Press room Gorenje IFA 2010 Press room

Gorenje's record-breaking sales in Germany

Germany is the largest major appliance market in Europe, accounting for 18 percent of its total home appliance sales. Last year, Gorenje saw the best performance in Germany in the last 39 years since it has founded its office in the Munich. Sales were boosted by 20 percent, breaking the EUR 100 million milestone in sales revenues.

Klemen Prešeren, head of Gorenje operations in Germany: "After last year's record breaking sales, the trend of double digit growth continues this year. We are increasing the share of upmarket appliances in total sales, and successfully extending our network of distribution channels. As a result, the offer at over half of all trade companies in Germany now includes the Gorenje brand. We wish to be perceived by consumers as a developer of innovative solutions and creator of designer products. To this end, 15 percent of our total sales portfolio is revamped each year, which is above the average in an otherwise highly innovative and dynamic market where annually just under nine percent of products are novelties."

Gorenje's presence in Germany, the world's fourth largest economy by GDP, with a population of 82 million, dates back to 1961 when the first 200 stoves were exported to this market. Despite formidable German, i.e. "domestic" competition, the four percent market share today ranks Gorenje in the fifth place among providers of a comprehensive range of home appliances, making it the strongest non-German European brand in the industry in this country.

The company is planning to keep up the sales growth in this year. Successful appearance at the fair, which already exceeds the last year's results after four days, will surely fuel the company's progress to the planned goals.

Lively verve at the IFA fair

Gorenje exhibition area at the IFA fair again hosted Slovenian Ambassador to Germany, Mr. Mitja Drobnič, this year. The Ambassador congratulated Gorenje on their 60th anniversary, on the splendid exhibition, and the company's success in defying the crisis and consolidating its position among the major home appliance manufacturers.

During his visit to Gorenje exhibition area, Slovenian Ambassador to Germany, Mr. Mitja Drobnič, was impressed by Gorenje's performance in the country: "Gorenje is a flagship of Slovenian economy and I am very pleased to see their successful performance year in, year out, in a challenging market like Germany, and particularly to see them succeed in marketing their own brand. Whenever I represent Slovenia in Germany, I refer with great pride to Gorenje," he commented during this year's visit to Gorenje exhibition area.

Biathlete and three-time olympics winner Michael Greis visits Gorenje exhibition area

Gorenje exhibition area at the IFA fair hosted the German biathlon star Michael Greis, winner of three Olympic gold medals. Gorenje has been a proud sponsor of this athlete since 2007. During his visit at the Gorenje booth, Michael Greis signed autograph cards, and talked to the visitors and journalists.

IFA 2010 Kicks Off

IFA's 50th edition has opened its gates to record-breaking exhibitor numbers on more floor space than ever. Today, IFA boasts of being the biggest show of its kind in the world, where an increasing number of innovations are revealed and where real business deals are made. This year for the third time, as the exhibition HOME APPLIANCES @ IFA became the part of the show, all notable home appliances manufactures, including Gorenje, are present.

GreenConnected

The array of novelties presented in Berlin this year bears witness to Gorenje's commitment to development of technologically perfected and environmentally friendly home appliances that address the customers with their appealing design and innovative solutions. Destined to steal the show, however, is the premiering innovative application GreenConnected.

GreenConnected, Gorenje's newest application is an original upgrade to the existing iGorenje system which was adapted for use with the iPad tablet PC, for remote operation and control of connectible appliances. The GreenConnected application allows users to monitor the status of individual appliances from remote locations and coordinate their operation. It stands out with an innovative energy-saving concept called PowerManagement, which times appliance operation cycles in order to optimise energy consumption.

A device with a Wi-Fi interface, such as a mobile phone, PDA, iPod Touch, laptop, iPad, etc., can be employed to check the appliance status and to send control orders from a remote location. Gorenje experts will continue to develop the iGorenje system to include other advantages made possible by the smart grids, affording the users even better and more economical operation of home appliances, both when at home and while on the road

Innovative energy-saving concept PowerManagement

The innovative GreenConnected application built into the iGorenje system is distinctive for its ability to track the parameters of the so-called smart grids. These grids include smart meters which, based on the power grid load, break the day down into a number of several-hour intervals during which a specific power rate applies. Hence, these meters provide a range of new options, including cutting off power supply from a remote location and introducing alternative methods of payment (e.g. prepaid service).

The iGorenje system and the GreenConnected application use the information provided by a smart meter to time the operation of appliances, making sure they’re started during periods when lower rates apply. This updated iGorenje system for remote control of washing, cooking, and refrigeration helps to provide up to a 25 percent improvement in energy efficiency.

Cooling with accumulated energy

Gorenje refrigeration appliances now also feature a remarkable novelty. Paired with a complex compressor, a special rechargeable battery is charged during the lower rate hours to allow the refrigerator to operate more economically during higher rates, as well as to operate in case of a power supply failure.

The washing machine's user interface, too, now includes new advanced functionality that allows the user to save even more energy. "Based on the currently assigned power rate, the savings-minded smart system will now suggest to the user to either choose a more economical washing program or to delay the washing cycle," explains Sašo Vinkovič of the Gorenje Point program, adding: "In fact, all electric and electronic devices in your home, not merely large appliances, can now be timed to operate, as far as practical, during the lower power-rate hours."

