Thursday, 30th May 2019, Velenje
Golden, silver, and bronze innovation awards for Gorenje

Savinja and Šalek Chamber of Commerce ("Savinjsko-šaleška gospodarska zbornica") held a festive event to celebrate its 40th anniversary. At the event, it also presented for the twentieth time the awards for the best innovations in the region. Gorenje's innovators were happy to receive three awards: Gorenje won gold for its new generation of Gorenje WaveActive washing machines and dryers, and silver for the new generation of Asko dishwashers; our colleagues from Gorenje Orodjarna (toolmaking plant) won a bronze award for their complex progressive tool for sheet metal semi-products.
The new generation of Gorenje WaveActive washing machines and dryers,
which won the golden award, combines innovations and cutting-edge technologies
such as SteamTech that uses steam to effectively rehydrate the fabric and break
down the dirt, and IonTech that uses ionized air to improve stain removal by 30
percent. Uniquely designed drum with wave-shaped ribs ensures soft treatment of
garments. In the tumble dryers, IonTech technology removes any odours to leave
the garments with a fresh smell, while SteamTech employs steam to straighten
the fibres and all but do away with the need for ironing. All Gorenje
WaveActive generation appliances meet the highest environmental standards and
they are highly energy-efficient.
The new
generation of Asko premium dishwashers, to which the committee presented
the silver award, was developed in tune with the brand's values: functionality,
minimalist (Scandinavian) design, high quality, and environmental
responsibility. We developed two new programs and four different dishwashing
modes for even more flexibility in accommodating the users' needs. The capacity
to wash 17 place settings worth of dishes at once is the most that can
currently be found in the market. The appliances are highly energy-efficient
(rated in energy class A+++), they use very little water (9.5 litres), and
they are very quiet (39 dB). Dishwasher door is made of a single piece of
steel, contributing to the premium appearance. The appliances are connectible
with smart devices.
Innovative
approaches in development made it possible to make the tool for mass production
of semi-products out of high-strength sheet metal with integrated thread
rolling. Compared to the previous tools, this one allows higher
productivity and automated semi-product production. The new tool uses 38% less
sheet metal per semi-product unit, and the energy consumption is lower as well.
Due to the use of high-strength sheet metal, the core of the challenge was
manufacturing the so-called necks by thread rolling in the very tool.
Furthermore, the semi-products made with the tool are defined as safety
elements in cars, which further increases the complexity of the project. The
innovation won the bronze award.
With
our golden innovation, we have also qualified for the national selection for best Slovenian innovations.
Over
the two decades, awards for best innovations in the SAŠA region have been
presented to a total of 2,198 innovators for 376 innovations.