a combined 5 cubic feet of cavity space with convection heating within the lower, larger section, and carries a suggested retail of $2,999.
Perlick, the undercounter refrigeration resource, has added a refrigerator/wine reserve to its 24-inch dual-zone Signature series. Available as an indoor or UL-listed outdoor model, the unit’s independently controlled temperature zones allow storage of both food and beverages at appropriate temperatures, an industry exclusive, Perlick said. Doors can be configured with solid stainless steel, solid wood overlay, stainless-steel glass or wood overlay glass, and all models offer three full-extension pull-out wine shelves and one full-extension pull-out refrigerator shelf. Suggested retails start at $3,299 for the indoor version, $3,599 for the outdoor model.