Inspired by the larger and simply better-looking display of the Apple iPad tablet PC, the collection of recipes in the iGorenje database has also been enhanced. The database of oven-based cooking recipes and simple touch control are a contemporary, innovative way of bringing cooking closer to a growing population of internet fans who are looking to indulge and express their passion for food. Why not cook with an iPad connected through a Wi-Fi interface to a high-tech Gorenje oven, using numerous preset cooking programs that make culinary creation fun and easy?

Gorenje experts will continue to improve the iGorenje system and include other favourable features of active grids in order to allow even simpler and more energy-efficient use of appliances, both on-site and from a remote location, as well as further savings.

Gorenje is challenging the world’s innovative design currents in Berlin again

Following a notable appearance in 2008 and 2009, Gorenje will challenge the world’s innovative design currents at this Berlin-based fair again this year, from September 3rd – 8th, Hall 1.1. Their 500 square meter exhibition area will feature numerous novelties and innovations that again attest to its vision of a design-minded creator of technologically advanced home appliances friendly to both the user and the environment.

Sixty Years of Creativity and Experience

International fair IFA 2010 started in the early 1920's with luminaries and legends such as Albert Einstein as keynote speakers, is the world's leading show for the Consumer Lifestyle market today. Sixty Years of Creativity and Experience

This year for the third time, as the exhibition HOME APPLIANCES @ IFA became the part of the show, all the significant home appliances manufactures will be present. At this year’s exhibition Gorenje is also celebrating its 60 years of creativity and experience.

As a global stage for innovative ideas and product solutions, IFA is a great opportunity to consolidate the existing business partnerships and to forge new ones. Last year, Gorenje hosted over 2,300 business partners from across the world at the fair; this year, it will be an opportunity to invite them join the company in celebration of the company's sixtieth birthday. Paying tribute to this festive occasion, Gorenje will launch a limited anniversary edition of appliances called Gorenje Simplicity Moonlight which will thus see its debut at the fair.

The IFA defines tomorrow’s retail product portfolio, innovation and technology, and development of new products which is of key importance for further progress of both companies and brands.

"The array of novelties presented in Berlin this year bears witness to Gorenje's commitment to development of technologically perfected and environmentally friendly home appliances that address the customers with appealing design and innovative solutions. Indeed, pursuit of superior design, innovation, and sustainable development has fuelled the 60 years of creativity and established rock-solid foundations for our future business success," says Franjo Bobinac, Gorenje President and CEO.

Destined to steal the show, however, is the premiering innovative application GreenConnected. Harnessing high-tech innovation to deliver energy efficiency, it is an original upgrade to the existing iGorenje system which allows controlling intelligent connectible home appliances from remote locations.

iGorenje's user interface was adapted for use with the iPad tablet PC and upgraded with a revolutionary smart power management concept called PowerManagement which optimizes the use of power by adjusting the timing of appliance operation cycles.

The array of connectible appliances includes a washing machine, an oven, and the most recently added refrigerator and freezer combo. The latter features another ground-breaking innovation: a battery that is charged during the periods of lower power rates to release the power during higher rates, as well as allow operation in case of a power supply failure.

A device with a Wi-Fi interface, such as a mobile phone, PDA, iPod Touch, laptop, iPad, etc., can be employed to check the appliance status and to send control orders from a remote location. Gorenje experts will continue to develop the iGorenje system to include other advantages made possible by the smart grids, affording the users even better and more economical operation of home appliances, both when at home and while on the road.

Moreover, Gorenje's portfolio of novelties presented at the exhibition area includes the new generation of A+++ class refrigeration appliances. In addition to meeting the requirements of the highest energy class, they feature numerous economical functions and technological advancements, such as improved insulation system, innovative solutions for refrigeration system components, and an advanced compressor, to reduce power consumption to a minimum. Thus, the models of appliances in the future highest energy class A+++, presented in Berlin, will save 60 percent of power compared to an A class appliance. They are scheduled for launch in the markets in the course of the following year.
 
Also launched in 2011 will be the Gorenje Pininfarina Steel Collection, another collection of appliances premiered this year. Inspired by the power and beauty of this prestigious metal, this is a follow-up to three highly popular collections resulting from Gorenje's collaboration with the Pininfarina design studio.

The centrepiece of this year's exhibition area perhaps best symbolizes the spirit of Gorenje's creativity. One of Gorenje's flagship concept products, the luxurious SmarTable, is covered in green turf to introduce yet another possible application of the concept of a refrigerator integrated into the base of a table and accentuate the company's environmental awareness. 

In addition to the above novelties, other Gorenje's hit collections will also work their charm at the fair. The Gorenje designed by Karim Rashid will touch the visitors with the magic of light and the charisma of its designer; Gorenje Retro Collection will glow in the rainbow of new colours; and the Gorenje Simplicity line will impress with its rational perfection and straightforward operation for which Gorenje won the Plus X Award in the category "Ease of Use."

These are only some of the highlights from the verve of Gorenje's exhibition area at the IFA 2010 fair taking place from September 3rd to 8th this year in Berlin. You are kindly invited to visit Gorenje booth in hall 1.1, to join them in a celebration of their 60 years of creativity.

IFA – The Business Event No. 1 for Consumer Electronics and Home Appliances

Having started in the early 1920's with luminaries and legends such as Albert Einstein as keynote speakers, IFA is the world's leading show for the Consumer Lifestyle market today.

Last year, this global display of innovation and new technologies was attended by over 228,500 visitors and 6,219 media representatives from 78 countries. A total of 1,164 exhibitors presented their products on total exhibition area of 121,000 square metres, completing EUR 3 billion worth of deals.

This year, for its 50th edition, show organisers expect to break new records in terms of innovations and deals done at the show.

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